X

Top-rated reviews of the week (pictures)

Another week, another product-palooza. This week, CNET editors reviewed photo- and video-sharing apps, and a camera and a lens that rocked. Not only that, but we also covered a couple of impressive iOS games worth checking out. Oh, and the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Jeff Sparkman
Jeff Sparkman is a copy editor at CNET who also writes about goofy and retro gadgets and contributes lame jokes where needed.
Jeff Sparkman
samsung-galaxy-s5-7047-020.jpg
1 of 10 Josh Miller/CNET

Samsung Galaxy S5

Another week, another product-palooza. This week, CNET editors reviewed photo- and video-sharing apps, and a camera and a lens that rocked. Not only that, but we also covered a couple of impressive iOS games worth checking out. Oh, and the Samsung Galaxy S5. Speaking of which...

Subtly improved and smartly refined, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is a superior superphone that hits every mark but the sharpest design.

carouselpromo.png
2 of 10 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Carousel

If you don't mind the 5GB storage limit, Carousel is an excellent way to share photos and videos.

vinyetpromo.png
3 of 10 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Vinyet for iOS

Vinyet's tools for creating, editing, and publishing videos to Instagram or Vine are better than what you get with the services themselves.

sigma-50mm-f1-4-dg-hsm-a-product-photos07.jpg
4 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | A Lens

While it's not cheap, the Sigma 50mm f1.4 lens provides great value for the money.

medium-carousel-game-monument-valley.jpg
5 of 10 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Monument Valley

With jaw-dropping artistic level design and challenges people of all ages can enjoy, Monument Valley is well worth your money.

thecollectablesobjectives.png
6 of 10 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

The Collectables

Even with the minor freemium annoyances, The Collectables is a ton of fun, with graphics and gameplay that make it worth jumping through a few hoops.

lg-hero-vipersmartstar.jpg
7 of 10 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Viper SmartStart and SmartKey

While Bluetooth proximity unlocking and the GPS locator features of Viper SmartStart and SmartKey come in handy, it is a fairly big installation and will apply to limited scenarios and vehicles.

04braven-brv-1-product-photos.jpg
8 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Braven BRV-1

If you're looking for a compact rugged, water-resistant Bluetooth speaker, the Braven BRV-1 is worth considering now that its street price has dropped to closer to $100.

nikon-coolpix-p600-black-01.jpg
9 of 10 Sarah Tew/CNET

Nikon Coolpix P600

The Nikon Coolpix P600 isn't the quickest camera, but that might be a small price to pay for having such a long lens on a relatively compact, lightweight camera.

2014toyotaavalon26.jpg
10 of 10 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2014 Toyota Avalon Limited

The 2014 Toyota Avalon Limited blurs the lines between premium and luxury with predictable but not soulless performance -- and a few surprising tech tricks.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos