Some smart home gadgets could be considered essential. A smart thermostat can save you money, and a smart door lock can prevent you from getting locked out. But, unlike those gadgets, it’s hard to argue you need the smart GE Profile Opal Ultra 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker ($579, or $629 with the side tank). However, you may want this gadget — because it makes The Good Ice.
Technology
Fire TV, Roku, WebOS, and More: A Guide to Smart TV Platforms
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Most individuals now use video streaming companies as a substitute of bodily media to look at films and TV reveals. Others have ditched conventional broadcast, cable, and satellite tv for pc TV suppliers for streaming dwell TV. Whether or not you subscribe to Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, or Netflix, you must discover a gadget that allows you to entry these companies in your TV, or a TV that helps them natively.
Media streaming gadgets are versatile, inexpensive, and able to displaying each 4K and HDR content material. You probably have a current TV or are looking for a brand new one, nevertheless, you most likely don’t even want a media streamer, as virtually all present TVs characteristic a built-in platform that means that you can entry in style streaming companies.
However not all sensible TV platforms supply the identical apps and options. Most massive companies can be found on nearly all of platforms, however you would possibly discover a number of exceptions. And different features like voice assistants and streaming out of your cellphone or pc range by system.
We break down what each in style sensible TV platform gives under, and share a few of our favourite TVs and media streamers in every class.
Amazon Fireplace TV
Amazon Fireplace TV interface
Amazon’s Fireplace TV platform is among the massive three licensable sensible TV interfaces, together with Android/Google TV and Roku TV. Which means that many third-party TVs, notably ones from Insignia and Toshiba, use Fireplace TV. Amazon additionally gives a number of first-party Fireplace TVs as properly.
You should use the Fireplace TV platform on every other sensible TV by plugging in an Amazon media streamer, akin to a Fireplace TV Stick 4K or Fireplace TV Dice. The interface prioritizes Amazon’s content material, although to not an overbearing diploma—it options the Prime Video service on the high of the house display, however aggregates content material ideas from different main companies as properly.
Apps
Amazon and Google supply essentially the most full picks of media streaming apps amongst sensible TV programs. The most important companies work on each platform, however area of interest companies like Crunchyroll for anime followers and Twitch for avid gamers are much less constant. Fireplace TV helps each.
Native Casting
That is Fireplace TV’s weakest side. It really works with Miracast/WiDi for some telephones and most Home windows PCs, however it does not help Apple AirPlay or Google Chromecast.
Voice Assistant
Amazon’s Alexa is among the strongest voice assistants—it helps 1000’s of third-party abilities and sensible residence gadgets. Its syntax necessities are a bit stiff in contrast with these of Google Assistant, however it nonetheless works properly. At the moment, hands-free Alexa is offered solely on the Fireplace TV Omni and the Fireplace TV Dice. For each different setup, you must communicate into the distant or preserve a suitable sensible speaker in the identical room.
Android TV and Google TV
Google TV interface
Google’s sensible TV platform has gone via a number of id shifts through the years. Within the early days of media streamers, Google TV was a very completely different system. Then, the corporate ran with Chromecast and the thought of solely streaming out of your smartphone or pill to your TV with none on-screen interface. Later, Google rolled out Android TV, a full sensible TV platform.
Now, Google TV has principally outdated Android TV—it is primarily the identical system, however with a extra streamlined interface. You can too add Google TV to any TV by buying a Chromecast With Google TV.
Apps
Like Fireplace TV, Android TV and Google TV cowl all the most important streaming companies, together with Crunchyroll and Twitch.
Native Casting
Google by no means stepped away from Chromecast, so each Android TV and Google TV allow you to simply stream from any Android gadget or Chrome browser tab. You may’t use AirPlay or Miracast/WiDi, although.
Voice Assistant
Google Assistant is each bit as highly effective as Alexa. It helps loads of sensible residence manufacturers and you should use it to seek for content material throughout a number of companies. It doesn’t have Alexa’s wealth of third-party abilities, however it responds to pure language instructions extra reliably. Larger-end Hisense, Sony, and TCL TVs have far-field microphones that allow you to make use of Google Assistant hands-free.
LG WebOS
LG WebOS interface
Way back, earlier than the age of smartphones, an organization known as Palm made private digital assistants (PDAs; ask your dad and mom) known as PalmPilots. They ran on PalmOS, which Palm renamed WebOS shortly after the iPhone first launched and about when PDAs began to lose their luster. HP purchased WebOS after which finally bought it to LG. After realizing that Apple and Google dominated the cellular gadget market, LG determined to make use of the expertise for TVs as a substitute. Thus, WebOS is now LG’s sensible TV platform.
Apps
Good TV platforms from first-party producers are likely to have a lot smaller libraries than Fireplace TV, Google TV, or Roku TV, however often supply all the most well-liked streaming apps. LG’s WebOS isn’t any completely different. It notably has a Twitch app (one thing Samsung, Vizio, and even Roku lack), however you may’t use Crunchyroll on the platform.
Native Casting
Like Roku and Samsung, WebOS helps Apple AirPlay and Miracast/WiDi, however not Google Chromecast.
Voice Assistant
WebOS integrates LG’s ThinQ voice assistant for direct management of the TV and any suitable LG ThinQ home equipment, however you don’t must rely solely on it. You can too set your LG TV to work along with your alternative of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Far-field microphones for hands-free management can be found on higher-end LG TVs.
Greatest LG WebOS Gadgets
Roku TV
Roku TV interface
Roku was one of many first massive names in media streamers, and one of many driving forces behind the transfer for all present TVs to incorporate streaming performance. Roku turned its media streaming platform right into a full sensible TV interface known as Roku TV, and made it accessible to any TV producer that needed to license it. Now, loads of finances manufacturers can present entry to apps they merely could not earlier than. In fact, you may nonetheless use Roku with any TV through a Roku Streaming Stick 4K or different Roku gadget. Roku TV’s greatest benefit is that it is some of the intuitive sensible TV interfaces to make use of, even when you aren’t very tech-savvy.
Apps
Roku gives a formidable collection of apps and streaming companies, which it calls Channels. The Roku Channel specifically is in style, however you can even use many free ones. Nonetheless, it at present lacks a Twitch Channel, and has been with out YouTube for some time up to now.
Native Casting
Roku TV helps each Apple AirPlay and Miracast/WiDi, however it doesn’t work with Google Chromecast.
Really helpful by Our Editors
Voice Assistant
That is one among Roku’s greatest weaknesses. Whereas Roku TV has a voice search perform that’s pretty highly effective for locating one thing to look at and for controlling your TV, it could actually’t management sensible residence gadgets or present common data just like the climate. You should use it hands-free with the non-compulsory Roku Voice Distant Professional, not less than.
Samsung Good TV
Samsung Good TV interface
Samsung has all the time gone its personal method with sensible TVs, and its present iteration, merely known as Samsung Good TV, runs on the corporate’s Linux-based Tizen OS. It’s very Samsung-centric, with options like SmartThings help (Samsung’s sensible residence platform), DeX compatibility (Samsung’s phone-as-workstation characteristic for Galaxy telephones), and Bixby (Samsung’s voice assistant). Thankfully, it’s opened up considerably in the previous few years and is far more accommodating to customers who aren’t totally invested in Samsung’s merchandise.
Apps
Like each different platform, the mainstream companies are all accessible. Nonetheless, Crunchyroll and Twitch will not be.
Native Casting
The platform helps Apple AirPlay and Miracast/WiDi, similar to Roku TV and WebOS. You probably have a suitable Samsung smartphone, you can even solid your display wirelessly to your TV to make use of as a workstation monitor.
Voice Assistant
Samsung was Bixby or bust, however that’s fortuitously not the case. Bixby continues to be accessible, and helpful if you wish to management Samsung SmartThings gadgets, however you can even use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, similar to with WebOS. Larger-end TVs even have far-field microphones for hands-free use.
Greatest Samsung Good TV Gadgets
Vizio SmartCast
Vizio SmartCast interface
For a short while, Vizio was dedicated to the Google Chromecast thought of streaming no matter you need out of your smartphone or pill with out an on-screen interface, and even bundled an Android pill with some TVs particularly for this objective. Thankfully, Vizio realized that most individuals need menus they’ll browse on their TV, and the present Vizio SmartCast platform displays that concept and even helps a lot of the massive names in streaming.
Apps
Vizio has one of many smallest app libraries, however once more, all the greatest names from Amazon to YouTube can be found. Crunchyroll and Twitch are absent, although.
Native Casting
Vizio’s SmartCast is the one platform with each Apple AirPlay and Google Chromecast, plus Miracast/WiDi, so you may simply stream something out of your cellphone, pill, or PC.
Voice Assistant
There is not one. Like Roku you should use voice search, there is no full voice assistant current on the TV itself.
Greatest Vizio SmartCast Gadgets
Construct the Greatest Dwelling Theater
After you resolve on a streaming platform, take your viewing expertise to the subsequent degree by following our information to constructing the very best residence theater system for beneath $1,000. We additionally clarify methods to calibrate your TV.
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Technology
This is the summer’s coolest new smart kitchen gadget — literally
![This is the summer’s coolest new smart kitchen gadget — literally](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KZaVpEFnTKjYaFmvtDvcG9DmthA=/0x0:5760x3840/1200x628/filters:focal(2880x1920:2881x1921)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25518688/8A0A1493.jpeg)
Nugget ice is a hill many will die on — my family included
Yes, $630 is a lot of money for any countertop gadget, let alone one that just freezes water. Spending this much on a connected gadget whose smarts are largely limited to scheduling and asking Alexa to make more ice feels like an even bigger stretch. But nugget ice is a hill many will die on — my family included. It just makes drinks taste better, they cry. Anything that encourages my children to hydrate is a big win in my book.
In case you’re unfamiliar with nugget ice (aka chewable ice, Sonic ice, pellet ice, or, as my family calls it, “the good ice”), it is small pieces of ice made from layers of flaked ice frozen together. It is really quite addictive and goes well in everything from a tall glass of water to iced tea and lemonade. It’s practically required if you’re making Tiki cocktails.
Nugget ice can turn a room-temperature drink into a cold drink in seconds and doesn’t melt as quickly as crushed ice. It’s also really fun to chew on. My daughter likes to get a glass full of ice and chow down.
Sadly, there isn’t a fridge that can make true nugget ice. Samsung makes one that produces “ice bites,” which are small ice cubes, but these are apparently not the same thing. So, it’s go countertop or go to the drive-in.
$629
The Ultra is an updated version of the already pretty great GE Profile Opal 2.0. It claims to make cleaning less arduous by adding new features like a filter to handle mineral build-up.
In the week I’ve had the Opal on my kitchen counter, it has become my family’s favorite kitchen gadget. They love scooping its nuggety goodness into a tall glass of lemonade or filling up their Tervis cup before tackling the summer heat.
The Opal is super easy to set up, simple to use, and makes ice very fast — up to 38 pounds a day. It doesn’t require plumbing, just power, but you will want the optional water tank if you want a continual flow of ice. We only have to refill that every other day on average and have more than enough ice for all four of us.
The Opal is my family’s favorite kitchen gadget
The biggest downside so far is the Opal Ultra is noisy. The tubing makes a high-pitched whining noise as the water filters through, and the ice production clunks gently. But here’s where those smarts do come in handy — you can schedule when it’s making ice in the Smart HQ app to avoid interfering with movie time — or just tell Alexa or Google to turn it off.
The Opal was first launched in 2015, and the Ultra is the fourth version of GE Profile’s popular nugget ice machine. It comes with some behind-the-scenes improvements to make cleaning the unit easier. These include a new scale-inhibiting water filter, a reusable air filter, and alerts that tell you when it’s time to sanitize or descale (on the device and in the app).
All of these enhancements add up to — in theory — more time between cleaning / descaling and should keep the ice tasting better for longer. (The good news for current Opal owners is that the new water filter is compatible with existing models).
The cleaning / descaling process is lengthy. It requires a special solution (or vinegar, if you prefer) and up to a day of downtime as the stuff does its work. And you need to keep up with it if you want it to keep producing fresh ice. In my short time testing the unit, I’ve not had a descale alert appear, but the sanitize one did, which happens after 25 hours of ice-making.
The sanitizing process was largely painless and took about 30 minutes. However, combined with descaling — which you’ll need to do once every 2 weeks to 4 months based on your water hardness — this gadget requires a lot of maintenance. (GE Profile notes that if you use distilled water in the Opal, you probably won’t need to descale it, but you’ll still need to sanitize and clean.)
The Ultra comes in new colors and with a magnetic scoop holder and stainless steel scoop
Other updates with the Ultra from the current Opal 2.0 model include new colors (white or black in addition to stainless steel) and an upgraded touch display for powering on/off, connecting to Wi-Fi, and checking status. Plus, there’s now a magnetic scoop holder and stainless steel scoop — which makes it easier to store the scoop on the side of the unit and should help with cleanliness.
If you can get the Opal 2.0 on sale that’s probably the way to go. Overall, the Ultra’s upgrades feel like aesthetic and quality-of-life tweaks. You still have to manually clean the machine, even if potentially not as often. Plus, you can buy the new water filter and the new scoop with holder separately starting in August and use them with the Opal 2.0, although that may cancel out most of your savings.
The Opal 2.0 Ultra is very expensive, requires a lot of work to maintain, and takes up a sizeable chunk of my kitchen counter. But it does an excellent job of producing fresh, chewable, crunchable ice that makes any drink taste better. It’s also one of the few smart gadgets I’ve brought into my home that everyone in my family loves — which says a lot.
If you, too, crave good ice and go into this knowing the struggles you’ll need to endure to keep getting it, then you’ll be very satisfied with this gadget.
Photos by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
Technology
Android banking Trojan evolves to evade detection and strike globally
![Android banking Trojan evolves to evade detection and strike globally](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/3-Android-banking-trojan-evolves-to-evade-detection-and-strike-globally-hack.jpg)
Android banking Trojan Medusa has returned after almost a yearlong hiatus and is now even more dangerous. The new variant of the Trojan is lightweight and requests fewer device permissions to avoid detection.
First identified in 2020, Medusa is a Turkish-linked banking Trojan that initially targeted Turkish financial institutions.
It expanded rapidly by 2022, launching major campaigns in North America and Europe, causing significant monetary harm. Medusa’s new variant is now targeting Android users across the globe, including those located in the U.S., Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the U.K. and Turkey.
A man looking at his Android phone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How does the Medusa Android Trojan evade detection?
Since July 2023, Medusa attacks are back with a new version. Cybersecurity experts from Cleafy found a spike in the number of installs of an app called “4K Sports.” This app is being used by hackers to put malware on people’s Android phones. The new malware is an upgraded Medusa with big changes in how it works.
It asks for fewer permissions, making it sneakier. It still requests Accessibility Services, which is a big red flag. Android’s Accessibility Service is a powerful tool that helps people with disabilities use mobile devices more easily. When you grant an app Accessibility permissions, you’re essentially giving it the ability to do whatever it wants on your phone.
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Cybercriminals are aware of this, so most malware that infects your phone will ask for Accessibility permissions. You should be immediately suspicious when an app requests permissions in this area. Medusa’s new variant also requests Broadcasting SMS, Internet Foreground Service and Package Management permissions.
The Android Trojan now has 17 fewer commands than before but adds five new ones, like setting a black screen overlay, taking screenshots and more.
Cleafy reveals that hackers are using not only the 4K Sports app to install Medusa but also fake apps like Google Chrome, InatTV, Purolator and 5G. In the U.S., Chrome, InatTV and Purolator are the main apps being misused by these hackers.
![person on android](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/2-Android-banking-trojan-evolves-to-evade-detection-and-strike-globally-details.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A person on their Android phone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR ANDROIDS — CYBERGUY PICKS 2024
What is the scale of the Medusa cyberattack?
Medusa is going after people all over the world, including the U.S. and Europe. Cleafy found two different Medusa botnet groups, each working in its own way.
The first group, with botnets named AFETZEDE, ANAKONDA, PEMBE and TONY, mainly targets people in Turkey but also hits Canada and the U.S. They use Medusa’s usual tricks, like phishing, to spread the malware.
The second group, including the UNKN botnet, shows a change in Medusa’s strategy. It mainly targets European users, especially in Italy and France. Unlike the usual variants, some of these new ones were installed through apps downloaded from untrusted sources. This means the hackers are trying new ways to spread the malware beyond the usual phishing tactics.
![cybercriminal](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/3-Android-banking-trojan-evolves-to-evade-detection-and-strike-globally-hack.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Illustration of a cybercriminal. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
ANDROID BANKING TROJAN MASQUERADES AS GOOGLE PLAY TO STEAL YOUR DATA
10 ways you can protect yourself from the Android banking Trojan
While a Trojan is hard to detect and can be dangerous once it enters your phone, there are several things you can do to protect your data.
1. Be cautious of phishing attempts: Be vigilant about emails, phone calls or messages from unknown sources asking for personal information. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing sensitive details unless you can verify the legitimacy of the request.
2. Have strong antivirus software: Android has its own built-in malware protection called Play Protect, but it’s not enough to stop all malicious software. Historically, Play Protect hasn’t been 100% foolproof at removing all known malware from Android phones. The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
3. Download apps from reliable sources: It’s important to download apps only from trusted sources like the Google Play Store. They have strict checks to prevent malware and other harmful software. Avoid downloading apps from unknown websites or unofficial stores, as they can pose a higher risk to your personal data and device.
4. Use an identity theft protection service: Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
One of the best parts of using some services is that they might include identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees and a white glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
5. Monitor your accounts: If you think you have been affected by the banking Trojan, regularly review your bank statements, credit card statements and other financial accounts for any unauthorized activity. If you notice any suspicious transactions, report them immediately to your bank or credit card company.
6. Enable SMS notifications for your bank accounts: By enabling SMS notifications, you can monitor your accounts for any unauthorized transactions.
7. Set up two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA is an extra shield that prevents hackers from accessing your accounts.
8. Use a password manager: A password manager can help you create and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, reducing the risk of password theft.
9. Regularly update your device’s operating system and apps: Keeping your software up to date is crucial, as updates often include security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities that could be exploited by Trojans.
10. Be wary of granting permissions: Carefully review the permissions requested by apps. If an app asks for more access than it needs for its functionality, it could be a red flag.
HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET
Kurt’s key takeaways
Hackers behind Medusa have made the malware hard to detect. They use apps that look legitimate to get the malware onto your phone and steal your personal data and sometimes your money. As a rule of thumb, only download apps from the Google Play Store. Google ensures it only allows secure apps on its platform and is safer than any other app store.
What are your thoughts on the increasing sophistication of mobile malware like the Medusa Trojan, and how do you think the cybersecurity industry should respond? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Technology
Electric bikepacking: lessons learned over four days and 250 miles
![Electric bikepacking: lessons learned over four days and 250 miles](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SHJAZ7UDfemSgAghqw0DiBL6ElU=/0x0:3045x2284/1200x628/filters:focal(289x1178:290x1179)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25509911/dodge.jpg)
“Electric bikes are for cheaters” is the refrain sung by cocksure men in lycra, worried their weekend hobbies will be invaded by unfit neophytes on battery-powered gravel, mountain, and road bicycles.
It reminds me of the early internet when AOL users were considered inferior to the online elite who did the hard work of subscribing to a regional ISP. Back then, losing an argument with an aol.com email address was reason enough to sell your modem. Now, the ultimate humiliation is being overtaken by someone in street shoes casually pushing a throttle.
But make no mistake, electric sport bikes are becoming increasingly common on trails and roads, just as electrics are slowly replacing regular bicycles in cities around the world.
To understand the appeal, I decided to pick just one electric sport bike — the Specialized Turbo Creo 2 Comp — to test on steep asphalt, rutted trails, loose gravel, mud, sand, and some green mushy stuff that smelled of doom. And to truly test its limits, I loaded the bike down with an absurd 50 pounds (23kg) of gear for a four day e-bikepacking trip.
And to test the performance of the e-bike, I was joined by an avid roadie who is currently training to ride over 800 miles (1,300km) from Amsterdam to Venice, Italy. He’s not only 10 years younger than me — he’s also fitter and carried just half the weight on his acoustic road bike.
What follows is my e-bikepacking experience over nearly 150 miles (400km) and 4,265 feet (1,300m) of elevation change. It covers my evolving charging strategy, favorite gadgets and bike gear tested, and lessons learned from over 600 miles (1,000km) of in-the-saddle testing.
Spoiler: I’m not a convert, but I can appreciate how e-bikes make cycling sports accessible to more people, even bikepacking if you live in the right places.
Charging
The Veluwe is a sprawling forest system in the heart of the Netherlands, rich in woodlands, heath, and wetlands divided by sandy hills cut by glaciers. It’s not a place you’d expect to find an extensive network of e-bike chargers. Yet, I found them to be so plentiful on my four-day trip that I was able to shed my initial range anxiety.
Each of the three campsites I stayed at cost around €10 to €15 (about $11 to $16) per night and offered free e-bike charging. The charging facilities ranged from a luxurious covered garage — important for keeping the charging brick dry when it rains — to a simple extension cord that snaked out of a solar-powered tent.
Wild camping away from official sites — which isn’t allowed in the Netherlands — would have made the charging logistics more difficult. But it was certainly possible: three of the four cafes I randomly stopped at during the tour offered free public chargers run by companies like Ion and Laad.
The Specialized e-bike I rode (more on that later) takes about 3.5 hours to fully charge both the main battery and one range extender using the included 164W (54.6V/3A) charging brick. My days would usually end with about 20 percent (out of 150 percent) of battery power remaining, which would have meant scheduling three hours of charging breaks along the route had I been wild camping. That’s certainly doable if spread over multiple food stops, especially on the long summer days found in Northern Europe. Nevertheless, charging in one go each night at a campsite was more convenient and required less planning.
1/11
Frankly, I was surprised by all the charging options I found along my route — but really, I shouldn’t have been. The Dutch are rightly lauded for their bicycling infrastructure. In the last few years, e-bikes have outsold regular bikes across the Netherlands, and a new survey suggests that electric bikes are now the majority of bikes ridden. But long before VanMoof helped make e-bikes trendy for young Dutch riders, it was the over-60s you’d see being propelled along bicycle paths. These are the same people who now strap a pair of e-bikes to RVs parked at campsites in the forests. I can only surmise that this remote charging infrastructure emerged in support of boomer demand.
You might not be able to replicate my multiday e-bikepacking experience where you live, but you will eventually, especially in Europe with its shorter distances and fast rate of e-bike adoption. It’ll take a bit longer in the US with its massive scale and dominating car culture.
The bike
For this trip, I rode the $6,500 / €6,000 Specialized Turbo Creo 2 Comp drop-bar gravel / road e-bike. My European review bike was capped at a top speed of 15.5mph (25km/h) and 50Nm of torque from the company’s own 250W / 330W mid-drive motor. Buyers in the US will receive a faster Class-3 e-bike with a top speed of 28mph.
There are several reasons why I chose the Creo 2 Comp for my first e-bikepacking adventure. First, it’s lightweight for an e-bike at just 14.47kg (32 pounds) making it almost 5kg (11 pounds) lighter than DJI’s attention-grabbing electric mountain bike. Impressively, the Creo 2 Comp is just 1.3kg (almost 3 pounds) heavier than my own hardtail MTB.
The Creo 2 Comp also features multiple attachment points for all the cages and racks needed to haul lots of gear, and a front shock built into the handlebar stem that allows for 20mm of travel. That’s not a lot of dampening compared to mountain bikes, but my hands definitely benefited after several hours of daily riding over rough gravel, tree roots, and bumpy single track.
Specialized’s two-wheeler also supports healthy tire volumes, including the chunky 29 x 2.2-inch variety commonly fitted to mountain bikes. My review bike came with the company’s smaller 700 x 42 Pathfinder Pro tubeless tires. They proved to be smooth rollers on pavement and gravel and plenty capable in sections of sand and muck that stopped my friend who rode on thinner tires.
But the main reason I selected the Creo 2 Comp was for its battery expansion. The electric gravel bike features a main 320Wh battery that can be easily supplemented with $450 160Wh range extenders. Specialized sent me two extenders for a total capacity of 640Wh. The company also sent me a Y-cable for dual-battery charging.
Unfortunately, that main battery is fully integrated into the frame and can’t be removed for charging. Specialized did this to help keep the weight down. But the Y-cable can only charge the main battery and one range extender simultaneously — not two range extenders — ruining my plan to keep the bike securely by my tent while the two smaller batteries were charging elsewhere. That meant leaving Specialized’s very expensive bike and one range extender charging outside in the rain on three occasions — twice overnight, and a few hundred meters away — protected only by a lightweight lock and rain fly made from a trash bag. Not ideal.
Another intriguing feature of the Creo 2 Comp is Specialized’s smart battery control. In Smart Control mode, you can enter the distance and duration of your planned travel, and the bike will adjust the pedal assist to ensure you don’t run out of power. I ended up not using this mode for a few reasons. First, Smart Control requires tracking the ride in the Specialized app, and I didn’t want to drain my phone’s battery unnecessarily (the bike doesn’t have a USB charging port for bike computers and phones). The second reason I didn’t use Smart Control is that I was easily getting about 68 miles (110km) from the internal battery and range extender combo, even with all that gear and riding in Sport mode — Specialized’s medium setting, which nicely balances pedal assistance with battery conservation. Without all the gear, I was getting closer to 93 miles (150km) from the battery plus extender.
And let’s face it: the real reason I chose the Specialized Creo 2 Comp for the trip is that it barely looks like an e-bike. But the motor’s audible whir made it obvious to anyone nearby that I was getting an electrical assist.
Planning
For this tour, I upgraded to the Komoot Premium ($59 / year) service to access its multiday cycling trip planner. My plan started with a premade gravel tour called the Green Divide created by Erwin Sikkens, which I segmented into a custom four-day journey that extended to my home in Amsterdam. Komoot also helped me add cafes and campsites along the way. I then exported the maps to my old Garmin 530 bike computer.
When booking each campsite, I called ahead to confirm the availability of e-bike charging since I wanted to camp in the more isolated backpacking sections of the campsites, away from the busy charging poles used by all the parked RVs. Little did I know that this was a common amenity offered by every campsite I contacted in the area.
Komoot Premium also displays detailed weather reports along the route. It showed mostly tailwinds for my dates of travel allowing me to plan a quicker-than-average pace, but the rain forecast meant packing additional protection.
I brought along a $270 Spinshift jacket from Gorewear to fight back the cold wind and rain. My review jacket kept me warm and completely dry and packed down small into the jacket’s zip pocket. It fit snuggly with my arms extended on the Creo 2 Comp e-bike, especially when fully stretched into the drop-bar position. But that also meant that the stiff (thin and lightweight) Gore-Tex fabric bunched up a bit when just standing around — a tradeoff I’m always happy to make in a cycling jacket. The Spinshift performed far better than my friend’s rain jacket, which quickly filled with air (slowing him down) and caused him to overheat more frequently. The Gorewear Spinshift jacket isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the price.
If you’re in the US, you’ll also want to check if the trails along your route allow for e-bikes, especially if you’re on a fast and powerful Class-3. Europe’s less powerful pedal-assisted e-bikes have fewer such restrictions.
Baggage
The 14.47kg (32 pounds) Creo 2 Comp weighed a staggering 37kg (82 pounds) after loading it up with 1.5L of water and everything I needed for four days of camping in the rain and cold. For food, I only needed to pack breakfasts and energy snacks since lunches and dinners would be found at markets and cafes along the way.
Ironically, the heaviest items were all related to keeping the e-bike’s motor running. This included the two external range extenders, the massive charging brick, and the heavy-duty Y charging cable. I also brought along a CEE-to-Schuko adapter cable just in case I needed to charge the e-bike from one of those blue charging poles at campsites (I never did). I also never used the second range extender battery, but I was happy to have it in reserve.
To support all that weight and volume, I had to fit the Creo 2 Comp with a rack and pannier bags. For this, I chose a carbon-fiber AeroPack rack and organization system from Tailfin to review. That 50 liters of waterproof on-bike storage proved to be fantastic, albeit expensive, at nearly €1,000 (almost $1,100).
The AeroPack rack I reviewed attaches to the seat post and to an extended rear axle I had to install on the e-bike — a procedure that took about 30 minutes. Tailfin’s 16L Mini Panniers and the entire rear rack that includes an integrated 18L top bag are designed for quick attachment and detachment. That was super helpful since I wanted my gear at my tent while the bike was charging far away.
I used Tailfin’s Packing Cubes to help keep things organized inside those deep storage bags. Most of my clothes went into the 6L Cube, which fit snugly into the AeroPack top bag. All my cables and small electronics went into the 2.5L Cube, and the toiletries and microfiber towel in the 3.5L Cube. Both of those organizers went into the waterproof panniers alongside items like my trusty JetBoil camping stove I’ve had for something like 15 years. All my stored gear stayed completely dry despite three days of on-and-off rain.
The rest of the bags were my own, including two feed bags for quick access to snacks, my lock, and a water bottle; a partial frame bag for my tools and first aid kit; and a small top-tube bag for a USB battery pack, wallet, and miscellaneous items needed during the ride.
I’ve never carried so much gear on a bikepacking trip before, but I never had a motor to help carry the load, either. Still, the Tailfin bags remained firmly in place with zero sway, which has never been my experience when using those elongated saddle bags that often go limp after a bit of rough riding and end up dragging on the rear wheel.
Tailfin’s setup is totally worth the price, in my opinion.
Sleeping
The other star of the trip was the $500 Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1-Person Tent MSR sent me to review. It’s tiny and weighs only 2 pounds 1 ounce (0.9kg) but has a long list of very smart features for bikepackers. Notably, it comes in a waterproof handlebar bag / stuff sack with plenty of attachment points for add-ons. It features thick spacers that give room for the bike’s cables and a compartment for tent poles that are shorter than normal to not interfere with steering.
1/10
The waterproof and nicely ventilated tent and rainfly kept me completely dry in lots of rain, even a thunderstorm. The uniform rectangular shape made it easy to set up and provided plenty of headroom to sit upright. The Hubba Hubba tent also features plenty of internal pockets to store gear and a large vestibule outside the side entry to keep my shoes, helmet, bags, and other bits out of sight and dry while I slept. I also made good use of the internal and external clotheslines to dry my gear.
The Hubba Hubba Bikepack tent is hands down the best lightweight tent of the dozens I’ve tried over the last three decades. It’s clearly been designed by people who spend a ton of time cycling away from civilization. Still, $500 is very expensive. My friend’s $110 NatureHike Cloud tent (which I also own) is only slightly heavier, and he seemed just as comfortable and dry. You don’t absolutely need the Hubba Hubba for bikepacking — but you’re right to want it.
Rounding out my sleep gear was a very comfortable and warm $200 NeoAir XLite NXT four-season air mattress that Thermarest sent me to test. And despite measuring a thick three inches (7.6cm), it packs down small and light at 13 ounces (370g). I appreciated the WingLock Valve that let me inflate (and deflate) it quickly without exhausting myself using the included pump sack and some good ol’ Bernoulli physics.
Thermarest also sent me a down-filled Vesper 32F/0C Quilt to review; $400 for a trail blanket is expensive, but it weighs just 15 ounces (425g) and packs down into an impossibly small ball. Despite being lightweight, it was a bit too warm when falling asleep in 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius), but I was happy to have it when temps dropped down to 48F (9C) a few nights — Thermarest says the quilt’s sweet spot is around 41F (5C). It’s silky soft to the touch and stretches around the NeoAir XLite NXT to prevent slippage and drafts.
I slept reasonably well with this setup or at least as well as I do at home. But I just can’t get comfortable with any inflatable pillow I’ve tried. Someday, I’ll find the perfect pillow, but the Trekology Aluft Pro I bought on Amazon isn’t it.
Gadgets
As a nerd, I brought far more gadgets than a typical person would. That meant bringing several USB power banks along to keep everything charged over a period of four days: two 10,000mAh (40Wh) batteries and one 27,000mAh (100Wh) behemoth. That’s far more than I’d normally bring, but again, I had a motor and tons of storage.
Some gadgets I always bring with me on bikepacking trips. These include my iPhone in a QuadLock bike-mount case and my Apple Watch — both set to low-power modes. I also brought a GoPro with extra batteries that I never even used. My aging but formidable Garmin 530 bike computer provided turn-by-turn navigation. To my delight, it was able to read power, cadence, and speed data off the Specialized Turbo Creo 2 Comp after I manually added each bike sensor.
I also had to bring the little SRAM AXS battery charger that came with the bike just in case its wireless electronic shifter died. Something that nearly happened to me earlier during 370 miles (about 600km) of preparation for the trip.
Naturally, I also brought along plenty of gadgets to review.
I tested a pair of $60 Baseus Eli Sport 1 open-ear Bluetooth headphones to be sure that I could still hear everything around me. Most riders prefer bone-conducting headphones for this purpose, but I’ve never been a fan of the flat sound. With the rain-proof Eli Sport 1, I could slip on just one of the two over-the-ear slugs for the duration of the ride to hear the navigation. They’re so lightweight and comfortable that I’d forget I was wearing one by the end of the day, and it never fell off my ear, even on the roughest trails or when taking off my helmet and sunglasses. At night, I could pop on the second slug and listen to music or watch videos with real bass, though anyone nearby could hear the audio bleed into the quiet even at modest volumes. The case also kept the headphones charged for the duration of the trip despite heavy all-day usage. For the price, they proved to be outstanding, but I should note that Amazon says it’s a frequently returned product.
I also tested a pair of Milo Communicators. I’ll have a full review coming later, as these need to be tested in a few more scenarios. My first impressions are mixed. They were invaluable in finding out that my friend had fallen off his bike in a gnarly sand patch a few hundred meters behind me, but they frequently failed to clearly deliver insults and warnings when both of us were riding full out over noisy gravel, wind, grunts, and woo-hooing. We had the Milos mounted on the bikes, and that might have been too far away to properly isolate our voices (the company offers several mounting options). It’s promising tech, so more on this later.
I’ve also been testing a HoverAir X1 drone for the past few weeks. And honestly, I think I love it. It’s so easy to grab and set aloft without needing any type of controller. And like they say, the best drone is the drone you have with you, and I wasn’t about to bring a DJI drone on this trip. A full review is coming.
Last but not least is the Flextail Tiny Repeller S combination bug repellent and lantern. It kept my tent mosquito-free and well-lit at night, but I need to test it in a few more scenarios, which requires a full review. That one is coming later this summer after I test it in an RV, but so far, so good.
Truthfully, if this hadn’t been a work assignment I would have left most of my electronic devices at home. I love technology’s ability to bend nature to my will, but it can be very distracting from just living in the moment and creates a lot of charging stress where no stress should be.
Conclusion
Let’s be clear: the vast majority of people don’t need to spend nearly $10,000 on an electric bike, top-of-the-line camping gear, and premium bike bags to go bikepacking.
If you’re already moderately fit, then you’d be amazed at what you can do with a bunch of bungee cords strapped to a regular ol’ second-hand mountain or gravel bike — and you’ll never need to worry about finding a charger. You can even splurge a little on inexpensive bikepacking gear from brands I’ve used, like Naturehike and Rhinowalk.
But e-bikepacking is most definitely a thing and will become more popular as the charging infrastructure spreads to more wilderness areas around the world. That motor is a game changer, allowing for heavier loads to be carried (even trailers with pets and small kids), tall mountain passes to be flattened, and for people with lesser abilities to get outside and do more.
Notably, e-bikes can help recreational riders join their hardcore cycling partners and friends on their long weekend rides. After which, they’ll be regaled with stories full of grit, cadence, and power stats while gobbling back all those spent calories.
My e-bike allowed me to keep up with my younger and fitter riding mate — basically leveling the field. He got his training sessions in, and I got the camaraderie I was seeking. I got a solid workout in myself since European pedal assist cuts out at 15.5mph (25km/h), and we’d regularly be traveling at speeds above 19mph (30km/h) whenever things flattened out.
Despite the immense amount of fun I had on the very capable Specialized Turbo Creo 2 Comp, I won’t be trading in my trusty hardtail mountain bike for an electrified version any time soon. I still enjoy the exercise and simplicity of conquering terrain with a pure mechanical assist.
I get the urge for gravel, road, and mountain bikers to dunk on e-bike riders, but let’s not reflexively call them all cheaters. Cheating is an act of dishonesty to unfairly gain an advantage over another, and plenty of people buy electric sport bikes after an honest assessment of their own limited abilities. They give people new options for enjoying the benefits of being active and upright on two wheels, even as they get older. And that’s something we should be celebrating.
But I was definitely cheating, and I will miss listening to my friend’s exclamations anytime he fell behind on long climbs or found his little baby tires stuck in the mud or sand that I had already traversed.
To everyone else: apologies if I knocked you off the Strava segment leaderboard — you should try harder.
All photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge
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