Articles by Julie Strietelmeier

Reviews October 30, 2026

GardePro X66 3.0 Ultra Cellular Trail Camera Review:

I’ve been using GardePro trail cameras for months now, and I’ve become a collector. I have seven of them around my property. Five are the company’s long-range wireless cameras that connect through a hub, and the others are cellular models. Why so many cameras? I like seeing what’s in my yard when I’m not looking. Deer, turkey, coyotes, possums, skunks… something is usually passing through. Now, I’m checking out the GardePro X66 3.0 Ultra. I recently reviewed the GardePro X66 Pro, but this model is interesting because of its larger battery. Let’s take a look.

Reviews October 20, 2026

OBSBOT Meet Flip Webcam Review: A Pocket-Size 4K Webcam That Folds Away When You’re Done

I’ve been using an OBSBOT Tiny 2 as my everyday webcam, and I really enjoy it. One of my favorite things is that it can follow me as I move around. Stand up, sit back down, move a little, and the camera follows the subject. But sometimes you don’t need all of that. Sometimes you just want a small webcam that you can put on a laptop, use, and pack away. That’s what interested me about the OBSBOT Meet Flip. It records in 4K, has a built-in microphone, and folds into a small package when you’re done.

Reviews October 19, 2026

Hylle Review: Catalog Your Bookshelf by Photo With This AI Book Scanner App

Do you prefer physical books or eBooks? I’m a little of both, but lately I’ve gotten back into sitting on the couch with a regular book and flipping actual pages. There’s something nice about it. Keeping track of all those books, though? That’s another story. That’s why I was excited to try Hylle, an app that promises to turn photos of your bookshelves into a searchable library.

Travel, Gift Guides & Round-Ups October 13, 2026

The Travel Gadgets I Took to Sanibel Island — and What I’d Pack Again

A week on Sanibel Island, Florida, let me take a few gadgets out of my office and see how they fit into a vacation. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus was my favorite and will be coming with me on future trips. The Ohsnap Snap Grip Stand was handy on the plane, while the Piorama OMNI Pad turned out to be a little too small for all the gear I wanted to bring. I still like the bag, but I’d use it for everyday carry instead. Read on to see how I used all of these travel gadgets.

Reviews, Outdoors October 6, 2026

NovorikX 40V Electric Cordless Lawn Mower Review: Lightweight, Simple, and Surprisingly Capable

I’ve reviewed quite a few lawn mowers over the years, from traditional gas models to robotic mowers that practically do the job for you. But sometimes you just want a simple mower that you can pull out of the garage, push a button, and get the job done without gas, cords, or a complicated setup. That’s where the NovorikX 40V Electric Cordless Lawn Mower comes in. It’s a lightweight, battery-powered push mower with two 20V batteries, a brushless motor, and a 17-inch cutting deck. Let’s see if this budget-friendly little mower has what it takes to tame my yard today.

Reviews October 5, 2026

Keenstone 2 Slice Toaster Review: Easy Controls, but How’s the Toast?

I don’t want to read a manual before making breakfast. I want to put bread in the toaster, choose a setting, and get on with my morning. The Keenstone 2 Slice Toaster looked simple enough to try without instructions, so I unboxed it and put it straight to work with two slices of homemade bread.

My lawn care supervisor watching the MOVA LiDAX Ultra 2000

Reviews October 2, 2026

MOVA LiDAX Ultra 2000 AWD Robotic Lawn Mower Review

When it comes to robotic mowers, I’m late to the party. I only reviewed my first one (the Navimow i2) a few months ago. That mower made me a huge fan of robot mowers, and since I live on 12 acres, I figured I’d review another one. Today, we’re putting the MOVA LiDAX Ultra 2000 AWD Robotic Lawn Mower to the test to see if it can handle my somewhat rugged/rustic lawn.

Health and Fitness, Reviews September 24, 2026

AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L Review: An EKG Device in Your Pocket

If you have ever wanted an EKG device that fits in a drawer, travels in a bag, or takes up almost no space in a suitcase or pocket, the AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L is an interesting little gadget. It is a mobile six-lead EKG device, but it doesn’t look like the medical equipment most of us picture when we think about checking heart health. Let’s check it out.

ORICO MG7 attached to the back of an iPhone

Reviews September 17, 2026

ORICO MG7 8-in-1 Magnetic Hub Review: A Handy iPhone Dock with One Hot Issue

I’ve tested plenty of USB-C hubs and portable SSDs, but the ORICO MG7 8-in-1 Magnetic Hub takes an interesting approach by combining both ideas into one little MagSafe-compatible accessory. This compact aluminum square sticks to the back of an iPhone (or any MagSafe-compatible phone/case), adds a collection of useful ports, and has room inside for an optional M.2 NVMe SSD.

Reviews September 15, 2026

Ruko R1 Mini Robot Dog Review: A Cute, No-App Robot Toy for Kids

I love robots, and I love dogs. Put the two together, and you get advanced models from companies like Boston Dynamics or toy-sized versions for kids, like the Ruko R1 Mini Robot Dog, which I’m going to show you today. It is designed to be a fun distraction rather than a serious robotics project, and its main goal is to make children laugh with movements, sound effects, flips, dances, and a handful of doggy behaviors. Let’s take it for a walk and see if it earns a spot in the toy box.

Reviews September 10, 2026

NiWalker N50S Flashlight Review: An EDC Flashlight with 2 Crazy Features

The NiWalker N50S is a compact rechargeable flashlight that can switch between a short one-battery setup and a longer configuration with a larger battery. That flexibility makes it an appealing everyday-carry option. After using it around the house, including a lights-out stairway test, I was impressed by its solid build, simple controls, and strong output. It is a dependable flashlight that performs as expected, though most people will likely prefer leaving it in the larger, longer-lasting configuration.

Reviews September 8, 2026

RingConn Gen 3 Smart Ring Review: The Smart Ring for People Who’d Rather Skip the Smartwatch

I’ve reviewed quite a few smart rings over the years, and while I love checking out new designs and new features, I always ended up shelving the ring in my review sample cabinet. Not because I didn’t like them, but because wearing a smart ring AND my Apple Watch felt like overkill. Today we’re going to take a look at the RingConn Gen 3 smart ring. After a month, is it still on my finger? Let’s find out.

News & Features, Events September 4, 2026

SONOFF Has Four New Smart Home Devices for IFA 2026, Including a Camera That Watches Through Your Window

SONOFF is bringing four new products to IFA 2026, expanding its open smart home ecosystem with new options for heating, security and automation. The lineup includes a second-generation smart radiator valve, a connected thermostat for hydronic heating and boilers, a camera designed to watch outdoor areas from inside the home, and a Zigbee indoor siren. These products show how SONOFF is moving beyond individual smart devices toward a more connected home, while still supporting multiple protocols and popular platforms. For homeowners building or upgrading a smart home, the new lineup offers practical ways to automate everyday routines.

News & Features September 4, 2026

New Lexar Muse Ultra Thin Portable SSD for iPhone Unveiled at IFA

Lexar is using IFA 2026 to introduce the Muse Ultra-Slim Portable SSD, a card-like external drive that the company says is the world’s thinnest portable SSD. It is designed for mobile creators who want fast storage without turning an iPhone or iPad setup into a mess of cables and bulky accessories. The launch also comes as Lexar celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026. The company is using IFA to show how its storage business is expanding beyond familiar consumer memory products into mobile creator tools, local AI storage, commercial PCs, and automotive applications.

Events, News & Features September 4, 2026

Noise Master Buds Open Earbuds Bring Bose-Tuned Open-Ear Audio to IFA

Noise is expanding its premium Master Series lineup with a new kind of earbuds: the Master Buds Open. Unveiled at IFA Berlin 2026, these are clip-on open-ear earbuds developed with Sound by Bose Technology. Instead of fitting inside and sealing the ear canal like traditional true wireless earbuds, the Master Buds Open are designed to sit around the ear. The idea is simple: you can listen to music, podcasts, or calls while still hearing the world around you.

Events, News & Features September 3, 2026

Circular Ring 3 Pro and Slim Debut at IFA 2026 With Tap-to-Pay, Haptics, and Up to 12-Day Battery Life

Smart rings have become an interesting alternative to smartwatches for people who want health and wellness tracking without wearing a screen on their wrist. At IFA 2026, Circular is taking that idea further with two new models: the Circular Ring 3 Pro and Circular Ring 3 Slim. The new rings combine health tracking with NFC contactless payments, letting users track their wellness while leaving their phone and wallet in their pocket. Circular is also bringing back one of its more distinctive features: haptic vibrations that can provide discreet alerts directly from the ring.

News & Features, Events September 3, 2026

The Narwal Freo 20, Freo 20 Edge, and V50 Cube Bring Smarter, More Hands-Off Cleaning

Narwal is heading to IFA with three new cleaning products that span two very different categories: two robot vacuum and mop combos, plus a compact cordless stick vacuum. The new Narwal Freo 20 and Freo 20 Edge bring the company’s continuously self-cleaning FlowWash track-mop approach to lower price points, while the V50 Cube features a small, hands-off auto-empty dock that also stores its accessories.

Reviews September 2, 2026

Crossrope Ropeless AMP Set Review: Who Needs a Rope When You Can Still Feel the Burn?

I’ll admit it: when I first heard about a “ropeless” jump rope, I wondered what the point was. Isn’t the rope kind of the whole idea? But after trying the Crossrope Ropeless AMP Set, I started to see the appeal. You still get the motion and resistance of jumping rope, but without needing coordination or even needing to jump! That sounded like a pretty good deal to me! I’ve been using the Crossrope Ropeless system to see how it works, how it feels, and whether it can actually deliver a worthwhile workout without the rope.

Reviews August 26, 2026

Wuben E2 Pulse Flashlight Review: A Tiny EDC Flashlight for Your Keychain

The Wuben E2 Pulse flashlight is one of those little gadgets that makes you smile when you first pick it up because it’s so tiny. But this is not merely a cute keychain accessory. It is a rechargeable everyday-carry flashlight with a front beam, side lighting, red-and-blue emergency-style flashing, a magnetic tail, and a quick-release chain attachment.

Reviews August 25, 2026

K-Swiss Women’s Wild Run Trail Running Shoes Review

The K-Swiss Women’s Wild Run Trail Running Shoes are designed for people who want a comfortable, capable shoe for getting outside without necessarily needing something built for technical mountain trails. Whether you are walking through a park, taking a dirt path, walking on a gravel driveway, or navigating uneven grass, roots, mud, and rocks, these shoes offer the traction and cushioning needed for everyday outdoor adventures. I tested the women’s size 10, which is my usual size, and found them comfortable right from the start. They are lightweight, stable, and nicely suited for casual trail walking and light trail running.

Reviews August 24, 2026

BALOLO Setup Cockpit Review: A Pricey but Brilliant Desk Upgrade That Tames Tech Clutter

My office is my happy place, but even a happy place can get a little too cluttered. Between a widescreen monitor, MacBook, iPad, Stream Deck, phone charger, pens, journals, cables, and assorted little trinkets and gadgets, my desk was functional but definitely not tidy. The BALOLO Setup Cockpit was designed to fix exactly that problem. Let’s see if this luxury upgrade has made my desk setup more functional and fun.

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