We all love our shiny technology, especially now that it is all getting even smarter and more connected. But here’s the thing — the more we want our devices to keep up with us, the more they need that boost under the hood. To that end, the new MediaTek Genio chipsets aim to bring more power and support to devices featuring AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things).
Anker is well known for power and charging accessories; we have reviewed many of their products, and we’ve found their build quality and performance to be consistently good. The company has upped the ante by recently releasing the Anker 757 PowerHouse, cementing its place in the large-form power bank space. I’ve got a review unit; let’s check it out.
I have really gotten into portable power sources since our ranch does not have power, and I find myself working out there at least once a week. My needs have grown quite a bit from a simple extra battery to charge my phone, and the Bluetti EB55 is the perfect companion for a camping trip or quick trip without power.
The robot vacuum space is full of many options with many features. These devices make the busy lives we live today more convenient, cutting down cleaning times. ECOVACS DEEBOT X1 OMNI is one of the most advanced all-around cleaning systems available; vacuuming and mopping have never been this easy!
I reviewed the Perfectly Snug bed topper some months ago and still love it. A thick, breathable mattress topper that is also smart and adjustable, offering heat and coolness to help me get a good night’s sleep. But it was only last week, when I was laid out with a cold, that I learned how truly great the product is.
Having alternate power sources during uncertain weather is very important, and it’s much easier to manage with today’s high-capacity power stations that don’t require a gas-powered generator and the inherent carbon monoxide risks of running them. Whether dealing with power outages from weather events or rolling blackouts, we will all have to deal with needing a reliable source of backup power at some point. The new Anker 757 Portable Power Station promises to provide portable, long-lasting battery power during outages, emergencies, or outdoor activities.
Living in a region affected by hurricanes and the recent power outages during the snow last season in Texas, backup power is a genuine concern. We also have a travel trailer that we often use without any electric hookups. The EcoFlow DELTA Max is a portable power station offered in up to a 2016Wh capacity capable of powering most of our home appliances and electronics, at least for a time.
My wife’s and my busy lives can make it hard to keep up with daily cleaning. We also have two dogs, including our labrador Lola who makes a mess and sheds plenty. I recently tried the Neabot NoMo Q11 Robot Vacuum in our den, which is where my family spends most of our time. Let’s take a look at this self-emptying robot vacuum.
Winter is almost over, and we are all looking forward to spending time outside again. Of course, some pests make our time outdoors less enjoyable, mosquitoes being the worst! That’s okay; the new Thermacell LIV system promises to repel them, and it will work with Alexa and Google Assistant!
In 2018, I reviewed a custom set of Lutron Serena Smart Shades for my office. I opted for a traditional roller shade style, and I’m happy to report that they are still operating as perfectly as they did when first installed. Serena Smart architectural honeycomb shades have just been announced, and they look very sleek and elegant. If you’ve been thinking about adding smart window treatments to your home, and you’re particularly interested in something that looks refined and timeless, these might just be the shades that you’ve been looking for!
When Raina and I purchased our home, we did a massive renovation on the upstairs. Eventually, we got to the point of ordering shades. They were fine, but we never loved them. Then PowerShades offered the opportunity to review their products. Our new shade just went in the living room, and I’m quite pleased with the result.
Smart home technology is everywhere these days, and Moen is making it clear that they are the leaders in smart water technology. The Moen Smart Faucet with Motion Control has new touchless technology to control the water’s temperature and flow with simple hand motions or voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Moen Smart Water Network is a whole-home ecosystem of products that, when working together, provide complete control over the water in one’s home.
Cleaning robots seem to keep getting better doing more and more jobs. Smart home robotics company ECOVACS unveiled its ultra-premium family of robot vacuums at CES; the DEEBOT X1 series boasts the most automated and advanced cleaning robots to date.
The NETGEAR Meural Canvas II is a digital frame made to elegantly display your NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) in your home. Starting in January, Meural owners will have the ability to connect their MetaMask crypto wallet directly from the Meural web platform, which is a straightforward way to choose which NFTs to display on your Meural.
The democratization of home security doesn’t get enough attention. Sure, you can call a company, go to the hassle and expense of waiting for them to install the system only to be then saddled with a substantial monthly monitoring fee. Or, you can turn to one of our favorite smart home security brands and let the Arlo Security System secure your home for less.
You have LED string lights, bendable tubes with LED lights, and under-shelf mounted LED lights, but do you have Twinkly Dots? Twinkly Dots are pill-shaped, matte LED bulbs that can diffuse 16 million colors at 360º; you can wrap them around things or stick them to surfaces using the included adhesive pads, and they look fantastic.
Roborock is known for its robot home cleaners and other cleaning appliances; at CES, they’ve just introduced the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and the Roborock Dyad. With the S7 MaxV Ultra, Roborock is one step closer to offering truly autonomous floor cleaning, as this latest robot needs even less maintenance or operational input from users. The Dyad is Roborock’s first wet and dry all-in-one solution that vacuums, washes, and dries floors to eliminate dirt and messes from edge-to-edge.
Samsung has announced its new gaming and productivity monitor lineup for 2022. Their new monitor portfolio is focused on bringing out the best experiences for users while they are working, gaming, or watching content at home. Each has different bells and whistles, and each takes monitor technology to a new level.
What’s the most important thing to consider when searching for a new mattress? Is it foam vs. coil construction, or whether or not the mattress runs cool or warm, or maybe you want a mattress built in the USA? Lucky for you, the new Serta Arctic Premier Mattress checks all the boxes.
How would you like to come home to a freshly vacuumed house every day without hiring a housekeeper or, worse, doing it yourself before you leave? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could stretch out the periods between full moppings with occasional wet cleanups? With the Uoni V980Plus Robot Vacuum Cleaner, you can do that, and you don’t necessarily have to remember to empty the robot’s bin every couple of days because this robot vac has a large capacity self-emptying dustbin.
The oddest thing happened the other day; my daughter sent me a TikTok video of a Roborock robot vacuum doing its thing, and she said it looked amaaaaaazing. That was surprising because it’s rare for my daughter to get any kind of gadget lust! If you’re getting similar hints from someone on your holiday shopping list (or if you’ve wanted one for yourself), you’re going to want to check out these Roborock Black Friday Deals that offer up to 42% off of their most popular robot vacuums and mops.
