When we first moved into our house, we debated signing up with an alarm company. Ultimately we decided against it after looking at how much a contract would cost, but I’ve been following the smartphone-based alarm systems closely. We’ve been testing the SkylinkNet Alarm System starter kit; so how does it fit our needs and protect our home?
As a kid, I watched Home Improvement and always as a result of watching Tim “The Toolman” Taylor I wanted a tool belt. So there was no surprise when I looked at Kickstarter and saw the Mag-Vest, a new project that looks to reinvent the concept of bulky fannypack-like tool belts, I was interested.
Finally, the weather has warmed up enough where we can officially declare the beginning of grilling season, and with it a plethora of new BBQ tools and gadgets to try out. I recently experimented with a new device that purports to get you grilling even faster, The BBQ Dragon; read along to see if it lives up to the hype.
One thing that I have trouble with the most is sleep. I tend to never get enough of it, and even when I try to “oversleep” on the weekends, I still feel like groggy. I purchased a Jawbone Up to help monitor my sleep as a result and even though it does a good job, I’ve always longed to know more about my poor sleeping habits.
There’s no shortage of smart gadgets that are for made for everyday use nowadays. For those of you all that are looking to make your home more smartphone friendly, Hog Kong startup WITTI has released NOTTI and DOTTI, two of their interactive smart lights for Android and iPhone devices.
I’ve been in the market for a new cross-cut shredder for a couple of months; my old one decided that if the power was on, it should continuously grind — even when no paper was present. Being offered the opportunity to review the Fellowes PowerShred 79Ci seemed like kismet. But would it be able to handle my document load?
Synology, one of my favorite NAS brands, has just released their DiskStation Manager (DSM) 5.2 beta software. DSM is Synology’s award-winning NAS operating system software. Along with a host of other features, DSM 5.2 beta is designed to make managing your own private cloud a whole lot easier. Synology is also giving away three DS214se to the most valuable testers!
One of the first accessories announced for the Apple Watch, aptly named the WatchStand, Griffin is one of the first companies in line following Apple’s announcement to start an uptrend of gadgets for the watch, which will launch April 24th. An elegant charging and display dock for the Apple Watch, the Watchstand will display your new wrist wear on a pedestal, and can placed anywhere due to it’s small and compact design. Imagine this beauty on your nightstand, tabletop or desktop at work for show as well as daily charging. I know I certainly would enjoy sitting my watch…
When I moved into my new place there were only a few things I wanted other than my clothes and my tech. At the top of that list? My Keurig machine. I mean, what good is having a new apartment if you can’t have a great cup of coffee ready and waiting in seconds. Thankfully, as member of the Starbucks Blogger Program I was send a terrific variety of coffees. YUM!!
Withings has just made two big announcements about three of their marquee products. First, they announced that their gorgeous Activité and Activité Pop activity tracking watches will be compatible with Android starting tomorrow, March 2nd. And second, they announced that their Withings Home monitoring device will soon offer the option to save 30 days of video footage in the cloud.
Saffron is a new company that’s bringing beautiful and intelligent LED lighting to the consumer. They have LED light bulbs that look exactly like traditional incandescent bulbs, “Smart” LED bulbs that automatically turn on when it gets dark or dim over time to simulate a sunset. These energy efficient and long-lasting bulbs are available now and start at $12.
Give your wires a protective covering this winter with the NEET Cable Keeper. This organizing cable cover/keeper protects and identifies your wires complete with a durable, easy installation.
While some parts of the “connected home” idea are natural fits for new technology (like smart thermostats and locks), I have been a huge skeptic of the idea that EVERYTHING should become smarter. Does a lightbulb really need Bluetooth? To overcome my skepticism, I volunteered to review the Oort LED Lightbulb, and now my household is in love.
While at CES, Dan and I had a chance to check out some of the latest LG Appliances. Do you have a stainless fridge that collects fingerprints and isn’t efficiently laid out (like I do)? Then you will love their new Mega Capacity Double-Door In-Door Refrigerator. It’s laid out intelligently, and it doesn’t collect gross fingerprints!
Reaching its Kickstarter goal in 16 hours, ZEROHOUR‘s RELIC XR Tactical LED Flashlight was quite literally, an overnight success. This kickass-looking device is a USB rechargeable flashlight and waterproof battery backup in one. Not only is this flashlight waterproof, it’s constructed with aircraft aluminum. There’s still time to pledge at least $120 to secure your own at their Kickstarter campaign.
We’ve covered some of Goal Zero’s smaller hand-cranked solar devices, which are great in emergencies, but there are times when you need stronger power generation that can possibly even keep your fridge running! Goal Zero Yeti generators come in multiple sizes, and they can be left plugged in until needed — or they can be recharged from solar when TSHTF!
The evidence says that standing while working is healthier than sitting, so you might have been tempted to add a stand-up desk to your home. The thing is that many of them are ugly and simply too large. The new OmniMount Workspace Wall Organizer appears to be the perfect solution for anyone who needs a stand-up workspace in tight quarters.
I’ve made no bones about the fact that if it weren’t for Wilson Electronics, which has recently rebranded as weBoost, I would have an absolutely pitiful signal inside my home if it weren’t for their products, and they have only become better. I had a chance to talk to weBoost about their new 4G signal boosters for home and car.
The way we choose to illuminate our spaces has changed dramatically in our lifetime. As a young adult my life seemed divided between the harsh fluorescent office lights and warm incandescent lights of home. The last couple of decades have seen rapid changes in the type, efficiency and flexibility of lighting, getting ‘smart’ lighting solutions such as Bolt light bulb from Misfit.
The flood of new technologies for the home is exciting. I currently have one smart plug in my den and want to expand my home control technology options. TRENDnet has just introduced two new products to their home automation line, the Smart Switch Powerline Kit and the Smart Switch Powerline Kit with Wifi Extender which retail for $104.99 and $79.99. The THA-102PLK retails for $104.99 and is quick app based setup. Includes the base unit and powerline adapter. Turn any device on and off with the free app or set a daily timer from any mobile internet connection. Requires a…
Want to keep an eye on your home when you’re away? Want to coo to your baby as you keep watch on the nanny and monitor your home’s air quality? You can with the Withings Home. Watch this video to see how.