The Synology DS1515 is an incredibly versatile and powerful NAS. The feature that intrigued me is its ability to be a fully functional surveillance system. The Synology DS1515 sells for $599.99 on Amazon as of the time of this writing.
Synology, one of my favorite NAS manufacturers, has announced two new additions to their product lineup. The DS216 NAS targets small workgroups and offices, featuring 111.18 MB/s read, 112.79 MB/s write. The NVR216 Network Video Recorder targets offices and retail spots where space is at a premium and features a dedicated 1080p output and supports up to 9 IP cameras.
Beddit is a completely unobtrusive sleep-tracking device that’s installed under your bed sheet and gives you a sleep score in the morning. Beddit measures your total sleep time, respiration rate, heart rate, time to fall asleep, and more. When you wake up in the morning, Beddit gives you a detailed overview of your night’s sleep. Beddit is available for $149.
Are you still using a manual toothbrush? I did for years until I found out that I was over-brushing to the point that I needed a gum transplant on the left side of my mouth. Gross, right? I’d brushed my gums so hard that they had prematurely receded! How did I correct my bad habit? By using an electric toothbrush.
I’ve been intrigued by the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin speakers since Doug reviewed the Zeppelin back in 2008, followed by Dan’s Zeppelin Air review in 2011. Now it’s 2015, and B&W has released their most refined Zeppelin yet, the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless Speaker, and now it is my turn to see what all of the fuss is about.
The Play n’ Trace eWriter is a fantastic use of Boogie Board’s existing LCD writing technology, now targeting improvement in children’s learning and development. With this transparent eWriter, children can practice writing, drawing shapes, sketching freehand, and more. With the included tracing templates and companion iPad app, there is no end to creativity! Play n’ Trace sells for $29.99.
Earlier in October we mentioned the Elgato Eve, which is a HomeKit product designed to show you data on the air quality, temperature, humidity, and air pressure in your home for a reasonable price. I was sent the Elgato Eve, which is the world’s first battery-powered accessory compatible with HomeKit, and I couldn’t be more excited to use it. The indoor sensor is an all-white console that is as simple to setup as it is to use, with just a few things that could be changed. The Eve itself is an all-white, plastic cube, outside of it’s engraved name, and…
I’ll admit that I have a bit of bah-humbug when it comes to decorating for the holidays; if I could stick up a Festivus pole and call it good, I’d be happy. BUT we have kids and grandkids who like to see a tree, lights, decorations — the whole shebang. I draw the limit at stringing house lights, though.
Looking for a last minute gift for that person who’s so difficult to shop for? Check out the Electrohome Retro Alarm Clock Radio! It features a white LED digital clock face, motion activated night light & snooze function, gradual wake up lighting, dual alarm with weekend cancellation, and more. You can pick up this neat bedside clock for $34.99!
Just in time for the holidays, Withings has updated their Home monitoring system to include a baby monitor mode. Previously the unobtrusive Home would “just” monitor your house (and its air quality) and allow two-way interaction with the people inside, snapping photos and recording video clips (like that wasn’t already awesome). Now, they’ve added Baby Monitor Mode.
There are lots of ways to get better sound from your laptop or tablet but perhaps the best, and simplest, is to plug a decent desktop audio system with two speakers and a subwoofer into it. The Logitech Z533 Multimedia Speaker System is just such a system. It offers 120 watts of impressive sound and is under $100!
The Alienware Steam Machine is unlike any computer I’ve ever used before. It’s built small enough to fit seamlessly with your living room entertainment center while also providing an excellent gaming experience. While the game library leaves something to be desired, this is a giant leap in the right direction. Buy your Alienware Steam Machine today, starting at $449.
I have a confession to make: Kev and I once forgot to change the filter in our HVAC central return unit for over 6 months. The first clue of our negligence was that there was more dust than usual floating around our home. We live in the country, so dust is an issue anyway; I didn’t catch on at first.
Unless you live in a humid climate, it’s almost always a good idea to have a humidifier running in your home. They can help with everything from breathing issues, to preventing sinus infections, or providing relief from dry skin and hair. But knowing which humidifier to buy can be tricky. I’ve tried several brands; my favorite is the Dyson Humidifier.
There are a lot of first-world problems in the world, and one of the more complained about is stronger wi-fi signals. I know I’ve personally had issues with slow downloading speeds and long buffering times, but INFLUX might finally have the answer to our problems. Announced this week, Influx has released their new Router Dock that not only compliments your home décor, but revolutionizes the speeds that you use the internet in your home. Requiring virtually no setup or software, the Wi-Fi Router Dock improves your wireless signal strength up to 50% more than other routers and extenders out there…
I recently reviewed the ZVOX SoundBase 450, and it is currently serving as our home theater sound system. It is impressive, and even when it was full price, it was affordable. ZVOX has just announced their Black Friday deals that start on the 15th, and let me tell you — this is a great time to buy.
I rarely pull my keys out of my bag. My car has a push button ignition, and by the time I am home from work someone is already there. Despite this, I seem to have accumulated a lot of keys, and so I jumped at the chance to take a look at Orbitkey, which reimagines how to carry your keys.
No high-definition television purchase is complete without some kind of speaker system; it’s like there’s a conspiracy among HDTV makers that no unit — no matter how large it is or what it costs — can leave the factory with a sufficient speaker system for anything but the smallest room. The ZVOX 28″ SoundBase 450 can fix that for you.
Kev and I recently adopted Hephaestus, a similarly colored cat to my darling departed Avah. Heph was about six-months-old when we moved in with us, so one of the first things we did was get him fixed, and then we introduced him to the LitterRobot, which he took to like a champ. (Formerly) male cats are awesome, but the smell!
I love my Sonos system. I have speakers in my living room, my bedroom and even the bathroom. Now Sonos is announcing a new PLAY:5. Pre-orders start Thursday, Oct. 29 and the new speaker will be available in US stores November 20. Available in a matte black and matte white, the new Sonos PLAY:5 will retail for $499 USD.
Boogie Board, manufacturers of LCD eWriters that write similar to pen and paper, have announced their latest eWriter innovation, the Play n’ Trace. It’s a see-through eWriter for kids that is meant to promote creativity while developing motor, communication, and writing skills through a companion iPad app. Featuring a dual-tipped stylus, Play n’ Trace is available today for $29.99!