It’s been a busy week with the Apple iPhone 7 being officially unleashed on the world yesterday, a new generation of the Amazon Echo Dot and lots more. Did you miss any of our news and reviews this week? You’re not sure? Then click through and scan the list of all the articles that we posted in the last seven days.
[click to continue…]

You’ve probably heard of Sleep Number beds before. They are the beds that allow personal customization of each side of the bed so that the occupants can have the most comfortable sleep possible for their individual soft for firmness level preferences. Sleep Number’s latest bed is called the “it bed” and this bed not only allows for dual adjustability, but the customization is done with your phone. That’s right, the bed’s foam-filled air chambers adjust to each individual’s idea of comfort and are controlled with a smartphone app. [click to continue…]

Since moving into my house a year ago, I have been blessed with having a central air unit. From this spring on, I’d been itching to upgrade my thermostat from the original, basic model to a smart thermostat. Just before the last heat wave of the summer, I was able to test out the Wiser Air by Schneider Electric, which had many of the capabilities I had been looking for.

[click to continue…]

I upgraded my first generation Apple Watch the night after updating all my iOS devices to iOS 10. (For those who have never done it, you have to have the watch charged to at least 50% and it has to be on the charger. Also, your phone has to be on wifi.) While the initial look hasn’t changed that dramatically, under the hood, there are many improvements. For one, Glances are no longer a thing. Neither is the dedicated “Friends” button. Both of these are Good Things™.

[click to continue…]

Yes, I’m a little too short for a stormtrooper. But my head is just the right size for the iRestore Laser Hair Growth System hat / helmet / cap / thingy. Actually, they call it a dome. What is it and why am I wearing it? Keep reading to find out.

[click to continue…]

If you’ve read my recent gadget diary posts about pre-ordering the new iPhone 7 Plus, you’ll know that I made a mistake doing that through Apple’s site and will end up sending back the iPhone that’s heading to my doorstep as I type this.  I’ve spent the last week trying to figure out a way to convert my order into a paid in full order either through Apple or Verizon, but haven’t had any luck. So my local Verizon store manager (Hi Corey!) suggested that I get to the store before they open at 8am on launch day and try to buy one that way. So I took his advice, worked late a couple nights to bank some time at work since I’d be getting into the office late and then got up at 5am this morning, showered and headed into town to the Verizon store. [click to continue…]

Managing cables and dongles is getting easier, but the curse of mobile battery usage and the need for chargers is still with us. Traveling with your full kit for a few days can really escalate that, since you usually have to dig out the chargers that live under your desk, or under/beside your bed. As a solution to this problem we all face, Zero-Grid sent us a black (Midnight) Electronics Travel Organizer & Tech Dopp to test. It’s also available in grey (Shadow). Let’s see the results.

[click to continue…]

I wish I had a SitGo to test tomorrow when I’ll be going to my local Verizon store around 6am to wait in line to (hopefully) buy an iPhone 7. Julie, what’s a SitGo you ask? It’s what inventor Jon Webb calls a portable resting solution, but I like to call it a one-legged tripod for your butt. 😉 Seriously though, the SitGo is an ultra portable collapsable “chair” that stows away in a tube that’s about the same size as a large water bottle. This one-legged stool is perfect for events and other times when standing for long periods of time isn’t comfortable. SitGo is adjustable for different heights and only costs $29.95. Visit SitGo.com for more info and to order.

I reviewed the first gen Echo Dot only four months ago and now Amazon has just announced a 2nd generation version. Wow, that was fast! If you’re not familiar with the Amazon Echo Dot, it’s a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses a voice “assistant” named Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms, and more. This next version of the Echo Dot has ditched the rotating volume section for dedicated volume buttons on top to make the whole device noticeably smaller. It’s now available in both black and white versions and has a more powerful processor for improved wake word performance. The Echo Dot uses Bluetooth to pair with speakers or headphones to play music from Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn. Like the Echo devices that came before, the new Echo Dot can be used to control lights, fans, switches, thermostats, garage doors, sprinklers, and more with compatible connected devices from WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Nest, ecobee, and others. The new Echo Dot has a smaller footprint and a smaller price to go along with it. It’s available right now for pre-order for $49.99 and if you buy 5 Dots, you’ll get 1 free. Buy 10 Dots and you’ll get 2 free. Simply apply code DOT6PACK or DOT12PACK at checkout. The release date is set for October 20th. For more info and to order, go to Amazon.

How do you easily capture events with your camera that span minutes, hours or even days without having to manually snap each image? You can use your DSLR and special software and even your smartphone with special apps. But if you want to take a time-lapse of something outdoors, you run the risk of weather damage to your equipment and making sure the device has power for extended periods of time. Another way to do time-lapse photography is with a Brinno TLC200 Pro TimeLapse Camera. Let’s see how well it works.
[click to continue…]

We like to cover IK Multimedia products because they consistently offer powerful tech music accessories that are fun and easy to use. Today they announced the iRig HD 2 pro-quality digital guitar and bass interface for iOS. The iRig HD 2 features 24-bit analog-to-digital conversion and 96kHz sample rate. The device connects directly to your iPhone or iPad using a Lightning cable. It has an integrated headphone output jack to make it easy to monitor your playing and recording sessions and also has an Amp Out jack that will let you plug into a traditional guitar amplifier without needing an adapter.

When you purchase iRig HD 2 you will also receive free downloads of the full versions of the ultimate guitar and bass tone and recording studio – AmpliTube 4 for Mac/PC (a $149.99 value) and AmpliTube for iPhone and iPad (a $19.99 value for each).

iRig HD 2 is available now for pre-order from IK for $99.99 and will ship later this month. Visit IK Multimedia for more info.

Not so long ago a group of friends and I were discussing how a vacation property we were staying at didn’t have an wine aerator. One friend took a jab at another and jokingly said, “that wouldn’t help the cheap hooch you drink anyway!” We all laughed and went on to talk of other things, but it got me thinking that an aerator is such a simple way to improve the bouquet and flavor of wine. Conversely, expensive kegerators with complex piping and specialty gas consumables are required to get that sought-after draught taste and mouthfeel (my new favorite word) in beer.  Fast-forward a few months and I saw a video of Fizzics at CES 2016 and though it was exactly what I was looking for. Imaging my surprise when a few weeks ago Julie was able to obtain a unit for review. I’ve been working hard at this review (i.e. drinking heavily) for a few weeks now. Read on to see what I think! [click to continue…]

Once again, Creative can’t leave well enough alone. As if the iRoar didn’’t put out enough bass from such a small package, Creative decided to build a subwoofer for it. Yeah. If you’ve ever heard an iRoar, you would be scratching your head, too. But, here it is—the iRoar Rock—and if you have an iRoar speaker, you can now turn the bass up to 11.

[click to continue…]

Swann’s new Smart-Series do-it-yourself security system combines wired video surveillance and wireless smart home technology into one integrated solution engineered to deter break-ins and detect intrusion within your home or business. The system includes four weather resistant, 1080p HD wired cameras with 80° viewing angle and night vision with set and forget recording onto the pre-installed 1TB hard drive. As the Smart-Series name implies, this integrated system is designed to wirelessly connect other security devices for added awareness and protection. The pack includes two window/door alarm sensors to detect motion and trigger the outdoor siren with flashing light. The Smart-Series capabilities can be expanded with additional Smart-Series and SwannOne accessories such as wireless cameras, alarm sensors, smart plugs. The system is also compatible with more than 100 smart devices/brands, including Kwikset, Yale and Assa Abloy Smart Locks, Philips Hue Lighting, Samsung SmartThings, Nest Thermostats etc. Security notifications are sent to your smartphone with live viewing/streaming available via Mac, PC and iOS and Android smartphones and tablets using the free app. Visit Swann for more info and Best Buy brick and mortar stores to by the system.