Howard Sneider

In January of 2017, I wrote a news post about the Joopic CamBuddy Pro. The folks at Joopic enjoyed the news post and provided me a Joopic CamBuddy as a sample to review. The CamBuddy provides WiFi control of the camera’s settings and also provides shutter release triggers from four different sensors: Light, sound, laser… Read More

Throughout most of recorded history, a pointed staff has been the preferred method of directing an audience’s attention towards an item displayed during a presentation. A significant advancement came in the 1980’s with the advent of the laser pointer, which allowed presenters to identify specific items on large screens from great distances.  These days, in… Read More

I remember huddling with my family around the new Amana microwave oven we bought in the early 80’s and defrosting our first pound of meat. When we removed the specimen at the allotted time it was somewhat defrosted in some regions but thoroughly cooked in the corners and still solid in the center. More than… Read More

Normally, picking up a laser measure for the first time is accompanied by the thought or statement, “how far away is that [object]?” Then after a quick press of a button and flash of red light, a result is displayed that is usually accompanied by the thought or statement, “Cool!” The novelty and simplicity of… Read More

The availability of low-cost high-resolution cameras, robust internet networks, sophisticated video compression and 128-bit encryption make modern IP cameras a possibility, yet it is the ever growing desire for video monitoring and automated security that drives innovation in this market. A prime example of this growing trend is the SpotCam Sense. Announced in February 2017, the… Read More

The LEDVANCE Gateway is a smart hub that interprets commands from a Wi-Fi network and transmits them to devices on its ZigBee network, and also monitors the status of those devices and reports it to authorized users. It is metaphorically the jam that holds all of the intelligent LEDVANCE products together. But, like the jam that holds your sandwich together, there are… Read More

This is the second in a three part review on LEDVANCE lighting and home automation products. The first review was for LEDVANCE’s Sylvania Lightify A19 LED bulb review. This review focuses on the LEDVANCE Lightify LED Flexible Strip RGBW. It is a 16-foot flexible strip that can be laid out to fit a variety of locations… Read More

An unexpected visit from an old friend and an unopened bottle of Caymus. If you’re amongst the fortunate few to have old friends and a bottle of Caymus you surely know how tragic this event is. But wait! Don’t despair! There’s a gadget to the rescue!  The newly available Velv Wine Oxygenator will develop that bottle’s best bouquet in… Read More

When Julie asked each of us to do an EDC update I thought, “I don’t have that much stuff.” When it came time for me to empty my bag I was surprised how much stuff I could catalog. So, after neatly laying things out and using an orchid/violet item-neutral label, I’m proud to present my daily schlep… Read More

Home automation has been a dramatic theme of science fiction for ages, yet few realize that this sci-fi premise is a day-to-day reality for many people. While most people are content enough to rely on the time-tested light switch and power button, many have invested in home automation to provide greater access to existing lighting and appliances… Read More

Most of the time that I record video on my phone I can find something solid to lean against to avoid the inevitable shaking that results from holding the phone freehand. If I anticipate that I’ll be taking an action shot then I’ll record through Hyperlapse. But what if I really want to go to the next… Read More

A couple of weeks ago Julie reviewed the Alpine Labs Pulse DSLR camera remote. I came across a similar item while perusing the internet and thought I would write about it. The item is the Joopic CamBuddy Pro and like the Alpine Labs device, it is an attachment to a DSLR that sits on the hot shoe and provides… Read More

True wireless headphones, those in-ear Bluetooth headphones that have neither a cord connecting them to music or to each other, are the cutting edge of gadget technology. Most people have been excited to try them, but often are frustrated by poor connectivity performance, poor fit, short battery life, or a combination of factors. Manufacturers are therefore… Read More

When Julie surveyed who would be interested in testing an Android phone I was intrigued. Recently Julie evaluated the iPhone 7 and found that she preferred the Android environment over the iPhone. In contrast, I have used an iPhone since the 4S came out and now I have an iPhone 6 as my main phone… Read More