NEWS – Matter is a connectivity standard. The idea is that I should be able to buy any IoT device and instantly use it, regardless of the smart home platform that I use (e.g., Apple’s HomeKit, Google’s Nest). It’s a common language that is supported by over 200 companies. It’s been just over a year […]
Matter upgraded to version 1.2 Read More
REVIEW – We don’t get too many natural disasters where I live, but occasionally we do get a small tornado or the remnants of a hurricane. The extra wind and rain has been known to knock out the power for a couple days, which could ruin the meat stored in our freezer and maybe leave
Bridna PPS2000-3 Portable Power Station review – help after the storm Read More
REVIEW – My wife has a MacBook Pro (MBP) that only has two USB-C ports, so she needs a hub that can provide a few more. To solve this problem, we are testing the 10-in-1 8k hub from CableTime. What is it? The CableTime 10-in-1 8k Hub is a hub (model CB80G) that plugs into
CableTime 10-in-1 8k Hub review – extra ports for your laptop Read More
REVIEW – Aliens have arrived, and their UFOs are the gravest threat that our planet has ever seen! Mankind’s answer? Convert the giant octopi of our oceans into half mollusk, half machine monstrosities and turn them loose against the flying saucers! The crazy thing is that it seems to be working. Join me for this
REVIEW – “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.” Thus
Webrick Bag End Building Block Set review – the hobbit-hole comes to life Read More
NEWS – Back in the 80s, Honda made a little folding motorcycle known as the Motocompo, a 50cc deal that only sold for a few years in Japan. Apparently, Honda has decided to pay homage to that horrible design and re-build it as an electric scooter. Honda asserts that their new gadget, the Motocompacto, has
Honda Motocompacto – a table with wheels Read More
PRIME DAY DEAL NEWS – We’ve reviewed several building block sets here on The Gadgeteer, LEGO alternatives that have great builds at a great discount, usually 20 to 50% cheaper. Many of these sets are on sale now, allowing you to slash another 20% or so! Sets that we have reviewed include: The astronaut (from
Prime Day News – Big discounts on building block sets during Amazon Prime Days Read More
REVIEW – According to legend, the money tree signifies abundance, prosperity, and good luck. If someone can grow and take care of such a tree, they will have good luck. This is a new belief as far as legends go, having been started in the 1980’s after a truck driver first cultivated a money tree
JMBricklayer Money Tree Building Block Set review – bring the legend home Read More
REVIEW – The Canon PIXMA G620 is an inkjet photo printer designed for consumer use. In a previous article, I reviewed the G620’s ability to print from my personal computer, a Mac mini, where I found that it can print beautiful photos once I made a few configuration changes. In another article, I reviewed its
Canon PIXMA G620 Photo Printer review (Part 3) – We can make stickers! Read More
REVIEW – The Canon PIXMA G620 is an inkjet photo printer designed for consumer use. In a previous article, I reviewed the G620’s ability to print from my personal computer, a Mac mini, and I found that after learning how to configure a few settings, it printed beautiful photos, both on 4 x 6 glossy
Canon PIXMA G620 Photo Printer review (Part 2) – Apple saves the day! Read More
REVIEW – LEGOs and other building blocks have the amazing ability to bring things to life. This new set from JMBricklayer highlights this as well as any out there. You remember the story of Pinocchio, the enchanted marionette whose nose grew when he lied, right? The Puppet Show creates a larger-than-life version of Geppetto’s finest
JMBricklayer Puppet Show Building Block Set review – I am a real boy! Read More
REVIEW – Our daughter and her husband recently moved into a new home. They have a dog, and like many dogs, it’s highly skilled at shedding a lot. The first story of their house has synthetic hardwoods, so my daughter needs a vacuum that can easily vacuum up dog hair. Together we are testing the
INSE S9 Cordless Vacuum review – a lightweight vacuum that’s good for dog hair Read More
REVIEW – So much of our lives these days, including our photos, only live online, trapped in social media accounts. Sometimes it’s nice to free these memories and bring them into the real world. While I could print my photos at a local pharmacy, like CVS, or upload them to an online service, like Shutterfly,
Canon PIXMA G620 Photo Printer review (Part 1) – beautiful photos printed at home Read More
REVIEW – This spring my wife broke her hand, and surgery required twelve screws to hold the bones in place. The surgery combined with being a cast caused the muscles in her hand to become very tight. This has made every part of physical therapy (PT) harder, so she has to start every PT session
Comfier Wireless Hand Massager review – for a happier hand Read More
NEWS – Masonite has designed what has been called the world’s first smart door. It starts with a high-end door and adds a video doorbell, a smart lock, motion-activated LEDs, and a door sensor. Plus, it’s hard-wired, so you never have to worry about batteries. Sounds fabulous, doesn’t it? It does! It’s the M-Pwr line
The smart door has arrived, but you’ll want to pass on this one Read More
REVIEW – Is it possible to have too many building block sets? I doubt it. I’m looking for another fantastic set to join my lakeside lodge and my massive lighthouse. I’m hoping that the new T-Rex from JMBricklayer will find a home on my bookshelf. What is it? The JMBricklayer T-Rex Dinosaur is a LEGO-compatible
JMBricklayer T-Rex Dinosaur Building Block Set review – large and in charge Read More
REVIEW – My house has a very common problem: My HVAC doesn’t cool and heat all rooms evenly. The master bedroom is on one side of the house and is right under the HVAC system, and my office is on the opposite side of the house. In the summer, the master bedroom is too cool
Flair Smart Vents review – keeping my office cool Read More
REVIEW – Earlier this year I reviewed the VIOFO A139 Pro dashcam; I was happy with it when I reviewed it, and I’m still happy with it now. VIOFO has upgraded their introductory model, the A119, with several new features. I installed the A139 in my wife’s car, a Honda CR-V, so I’m planning to
VIOFO A119 Mini 2 Dashcam review – lots of features in a small package Read More
REVIEW – Last year I reviewed Vosteed Nightshade knife, an everyday carry pocketknife, and it instantly became my favorite EDC. Since that time, Vosteed has released three variations of this knife, so I’m back to provide an update. What is it? The Vosteed Nightshade is an everyday carry pocketknife with a distinctive leaf-shaped blade. It
Vosteed Nightshade pocketknife review – three terrific new EDC knife variations Read More
REVIEW – I’ve been working from home for over ten years now, and somehow, I still have a lot of meetings online. At my company, we use Microsoft Teams and Slack for our calls, so I need a headset with a microphone that allows me to hear and be heard clearly by my co-workers. For
EKSA H16 wireless headset review – good for working at home Read More