Home 2018 October

The PyroPet animal shaped candles contain a wicked little surprise

NEWS – Candles come in many shapes, sizes, and scents these days. The PyroPet is just a little different. It’s a candle that starts out as one thing and becomes something completely different and a little bit unexpected.

These paraffin wax candles come in the shape of different animals like a cat, owl, or unicorn. On the outside, they look like a modern piece of decor but, inside they hold a wicked little secret. Inside each creature hides a metal skeleton. As the wax melts, it reveals the animals aluminum skeleton little by little.

Each candle is slightly different so no two will ever burn the same. And each candle will burn for approximately 20 hours.

The complete PyroPet menagerie includes five different charming creatures, an owl, cat, dragon, reindeer, and unicorn.

Each PyroPet includes one animal candle with an aluminum skeleton. The candles range in price from $28 – $35 and they can be purchased from The Grommet.

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The PyroPet animal shaped candles contain a wicked little surprise originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 24, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Brew delicious concentrate for cold or hot coffee (or tea) with OXO

NEWS – Cold-brewed coffee concentrate isn’t just for making iced coffee.  You can also dilute it with heated water for hot coffee without having to brew a pot.  Using the OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker, you can easily prepare 40 ounces of delicious, low-acid coffee concentrate while you sleep so you can enjoy beverages for days.

The cold brewer has an ultra-fine, reusable stainless steel mesh filter, silicone gasket, and a borosilicate glass carafe.  To brew, put ground coffee in the brewing container, then add water through the Rainmaker™ to ensure that the water is evenly distributed over the coffee.  Let the mixture steep for 12-24 hours, then drain the concentrate into the coffee carafe.

Store the concentrate in the fridge for freshness.   The stopper for the carafe also functions as a measuring cup for portioning out the concentrate.  Each brewing makes enough concentrate for about 12-14 beverages.  You can make hot or cold coffees by diluting the concentrate with water or milk.

If you prefer tea, the OXO Cold Brewer can also be used to cold-brew a concentrate using loose leaves or tea bags.

The glass carafe is machine washable, but you’ll need to hand wash all other parts.  The pieces stack together for compact storage.  The OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker is $49.99 at OXO.

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Brew delicious concentrate for cold or hot coffee (or tea) with OXO originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 23, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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WellDesk XenStand laptop stand review

REVIEW – Your mother was always telling you to sit up straight, but how do you do that when you’re slumped over a laptop all day long? One way to improve the ergonomics is to raise the display to eye level with a laptop stand like the XenStand from WellDesk. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The WellDesk XenStand is an adjustable laptop stand that is made in the USA of Baltic Birch Plywood and has the same DIY type of style as their dual monitor standing desk which reviewed a few months ago.

What’s in the box?

The XenStand has 2 support stands and 2 feet that are used to elevate the stand into higher positions.

Design and features

The WellDesk XenStand is made of nicely finished wood that has sanded, smooth edges with no splinters to worry about. It has a simple interlocking design where the two main pieces fit together to form an X. The stand is solid and stable while still being able to quickly disassemble it if needed.

The back of the stand props up the display of the laptop while the hooks in the front of the stand prevent the laptop from sliding off the stand. I did all my testing of the WellDesk with my 12-inch MacBook, which is the smallest sized laptop that you would want to use with this stand. With the MacBook in place, the back of the laptop is raised approximately 4.25 inches.

In this position, the display is raised for more comfortable viewing. Of course, you will also need to use an external keyboard and mouse for correct ergonomics.


If the first configuration doesn’t raise the display high enough for you, there are two other configurations that you can try. By adding the included feet to the inner notches, the back of the display is raised even higher.


In this position, the back of the computer is raised 5.75 inches off the table.

Last but not least, you can add the feet to the rear notches and position the front edge of the laptop in the larger hooks. As you can see, this configuration will not work for my 12-inch MacBook because the display does not open far enough.

What I like

  • Made in the USA of sustainable products
  • Easy to assemble
  • Three configurations

What needs to be improved

  • Almost too wide for 12-inch laptops

Final thoughts

The WellDesk XenStand is a simple laptop stand lifts the display to eye level so that you can use a keyboard and mouse with your laptop to allow you to sit up straight to improve your posture and ergonomics. This stand is easy to assemble and disassemble and isn’t too bulky to take with you in the included drawstring canvas bag.

Price: $37.95 MSRP
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Well Desk.

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WellDesk XenStand laptop stand review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 23, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Netgear can now cover your home in mesh wifi with Orbi

NEWS – If you don’t know what a mesh wifi network is, you will. Mesh wifi allows devices to piggyback off one another as part of a network. Originally used mostly by the military and hospitals, mesh networking has now hit the home market. Eero was the first, followed by Google, Luma, and Netgear with their new Orbi mesh system—to name a few. 

The goal of mesh networking is to cover your home in a wifi signal without any dead spots. What makes Orbi special is that it comes from Netgear, a pioneer in networking technology. 

The Orbi system begins with the Orbi tri-band wifi router and uses a wall plug, stand-alone or outdoor satellites to extend the speed and performance of the wifi signal throughout the home. The size of the house and desired speeds determine how many satellites are needed or wanted. For instance, a home up to 3,500 sq. feet may need only one router and one satellite. In a hallway or kitchen, garage or basement, the wall plug satellite only needs an electrical outlet to deliver wifi. Extra satellites are available individually. 

Use the Ethernet ports on the router and the Satellite to connect your Smart TV, game console, streaming player and more. Orbi is capable of more than 100Mbps internet speed over 5,000 square feet.

An app is available to install & personalize the Orbi home wifi system. This app can:

  • Manage WiFi settings, share network credentials
  • Show the list of connected devices. 
  • Pause device access to the internet
  • Easily setup separate internet access for guests
  • Perform speed test

Also available is Circle with Disney—a smart way to manage any connected device. The Circle app helps parents filter content, manage screen time, and stay informed with what their kids do online.

Orbi can be set up and running in 3 simple steps. There are many Orbi configurations to choose from—among them: 

  1. Orbi Tri-Band Mesh WiFi Router
  2. Orbi WiFi System AC3000
  3. Orbi WiFi System with Orbi Voice Smart Speaker & WiFi Satellite
  4. Orbi WiFi System with Built-in Cable Modem
  5. Orbi WiFi System AC2200
    Many versions depending on routers and number of satellites

The Orbi system is available from Amazon. Prices range from $129.99 to $469.99. Additional satellites and other add-ons are priced extra. Visit Netgear for more information.

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Netgear can now cover your home in mesh wifi with Orbi originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 23, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Tronsmart Trim 10,000 mAh power bank review

REVIEW – By now, everyone in the world who uses technology daily has at least one power bank. Those little portable chargers that can top up your phone or iPad while away from the grid have saved everyone’s bacon at some point, I’m sure. Now, the move to USB3 is taking hold, and phones, laptops, and all manner of devices are starting to be powered by this new spec. Tronsmart has answered the call with a 10,000 mAh slimline power bank they named the Trim, for obvious reasons) that not only includes the new port for both input and output, but also preserves the output for good ole USB-2. I was sent one to test and am ready, as ever, to report my findings.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

The Tronsmart Trim 10,000 mAh power bank is smaller than most modern smartphones. It is about the same weight, at 6.8 ounces, and can easily hide in a pocket, purse, or backpack and you’ll never know it’s there – until you need it.

Hardware specs

(from Tronsmart website)

Model – Trim PBD01
Technology – PD (Power Delivery 3.0), VoltiQ, Quick Charge 3.0, compatible with Huawei FCP technology
Capacity – 10000mAh
Material – Anodized aluminum + plastic frame
Ports – 3 Ports: USB Type-C, USB-A, MicroUSB
Power – 18W Total Output
Input – Micro USB: 5V/2A, 9V/2A; USB-C (PD): 5V/2A, 9V/2A
Output – (USB) USB-C (PD3.0): 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A; USB-A: 5-6V/3.0A, 6-9V/2.0A, 9-12V/1.5A
Certifications – FCC, CE, RoHS
Dimension – 5.62 x 2.75 x 0.46 in (143 x 70 x 11.8 mm)
Net Weight – 194.3g / 6.85oz

What’s in the box?

  • Power Bank
  • 8” USB-A to microUSB cord/lanyard
  • Instruction sheet

Design and features

The thin, sleek Tronsmart Trim is a departure from most 10,000 mAh battery packs. Most are much thicker, heavier, and clunkier. This svelte unit rivals most phones or other handheld devices for style and build quality. The subtle 4-LED gas gauge tells you how much juice remains. There’s a place to add a tethered leash, if you like. (The included short USB-A to microUSB cable doubles as such a leash. I like these short minimal cables that have started appearing. If I’m not having to plug into a wall outlet 4 seats way at an airport gate, I really don’t want a 10 meter cable to deal with. I just need a few inches to connect to the phone or iPad I’m holding in my hand while it charges.)
In addition to the USB3 input and output, there is a microUSB input port and a USB2 output. The matte black rubberized case has a copper/rose gold band around all edges, as well as a full metal front where the ports are.
The Trim is very easy to take along, and simple to deploy. It charged both my iPads (12.9 and 10.5 pros) as well as my iPhone 8 Plus without issues. I didn’t run any long-term tests of trying to run anything down and seeing how quickly it came back using just this powerbank, but I did find that the power bank will hold a full charge for a good while (weeks) without losing any stored power, and this can bring up anything from your drone batteries, your watch, or your phone quickly. If you’re going to be away from grid power, or just moving around from place-to-place, you’re going to find it will serve you well, and with the USB3 I/O, will be useful for a good while to come.

What I Like

  • Small footprint
  • Multiple output options
  • Good capacity/size ratio

What needs to be improved

  • I can’t think of anything.

Final thoughts

Battery packs are a fact of life for Gadgeteers. We constantly have something that needs charging or at least topping off, since we use portable gadgets all the time. This slim, yet large capacity charger adds to the mix by having a USB-C option, both for charging and to connect to your devices. Adding in the slim form factor and modern styling, and it’s an easy must-have for anyone looking for a power bank for personal use or as a gift.

Price: $25.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Tronsmart.

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Tronsmart Trim 10,000 mAh power bank review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 23, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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