While Chrome is the most popular browser, it is not without bugs. There are times where it will give you errors you never want to deal with. One of the most common errors is the “Err_Connection_Reset” error. To be able to fix this error you need to know why it appears. What Is the err_connection_reset Error in Chrome The “err_connection_reset” is an error you will come across when Chrome can’t form a connection or doesn’t have a very stable one. Your computer is not able to process the connection, and that’s when you see that dreaded error message. Related: 13 Chrome Flags You Should Enable… Read more
REVIEW – Charging phones is something that everyone in this modern world has to do. Even if you can get days out of your device, at some time you’re going to have to get more power into it. Having a lamp that can offer both a charging space for your flat screen device as well as providing an adjustable color temperature and intensity of light is quite a feat. The LumiCharge SmartLamp fills this space beautifully.
What is it?
An adjustable-arm lamp with adjustable brightness, warm, cool, or mixed light LEDs, as well as charging spaces for Lightning, USB-C, or microUSB. There is a proximity light, desk clock and calendar display in the lamp as well.
What’s in the box?
Lamp with charger in the base and pivoting arm
power supply with DC 12V output
Design and features
The LumiCharge SmartLamp is available in black, white, and silver-grey. I was sent the white model. The surfaces are all glossy white, and the plastic feels adequate, if not substantial. It’s not fragile, but you can’t grab it and twist it hard. It passed the famous Gadgeteer “creak” test easily.
The base is a circle 1.25 inches high and 6.75 inches in diameter. There is a flattened area on the front face with a thumbwheel. Above the wheel is a smoked grey plastic flap that hinges up to reveal a charging post. The flap rises just past 90º to stay up. The charging post can be changed via the thumbwheel to be USB-C, microUSB, or Apple Lightning. Easy of these charging posts are on a pivot, so you can adjust for the thickness of the devices. There is no way to make them taller, though, so thick cases are not going to work here. The channel that the post is in is wide enough for any of my iOS devices but won’t connect with my iPod case. So it goes.
Across the center behind the charging area are 4 symbols: the on-off circle, up and down arrows that look like carets, and a capital “M”. Behind these symbols is the pivot arm, secured to a shiny chrome-like swivel fitting. The swivel will pivot 45º either way of the dead center. Behind this is an on-off switch for the proximity light (more on this later.) At the rear, opposite the thumbwheel is another smaller flat edge with the power input and two USB-A ports.
At the bottom of the upright arm, there is a domed light, that can be covered with an opaque black cap. This is the proximity light, which, when switched on, will light up when you walk into the room. Above this is a panel 4 inches high that will glow and show a calendar/clock/temp display. This is controlled and set up via pushbuttons on the back of the 13″ high upright. There is a coin battery that keeps this going when the fixture is unplugged. If it’s turned on, this will also light up (it’s back-lit) with the proximity light.
Atop the upright is a 12-inch headpiece. The lens on the bottom has 15 banks of three LEDs – two white on the outside, and one yellow inside. The “M” switches between these rows – cool white, warm white, or soft yellow. This and the dimmable light makes the light extremely adjustable to your lighting needs. The lighting head can go from 0º to 180º with the upright, so you can illuminate a large area if needed. The upright will fold back until the arm touches the base, but it will only angle forward 6º or so from straight up 90º.
The power cord is 60″ from wall to the DC power supply. The power supply is ~1″ x 2″ x 5″ with a 58″ captive center pin cable. That gives you ten feet from a plug to place this unit.
Performance
Adjusting the temperature of light from this lamp is as easy as holding down the arrow keys on the flat base. Changing the Color Temperature is toggled by pressing the “M” key on the base. Holding the on-off button will bring down the brightness. These all happened perfectly, every time I laid a finger on the icons. There is no button on them and no haptic feedback. I have no idea how it “knew” I was holding down the icon, but it did.
The thumbwheel clicks into place for each charging post type, but can easily switch to another position without undue force.
What I like
Easy change between all popular USB flavors for charging devices
Plugs pivot, so the angles can be changed for different device types
Two extra USB outlets to take care of items that don’t fit onto the docking area
What needs to be improved
It would be incredible if the calendar and clock would allow you to program a gradual change from cool white to soft yellow as the evening wore on. Far outside the tech here and the price-point, though.
Final thoughts
Having your desk lamp also be able to charge your device is cool. Since it’s adjustable, this should allow you to charge your device whether it’s in a case or not. Very flexible for all devices. I used the proximity sensor for a bit but then changed my desk layout. It was kinda nice to walk into my office and have the light come on when I stepped through the door, rather than having to fumble for the light.
Price: $119.00 on sale currently for $109.00 Where to buy: LumiCharge webstore Source: The sample of this product was provided by LumiCharge.
Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.
REVIEW – Is a couch a gadget? Normally the answer would be no. But the couch I’m going to show you today is different. The Gjemeni Couch from Coddle is the transformer of couches. Let’s check it out.
What is it?
The Gjemeni Couch from Coddle is a couch, it’s a bed, and more.
What’s in the box?
When I agreed to review the Gjemeni Couch, I was told that it would be delivered by a special delivery service and not UPS or FedEx. So I took the day off to wait for it. A large truck showed up and deposited the giant bubble wrapped package on my front porch that you see above. They asked if I wanted them to take it in the house but I figured it would be easier for me to open, and assemble and take it in side myself. Note to anyone who is thinking of buying this couch – let them take it inside for you. Trust me.
Unboxing
I waited for Jeanne to get home from work so she could help me. I’m lucky to have someone who rarely questions me when I have something new that needs to be set up.
After removing the bubble wrap on the outside of the box, we opened it to see what you see above, a very large flat piece of furniture that required no assembly other than attaching 4 legs.
The chromed legs were contained in a small box with instructions and two strange pieces of leather.
The assembly of the Gjemeni Couch was quick and easy given that the legs were marked and no tools were required. Just slip the leg over the post and then press the spring loaded button with your thumb while pressing the leg in place.
Hey, that’s what those little leather pieces were for. Thumb protectors. They were a nice touch and are important to use if you don’t want to pinch your fingers.
With the 4 legs attached and the protective red foam sheets removed, the next step was to get the whole unit into the house. Let me just say that this was the hardest part of the whole review. Luckily the couch was protected with a black canvas cover because we had to slide/push it across the deck. It was not easy because we are wimps and the couch was heavy (~140lbs) and there weren’t any easy ways to grab it.
Design and features
It took some effort, but we got it in the house and from there it was easy to fold up the 2 back pieces to create the couch that you see above. I was sent the grey microfiber version of the couch, but it’s also available in brown, black, white, and red leather. Unfortunately, the base/legs are only available in chromed stainless steel which might not be everyone’s style
One of the cool features of the Gjemeni Couch is that each side has its own power outlet and 2 USB ports. You just have to plug the couch into power (wow, I never thought I’d ever need to type that sentence!) with the built-in power cord. If you don’t want to use this feature, the cord stores inside the couch in a zippered pocket.
The outlet on each side comes with a protective plug cover that is easily removed.
Being able to charge my gadgets from the couch is convenient as I’ve had many times when my MacBook or phone was low on juice while relaxing on the couch.
Comfort and functionality
The Coddle Gjemeni Couch is a great size. It’s long enough to accommodate 3 or even 4 people. The couch is made of 4 layers of foam but it is important to understand that this couch is really firm. I wish it was a little more comfy cozy, and hope it will “break” in with time.
What it might lack in coziness, it more than makes up for in versatility. Each back piece can be positioned up or down.
With both pieces down, the couch converts into a bed. You can even buy an optional 3-inch padded couch topper for added comfort.
I like a firm bed, so lying on the couch feels comfortable to me and I love the idea that we now have a way for a guest to stay over if needed. Note that I’m 5’6″ tall, so you get an idea of the length of this couch/bed.
The sides can also fold up to create a shorter (looking) couch.
Or just put up one side to create a lounger.
Check out the quick video that I made showing how to convert the couch into the different forms.
What I like
Easy to convert from couch to a bed
Built-in power and USB ports on each side
What needs to be improved
Expensive
Might be considered too firm
Offer other finishes for the base
Final thoughts
If you don’t have a guest room in your home or any way to accommodate overnight guests, a sleeper sofa is a great option. The Coddle Gjemeni Couch is a couch that can convert into more than just a bed and even keeps your gadgets charged while you’re relaxing. If the price fits your budget (they do offer a 60-day return policy) and you don’t mind a firm cushion, this couch it is a winner.
Price: $999.00 (includes free shipping) Where to buy: Coddleme.com Source: The sample for this review was provided by Coddle.
Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.
NEWS – All of the Apple watch bands, be they rubberized for sports and everyday activity or leather/metal for the fashion conscious, have one thing in common: they can’t charge your watch. Because of this, most users must slap their watches on a charger overnight. The Batfree by Togvu aims to increase the time you can wear your Apple watch by building a wireless charger into the watch band itself.
Made of silicone, the Batfree band has two Li-polymer batteries embedded into the sides of the strap that supply power to a wireless charging coil. The band doesn’t provide constant power to the watch, however, and the user must press a button by the watch crown to activate charging. According to Togvu, the band should supply an extra 27 hours of run time to the watch’s existing 18.
The Batfree is available for pre-order from Togvu for $49. Once the pre-order period is over, the full price will be $79. It’s available in red and black for Apple watch series 2, 3 and 4 and for various sizes. Pre-ordered Batfree bands are expected to ship by the end of May.
Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.
You may believe that with the advancements in facial recognition and its focus on eliminating the Home button that Touch ID is a dead issue with Apple, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. The company is still working on ways to involve fingerprint-recognition technology on their future devices. What they’re working on would allow devices to still read your fingerprint, despite no appearance of a home button. Fingerprint Sensor Technology For a few years Touch ID was the hot thing with Apple’s iPhone and iPads. The home button was used to sign in to your device as well as your online accounts. But… Read more
