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Turn your kitty into Simba from the Lion King!

NEWS – Here’s a quick one for you today that should make you smile unless your heart is made of granite. It’s a wig, for a cat. Yes, it’s a thing and if you have a cat, then you need one. Now! Just slip this lion mane hat/wig over your cat’s head and if you survive, you’ll get a good laugh out of your little Lion King. If you don’t survive, well then, sorry about your luck. For the adventurous among you, head over the OMG Adorables, where you can buy the lion mane cat hat for $9.99. You can also find them on Amazon including one for your dog.

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Turn your kitty into Simba from the Lion King! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 26, 2019 at 11:57 am.

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How to Sync CalDAV and CardDAV to Android

When people think about email, calendars, and contacts these days, one of the first companies that comes to mind is surely Google. Especially if you’re an Android user, Google may seem like the only sane option. That said, there are plenty of other email, contacts, and calendar providers out there. Whether you use iCloud, a service like FastMail, or even the calendar component of a service like NextCloud, getting them to work on Android can be tough. That said, it’s not impossible, which is why we put together this guide. Related: Get the… Read more

Kensington Thunderport 3 Nano Dock review

REVIEW – My daughter is heading off to college this fall, and like every other college student, she needs a laptop.  We bought her a new MacBook Pro, and while these are nice machines, they don’t exactly have an over-abundance of ports.  In fact, the 13-inch ones have exactly two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, one of which is used for charging.  Where is she going to get the extra ports that she needs for a monitor, a headset, a backup drive, and so on?  She’s going to get them from Kensington’s brand new Thunderport 3 Nano Dock.

What is it?

The full name for this dock is the Kensington SD2400T Thunderbolt 3 Dual 4k Nano Dock with Power Delivery.  That’s a mouthful, but that’s because this little gadget packs a lot of capability into a small space.  It allows a laptop to have all the ports of a desktop when back in the dorm room or at the office.

What’s in the box?

  • The dock
  • Power brick
  • Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable
  • A quick start guide with 7 pages of images

There are no actual instructions on how to setup or use the dock, but it doesn’t really any.  Everything (except for one minor detail that I learned) is pretty straightforward.

Hardware specs

The Nano Dock connects to the host computer via Thunderbolt 3 (that’s the underlying connectivity standard) using USB-C (that’s the connector type).  It works with both Windows and macOS computers.  Make sure that you’re connecting the Nano Dock to a Thunderbolt 3, because this is how you get the blistering 40 Gbs throughput.

The front of the Nano Dock has three ports.  The 3.5 mm audio is for headphones.  The USB-C port is data only—this means you can’t use it to power a monitor—so it’s for things like plugging in an external hard drive for a data backup.  The USB 3.1 port is handy for charging a phone or a tablet or connecting a thumb drive.

The right side of the Nano Dock has a power button.

The majority of the ports are on the back of this gadget.  The gigabit ethernet port is for a 1 Gbps wired networking connection.  There are two more USB 3.1 ports.  The two full-sized display ports support either dual 4k monitors (4096×2160 @ 60 Hz) or a single 5k monitor (5120×2880 @ 60 Hz).   There’s also a place to plug-in the power supply and the Thunderbolt 3 connector for connecting to the host computer.

The left side has a pair of Kensington security slots for securing the Nano Dock via a cable lock.  Both the K65020 MicroSaver 2.0 or the K64444/K6445 NanoSaver Keyed Laptop Locks will work, but neither are included.  These can be purchased online directly from Kensington or from third parties like Newegg or Amazon.

The bottom of the Nano Dock has the holes for mounting to any 75mm or 100mm VESA compatible external display.  This allows you to mount the dock on the back of your monitor, thus reducing the clutter on your desk.  You’ll need to purchase a docking station mount, as it’s not included.

Design and features

The dock has some beautiful aesthetics.  It’s sleek and compact and has a minimalistic look to it, somewhat reminiscent of an AppleTV.  In fact, it has nearly identical dimensions at 4×4 inches and 1.5 inches high.  It’s made from plastic, but it has a solid, sturdy feel to it.

Installation and setup

Installation is super simple.  Plug in the power brick and then connect the included USB-C cable to the host computer.

Performance

I tested Kensington’s dock on two different computers.  The first was a 2018 Mac mini, and the second was a brand new 2019 13-inch MacBook Pro.  The Mac mini already has several ports (4 x Thunderbolt 3, ethernet, HDMI, 2 x USB, and audio), but you can never have too many ports.  The MacBook Pro is probably closer to the target audience, as it only has a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports.

For my first test, I used the Nano Dock with the Mac mini, and I named my test strategy “everything and the kitchen sink.”  I connected the dock to the mini and then connected as many things as possible to the dock to see if it could handle them.  Here’s what I connected to the dock:

  • A pair of 27-inch UltraSharp Dell monitors
  • An Apple keyboard
  • A SteelSeries Rival mouse
  • Ethernet
  • External SanDisk SSD (connected to Time Machine)
  • A Logitech web cam
  • HyperX headphones with mic

As you can see, I used every port.

I didn’t have to install any new drivers to use the dock.  After I turned off WiFi, macOS automatically re-configured itself to use the Ethernet connection via the Thunderbolt port.  The only configuration that I had to do was choose the new input and output sources for the headphones, which was called Realtek USB2.0 Audio.

And the result?  Everything worked, and it all worked at the same time.  I backed up with TimeMachine, watched YouTube videos, and used my camera with FaceTime.  It ran both monitors and allowed me to seamlessly move applications from the primary to secondary monitor.  The Nano Dock never broke a sweat.  When I put my hand on top, it wasn’t even warm.  I’m not sure that my test could have gone any better.

The only thing that I could have done to better stress the dock would have been to use a pair of 4k monitors.  Unfortunately, I don’t have any 4k monitors, so the closest I could get was a pair of 27-inch UltraSharp monitors from Dell running at 2560×1440 resolution.

For my second test, I used the Nano Dock with my daughter’s brand new MacBook Pro, and I named this test strategy “exactly what she needs.”  I connected the dock to the laptop and then connected the things that my daughter will be taking to college with her.

For this test, here’s what I connected to the dock:

I learned something new during this test:  The 2 USB ports on the back of the dock will not charge a mobile device; only the USB port on the front will do that.  After moving the white cable that connects my daughter’s iPad to the front, the Nano Dock passed this test with flying colors.  The monitor worked great, the SSD was available to copy files, and the iPad charged.  Perfect.

What I like

  • Beautiful design and solid construction
  • Wide array of the most useful ports
  • Capable of using everything at once

What I’d change

  • Not a thing

Final thoughts

Try as I might, I can’t find anything about this dock about which to be unhappy.  It looks good and works well.  If you have a computer with a Thunderbolt 3 port, and if you’re looking for a dock to give you some extra ports, then Kensington’s Nano Dock should definitely be on your short list.  Now I just need to pick up one more of these to use with the new MacBook Pro I’m getting at work.

Price: $291
Where to buy:  Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Kensington.

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Kensington Thunderport 3 Nano Dock review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 26, 2019 at 10:31 am.

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Reolink Argus Eco security camera with solar charger review

REVIEW – Security cameras are everywhere. Given the advancements in camera resolution and solar technologies, the price of a solar-charged security camera that would have cost hundreds of dollars just a few short years ago is now in the realm of possibility for anyone who has property that needs securing. Reolink has several cameras, but their Argus Eco is weatherproof, WiFi ready, and now has an optional solar charger that can be added. I was sent a white camera with a black solar charger to test.

What is it?

A weatherproof battery-operated camera with WiFi and an optional weather-proof solar charger.

What’s in the box?

The unit comes packaged separately – the camera in one retail-ready box and the solar panel in another. Each unit is able to be installed separately.

The camera package contains:

  • Argus Eco (with sealed internal battery)
  • Screw-on, adjustable Antenna
  • Outdoor Security mount with wall- and tree-mounting options
  • ”Surveillance” sticker
  • Charging cable
  • Quick Start guide

Hardware specs

  • CMOS Image Sensor
  • 1080p HD at 15 frames/sec – H.264
  • Fixed lens, 100° diagonal
  • Night Vision – Up to 10 m (33 ft)
  • 6X Digital Zoom
  • High-quality speaker and microphone
  • PIR Detecting Distance Adjustable, up to 9 m (30 ft)
  • PIR Detecting Angle – 100° horizontal
  • Customized voice-recordable alerts
  • Instant email alerts and push notifications
  • IEEE 802.11b/g/n WiFi at 2.4 GHz
  • Wireless Security – WEP(ASCII)/WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

There is no current information on the website or the packaging for the solar charger, other than what is on the tag on the back.

  • Max power 2.8 watts
  • Max voltage 6V DC
  • Max current 480 mA

Design and features

With the rise in home security services and surveillance methods, it’s hard to find a package that doesn’t rely on sending your stored data to a paid service. Reolink has storage plans you can get, but because the video is stored on the camera’s SD card, this isn’t necessary. You can turn on storage for one week of video for a single camera for free, which is nice.

The Argus Eco is a cylinder about 5” long by 3” in diameter. On the business end, there is a central camera lens, a domed motion detector, and four UV emitting lights for night-vision. On the back are three ports: a BNC antenna port, a metallic mounting port, and a weather-sealed charging port. In a slot on the lower side near the front, there is a weather-sealed area with a microSD card slot, an on-off DIP switch, and a recessed reset pin. Nearby is a label with the serial number and password info in English and encoded into a QR code.


The mounting post has a dual tightening ball joint, which allows you to mount it in almost any orientation. Screws and plastic collars for mounting to wood or plaster are included. There is also a metal bracket and a nylon strap that would let you mount it in a tree without having to screw directly into the live wood.
Before mounting the camera, I recommend staying inside in the air-conditioning and download the app to your device, set up the camera, and insert the microSD card. You should probably also charge the camera’s battery. That way, once you’re up on a ladder in the hot sun, trying to read your phone in order to get the picture straight, you’ll only have to turn the camera on and worry with the dual nut joint to get things adjusted.


Once I had the camera mounted, I mounted the Solar charger. This unit is a flat, sturdily built photovoltaic array with a 4.5-meter captive cable and a screw socket built into the back. While the screw attachment is a little less robust than the one for the camera, there’s a good bit of weight difference as well.

The ball joint for this mounting was the same, however, and setting the angle is easy. I cable-tied the extra cord to the mounting post. Where we placed it gets quite a bit of sun year-round. The microUSB plug was a bit fussy since I had to make sure the hated trapezoid was facing the right way, properly aligned, etc, with the silicon cap over the plug blocking my sight. But, in the end, it connected without a hitch. A nice little icon in the app tells you when solar is charging the battery and how much charge the battery has when the sun’s not out.

Setup

Set up is fairly painless. You have to download the app (GooglePlay or iOS App Store), create an account, and scan the pairing QR code. Once it’s set up, it’s pretty solid. I turned off the camera and waited for a few days until I found time in the evening to mount both pieces. It started back up without a hiccough.
There are a lot of settings that can be changed. You can select color/B&W/Auto, resolution, whether to include sound and a plethora of alerts. While watching live, you can snap stills or capture movies that you can easily share.

Performance

The camera performs flawlessly. We watched a squirrel going up the drive beside one of the cars right after installing it and walking inside. My Lovely Bride also got tickled of the video of my ear while I was struggling to get the camera level. It’s easy to call up the camera anytime.

Here’s a video of me taking the lede picture for this article:

We have a light for our backyard that turns on via motion after dark and this can prevent the camera from seeing the far end of the driveway.

When it’s not on you can see all of the drive, the street, and the neighbor’s yard.


There are a huge variety of notification types you can select from. Depending on your situation, you may or may not want to be alerted every time an animal walks past your camera. But, if you do, there’s a setting for that.

What I like

  • All hardware included in both packages
  • Doesn’t require an on-going service charge
  • Data is stored on the device but can be downloaded through the app
  • Cloud storage is available, but not required – one week (1 GB of data) is free

What I’d change

  • A software update that allows sending recorded events to an off-camera storage device or Dropbox account might be nice.

Final thoughts

Our surveillance society has gotten used to everything being recorded. We regularly see photos on social media of porch pirates, would-be car ransackers, and trespassers. We even have motion-activated game cameras to capture shots of wild animals. This product is a great example of how you can easily set up a system that allows you to have awareness of your surroundings (or your vacation home) at a rational cost with no on-going costs. Well done, Reolink.

Price: Argus Eco is $79.99, Solar Panel $24.99
Where to buy: Company website and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Reolink.

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Reolink Argus Eco security camera with solar charger review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 26, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Double your pleasure with the new Colonel Littleton No. 1 Bitsy Belt Bag

NEWS – The Colonel has just approved a new ladies’ bag that addresses one of the key problems of many of today’s carrying options for ladies: “Why do I have to buy different bags to wear / carry different ways?”

The Colonel Littleton No. 1 Bitsy Belt Bag converts from a stylish belt bag (think an American-inspired sporran or hip bag) to a sleek cross-body bag that is large enough to carry your phone, keys, wallet, and other essentials for a day excursion, while being sleek enough not to get in the way of the day’s activities.

The No 1.  Bitsy Belt Bag is approximately 7 inches by 7 inches and has a 4.5 inch by 4.5 inch back pocket and is unlined. The front of the bag is pleated to increase the bag’s holding capacity. The bag includes a leather strap which adjusts from 25.5 to 47 inches. The hardware is nickel and it utilizes a magnetic closure.

The Bitsy Bag is from full-grain dry-milled leather in the Colonel Littleton Workshop in Lynnville, TN.

Small in size but big in style and quality. With outside dimensions of 7”W at midpoint x 7”T, it handles your basic necessities nicely. Front pleats enhance the roominess. Exterior back pocket (4 ½”W at top x 4 ½”T) provides easy access to your phone.

The Bitsy Bag is available from Colonel Littleton’s web store and their physical store fronts in Lynnville, TN. The Bitsy Bag is $190 with personalization (up to 3 letters) running an additional $9.50.

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Double your pleasure with the new Colonel Littleton No. 1 Bitsy Belt Bag originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 26, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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