NEWS – Not content to with just protecting out gadgets, Otterbox has just released their new OtterSpot Wireless Charging System. This Qi-compatible wireless system consists of a charging base and one or more OtterSpot batteries (“charging coasters”) for your wireless devices.
The 36-watt charging base can simultaneously recharge 3 of the 5,000 mAh batteries (only one battery is included in the basic kit) and one device.
Each of the batteries can be used on-the-go to recharge your devices when away from the base.
The wireless batteries feature a non-slip surface to help keep your devices in place while they are charging.
The base system includes
OtterSpot Wireless Charging Base
one Wireless Charging Battery
USB A-C Cable (1.6-ft/0.5-m)
USB C-C Cable (3.9-ft/1.2-m)
36W Wall Adapter.
Additional batteries may be purchased separately.
Base system: $129.95
Additional batteries: $69.95
The OtterSpot Wireless Charging System is available now from OtterBox‘s online store.
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REVIEW – Each day when I walk back and forth to take the railroad to and from work, it seems that there is a new building being constructed in the city. With all of the construction and materials and digging and trucks going back an forth, pollution seems to be at an all-time high. Since just about everyone in my family suffers at some level from allergies, any device that can help me to keep pollutants to a minimum in my home is of interest to me. Lets checkout the Awair Glow C to “C” if it gets an “A” or an “F”.
What is it?
The Awair Glow C monitors chemicals (VOCs), temperature, and humidity levels and provides real-time information on your air quality in the room it is installed in. When you plug in a “non-smart” humidifier or air purifier or fan into its built-in smart plug, it automatically turns the plugged-in device on/off to maintain the air quality in your space.
What’s in the box
1 x Awair Glow C
1 x Quick Start Guide
Design and features
Features
On the front of the Awair Glow C, there is the on/off touch switch, the sensor below the switch and the pass-through AC smart outlet.
On the back of the Awair, there is a vent and a 3-prong AC plug.
There is a vent on each side of the Awair.
On top of the Awair, there is a vent and the status LED.
Performance
This device is very easy to use. it is plug and play, and it begins to work as soon as you plug it into the AC outlet. It has a LED on top that uses colors to indicate the air quality level. It also can be controlled via smart devices.
The LED can also be used as a night light and the color can be customized via the app.
The device has an app that allows you to set up an account and to manage the functionality. It helps you to understand your air quality and track improvements in real-time. You also get notifications and tips via the app that include air quality and temperature updates, etc. One issue I had with the app was the amount and type of personal information it requests. In a time when data security is a big deal, information like date of birth and gender, etc should not be a part of the process regardless of whether it is voluntary or not. Here are some screenshots from the app:
What I like
The compact size
The build quality
The pass-through AC on/off functionality
What I’d change
Remove the personal data information collection part of the app
Final thoughts
The Awair Glow C is a nice device that in some cases can be a key component for managing air pollutants especially for folks like me and my family who suffer a lot from allergies. However, it struggles to fit into my specific home environment because all of my humidifiers and air purifiers are smart devices, and my touch fans cannot be controlled just from the presence of AC power. The auto-triggered smart AC through-plug only works with non-smart devices that likely have hardware on/off switches that can be left on, or devices that can be triggered by the presence of AC power. Since it has a manual on/off switch for the AC outlet, it can still serve as a through-plug to extend access to the AC wall outlet that it occupies. I do suspect that for most consumers, the decision to purchase this device will be based on the capabilities of their existing humidifiers/air purifiers/fans. However, I do not want to overshadow the value of the useful information, notifications and alerts that this device provides even when used as a stand alone device. It also works great as a night light. In my opinion, there is enough overall value in it to make it quite useful.
Price: $79 Where to buy:Awair website and Amazon Source: The sample for this review was provided by Awair.
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NEWS – Truly wireless headphones are pretty popular these days, but some don’t like wearing earbuds. Seattle-based startup Human, Inc. has produced the first truly wireless headphones that deliver over-the-ear quality with the convenience of ear-buds. Instead of fitting inside your ears, these headphones fit over your ears.
The first thing I thought when I saw them was how the heck do these things stay on? They’re held in place by hooks that wrap around the back of your ear allowing them to fit comfortably on your ear.
These headphones feature intuitive touch controls that let you easily control media, phone, and digital assistant. Another cool feature that other TW headphones don’t offer is a built-in Bluetooth speaker.When you’re not wearing them, these headphones can be snapped together and used as a portable Bluetooth speaker.
Dual 280mAh Batteries give the headphones up to 9 hours of continuous life on a single charge and allow for charging while using them in speaker mode.
4 beam-forming microphones allow for superior voice-capture, even in noisy environments.
With the Human App, you can instantly translate up to 11 languages and enable Blend and Speaker modes. Blend mode activates the external microphones letting you listen to both your music and amplify the world around you.
Human Headphones are as crazy as they are cool. If you prefer the quality of over-the-ear headphones, these might be worth checking out.
Human Truly Wireless Headphones sell for $399 and are available from Human.
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