At the IFA’s Global Conference in Rome this past weekend, Philips Health was on stage talking about sleep. Senior Vice-President Head of Connected Digital Propositions at Philips, Liat Ben-Zur says that Philips mission is to improve the lives of 3 billion people a year and that some of the ways they plan on accomplishing that is through sleep.
Philips has observed that time scarcity is the new normal, and as a result, people aren’t getting enough sleep. If you don’t have a good night sleep, it affects your health, focus, mood, stress levels and it can lead to chronic disease. In the U.S. 30% of adults have insomnia, and 40% of people aged 25 to 45 sleep less than 7 hours. Which is why Philips has come out with several products to improve your sleep.
Miss IFA wearing the Philips SmartSleep headband and Bernd Laudahn, Market Leader Personal Health DACH, at IFA Global Press Conference
Let’s start with the silliest looking one of the three – the SmartSleep headband. The SmartSleep Headband is designed to wear while you sleep. It might seem ridiculous to wear at first, but it’s actually quite brilliant. That is because the headband connects to a mobile app to monitor the quality of your sleep and determine ways to improve your sleep. Designed for those who typically sleep less than 7 hours per night, it’s effectively able to increase your energy, without having to increase your sleep time.
Senior Vice-President Head of Connected Digital Propositions at Philips, Liat Ben-Zur at the Philips power briefing at the IFA Global Press Conference
The headband houses two small sensors which are able to detect when you’re in deep sleep, also known as “slow wave sleep”. Once the headband detects that you’re in slow wave sleep, it triggers quiet audio tones that boost the slow waves which in turn improves your quality of sleep. The SmartSleep headband’s algorithm does this every night and customizes the timing and volume of tones to your sleep pattern. In the morning you can use the SleepMapper app to understand your sleep metrics. And for those of you concerned with the thought of “wearing” Bluetooth and Wi-fi while you’re sleeping – don’t fret because both of those wireless connections are turned off while the device is being worn.
In addition to the SmartSleep headband, Philips has come out with a connected Air purifier that helps keep your sleep environment clean and free of pollutants. They have also come out with the Somneo Connected light which produces a “natural” wake-up experience for when it’s time to rise in shine. All three of these products from Philips are 100% drug-free solutions. The Air Purifier is available on Amazon for $399 and the Somneo Wake Up Light for $158 on Amazon. We don’t have word on pricing or availability yet for the SmartSleep headband, but we’ll update this story when we do.
The IFA Global Press Conference brings together hundreds of journalists from around the globe to discuss the latest consumer electronics trends ahead of IFA. IFA is Europe’s largest consumer electronics show conference.
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For those of you that have been following my news stories, you know that I have been on a quest to research and find a travel tripod that is the perfect fit for me. The next travel tripod that I am looking at is the Benro Aero 2 Video Travel Angel Tripod Kit.
This is a lightweight aluminum tripod that includes a flat base video head and 3-stage legs. When fully extended it reaches 62.4 inches which includes the center column fully extended. When fully collapsed it measures only 18.3 inches, which is small enough to fit in or on the side of most camera backpacks. While the maximum load that it can handle is only 5 ½ pounds, that is enough for a DSLR, mirrorless, or compact video camera. The Benro Aero 2 is sold as a tripod, but it does have the ability to be converted into a monopod, by combining one of the legs with the center column. Additional built-in features include a QR4 Quick-release plate, and a bubble level.
The Benro Aero 2 Video Travel Angel Tripod Kit comes with a padded carry bag and strap, and can be purchased at Amazon or B&H Photo Video for $169.
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To celebrate spring (finally!), we are giving away seven awesome prizes. One winner takes it all! Entering is easy! Just answer three questions in a comment at the bottom of this post and if you’re willing to jump through a few extra hoops, you can earn up to three additional entries which will greatly increase your chances of winning. Please read the details on the prizes and the rules before you submit your entries for a chance to win our spring gadget giveaway prize pack!
Prizes:
One person will win a prize pack consisting of 1 of each of the 7 products shown below:
Keyport Pivot Outdoor Bundle
The Keyport Pivot Outdoor Bundle = Keyport Pivot + Pocketknife Module + Mini-Flashlight Module + MOCA 10-In-1 Multi-Tool combines the most universal keychain tools into a single indispensable device. Includes:
A new generation of smart headphones without any wires for total freedom of movement
Experience freedom: Bluetooth 4.1 connection and Near-Field Magnetic Induction – NFMI pairing for secure flawless connectivity
Excellent music experience: Integrated the latest advancements in audio quality with balanced armatures from Knowles delivering safe, crystal clear audio quality, fine-tuned to hit crisp highs and deep lows for a fully mesmeric experience
Audio transparency: Allows users to remain connected to their surroundings by letting sound in with just a tap
Two-touch sensors: 4 built-in microphones allows users to take phone calls, control music and volume, and access Siri or Google Now
Battery life: 20 hours of battery life* with the beautifully designed, elegant and slim charge and storage case
Available in Jet Black, Ivory White and Onyx Black
Connected home security kit integrates directly with Alexa Voice Services and nearly all major smart home devices on IFTTT (If This Then That)
Utilizes Alexa Voice Service technology for maximum integration into the connected home
IFTTT function allows users to connect their kit to other industry leading connected home accessories including Amazon Echo, Nest® Cam, WeMo®, and Phillips Hue
Homeowners can run recipes for functions unrelated to smart devices, such as receiving immediate email notifications for any occurrences in the home
Equipped with back up battery in case of power failure
App allows up to 6 users to monitor one or various locations at the same time
Works with up to 100 wireless sensors and controllers and 10 wireless cameras
No monthly fees or long-term contracts
Kit includes an Internet Hub, 2x motion sensor, 2x keychain remote, 2x door or window sensors, and 2x plug-in dimmers
Wireless Indoor Camera features 2-way talk with night vision and an audio output jack
Controlled by an Internet Hub that connects through a wireless router to coordinate sensor and receiver activity
iOS & Android smartphone app sends push notifications when sensors are triggered or if the alarm is armed or disarmed
V-MODA’s most versatile model boasts virtually identical sound quality in both analog and wireless playback
Crossfade Wireless Over-Ear headphones offer the best of both worlds with wired and wireless modes for hybrid listening
Simultaneous Device Pairing – Multitasking users can pair the headphones with two sources at a time, such as a smartphone and laptop for work or a smartphone and smartwatch for working out
BLISS Large Enhanced Memory Foam Cushions – Unparalleled supple comfort
Qualcomm aptX (On Rose Gold version) – State of the art audio codec enables CD-like quality sound over Bluetooth which allows for the best lossless wireless listening experience
Passive Noise Isolation – Naturally cut the distractions of jet engines and unwanted noise without the hiss and pressure of Active Noise Canceling (ANC)
Crystal Clear Communication – Hidden mic and included 1-Button SpeakEasy cable allows calls on-the-go, at the office or gaming
CliqFold Hinge – Luxury lighter-like hinge mechanism precisely folds the headphones into impossibly small exoskeleton case perfect for on the go and traveling
V-PORT Vents – New ventilation system for air circulation after use on stage or working out
15% Longer Battery – Bigger battery provides up to 14+ hours of music, unlimited hours in wired analog
Custom Shield Kits – 3D print or laser engrave your logo, change your shield material and color
Available in Black Matte, White Matte and Rose Gold (with aptX)
Price: $330.00 (Matte Black and Matte White); $350 (Rose Gold with aptX) Website:www.V-MODA.com
LunaX
Portable Bluetooth speaker with light
The ideal table lamp for your bedroom, dorm, or living room
For all your outdoor adventures (camping, hiking, picnic, beach, or pool)
Travel with Luna X–it fits in most standard-sized cup holders (car and boat)
LED white light with 2 brightness settings
The lamp function can be used for emergency situations
How to enter (please read carefully – any missed steps and your entry will be disqualified):
Between now and 04/28/2018 midnight EST leave a comment on this page answering the questions below.
Do you come here for news, reviews, or both?
What is your favorite thing about The Gadgeteer?
How would you make The Gadgeteer better?
Get a 2nd bonus entry by subscribing to our newsletter:
You’ll receive 3 emails a week with latest post info. Subscribe here.
If you’re already a newsletter subscriber, let me know and you’ll get a 2nd bonus entry.
Make sure you come back to this page and leave a separate 2nd comment stating that you subscribed to the newsletter, a 3rd comment with a link to your tweet and a 4th comment with a link to your Facebook post. To get the links for Twitter and Facebook, just click the time stamp of your post and it will give you the page with that post so you can grab the link.
At some point on 04/29/2018, I’ll pick one random winner using random.org. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hrs to claim their prizes. If I do not receive an answer to my email in that time period, I’ll do other random.org drawings till the prize pack is claimed.
Rules:
1. Only one entry per person (warning: I check IP addresses).
2. Gadgeteer writers and their immediate family members may not enter this contest.
3. the-gadgeteer.com is not responsible for any lost packages due to incorrect shipping addresses.
4. the-gadgeteer.com is not responsible for the winner not accepting their prize offer within 48hrs. The winner will be posted on this contest page, in the contest page comment section and will be emailed using the email provided in the comment section. Check your spam folder.
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I have to lead with I am a pretty big T-Mobile advocate. I have convinced many family and friends to join the Tmo Club. T-Mobile has led the way for all mobile users, forcing the other carriers to provide good and reasonable service at a fair price. Over the years, T-Mobile has continued to get better with age…improving their service while lowering their pricing. In this case, they have taken this philosophy to a new level: T-Mobile ONE Military plan gives customers with eligible military status and their families, including active duty military, veterans, National Guard, Reserve, and Gold Star family members a significant discount off their monthly bill. In addition to helping you save a few bucks, T-Mobile is also pledging to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses in the next five years.
T-Mobile One Military offers 20 percent off the first line of service and half off 5 additional lines. That means that the first line is $55/month, the second line is $25, and lines three through six are $10/line. These prices mandate autopay. If you don’t enroll in autopay, prices will increase by $5/line. T-Mobile ONE Military is not a limited-time promotion (aka it’s here to stay), but the 50% off Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, and Galaxy S8 Active smartphone discount is offered from April 22 to May 31, 2018.
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I only eat hard-boiled eggs, but I’ve always loved the dishes and the style of eating soft-cooked eggs still in the shell while they are cradled in an egg cup. I periodically think about getting some nice egg cups and setting my peeled hard-boiled egg in one while I eat breakfast. But I’m going off on a tangent… I really wanted to tell you about how you can easily crack and remove the top of the shell if you do eat soft-boiled eggs in the shell from an egg cup. Instead of using your knife and tapping around the egg’s shell to crack and remove the top, you can just use the Rösle Stainless Steel Egg Topper with Silicone Handle to remove it with one movement.
Just set the Rösle over the top of the egg, pull back the handle and release. The spring mechanism causes vibrations, and the sharp edge in the dome perfectly cuts the shell, so you can just lift it away. It works to open both soft- and hard-boiled eggs.
The Rösle Stainless Steel Egg Topper with Silicone Handle is $16.95 at Amazon.
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, WeMo®, and Phillips Hue
