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The Bosun Fleece: slick, new streetwear style from Mission Workshop

In addition to their bags, Mission Workshop produces some pretty awesome apparel that combines ready-to-rumble weather protection with sleek urban style. Don’t believe me? Check out the new Bosun Fleece jacket. The profile is all about streamlined style, combined with a shearling poly fleece for warmth and moisture management. It also sports a removable hood, zippered hand pockets, and a rear “touring style” pocket to stash things while you’re on your bike.

The Bosun Fleece retails for $265 and is available in four sizes (S-XL) in your choice of grey or black. If you dig the style, it’s in pre-sale now. Order by February 1, and you’ll get $50 off (ships on 2/16). Check it out at the Mission Workshop web site!

Reolink Argus 2 is a wireless security camera that can be placed anywhere

At my old house, I had a security camera on my front porch.  It was nice to have, but it required an electrical connection.  When we moved to the condo, I couldn’t have a camera by my door because there is no electrical outlet nearby.  The Reolink Argus 2 security camera would work perfectly by my condo door, because it operates on a rechargeable battery, so no electrical connection is required.  It can also be powered by the optional solar panel seen in this image.

The camera also uses 2.4GHz WiFi, so you don’t need any cabling to get connected to the internet, either.  Because it is completely wireless and waterproof, you can place the Argus 2 anywhere you like, indoors or outdoors.  You’ll access the camera with the Reolink app on your smartphone or tablet.  With the app, you’ll be able to see what’s happening outside your door, and with two-way audio, you’ll be able to talk with anyone who comes to your door – no matter where you happen to be at the moment.

Features of the Reolink Argus 2 include:

  • PIR smart sensor that activates the camera and sends instant app push notifications, email alerts, and sound alarms (siren) when motion events are detected.
  • Card slot for optional SD card; when installed, recording will be activated when motion is detected.
  • Full HD 1080p camera; 130° wide viewing angle; Sony Starlight CMOS sensor for clearer night vision, up to 33 feet.
  • Live view available any time on your smart device, and recording when motion detected available with optional SD card

The Reolink Argus 2 wire-free, rechargeable security camera is available for $129.99 and the optional solar panel is $29.99 now from Reolink and will probably be added to their Amazon store soon.

The Sonos Two bundle laughs in the face of the HomePod launch

As if the $199 Sonos One wasn’t already a better value than the soon to be released Apple HomePod, Sonos just added insult to injury by announcing a special “Sonos Two” bundle that includes two Sonos One systems for $349. The deal will be available starting today (1/26/18), for a limited time only in the UK and US.

We reviewed the Sonos One back in October, when Sonos used the new speaker to bring Alexa into their eco-system. But it’s not just Alexa that Sonos supports, Sonos is committed to bringing Google Assistant support to the device sometime soon 2018. Furthermore, since the launch of the Sonos One, Sonos has added Spotify voice support, Alexa flash briefings, and they’ve improved the set-up process.

There’s no question about it, between HomePod and the Sonos One, the Sonos One is the more versatile of the two with support for more services and eco-systems – and it’s only going to get better with time thanks to software updates. But if that wasn’t enough to convince you, this deal might do it. After all, would you rather get two speakers and true stereo sound for $349 – or just a single HomePod for the same price? Details on this deal should be available on the Sonos site today.

It’s your move Apple.

Major Tom, take your protein pills and put your kettle on*

Any tea you make with this infuser will be out of this world!  The Space Capsule Tea Infuser holds loose-leaf tea in the capsule, and the astronaut tethered up for some extravehicular activity fits over the edge of your cup to act as the counterweight for brewing.  This is a ThinkGeek design and available exclusively through them.

The infuser is made of food contact-safe stainless steel.  It measures 1.5″ diameter at the base x 1.75″ tall and has a 5.5″ chain.  To add tea, simply unscrew the “ablative heat shield” on the bottom of the capsule.

The Space Capsule Tea Infuser is $9.99, exclusively at ThinkGeek.

*With apologies to David Bowie

These small walnut blocks hold your cables with magnets

If you are regularly annoyed by cables that slide off your desk and fall on the floor when they aren’t plugged into a device like your phone or laptop, one solution is the Peel Base. These small blocks are made of walnut and are hand finished in New York. The Base comes in a selection of shapes that include a circle, pentagon, square, and triangle. A strong magnet is embedded in the base so it can hold cords when you’re not using them. Put it on your nightstand, desk, or anywhere you have an extra iPhone lightning cable, MacBook cable, and some other USB cables that you want to keep in place. The Peel Base is priced at $35 and is available at buypeel.com.