Philips Hue will venture outdoors this summer

Over the last couple of years, the Philips Hue indoor smart home lighting system has become very popular. So Philips recently announced that coming this summer they’re taking on the great outdoors with a new line of exterior lights. The Philips Hue outdoor range smart lighting system takes all the great indoor lighting system controls and brings them to the exterior of your home.

What will be available and when?

All of the new outdoor friendly products will work with existing Hue systems and the Hue app. The new lineup will include spotlights, pathway lights, and wall mounted luminaires. Prices start at $279.99 for the Philips Hue Lily spotlight system and $129.99 for the Calla pathway lights. Both feature color ambiance bulbs, allowing you to choose from 16 million different colors available via the Philips Hue app. The Philips Hue white range which includes the Lucca, Tuar, Turaco, and Ludere, will start at $49.99. And according to their news release, the new products will be available in the United States in July.

Phillips is hosting a press conference about its outdoor lights on Monday, March 19th and we should know more then.

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Philips Hue will venture outdoors this summer originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 14, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Increase your safety and visibility with the Vinida LED reflective belt

No matter your activity – cycling, horseback riding, skiing, motorcycling, running, or walking – the Vinida LED reflective belt will increase your visibility at dusk and in the dark.  The belts adjust from 21″ to 50″, so they can be used by children and adults, and you can even put them on your animal.  It comes with a remote control unit that can be worn on a wrist to adjust the lights from normal display to colorful display, right turn signal, left turn signal, and SOS.

The belt has a rechargeable battery that provides 12 hours of continuous light between charges.  It’s waterproof with an IP64 rating, and it’s made of durable materials to hold up to your active lifestyle.

In addition to the belt and remote control, you’ll also receive a charging cable and a carrying case.  The Vinida LED reflective belt is $20.99 at Amazon.

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Increase your safety and visibility with the Vinida LED reflective belt originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 14, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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The Think Tank Photo Digital Holster will let you win your next photo shoot out


When I chat with my fellow photographers about their workflows, most of us agree that we have a “go to” lens that is our favorite to take with us when we are shooting at will, and not restricted for a specific event. However, in many cases, the same “go to” lens can also work for many of our favorite events, and that contributes to it being the most comfortable choice. What is very interesting, is that there is no specific lens that seems to be a common choice among us.

My favorite “go to” lens is my Sigma 70-200mm along with a Canon EOS 7D MKII SLR body. While it is my choice, it may not be a popular choice for many photographers because of its weight and size, and extended length when used with a camera with an APS-C sensor and extended hood. Since this is my favorite lens, I needed to find a case that would hold the lens and the camera body and longer hood extension all assembled, so that I could have quick access to it to make sure I got the shot.

To accomplish this, I purchased the Think Tank Photo Digital Holster 50 Version 2.0. Like everything made by Think Tank, this case did not disappoint. It is available in various sizes, and the 50 is specifically designed for the 70-200mm lens. Its zipped up size accommodates the camera body attached to the lens without the lens hood and extension. When zipped open at the bottom, it accommodates the complete assembly. It is form fitting and very easy to access to quickly retrieve the camera. It has a few side pockets that can hold, lens caps, and filters and batteries, and a removable shoulder strap for carrying and extra safety. It also has rail attachments for adding additional pouches and components, and the ability to be attached to a belt. There is even a business card pocket inside to make it a complete “go to” case.

If you are interested in purchasing a Think Tank Photo Digital Holster, it is available in several sizes to match your DSLR camera body and lens. The 50 V2.0 size can be purchased at Amazon for $89.75.

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The Think Tank Photo Digital Holster will let you win your next photo shoot out originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 14, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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WaterField Designs Finn Access wallet review

I’ve been carrying a WaterField Designs wallet for over a decade. Since 2005 if you want to be exact about it. That’s when I posted my review of their zippered Catch wallet which I used faithfully until I upgraded to their Finn wallet 5 years ago. Even though my red leather Finn is still going strong with no defects, I’ve switched over to their brand new Finn Access wallet which I’m going to review for you today. Let’s see if this is another wallet that will serve me for the next decade and beyond.

What is it?

The WaterField Designs Finn Access wallet is a zippered leather wallet that is available in 3 sizes and 4 colors. The “access” part of the name comes from the quick access pocket on the outside of the wallet that is designed to hold your most used card.

Design and features

I was sent the smallest version of the Finn Access wallet in Grizzly brown leather. The full-grain leather is soft with an almost suede look and feel that will get scuffs and scratches as it’s used. This isn’t a bad thing though as it allows the wallet to gain character like an old friend.

As mentioned earlier, the Finn Access wallet has a quick access pocket on the front that is designed for your most used card like an office card key, bus pass, etc. The card fits snugly in the pocket with no worries that will slip out.

The wallet has a nylon locking zipper that zips around two sides of the wallet to keep all the contents securely inside. Zipper action is smooth and easy, with no jamming.

When you unzip the wallet, you’re greeted with a ballistic nylon interior that has two pockets on either side for the organization of your cards and cash. You can have your regularly used cards on one side, lesser cards on the opposite side and your folded cash in the center.

The Finn Access wallet hides another feature that you can’t see. It’s lined with a special certified RFID blocking material that will protect the data on your credit cards from hackers with wireless skimmers. Note that the quick access pocket on the outside of the wallet is NOT protected with the RFID blocking material.

Even though the smallest sized Finn Access wallet is very compact, it can still hold a lot like 5 plastic credit cards and 7 bills inside and another card outside in the quick access pocket.

Here it is loaded up. It might look full when unzipped, but when you zip it up, it stays thin just like the 4th image from the top. I don’t carry this wallet in my pocket, but it fits just fine in the back jeans pocket of my girl jeans. Guys should have no trouble fitting the wallet in either their front or back pockets.

What I like

  • Simple but functional design
  • Well made
  • Quick access pocket
  • RFID blocking
  • Will last for decades

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing

Final thoughts

The fact that I’ve been carrying a WaterField Designs wallet for over 13 years should give you a clue that I love and depend on their products. They are well made, look great, and last forever. I already know that this Finn Access wallet is going to be a favorite of mine for years to come and I highly recommend it.

Price: $79.00 – $89.00
Where to buy: WaterField Designs
Source: The sample for this review was provided by WaterField Designs.

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WaterField Designs Finn Access wallet review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 13, 2018 at 4:12 pm.

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PAWD is a pet crate that doesn’t look like a jail cell

Most pet owners find a crate is a necessary piece of equipment, but most crates are bulky and unattractive.  There are pieces of furniture that do double duty as pet crates, but they can be hard to clean and they certainly aren’t portable for travel use.  Metal crates are portable and easier to clean, but they certainly aren’t attractive.  There’s a new Kickstarter project, the PAWD, that reinvents the pet crate to make it useful and portable while making it more attractive.

The PAWD is described as a baby crib for your fur baby.  When your pet is past the crate-training phase and can be left on his own while you’re out for a while, the door can be opened up and held open by magnets to turn the PAWD into his own little personal space.  The openings in the side are more attractive than metal bars, but they are big enough for airflow and visibility.  It’s made of polypropylene, so it’s easy to clean and never rusts.

If you want to travel with the PAWD, the sides fold down into a flat suitcase-shape with a built-in handle.  It’s half the weight of the metal cages, so it’s easier to transport.  But be aware that the PAWD is not intended as a pet carrier.

For the product introduction, the PAWD is only being made in one size.  It’s 21″ long x 15.8″ wide x 16″ tall, which is suitable for dogs up to the size of a smaller pug (13-17 pounds, 10-14 inches tall), and it works for most cats and smaller animals like rabbits and ferrets.  It’s available in pink, white, or gray, and matching beds are available.

There are a few early bird specials still available for a PAWD for $69 or a PAWD plus bed for $89.  The funding goal has already been exceeded, but there are still about 24 days left for you to get a PAWD at a discount off the $120 MSRP.  The funding period ends Fri, April 6, 2018 at 2:39 PM EDT.  Shipping is expected in December 2018.  Learn more and make your pledge at Kickstarter.

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PAWD is a pet crate that doesn’t look like a jail cell originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 13, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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