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5 Smart tech gadgets for apartment renters

Depending on the terms of your rental agreement and the flexibility — or lack thereof — displayed by your landlord, it may not be possible to install smart home items in your abode if they require making permanent alterations.

Fortunately, there are still plenty of high-tech items that cater to your apartment-based lifestyle.

1. Belkin Wemo Mini Smart Plug

Smart plugs let you turn your residence into a smart home and control your lights or appliances with an app. The especially convenient thing about the Belkin Wemo Mini smart plug is that it connects to an existing outlet without obstructing it or otherwise compromising its future functionality.

You can use the app to set a timer for the gadgets you plug in, such as a fan to keep your indoor dog cool while you’re at work. The plug also has an Away mode that randomly turns lights on to make it seem like you’re home, making your residence less obvious to potential burglars on the prowl. ($34.99)

2. Google Home Smart Speaker

A Google Home smart speaker can answer your questions, give you reminders about your schedule and help you call friends with the integrated speakerphone feature — and that’s just the start.

Set it on a table or choose another prominent place in your home, then see how the speaker helps you get things done more efficiently by using your voice. It also integrates with numerous smart home gadgets. That means you may find that it works with some of the other smart tech you decide to buy. ($99.00)

3. Evervue Mirrorvue Smart Mirror

The bathroom is probably among the first areas of your apartment you visit after waking up, and it’s a factor you probably made sure to assess when renting your first apartment and all the residences after that one, if you’ve lived in several.

This ultra-fancy mirror ensures you can start using tech as soon as the day begins, and you can interact with it while brushing your teeth, washing your face and otherwise getting ready.

It offers Wi-Fi connectivity and a disappearing TV screen that’s only 1.5 inches thick and streams content from DirecTV or YouTube. Furthermore, the mirror streams content from Spotify and features integrated speakers, letting you hear favorite tunes.

Features like a clock, calendar, stock ticker, weather forecast and public transit information give you the crucial details needed to feel informed each morning and any time after that. ($929.00 and up)

4. The Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera

This plug-and-play option features a sturdy base and a magnetic stand, letting you place the camera almost anywhere in your apartment to keep an eye on things. If you purchase a Nest Aware subscription along with this gadget, the service records footage 24/7 and stores 30 days worth in the cloud for your later review.

Nest Aware also uses intelligent algorithms that recognize people and alert you if things happen in areas of your house you deem most important, such as the baby’s room or a home office that features computing equipment and a valuable painting on the wall.

The Nest Cam has a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing you to use the app to talk to an anxious pet or clarify instructions for a house sitter, plus listen to what’s happening in the apartment. Since it’s an easily portable piece of smart tech, you can also take it other places if you move.

($149.00 and up for the camera, with prices ranging from $5.00-50.00 for the Nest Aware subscription, depending on the billing cycle.)

5. The Philips Hue Beyond LED Table Lamp

This sleek and modern table lamp offers just the right amount of light for every moment, courtesy of a dimming remote and a complementing app. You can even set it to display a particular color to set the mood and impress friends.

Compatibility with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa make this Wi-Fi-enabled lamp one that listens to your voice too. ($199.99 for the lamp and $49.99 for the Hue Bridge accessory that makes the lamp work with the app and voice controls.)

Start customizing your apartment today

Living in an apartment doesn’t have to make you feel limited concerning what you can do to make the place your own. These gadgets help you set up the abode so that it fits your tech-savvy lifestyle — and you won’t have to worry about that annoying the landlord.

Image by John Tekeridis

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5 Smart tech gadgets for apartment renters originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 13, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Jarvis Farley with give you inspiration to turn your home into a smart one

What is Jarvis Farley you ask? It’s the home automation digital assistant that Matt Farley created that controls almost every aspect of his home from security cameras, to TVs, music, thermostats, etc. This system even gives his kids credits when they do their chores that they can then redeem for time allowances for watching TV and playing video games.

Matt, who has a background in software development and has been working as an IT Manager for a large company (Chevron) for 11 years, created the Jarvis system including programming the interface. He worked on Jarvis on and off for the past 3 years but started ramping things up in the past 12 months when he and his family moved into their new house. When I asked him how much money he had put into the system he replied:

I haven’t tracked this, but not much.. I already had my home server. The 7-8 cameras were about $150 ea, the 8-10 Amazon Echos were $50-100 each. 2 thermostats $150 ea. WiFi sprinkler system $200, wifi power monitoring  device $200, hmm what else? The LiFX wifi lights were a fortune. 20 lights or so at $80 a piece, and then two string lights were like $300, and the light beam was $200-$300. Finally, all our TVs were expensive – 4 LCDs. Oh and the three touchscreens were $200-$300 each. The vehicle tracker was $120. The 2 tinkerboards were $80 ea., 3-4 raspberry pis $30 ea. Each TV is run by a Linux machine, they were$400 each x4 TVs. I may be forgetting something.

Matt and his kids made a series of short YouTube videos that demonstrate the power of Jarvis. Check out the video playlist and watch all the clips to see all the features of his impressive DIY system.

I don’t know about all of you, but I’m inspired by what Matt Farley has built and plan to create something similar for my own home. You can read more about Jarvis by visiting jarvisfarley.com

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Jarvis Farley with give you inspiration to turn your home into a smart one originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 11, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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Bestek MRJ1011 Wi-Fi smart plug review

The Bestek MRJ1011 Wi-Fi smart plug is a device that can turn on or off the AC outlet on it’s front. The device can be controlled manually, self-controlled by timers set by an app, or controlled by the IoT through the Smart Life app, Amazon Alexa, Google Home,  or IFTTT. It also has two 2.4 amp USB ports. Read on to see what I think!

What is it?

The Bestek MRJ1011 Wi-Fi smart plug is part of a new wave of inexpensive AC Adapters that allow users to remotely turn on and off items through a Wi-Fi connection. Smart plugs came into existence about eight years old; even though they costs less these days, they still offer about the same features as they did at their introduction. Not every manufacturer offers every feature but the smart plug generally offers local control, remote control by one or more communication protocols, energy monitoring, and USB power. The design of smart plugs includes various layouts and power capacities. What has immensely improved in the past eight years is the maturity of home automation and IoT. These days, the capacity of the smart plug to integrate with home automation and IoT is a key component of it’s usability.

What’s in the box?


Bestek MRJ1011 Wi-Fi smart plug
User Manual
Information card

Design and features

Specifications

AC Input: 10A 125V ~ 1250W Max
USB Input: 100-250V ~ 50Hz/60Hz 0.45A Max
USB Output: 5V 2.4A(Auto 2.4A Max Per Port)
Total USB Output Power: 12W
Size: 3.25 x 2.00 x 2.40 inches
Weight: 96g

Unboxing

The Bestek Wi-Fi Smart Plug comes in a no-frills cardboard box. The two pack comes in a cardboard sleeve. The front, back and sides are printed with the product, specifications, and QR codes for the control app. 

The QR codes below will redirect you to a page to download the control app.

 

Design of the Bestek MRJ1011 Wi-Fi smart plug

The Bestek MRJ1011 Wi-Fi smart plug is a white plastic plug adapter that looks similar to the “wall wart” transformers that are part of many electronics.  However,  like many Apple voltage adapters, its smooth lines and unobtrusive design enables it to blend in to light colored wall plates better than the typical black plastic designs.

The front of the unit contains a 15 amp grounded receptacle. Since it isn’t tamper resistant, to comply with the intent of the NEC and for general safety, only install the smart plug if an item is plugged in it.  Also, even though the receptacle on the front is a 15 amp design, the unit itself is only rated to 10 amp. Consequently, to ensure that this item is not overloaded the user must be cautious and ensure the wattage of items plugged in to the front does not exceed 1250 watts.   This precludes using this item with many space heaters, most ovens/toasters and perhaps coffee brewers. I do not see any internal circuit breaker or fuse, so I’m not sure what will happen if this powers something over 1250 watts.

The rear of the unit includes a specification decal and the unit’s plug that slightly protrudes from the rest of the unit’s rear. The stepped design of the real may allow installation of the smart plug on decorative wall plates where the outlets are slightly below the highest point.

The unit’s plug does not block the top outlet of a duplex receptacle. However, the portion of the smart plug that contains the electronics and the USB connections will block the bottom outlet of a duplex receptacle.

The bottom of the unit contains two USB plugs that are not switchable but can power and recharge USB devices.

Operation

The smart plug operates in three ways: by the manual pushbutton, by an internal timer, and by an IoT signal.

Manual mode

Manual operation is by a pushbutton on the unit’s side. When the receptacle on the front is on the button glows red.

The red glow may seem overbearing at night. Some electrical tape will block out the red glow if its presence is a nuisance.

Timer Mode

Timer mode requires the Smart Life or BESTEKHOME app. You can use either one – the BESTEKHOME app is the same as the Smart Life app with a new title and app icon. To connect the smart plug to the app power it on, wait ten seconds and then power it off, then hold the power button for ten seconds. The power button will blink after performing these steps.  The app will ask for Wi-Fi credentials so that the device can join a network on its own. Note that this device only supports 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi channels. The device has its own access point that can pair to a phone if no other Wi-Fi is available.  in this scenario, the phone needs to join the devices AP.

After installation, the app can turn on the device remotely, turn on or off the device after a set time (like a countdown timer) or schedule the device to turn on or off at some future time. The schedule may apply to each day or certain days during a typical week.

IoT Mode

There is an entire 26-page booklet of instruction for how to connect the device to Amazon, Google, or IFTTT. The manual can be viewed here (https://fccid.io/2AKS6-MRJ1011/User-Manual/User-Manual-3801625) on the FCC site. In each case, the first step is to pair the unit with the Smart Life or BESTEKHOME app. The activation by Amazon Alexa is straightforward and the IFTTT includes both trigger and action. Note that IFTTT integration permits SmartThings to interact with the device; IFTTT can turn on the physical smart plug when SmartThings switches on a virtual switch, and vice versa.

Performance

The operation through the Smart life or BESTEKHOME app is very quick and operation through Amazon Alexa is only a little slower. The relay inside does make an audible pop, so using this to blink decorative lights is going to create a lot of unwanted noise.

The smart plug contains circuitry that optimizes USB port current to intelligently charge or power the connected device. However, I was not able to get a full 2.4 amps out of the port even with a mostly dead phone battery. 1.58 amps is the highest draw I saw.

What I like

  • Lots of IoT connectivity
  • Included USB ports

What needs to be improved

  • 15 amp service
  • internal circuit breaker/fuse

Final thoughts

The Bestek MRJ1011 Wi-Fi smart plug has a host of connectivity options that enable control with a variety of services. If the allowable current were only more than 10 amps this would be a really great design.

Price: $15.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by BESTEK.

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Bestek MRJ1011 Wi-Fi smart plug review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 5, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Etekcity Voltson Smart Wi-Fi outlet review

Smart devices are becoming all the rage in the popular press. For many Gadgeteers, they are pretty much old hat, but if you’ve not yet taken the plunge, there may be no easier way into the world of home device automation than a smart plug. These are small wall warts that sit between your current non-smart device and the outlet they plug into and have a way to connect to your home wifi. Etekcity sent me a trio of their Voltson Smart outlets to run through the gauntlet.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

The Etekcity Voltson Smart Outlet is a controller for a single electric receptacle. Once connected to the building’s power and whatever Wifi is available, it will pair with your Android or iOS device and allow you to control the outlet via the app. You can monitor, schedule, and group devices, as well as act on them together.

Hardware specs

  • Works with Alexa for voice control (Alexa device sold separately).
  • Track power usage for connected devices and figure out which devices use the most energy. You can effectively cut your usage so that you can save money on your next electric bill
  • Easy to install and stable connection. Controlled from different devices and manage your home on your smartphone or tablet from anywhere
  • Get ready to have a smart home and create customized schedule to automatically turn on and off any home Electronics or appliances such as lamps, Christmas Lighting, coffee maker, etc
  • NOTE: A secured 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network is required, 30-Day money back, 2-year warranty and lifetime support.

What’s in the box?

  • 3 Voltson Smart Wifi outlets
  • quick start guide

Design and features

The Etekcity Smart outlet is a 2.25” diameter puck with a small bump on the rim. It sticks out of a regular North American outlet 1.5”, which is barely more than the blades of the plug it takes in. On the back, there is a three-prong connector, and on the face, there’s a three-prong socket, as well as an LED light and a power button in the aforementioned bump.

Setup

Setup is done by connecting the device to a power outlet, and then allowing it to start its own internal wifi hotspot. You join it with your phone through the app you have to download to use it and pair the two. This forces the outlet to restart, and your phone then reverts to your home WiFi. When the device wakes back up and grabs your phone, it will be connected to your home network. From there it is controllable, renewable, and groupable. You can also assign it to a cylinder-that-you-talk-to if you have or purchase one of those.

Performance

Once I had the smart outlets configured to my home network and renamed (Winking, Blinking, and Nod), I could control any outlet I plugged into them. Lamps are a big issue in our house since several of our rooms have no overhead light or one that we prefer not to use. I tested with several lights, and found pretty consistent results – you turn it off in the app, and the lamp turns off. There is an icon that changes to show whether it’s powered or not.

I have a power cord that controls my photo studio lights through a three-way connection. I plugged the controller between the wall and the extension cord and now can fire up most of my studio lights with a single switch. Sure, I can do this from a power strip, but it’s cooler with a phone app, right?

What I Like

  • Fairly easy setup
  • The app is light and doesn’t require onerous setup.
  • Works as expected

What needs to be improved

  • These guys are still expensive, and I think artificially so. If 6 cost $90, then why can’t 1 cost $15, rather than $21?

Final thoughts

While I enjoy having these outlets, it’s still strange to have to open an app on a device to turn on lights, but the fact I can do it from the driveway or from another point in the house makes it a powerful tool.

I remember my parents had a timer on their lights in the living room that came on at 6 in the evening and turned off at 11 PM. They couldn’t change it unless they were at the house, and if the power went off for two hours during the day, the times would be offset by that amount. The improvement with smart outlets is that not only are they controlled or programmed from remote servers, but they can also be edited and maintained from anywhere in the world. What you can’t do, however, is see that the items you’re wanting to remotely power are plugged in and switched on or not. For that, you’re going to have to add remote cameras, which is usually step two of the Smart Home takeover!

Price: $24.99 for 1, $38.99 for 2, 58.99 for 3, or $74.99 for 4 (slightly less at Amazon)
Where to buy: Company website or Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Etekcity

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Etekcity Voltson Smart Wi-Fi outlet review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 19, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Control your smart home with FIBARO’s The Button

The problem with having your home automated is you’ll need to have your smartphone or tablet in hand to turn on the lights or control a device using an app.  With The Button from FIBARO, you’ll be able to control smart home functions without opening an app.  The Button connects via Bluetooth to the smart device, so there’s no need for a bridge or gateway, and can control any HomeKit-compatible or Z-Wave-compatible device in your home.

Each HomeKit button can be programmed with up to three functions by using a single tap, a double tap, or a tap-and-hold, while the Z-Wave version can be programmed with six functions (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 taps, or tap-and-hold).    The buttons can sit on a tabletop or can be adhered to a vertical surface.  The Button is powered by a battery, which is included with purchase.

The HomeKit Button is available in black, white, or red for $59.99 each.  The Z-Wave Button is $49.99, and is available in black, white, red, brown, green, blue, yellow, or orange for $49.99 each.  They can be purchased at Amazon.

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Control your smart home with FIBARO’s The Button originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 9, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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