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The Mission Battery Shell For Amazon Echo 2 has you covered

The Amazon Alexa service is a world class platform for enabling natural language with a host of Alexa capable devices. Many people interact with the Alexa service using one of Amazon’s own Echo devices. Late in 2017, Amazon updated the original three-year-old Echo with a new design. The new design offered a lower price, new skins, and the ability to stream audio, but also kept the Echo tethered to an AC power receptacle. The Mission Battery Shell For Amazon Echo 2 looks to change that with designs that provide power and portability to the Echo.

What’s it offer?

The shell comes in 2 flavors and a total of four colors: black, white, sandstone or charcoal. The standard design offers a soft fabric finish, a non-marking silicone base, and 6 hours of portable playtime. In contrast, the rugged version offers a hard shell finish, an extra-thick silicone base and 8 hours of playtime.  In addition to offering a battery, each design also includes a three-segment LED battery level indicator. One thing this design apparently lacks: a charging dock. You’ll need to connect this to a cable to keep the battery full. Also, while the front looks suave and cylindrical, there is a jumper in the rear which connects the Echo’s existing DC plug to the battery compartment of the sleeve.

You may think it is preferable to purchase an Alexa enabled speaker with a built-in battery. The Amazon Tap is a viable option (and also compatible with hands-free mode). While there are some 3rd-party manufacturers that also build portable speakers with Alexa, Amazon will limit the services you can ask Alexa to stream.

Each version of the Mission Battery Shell sells for $49.99 at Amazon. Visit the Mission site here to find out more info.

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The Mission Battery Shell For Amazon Echo 2 has you covered originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 21, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Turn a single-bulb garage or basement light socket into a motion-activated light

My previous house had those old-style ceramic, single-bulb ceiling light fixtures in the basement.  There were three of them in about a 1000 ft² area, and two of them could only be turned on with those pull-chains.  If I had seen these Motion Activated Garage Lights while I lived there, I could have converted that dark, dangerous area into a light-filled area simply by walking down the stairs.

You just screw one of these lights into the bulb socket – you don’t need to replace the ceiling fixture or add any special wiring.  The three LED light panels can be adjusted to direct light where it’s needed.  They produce 3000 lumens of light while using only 25W of electricity; that’s 3.8 times the light of a 60W bulb while using less than half the electricity.  The LEDs are rated for 50,000 hours of use.

If you just want the extra light but can easily control the fixture with a switch, the motion detector can be turned off.  The fixture is only for indoor use, but it can be used in basements, garages, attics, or wherever you need extra light.  The Motion Activated Garage Light is $129.99 at The Sharper Image.

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Turn a single-bulb garage or basement light socket into a motion-activated light originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 21, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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The Samsung CHG90 49″ HDR LCD Monitor might just check all the boxes as the right display

Each week, I spend a lot of time in my home studio editing photos and videos, and I rely on the four monitors that I use to create a multitasking environment. It is a bit tedious using four monitors for my workflow, and I would much prefer to just have two. My concept relevant to my workspace and workflow is to have one large high-resolution curved monitor, and one flat 4K monitor. While this arrangement may sound weird to some, it would work great for me.

I have been researching large high-resolution curved monitors, and I came across the Samsung CHG90 49″ 32:9 Curved 144 Hz FreeSync HDR LCD Monitor. Now I know that this monitor by the manufacturer’s description is designed more for the gamer than the editor, but I do wonder if it will work for me both for its size and its specifications. It is obvious that the real estate would work well for me, but the jury is still out on its functional ability for editing, until I can actually see it in person and ascertain how well it can properly reproduce true colors, etc.
According to the manufacturer’s specs, it is equipped with AMD FreeSync 2 technology, has a 1 ms response time, and a 144 Hz refresh rate. It has a built-in USB 3.0 hub with 1 x USB 3.0 (upstream) and 2 x USB 3.0 (downstream), 2 HDMI ports, 1 DisplayPort, 1 Mini DisplayPort, 1 3.5mm Audio-in port, and a headphone jack. It is also wall mountable.

If you would like to read more about the Samsung CHG90 49″ 32:9 Curved 144 Hz FreeSync HDR LCD Monitor or purchase one, head over to Amazon and check it out.

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The Samsung CHG90 49″ HDR LCD Monitor might just check all the boxes as the right display originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 21, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Dash cams, Email clients, 3D printers ,and more – Weekly roundup

Whoops! I normally post the weekly roundup of all our published posts for the week on Saturday, but it completely slipped my mind yesterday so here it is one day late! Enjoy.

Reviews

Etekcity Voltson Smart Wi-Fi outlet review

Rowkin Surge Charge earbuds, Keysmart Pro, Bellroy Duo Tote, and more – Review updates

PAPAGO GoSafe S37 dash cam review

VentiFresh small space air purifier review

Snow Lizard SLXTREME 8+ iPhone case review

SparkMaker Mini Desktop SLA 3D printer review

Newton Mail review

Brainwavz Audio B200 dual balanced armature earphones review

Logitech Slim Combo iPad case with Detachable Backlit Keyboard and Smart Connector Technology review

News

Raven dash cam looks like the ultimate car gadget

Cure your tension headache with a hook

With the Nebula Capsule Smart Mini Projector, you can always take the show on the road

The Lumos smart bike helmet has built-in turn signals

The WaterField Designs Pro Executive Laptop Backpack is classy enough for a CEO

The BeardMat lets you say goodbye to those nasty hair trimmings

The Altec Lansing Sonic Boom Bluetooth Speaker will blow you away

Rapidly chill freshly-brewed coffee or tea without diluting it with the HyperChiller

Baron Fig teams up with Codecademy to release new Computerworld notebooks

The New Bellroy Laptop Brief is ideal for streamlined professionals

The LENSKIRT Flexible Lens Hood makes shooting through glass easier

Pop your gear into Tom Bihn’s Pop Tote

Master & Dynamic pad the MW50 wireless headphone and charge less for it

Spigen’s new iPhone X cases celebrate two classic Apple products from the past

This gives new comfort to sleeping on the couch

The LG 43UD79-B 43″ 16:9 4K IPS Monitor is big, bright and right!

Apeman 4K action cam, wool jackets, wool socks, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

Protect your Apple Watch from drops with this Catalyst

Knockaround G. I. Joe Premiums are real American eyewear

The SkyWire TV antenna may be the one that lets you cut the cable TV cord!

FridgeCam lets you see inside your fridge even when you’re at the grocery store

No more bathroom trips in the dark with the Vansky motion-activated LED bed light

Nebo by MyScript makes my iPad feel like my long-lost Newton

Airfree P2000 – Filterless Air Purifier may just be the answer to clean air!

Now you can tell Alexa to unlock your Schlage smart door lock

The Zoom F1 Field Recorder seems to be another Zoom success

The Sand Drink Holder keeps sand where it belongs – on the beach

The iLi Translator has all the right answers

Your search for the perfect chin-supporting travel pillow is over

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Dash cams, Email clients, 3D printers ,and more – Weekly roundup originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 20, 2018 at 12:36 pm.

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Attenuo is a minimalist wallet that makes everything click

I love my IDENTITY Card carbon fiber minimalist wallet, but there’s something about the Attenuo wallet that is really calling my name. Made from one piece of Aircraft Grade 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy in either gunmetal grey or black, the Attenuo wallet can hold a maximum of 6 embossed cards or 8 flat standard sized credit cards. It will also hold a folded dollars, receipts, and notes.

I think the reason why this minimalist wallet is calling my name is the click that you hear when you slide the cards in place. I guess I’m a sucker for audible feedback. You can buy an Attenuo wallet for £30.00 ($40.41 US) at attenuo.com.

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Attenuo is a minimalist wallet that makes everything click originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 20, 2018 at 11:30 am.

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