Nest x Yale smart door lock is finally available for purchase

Nest has finally added a smart door lock to their connected-home lineup.  Nest says:  “Yale knows secure locks. Nest knows the connected home. Together, we’ve made a tamper‑proof, key‑free deadbolt that connects to the Nest app.”  Our local Best Buy had one of the Nest x Yale locks in stock, but it was the wrong color, so I ended up ordering one directly from Nest.  It was delivered quickly, and I installed it today.

Installation of the Nest x Yale lock took me about 10 minutes, including removing the existing lock.  It worked on the first try.  Of course, the deadbolt lock is battery operated, and it came with its first set of four AA batteries.  The lock doesn’t connect directly to WiFi, so you’ll need either a Nest Guard (base unit of Nest’s security system) or a Nest Connect unit to connect the lock to your home WiFi network.  You can buy the lock with or without a Nest Connect included in the package.

Once installed on your door, you add the lock to your Nest app, and then you add unlock codes.  You can assign codes to each family member, to guests, dog walkers, cleaning services, and others.  The codes can be deleted or modified at any time, which makes it easy to give a temporary code to someone.  You can also lock or unlock your door from the Nest app on your cellphone from anywhere.  The app keeps a list of the times the door was unlocked or locked and by whom, and the app notifies you if someone tries to tamper with the lock.  And for extra security while you’re home, you can set a privacy mode that restricts anyone from unlocking the door from the exterior keypad.

The Nest x Yale deadbolt lock is truly keyless – there is no backup key for this unit.  You don’t have to worry about a dead battery keeping you out, though.  You’ll get warnings as soon as the batteries start to weaken so you can replace them before they die.  And if they do die before you replace them, you can hold a 9V battery to contacts on the bottom of the keypad to provide enough power for you to unlock the door.

It’s been on my door for less than a day, but I’m pleased so far with the look and functioning of the Nest x Yale door lock.  It’s quiet, attractive, and easy to use and monitor.

You can buy the Nest x Yale lock at various retailers; you’ll get both the lock and the Connect for $279.  If you order directly from Nest, you can choose to purchase the lock only for $249 or the lock plus Connect for $279.  It’s available in satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, or polished brass finishes.  Learn more at Nest and Best Buy to order one.

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Nest x Yale smart door lock is finally available for purchase originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 26, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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The Universal Lens Cap is the answer to great lens protection


If you are like me, when you are using multiple lenses for a photo shoot, you try to keep the lens caps in some sort of order so that it is easy to pick up the right one for the right lens without having to try multiple times. However, in my case, and I am sure that I am not alone in this, the caps inevitably get mixed up and getting the right one on the lens becomes a distraction and sometimes quite frustrating in the middle of a busy shoot.

I recently came across a company called Kurvd that makes a really great Universal Lens Cap. “The ULC fits any lens with a barrel diameter between 60mm and 150mm”. This means that it will fit almost every lens in my kit, and it no longer matters which lens cap I grab. It is also built to completely cover the lens for better protection from dust and water and even the occasional unintentional “bump”. By design, it cannot fall off because of an accidental touch or because of any weird vibration, as conventional lens caps can and do.

If you would like to grab one of these Universal Lens Caps, you can head over to the Kurvd website and pick one up for $30.00.

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The Universal Lens Cap is the answer to great lens protection originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 25, 2018 at 8:30 am.

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Self-balancing scooters, balance board for standing desks, vacuums, and more – Weekly roundup

It’s supposedly Spring now. You wouldn’t know it by the 10 or so inches of snow that we’ve received here in Southern Indiana this week. I’m not complain too much about it since a lot of the Gadgeteer writers live in the north east which has been hammered by Mother Nature several times. I guess the best part about snow days is staying inside and playing with your gadgets! If you’re inside today, how about catching up on all our articles from the past week. I’ve created a list to make it easy. Enjoy!

News

Enjoy spreadable butter with the Butterie dish

Game Boy alarm clock wakes you up to Super Mario tunes

The Rode NT1-A Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone is music to the ears

Ecobee recruits Amazon’s Alexa for their new Switch+ smart switch

Go retro with Barbie and her Dream House

Master & Dynamic create a soundtrack for the iconic Leica Brand

The Manfrotto Compact Action Aluminum Tripod is ready to go with you everywhere

Save money doing pedicures at home with Stedi Pedi

The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Circumaural Closed-Back Monitor Headphones are perfect for the studio

Play games like it’s 1989 with this Gameboy style case for iPhone

Ruggard Lens Cases are built for the job!

Sony’s SRS-XB41 speaker is ready to PARTY with flashing multi-colored lights

By Odin’s beard, this toolkit is for only the worthiest handyman

Aalo is reinventing furniture literally one piece at a time

Create an inflatable version of yourself because why not?

Carry the moon in your pocket

Adaptalux shines the light at the end of the tunnel

Say Hello to the new video doorbell from Nest

The Shure Super 55 Deluxe Vocal Microphone is super in every way!

There’s nothing kinky about the Bernini Pro Series garden hose

Save $100 on a Huawei Mate 10 Pro

Keep your tablet close at hand but out of the mix with this cutting board

The Westcott X-Drop Kit (5×7′) Green Screen is just what the Director ordered!

Tell time in the sweep of a radar screen with this watch from Tokyoflash Japan

SCOTTeVEST spreads their love of pockets with a Spring sale

Carbon fiber ukulele, Black Panther pocket knife, MAGNO Ti mechanical pencil, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

The Zoom H6 Handy Recorder gives you the quality audio recordings that you really need

Display your own message with the Kaptur Smart LCD Hat

Reviews

Sumo Solace review

Audew Vehicle Vacuum Cleaner Review

Verb Caffeinated Energy Bar review

HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal gaming headset review

FluidStance Bamboo Level balance board review

iLife A8 robotic vacuum cleaner review

Coocheer self-balancing scooter review

Airfree Onix 3000 Air Purifier review

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Self-balancing scooters, balance board for standing desks, vacuums, and more – Weekly roundup originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 24, 2018 at 4:59 pm.

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Enjoy spreadable butter with the Butterie dish

Over the years, there’s been a lot of discussion of how to get spreadable butter here on The Gadgeteer.  We’ve examined heated knives, water-immersion chambers, and even electric butter dishes.  This Butterie dish keeps it simple by just keeping the butter covered and sitting on the kitchen counter.

Butterie is made of 95% BPA-free plastic and 5% silicone.  The flip-top lid never touches the butter or the countertop for cleanliness.  It measures 9″ x 5.5″ x 3″, so it’s big enough for two sticks of butter or one of the larger European blocks.  The included spreader sits on the front knife rest. Keep it out of direct sunlight, and the butter will stay fresh for up to three weeks when kept at room temperature (68-78°F).

Both the knife and the dish are dishwasher- and microwave-safe. The Butterie Flip-Top Butter Dish and Spreader is available in cobalt blue, sunflower yellow, light blue, white, taupe, red, and ivory for $12.95 at The Grommet.

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Enjoy spreadable butter with the Butterie dish originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 24, 2018 at 12:30 pm.

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Game Boy alarm clock wakes you up to Super Mario tunes

Game Boy alarm clock

Waking up is about to become a bit more fun, or rather 8-bit more fun thanks to the Game Boy alarm clock. Sorry, we couldn’t resist.

The Game Boy alarm clock is practically an identical replica of the original console from the 80’s. To that effect, it’s even the same size. But instead of being used to play games, it’s designed to wake you up to the tune of Super Mario Land.

Its buttons are used as a snooze. And instead of playing games, its display showcases the time and date.

Yes, the Super Mario Land tune is already stuck in our heads too.

The alarm clock itself runs on 2 AA batteries. Firebox says that the batteries will last longer than they did in the real thing. It also has feet so that it can easily rest standing up on your bedside table. However, you can remove the feet if you want to – which is convenient in case you want to prank someone and ask them if they want to play some old school Game Boy.

And no, this is not an April fools post!

The Game Boy alarm clock is an officially licensed Nintendo product. It’s available now from Firebox for around $35 USD.

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Game Boy alarm clock wakes you up to Super Mario tunes originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 24, 2018 at 10:30 am.

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