NEWS – I admit it I’m a sucker for smart speakers and home products. I like having the ability to control things like my lights and locks, using my voice. I own four Alexa enabled devices, and I use them all the time. Now, iDevices has taken Alexa and put her into the Instinct Smart Light Switch.
With Instinct, you get all the Alexa goodness without the clutter of cords or hubs. Instinct’s sophisticated design completely hides the technology.Alexa remains completely hidden until she’s needed. When you say the wake word (Alexa), the familiar Echo-style blue light ring will light up from behind the switches paddle switch. From there, you can ask Alexa to do things like set a timer, add to your shopping list, or get the latest news and weather updates. You can even configure the ring in the Alexa app and use it as a night light.
Instinct features a seamless modern finish and installs just like any other light switch. And it connects to your homes WiFi network.
You can even use Instinct to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. Instinct features premium SOEN Audio technology that delivers big sound from inside the small light switch.Small openings on the Instinct’s paddle switch disperse the sound. The speaker is orientated to amplify sound by taking advantage of the space within your walls, giving you a fuller, rich sound.
If you like Alexa like I like Alexa, then this is a product and solution worth checking out.
The iDevice Instinct Smart Light Switch is $99 and is available now from iDevices or Amazon.
Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.
REVIEW – Each day when I walk back and forth to take the railroad to and from work, it seems that there is a new building being constructed in the city. With all of the construction and materials and digging and trucks going back an forth, pollution seems to be at an all-time high. Since just about everyone in my family suffers at some level from allergies, any device that can help me to keep pollutants to a minimum in my home is of interest to me. Lets checkout the Awair Glow C to “C” if it gets an “A” or an “F”.
What is it?
The Awair Glow C monitors chemicals (VOCs), temperature, and humidity levels and provides real-time information on your air quality in the room it is installed in. When you plug in a “non-smart” humidifier or air purifier or fan into its built-in smart plug, it automatically turns the plugged-in device on/off to maintain the air quality in your space.
What’s in the box
1 x Awair Glow C
1 x Quick Start Guide
Design and features
Features
On the front of the Awair Glow C, there is the on/off touch switch, the sensor below the switch and the pass-through AC smart outlet.
On the back of the Awair, there is a vent and a 3-prong AC plug.
There is a vent on each side of the Awair.
On top of the Awair, there is a vent and the status LED.
Performance
This device is very easy to use. it is plug and play, and it begins to work as soon as you plug it into the AC outlet. It has a LED on top that uses colors to indicate the air quality level. It also can be controlled via smart devices.
The LED can also be used as a night light and the color can be customized via the app.
The device has an app that allows you to set up an account and to manage the functionality. It helps you to understand your air quality and track improvements in real-time. You also get notifications and tips via the app that include air quality and temperature updates, etc. One issue I had with the app was the amount and type of personal information it requests. In a time when data security is a big deal, information like date of birth and gender, etc should not be a part of the process regardless of whether it is voluntary or not. Here are some screenshots from the app:
What I like
The compact size
The build quality
The pass-through AC on/off functionality
What I’d change
Remove the personal data information collection part of the app
Final thoughts
The Awair Glow C is a nice device that in some cases can be a key component for managing air pollutants especially for folks like me and my family who suffer a lot from allergies. However, it struggles to fit into my specific home environment because all of my humidifiers and air purifiers are smart devices, and my touch fans cannot be controlled just from the presence of AC power. The auto-triggered smart AC through-plug only works with non-smart devices that likely have hardware on/off switches that can be left on, or devices that can be triggered by the presence of AC power. Since it has a manual on/off switch for the AC outlet, it can still serve as a through-plug to extend access to the AC wall outlet that it occupies. I do suspect that for most consumers, the decision to purchase this device will be based on the capabilities of their existing humidifiers/air purifiers/fans. However, I do not want to overshadow the value of the useful information, notifications and alerts that this device provides even when used as a stand alone device. It also works great as a night light. In my opinion, there is enough overall value in it to make it quite useful.
Price: $79 Where to buy:Awair website and Amazon Source: The sample for this review was provided by Awair.
Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.
NEWS – Nanoleaf is all about smart home lighting that is both beautiful and functional and now their customizable eco-friendly Nanoleaf Canvas light panel system goes one step further by adding new Touch Actions capability that turns their smart light panels into smart buttons.
Integrating with all Apple HomeKit devices, the new FREE upgrade for Nanoleaf’s Canvas allows for the control of all of your HomeKit devices just by touching one of the Canvas light squares. The Touch Actions let you use 3 different touch types that include a single press, double press, and a long press.
You can set up macros/scenes like a “Good Morning” scene that turns up the lights on your Canvas light panels, switches on the bedroom fan, and turns on the coffee maker (via a Homekit smart plug) to make your morning cup of joe. You can also set up a “Good Night” scene where tapping another Canvas square will turn off all the lights and turn down the thermostat for more comfortable sleeping.
The all new Touch Actions feature is available today as a FREE upgrade to the Nanoleaf Canvas Smarter Kit which starts at $119. For more info visit nanoleaf.me and Amazon.
Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.
NEWS – Earlier this month, Airstream announced that all of their new Classic travel trailers can be outfitted with Airstream Smart Control Technology. With a smartphone app, you’ll be able to monitor and control many of the functions of your Classic trailer. Smart Control adds the following features:
Stay connected – to your Classic, to Airstream, and to friends and family
Dedicated 4G LTE data, so you can connect from just about anywhere
Direct-dial access to Airstream Customer Service, owner’s manuals, and FAQs
Boosted Wi-Fi signal for greater connectivity
Stay comfortable – with all the comforts and conveniences of home
Set the indoor temperature and control the vent fans
Turn interior and exterior lights on or off
Extend or retract your awning
Stay in control – with remote monitoring and control of several key RV features
Monitor propane, fresh water, and holding tank levels
Check battery voltage
Locate your RV
The app will even help you prepare for your trip with sets of checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
When traveling with the Airstream Classic equipped with Airstream Smart Control Technology, you’ll have all the comforts and controls of home – in a gorgeous, shiny, retro package! The Airstream Classic starts at $149,900. Learn more about Airstream Classic trailers and Airstream Smart Control Technology at the Airstream website.
Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.
I have an old-style downlight in my foyer, and I wanted a smart bulb for it. I saw a lot of retrofit kits for recessed lights with the light source and trim kit in one. But those weren’t what I wanted, because none I found were wirelessly controllable. I gave up on those kits and just bought a new trim kit and a Hue BR30 bulb that’s a bit too short for the old-style downlight. It works okay, but it’s a bit dimmer than it should be because the end of the bulb is recessed in that old, deeper-than-normal fixture. I may have to replace that with the Philips Hue White Ambiance Smart Retrofit Recessed Downlight now that I’ve found them.
The Hue downlight kit is available in sizes to fit 4″ or 5/6″ recessed fixtures. Just like other Hue bulbs, these retrofit kits must be paired with the Hue bridge. Once paired, they can be controlled, dimmed, and scheduled using the Hue app, Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s HomeKit, and Hue Tap and dimmer switches. These aren’t the color-changing bulbs; they are White Ambience, meaning they have what Philips describes as 50,000 shades of white, from warm to cool white.
You can purchase the 4″ kit or the 5/6″ kit Philips Hue White Ambience Smart Retrofit Recessed Downlight for $35 at Home Depot. If you don’t already have one, you’ll also need the Philips Hue bridge.
Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.
