Lock may have a fatal flaw

I have installed several keyless smart locks, including the one on my home's front door. I thought this keyless lock would work well on the door to a basement storage room that houses my HVAC along with a few valuable items.   

Installation started well. The fold-out instruction sheet had good illustrations and clearly-written text. The latch fit easily into the circular opening that held my standard doorknob. But then things went downhill quickly. 

The lock kits comes with a metal back plate for the inside panel, the one that hold the batteries that power the lock. The backplate shown in the instructions looked vaguely similar to the one in the kit, so I figured it was close enough. And the instructions show two screw holes for attaching the metal plate to the door - but no screws were provided.

I found a couple of screws in my workshop that would do the job, drilled a hole for the screw above the latch. Then I discovered that the hole for the second screw below the latch lined up with the large opening for latch. In other words, there would be no wood to screw into. 

The metal plate seemed reasonably secure with just one screw so I pushed ahead. Then I discovered more problems. The kit includes three sets of machine screws for attaching the inner panel and battery pack to the metal plate. The screws are three different lengths, but even the shortest screws were too long for the threaded posts on the metal plate.   

And even if I found replacements for those screws, I had serious doubts that the whole setup would work. When I tested the outside and inside, neither one moved the latch. That looked like a fatal flaw from my point of view, so everything went back in the box.

By: Ric Manning On 4/15/2024

Continue Reading

This vacuum can gobble up dirt and liquids

A swarm of 6-year-old hands reached for the cookies on the kitchen counter, then made a beeline for the back door, leaving behind a trail of crumbs and food fragments. They were followed by my 70-pound weimaraner who lapped up some of the spilled food but left behind blobs of water from his drinking bowl.

The abandoned mess was just what I needed, a perfect situation to try out the Dreame H11 Max cordless floor cleaner. 

My laundry room was already home to several floor-cleaning devices. I have cordless stick vacuum, a plug-in floor scrubber and two different dry mops. But I wanted to test drive to test drive the Dreame because it will clean hard floors that have both solid debris and liquids. In other words, it will vacuum, wash and mop all at once.

The Dreame H11 Max arrived almost fully assembled. All I had to do was attach the control handle and two tanks, one for clean water, the other to collect whatever comes up from the floor. The business end of the vacuum has a rotating roller brush, just like my stick vacuum, but this one isn't afraid of liquids.

When I deployed the the Dreame in the wake of the great cookie heist, it made short work of both loose crumbs and canine slobber. The vacuum sensed most of the water spills. It automatically switched to water absorption mode and ramped up the suction level. I also used the button on the handle to manually kick in water to insure that it sucked all of the liquid splatter.

With just a couple of passes, the H11 Max left the whole area looking clean and lightly mopped.

The vacuum's large display screen monitors all of the devices important metrics. It displayed the available battery power and signaled when the clean water was near empty or when the dirty water tank needed to be emptied. A lighted ring around the display changes color to match the amount of dust and debris that is being encountered.

And here's a feature that is especially welcome: The Dreame will comb and clean its roller brush while it sits on the charging station. When the vacuum is powered down, it prompts you to put it on its base and press a button to launch the self cleaning operation. 

The H11 Max model has a voice prompt that will remind you to start the cleaning process and alert any problems or issues. It's controlled by a button that will turn off the voice or adjust its volume. 

In addition to the charging base, the vacuum comes with a replacement roller and water filter plus a cleaning brush. For a closer look at the H11 Max, check out my video below. For pricing and more details, visit the Dreame website. You can also find Dreame on Facebook and @Dreame_tech on Twitter.   

By: Ric Manning On 11/10/2021

Continue Reading

Battery-powered fan is a breeze anywhere

It's been a scorcher of a summer in the area where I live. Temps in the 90s every day this week.

Of course, I have air conditioning inside but sometimes that's not enough to keep the air circulating. That's why I went looking for a portable fan, one that I could use anywhere, even outdoors or on our patio or porch.

I found the Opolar fan that's powered by a rechargeable battery, so it can work anywhere, even at a beach or campsite that's far away from an electrical outlet. 

The fan's blades rotate inside a circular housing that's about 5 inches wide. The fan oerates at three settings and the housing can rotate 360 degrees vertically or horizontally. 

A sturdy built-in clip opens wide to attach the fan to a range of locations like a baby stroller, bed headboard or a beach umbrella. The clip also serves as a base when the fan is on a table or other flat surface.  

With a fiull charge, the fan can operate for up to 24 hours, or it will run continuously when connected to an AC outlet using a USB cable and adapter.

For more details, check the Opolar website where the fan is currently on sale for $38.99.

By: Ric Manning On 7/27/2021

Continue Reading

Yardian brings smarts to home water systems

I live in the Midwest where our issue with rain is there is often too much of it. My son, on the other hand, lives in an arid part of Northern California where his lawn and garden beg for water almost every day and where the local authorities have tight control over water usage.

I thought about him when I came across the Yardian. It's a smart sprinkler manager designed to fit nicely into his lifestyle and into the Internet of Things. It not only manages your irrigation schedule, it also works with a mobile app and responds to Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant.

The Yardian is a replacement for the typical irrigation controller with its arcane settings and setup commands. The Yardian helps with the switch by providing numbered stickers for the wires and on-call assistance. It reminds me of how easy it was to swap out my decades-old thermostat for its slick successor, the Nest.

Once you have the wires plugged into the Yardian, you set it up using the free app available in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. The controller connects to your home WiFi and takes orders from the app.

During the setup process, you'll tell the Yardian where you live and what utility provides your water. Why does that matter? Because, like my son's water provider, your utility might have restrictions on how much water you can sprinkle on your property and when you can do it. Last summer he could only water after sundown and he could get in trouble if any of it landed on his concrete driveway.

Linking the Yardian app to the local water company lets you check on local rules and restrictions. And Yardian maintains a database of water restrictions to automatically revise a user's watering schedule to match local rules. It also checks local weather forecasts to optimize watering schedules.

The Yardian control box also contains a video camera to provide continuous monitoring of the area around it, typically a yard or garage. And the system can be set to automatically activate a sprinkler head when it detects an unwanted animal.

The Yardian watering manager is available directly from Amazon. A system to manage eight watering zones costs $159.99 or 179.99 for 12 zones.

For more details about the Yardian system, check the video below and visit the Yardian website.

By: Ric Manning On 7/27/2019

Continue Reading

Actuators power home and office automation

Many of today’s highly-automated homes feature televisions that descend from the ceiling, curtains or shades that glide into place and wall panels that open to reveal rows of martini glasses or works of art.

How does that happen? It’s the result of unseen little workhorses called actuators.

I learned a lot about actuators when I browsed the website for Firgelli Automations, a company based in Ferndale, WA, that builds and sells a wide range of automation products for use in homes, businesses and industrial applications.

A good example of Firgelli’s products is its lineup of TV lifts. A lift designed to raise or lower a flat-screen TV from a cabinet can hold a TV weighing up to 135 pounds sells for about $600. A wall bracket with an electric swivel costs $90. And Firgelli has a $350 do-it-yourself kit that will drop a small screen down from a kitchen cabinet.  

When I worked for a large publishing company, we had desks that could be raised or lowered by pressing a button. The idea was to let everyone choose the a height that was most comfortable for them, one that would help prevent repetitive stress and back pain.

Some people would raise their disks to so high that they could work standing up.

It was actuators that made those desks work and Firgellialso has a line of ergonomic desks called E-desks. The line includes different leg configurations and a desk that incorporates a treadmill for people who want to walk while they work.

Other Firgelli products include brackets, controllers, motors, switches and slide rails.

The Firgelli website includes a collection of YouTube videos, like the one below, that show their products at work. In one video, a 7-year-old girl installs an actuator to raise and lower the lid on her toy box.

Visitors will also find other actuator projects described in the Firgelli blog and follow the company on Facebook and @FirgelliAuto on Twitter.

By: Ric Manning On 5/18/2018

Continue Reading

Website helps outfit your smart home

My plans for a completely remote-controlled home are far from finished, but with several smart light bulbs, power plugs and Alexa devices installed, I'm making pretty good progress. And in a few days, I'll be checking out scads of new smart home devices at CES, the consumer electronics trade show.

I have also discovered a great website that is helping me focus on the best smart home products. WiseDweller features reviews on all of the latest smart home products, including light switches, thermostats and voice-activation devices.

An article featured on the site today is a head-to-head comparison of the Amazon Dot vs. the Google Home Mini. WiseDweller liked the Mini for playing music, movies and the TV but thinks the Echo has a better microphone. Check out the full report to see which one was the overall winner.

WiseDweller's section on smart light bulbs is a good example of how the service handles reviews. Products such as the Genie Prisma and LOHAS smart bulbs get a detailed report including a summary of Pros and Cons. WiseDweller also assigns ratings based on features, design, performance, value and ease of use along with an overall rating. That makes it easy to compare brands and models.

For all the reviews, news reports and brand information, visit the WiseDweller website.

By: Ric Manning On 12/31/2017

Continue Reading

LED light blends power and portability

As someone who often drives after dark, I’ve been looking for years for powerful and convenient flashlight. I get a stream of pitches for LED flashlights that promise to light up the night, and I’ve tried a few of them, but I’ve always been disappointed.

But that was before I found the Infray LED Flashlight.

Why do I like this light? It was immediately appealing because of it’s size. It’ not much bigger than a Sharpie marking pen and it slips easily into my pocket or into the console container I use to store pends and other tube-shaped objects.

Next, it throws out a surprisingly strewn beam of white light. Infray says that’s because it uses a CREE XP-E2 R4 LED, fueled by two AAA batteries, that generates up to 220 lumens. The size of the beam can be adjusted by by turning the tip of the shaft.

And, the price — $12.99 at Amazon — is far less than I would expect to pay for a powerful LED flashlight in a penlight format.

I also like the said feel of its waterproof case, but I wish it had a rubberized coating for those time when I need both hands free and find that the only place to put a flashlight of this size a shape is between clenched teeth.

By: Ric Manning On 9/12/2017

Continue Reading

Smart lightbulb is key to Notifi's video doorbell

I like the idea behind the video doorbells that will send an alert to your mobile phone when someone arrives at your front door. They also activate a webcam to give you an instant live view of your visitor.

But there are two things about the brands I’ve tested that stopped me from making one a permanent addition to my front porch. First, they quickly gobble up batteries if you can’t hardwire them to an electricity source. And second, the camera shows only one view: straight ahead.

The Notifi Video Doorbell System from HeathZenith avoids both of those issues. The centerpiece of the system is a a multi-purpose light bulb that screws in the socket of an ordinary porch light.

Attached to the bulb is a tiny video camera at the end of a 22-inch cord with a mounting bracket that can aim the lens  anywhere you want. Instead of the front door, you might prefer a view of an entry gate or the front yard.

The doorbell kit also includes a stick-on push button that only requires one battery and an indoor chime that plugs into any standard AC socket.

The bulb contains an LED light, a motion sensor and a built-in speaker so you can talk to your visitors. The camera captures the scene is 720p resolution and stores the video on your mobile device and online for 24 hours. A premium service that costs $5 a month will store all videos events for 30 days.

For more details about the Notify system, visit the HeathZenith website and check out the Notifi apps in the iTunes App Store and the Google Play Store.

By: Ric Manning On 7/01/2017

Continue Reading

LED bulbs give good light but prone to flicker

I started buying these bulbs about a year ago when we decided to replace the standard ceiling can lights with LEDs. I wanted bulbs that were more efficient and cooler than conventional bulbs and I was attracted to Hyperikon's prices, which are lower than the competition.

The first batch of four provided light that was comparable to the older bulbs they replaced. So far so good. But then, after a couple of months, one of them started to flicker.

I reported the problem to the vendor and they immediately sent a replacement. Then another would flicker and I got another replacement.

The bulbs are supposed to have a five-year warranty. I don't think I got five months of usage. Now a third bulb has started to flicker. While I appreciate the prompt response I get when there's a problem, I'm tired of this replacement cycle, so I won't be buying any more.

By: Ric Manning On 6/07/2017

Continue Reading

Hey robot, clean my pool

I haven’t found a robot that I would want in my house, but I would be happy to put one to work outside where our backyard pool always needs a cleaning.

Robotic pool cleaners are connected to a pool’s intake system, then they roam the floor of the pool - and sometimes the sides - sucking up algae and bits of debris.  

I found a good roundup of the best pool cleaners at Intex Pool Pumps, a website that helps pool owners find and evaluate pool products such as pumps and heaters.

The website has an overview of several automatic cleaners, including models by Hayward and Polaris, and it explains the difference between suction, pressure and robotic devices.

Over the past few years, rooting pool cleaners have become more competitive and more affordable. While the higher level robotic cleaners can cost several hundred dollars, some some models are priced at under $200.

By: Ric Manning On 5/30/2017

Continue Reading

RemoBell is a video doorbell that doesn't need wires

Video doorbells have been around for a while now and people appear to appreciate the security measure that they provide. It’s nice to see who is at your door when you are in the basement or 100 miles away.

One issue with make of the devices is they often require hard-wired voltage. The RemoBell is a recent arrival that gets its power from six rechargeable AA batteries. That seemed to be a good option for my house where the doorbell wiring is old and not especially trustworthy.

I met the people who sell the RemoBell at the CES trade show this year and they gave me a sample to try out and write about.

The installation process was straightforward but not without some simmer issues. I loaded the batteries into the doorbell’s case and downloaded the free app for my iPhone from Apple’s app store. Then I set out to connect the bell to my WiFi network by following a procedure that I had seen with other WiFi cameras - you first select the RemoBell WiFi network, then log into your own network.

The first step in that process went just fine, but I got continual notices that the device was not connected to my home WiFi. I eventually closed the app and restated and - surprise! - the RemoBell camera was now on my network. I have no idea why.

Next, I attached a mounting bracket to my door frame using four screws that came with the RemoBell hardware. The bracket has L-shaped pegs in each corner and a hole at the bottom where anchor the camera housing with a tiny screw. Seemed simple enough, except the housing didn’t snap into place until after repeated wrestling and grumbling.

Now that the bell was in place, it was time to test it. I pushed the button below the camera and heard a pleasant “ding-dong” chime. After about 10 seconds, my Apple Watch told me someone was at my door - that seemed like a nice feature - but there was no alert showing on my phone.

When I swiped across the phone screen, I saw a similar notification and pressing it took me to the login screen for the RemoBell app. By the time I logged in and had a nice clear view of my front porch, I would have expected my visitor to have given up and gone away.

The people who answer RemoBell’s customer service line helped me correct the problems. First, I learned that I needed to check a pair of tine boxes in the email and password windows to avoid having to log in every time I get an alert. That was news to me. There’s nothing on the login screen or in the installation booklet that identifies the boxes or tells you why you should click on them.

Second, I learned that ring notifications will come to my watch or pop up on my darkened phone screen but not both. I opted for the phone alerts and turned off RemoBell notifications in my Apple Watch app. Now when I get a ding dong, I’m informed fairly promptly and can go directly to the video screen. And now a 10-second delay doesn’t seem like a big deal.

When I launched the camera, I got a wide-angle view that was clear and bright in the daylight and surprisingly good after dark, even when our porch light was off. A pair of option buttons let me accept or decline the visit. If accepted, an audio link is activated and I could have a conversation with my visitor.

Choosing the decline option closes the video connection but also snaps a still image that can be stored on the phone or forwarded through the usual channels. If I do nothing, RemoBell captures a video clip of my visitor. That's a handy feature for security purposes.

Overall, the RemoBell performed just as I expected, once I got all the right options selected and boxes checked. I was a little disappointed that I could not activate the camera by remote just to take a peek at the street in front of the house. That’s a feature RemoBell might want to consider for a future version.

With a price tag of $195 on Amazon, the RemoBell is competitive with other video doorbells and it offers the advantage of not needing a live wire power connection. That makes it attractive for mounting in unwired locations such as a back door or entry gate. RemoBell says the device will withstand temperature extremes (0 to 122 degrees) and that batteries will last up to six months. It also offers and option to save videos in the cloud for a monthly fee.

To get a closer look at RemoBell, visit the RemoBell website and check out the video below.

By: Ric Manning On 1/21/2017

Continue Reading

Finding technology to cure an unkempt beard

I’ve worn a beard since my college days and, believe me, that was more than a few years ago. Back then, I didn’t pay much attention to it, except for an occasional comb and snip with a pair of scissors.

Today, beards are back in style and I’ve outgrown the scraggly look that I favored back then. Along with more beards, a new lineup of powered trimmer have also arrived. But which one would be right for me?

My research took me to a website called Wise Beards, which lists specs, features and reviews for many of the popular brands of beard trimmers such as Wahl, Remmington and others.  

For example, the site offers a comparison guide for five different models of Wall trimmers, from the Peanut, which looks like a good choice for travel, to the Color Pro, which looks like the type of trimmer that professional hair stylists use.

The reviews list pros and cons for each model and posts out features that set it apart from the competition. If you’re also tired comb-and-scissors grooming, Wire Beards is worth a click.

By: Ric Manning On 1/20/2017

Continue Reading

This lightbulb will also charge your gear

Gizmo Review

Like Sheldon on the TV Show The Big Bang Theory, I have claimed one end of our sofa as my personal domain. It has a direct view of the TV screen, a place store my reading materials and put my feet up and a lamp that’s easy to reach.

And now it’s also a good spot to charge my mobile phone and tablet.

In Las Vegas for CES, I met the folks from Mega Tiny Corp. at the Showstoppers event. They are the people who had the bright idea of adding a USB charging plug to an LED lightbulb and they gave me one of their PowerBulb’s to take home and check out.

The PowerBulb is longer, wider and heavier than a typical LCD bulb. It’s lower base contains two USB ports, each of which provides enough charging power to refuel  a mobile phone or a full-sized tablet.

The light that sits on the top of the bulb puts out 608 lumens. Although the PowerBulb fits in any standard socket, it doesn’t work with a dimmer and it was too heavy and too long for the adjustable lamp that sits next to my bed.

In my house, the table lamp with a vertical socket and a shade proved to be the best location. Both the light and the chargers turned on or off using the room’s wall switch or the switch in the lamp’s socket.

The PowerBulb also has its own switch built into the base. I could use it to turn off the light without turning off the charger.

With the PowerBulb installed, I don’t have to rummage around on the floor to find the wall outlet and I have foiled our cat who has decided that think charging cables are great to chew on. Others have used the bulb in guest rooms or rental homes and packed them along on their travels. Hotel rooms never seem to have enough accessible outlets for chargers.

The PowerBulb costs $39.99 and can be ordered at the Mega Tiny website or at Amazon.

By: Ric Manning On 1/12/2017

Continue Reading

Homebrewed brew

The Vessi Fermenter, on display with Whirlpool smart home appliances, reduces the typical fermenting process from almost a month to one week.

The pre-beer solution is stored in a stainless steel container while it does its magic. When oit's party time the suds are dispensed it from its own tap.

The setup will be test launched this year in Denver and Grand Rapids with a price of $1,899.

By: Ric Manning On 1/07/2017

Continue Reading

These products help keep you safe during storm season

In our part of the country, storms can do much more than water lawns and gardens. They can crush the flowers, flood yards and ravage homes and trees.

As the winter storm season approaches, it's good to know when nasty weather is coming and to be ready to deal with the problems that it can leave behind. 

The Color LCD Wireless Weather Station from La Crosse Technology. It’s a little more expensive than some weather monitors, but it has a few more features than the others. The color screen, for example, is larger and easier to read than displays on smaller monitors.

The system includes a weather-resistant sensor that you mount outside where it transmits outdoor temperature and humidity readings to the indoor base station. The base station uses a standard power cord but it has a battery backup that will keep it going if it loses AC power.

When a storm knocks out power to your house, it's good to have an flashlight handy and even better to have one that doesn't depend on disposable batteries. 

Blackout Buddy

The Blackout Buddy H20 is an inexpensive emergency light that powers up when it's dipped in a cup of water. Dip the flashlight once a day and it will keep working for up to 72 hours. 

Television weather reporters use Doppler radar to show when storms are approaching and where they're headed within their entire broadcast area. You can get your own personal radar view with mobile apps like Dark Sky for Apple devices or RadarScope for Apple and Android. They let you zoom in for a detailed look at weather activity in your neighborhood.

Ambient Weather Band Radio

Dark Sky matches radar and GPS data to predict when rain or snow will begin in your location, down to the minute, and how long it will last. RadarScope digs deeper with details like reflectivity and velocity that would interest weather pros and hobbyists. But even average folks would appreciate the alerts it delivers for tornados, flash floods and thunderstorms.

The Weather Band radio from Ambient Weather is a multi-purpose device that doesn't depend on batteries. It has both a solar panel and a hand crank to keep it powered when the lights go out. 

The radio will tune in local AM and FM channels along with the NOAA weather broadcasts. It also contains an LED flashlight and a USB port for charging portable devices like a smartphone or an ebook reader.

Jackery Giant

Finally, you'll need communication and entertainment while you wait for crews to restore power, cable and telephone service. 

There are lots of USB chargers on the market but few can match the Jackery Giant for speed and power.

The Giant is larger and heavier than most portable battery chargers, but it has enough muscle to simultaneously refuel both a full-sized tablet and a smartphone more than once. It will also hold its own charge for up to six months.

Here’s a full review of the Jackery Giant at PowerBank Expert.

By: Ric Manning On 1/02/2017

Continue Reading

Canary offers easy home video monitoring

The Canary is a video camera designed to keep an eye on your home interior when you’re not there. Like other home cameras, the Canary connects to an iOS or Android mobile app (or Apple TV) but it also includes a few additional features. For example, it owners can activate a shrill 90db siren if they see and intruder.

The Canary also monitors air quality, temperature and humidity and it comes with free cloud storage that retains the past 24 hours of recording form its 147-degree wide-angle lens.

Using a sample of the Canary provided by Verizon Wireless, I had the device set up and linked to my home WiFi in about 10 minutes. I pointed it as a window in my office where our dogs like to watch for the beagle from down the street and harass him on his daily walk.

I was sitting in a coffee shop when I got a notice that the Canary had detected movement in its field of vision. I checked the recorded video and, sure enough, the dogs were raising a racket at the window. Now if they deny it, I'll have the proof.

The Canary all-in-one home security system is available in black or white for $169.99 in the Verizon online store.

By: Ric Manning On 12/17/2016

Continue Reading

Here's a cure for coffeemaker spills

At the company where I worked for many years, there was a coffee maker in the IT area because, you know, nothing gets coded without coffee.

I was a frequent visitor to the coffee station, but I wasn’t allowed to make a fresh pot. I got banned after a couple of disasters that left large puddles of hot java sloshed across the counter top.

I’m apparently not the only person who can’t always effectively move coffee from the brewer to the pot.

A company called Just In Case Deck has developed and patented a device that will capture the coffee overflow from a clogged brewing machine before it becomes a mess.

The Just In Case Deck serves as a platform for an electric coffeemaker. It has a tapered top with open slots that will let any liquid that escapes from the machine drop safely into a collection chamber. The chamber is large enough to capture more than the full contents of a typical 14-cup coffee maker.

The desk keeps spills away from the coffee machine’s electrical components and away from napkins, papers or anything else in the potential puddle zone. The deck will also collect moisture and liquids from other sources such as humidifiers or house plants.

The Just In Case Deck sells for 29.95 at the Just In Case Deck website. You can see deck in action in the video below and follow the company @JustInCaseDeck on Twitter.

By: Ric Manning On 12/08/2016

Continue Reading

Amazon offers Echo Dot for $10 off

We’re spending the holiday weekend in California at my son’s house where the lights, TV and other things are controlled by Alexa and Amazon’s Echo Dot. So I was delighted to see that Amazon is offering the Dot at a special price today as part of its pre-Thanksgiving sale.

The 2nd generation Dot is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms, and more. It connects to speakers or headphones through Bluetooth or 3.5 mm stereo cable to play music from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn.

And the control functions control  lights, fans, switches, thermostats, garage doors, sprinklers, and more with compatible connected devices from WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Nest, ecobee, and others.

Today’s the last day to get one for $39.95, a discount of $10 off the regular price. Click here to see more.

By: Ric Manning On 11/24/2016

Continue Reading

Fountain Pros have feng shui for everyone

The last time I got a massage, it was at place in a nondescript office strip where the reception area was conventional and pretty much all business.

Except for the small water fountain on a table in one corner. The sight and sound of falling water seemed to take the hard edges off of the place and created a calming and relaxing atmosphere right from the start.

The message of the water fountain stayed in my mind much longer than the massage stayed in my body.

It turns out that indoor water fountains are more popular and more accessible that I had imagined. A company called Indoor Fountain Pros sells indoor fountains in hundreds of different shapes and styles ranging from small table fountains to large floor and wall-mounted installations.

Many of the fountains are made to showcase natural materials such as slate or marble. Others feature metal backgrounds or artistic designs and reproductions of familiar artwork such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night.

Prices start at about $110 for the Bliss tabletop fountain shown here and go up to about $10,000 for a 16-foot custom wall installation.

You can browse the full catalog and compare models and designs of indoor water fountains at the Indoor Fountain Pros website.    

By: Ric Manning On 9/27/2016

Continue Reading

New smart bulbs match lighting to your lifestyle

Sengled Voice bulb

When is a light bulb more than a light bulb? When it can change colors, play music, detect intruders, respond to your voice, and maybe help you get a good night’s sleep. 

The boring old light bulb, a familiar fixture since the days of Thomas Edison, is becoming a star performer in the push toward modern homes that are more energy efficient and able to be controlled by computers, tablets and cell phones. 

Take, for example, the Pulse bulb from Sengled. It combines a dimmable LED light with a wireless Bluetooth speaker. The speaker bulb links to an Apple or Android app to deliver music and customized lighting. A version called the Pulse Flex works outdoors and can be controlled over a home WiFi network.

The LED Smartbulb from iLumi can change colors to match your mood. It will mimic candlelight for a romantic evening or imitate a sunrise in the morning. Syncing the bulb to a music playlist turns a room into an instant disco. The bulbs can also be set to come on when you walk into a room and switch off a few minutes after you leave.

Amaryllo iCamPro Deluxe

Some new bulbs can function as part of a home security system. The Sengled Voice, due out later this year, combines an LED light with a microphone and speaker. Like Amazon’s Echo, the Voice bulb can control digital devices by responding to its master’s voice. 

The bulb will also send a notification when it hears other sounds such as breaking glass or a beeping smoke alarm.

The iCamPro Deluxe from Amaryllo squeezes a high-definition webcam into a bulb-shaped device that screws into any light socket. With a home WiFi connection, the camera will store video in the cloud and be controlled remotely using an Apple or Android app.

It has motion and audio sensors, night vision and a speaker for two-way communication. The company says the camera can detect motion up to 30 feet away, even if the activity is outside of its video frame. When it senses movement, it begins tracking the moving object and uses face-recognition software to distinguish  family members and pets from strangers or intruders.

Beon bulbs

Like the Nest thermostat, BeON bulbs attempt to learn your daily routine and adjust a home’s lighting to turn lights on when you’re home and off when you’re away. They also turn on exit lights when they hear fire or carbon monoxide alarms and they have built-in batteries that will provide up to 10 hours of lighting during a power outage.

Better sleep patterns is one of the goals of the Hue lighting system from Philips. With the Hue app for iOS, users can set the bulbs to automatically change color for different times of the day. Lights gradually brighten in the morning and dim at bedtime.

Some of these new smart bulbs can be expensive, but they don’t need a full home-control and hub system to do their magic. And you can expect to see more multi-purpose lighting devices being invented in the near future, putting the light bulb in a whole new light.

By: Ric Manning On 9/22/2016

Continue Reading