The Official Smarthome Blog - All Things Home Automation

Light and Motion Detector Ideal for Lighting as well as Appliance Automatic Turn On/Off

jaolvera — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:06 +0000

Looking to expand your Plugwise network to do more than just monitor appliance energy consumption? With the Scan Zigbee Wireless Light and Motion Detector you can do just that. The sensor will aid in energy conservation by recognizing when someone is in a room and then automatically turning the lights on and then off once the room is empty. Another benefit to the Light and Motion Detector is that it can provide insight into home or building occupancy. Because it detects people the Scan will provide data showing how often people are in a given room and send this information to the Plugwise network. This will then offer the owner an overview of which rooms are used more than others as well as how often. The Scan will communicate with the nearest Circle in Plugwise ZigBee network. While the Light and Motion Detector is great for use with room lighting it can also be used with other appliances that do not need to be on when no one is around such as a printer or computer. This product is powered by 1 AA battery which is included with purchase. It is important to note that this product requires an existing Plugwise network to be setup in order for use.
Read more

Shatter-Resistant Mirror Teaches Children where the Major Bones in Their Body are Located

jaolvera — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:48 +0000

The See-Thru-Me Skeleton Mirror from Children’s Factory is a fun way for kids to learn about where the major bones are located in their body. The mirror stands 45.75″ tall with the skeletal image silk screened to the back of the mirror so that its color will not scratch off. The mirror, itself, is made of a flexible and shatter resistant material referred to as PET which is laser cut so the edges are smooth for added safety. This product meets CPSIA and ASTM safety standards.

Mirror is made of shatter-resistant PET
Skeleton is silk screened
Teaches children where major bones are in their body
45.75 inches tall
Meets CPSIA and ASTM safety standards

Read more

USB Micro Speaker Ideal for Laptops or Travel

jaolvera — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:30:02 +0000

The Sound To Go USB Micro Speaker from Edifier is an all-in-one micro speaker that is portable and encased in an elegant brushed aluminum chassis. Use the included USB cable to power and to connect the speaker to your audio source such as your laptop or desktop and control the volume with the simple volume controls that are located on the speaker or on the host device. The extra auxiliary input on the speaker enables the use of multiple host devices. The Sound to Go uses its 3 x 1 1/4 inch oval shaped passive radiator subwoofer, two 1 1/4 inch mid-range drivers and two 1 1/4 inch tweeters with a built in amplifier to provide exceptional audio performance above and beyond any built in speaker solution. The Sound to Go speaker system is ideal for the individual that travels with a laptop and desires quality sound.
Read more

Ultrasonic Sound-Wave Technology Assists You by Adding Spatial Awareness to your Vehicle

jaolvera — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:47:34 +0000

It can be difficult at times navigating your car or small SUV into tight spots. Sometimes a mirror just won’t give you all the information you need to confidently park your vehicle. Steelmate USA provides an easy fix for such a situation with the PTS4000EX Parking Assist Sensor, exclusively designed for regular cars and smaller SUVs with plastic bumpers. The sensors install into your vehicle’s rear plastic bumper and use Ultrasonic Sound-Wave Technology to register objects as far as five feet away. Avoid getting an embarrassing, frustrating, and expensive ding from objects you can’t see as you attempt to reverse-park your sweet ride. The PTS4000EX was designed to install clean and includes a 4-Stage piezo alarm that lets you know when you’re getting too close to something you probably don’t want to hit. Rest easy knowing you can park confidently!

Read more

Outdoor Rated Plug-InTimer Powers a Low Voltage Lighting System up to 100 Watts

ccanta — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:00:54 +0000

120 VAC input, 12 VAC output – plugs in to a GFCI rated outdoor receptacle
Supplies power to 12 volt low voltage outdoor landscape lighting products up to 100 Watts
Digital LCD timer display
Built in photocell
Wall mount

Intermatic offers a wide variety of power packs in various wattages and control options. The Intermatic ML100THB Low Voltage Power Pack with Digital Timer and Photocell allows you to connect up to 100 Watts of low voltage lighting, typically for hardwired outdoor low voltage lighting systems. The power pack features keyhole cutouts that provide a surface mount installation for ease of operation. The power pack plugs into a GFCI rated outdoor outlet and low voltage lighting connects to the Power Pack via hardwired toolless cable screw connectors; use 18 AWG wiring (at a minimum) for low voltage outdoor cable. An LCD display and built-in photocell let you set how long you want the lights to remain on, once they have been automatically activated at sundown (or when darkness sets in). All power packs are certified for safe operation and long life. Read More

Cat-Lovers: You Can Now Put Your Furry Friends on a Pedestal….Literally.

ccanta — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:58 +0000

The days of ugly and impractical pet furniture are over. Refined Kind Pet Products offeres the saving grace for pet furniture that is both functional for the pet and aesthetically satisfying for the owner. The Cat Clouds Cat Shelf offers felines the opportunity to relax in an elevated perch. Let them lounge on super strong metal platforms with soft comfortable pads covered in faux sheepskin fabric. The pads’ magnetic bottom permits easy replacement if worn. Let your cat walk along your wall rather than your furniture. The Cat Cloud features two large platforms that are each 20 inches by 10 inches and can support up to 70 pounds. The Cat Clouds Cat Shelf also comes in a Left Facing. Read More

Durable Floor Pillows Strong Enough for the Craziest of Kids

ccanta — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:56 +0000

Large surface area offers a variety of uses
Each pillow stuffed with shredded foam
Outer cover is removable and machine washable
Water resistant inner cover
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use

The Cozy Woodland 27 Inch Light Tone Floor Pillow, Set of 3 from Children’s Factory boast a large surface area making them great for young children to play and relax on. Each Light Tone Floor Pillow is 27 square inches and stuffed with comfortable shredded foam that is also flame retardant for added safety precautions. The exterior cover of each pillow can be conveniently unzipped and removed when dirty for machine washing making these pillows suitable for use both indoors and out. The interior cover is water resistant and sewn closed to protect the shredded foam inside from damage. These floor pillows meet CPSIA and ASTM safety standards and are designed for use by children 9 months and older. The colors of the 3 included pillows in this set are light sky blue, light fern green and light almond tan. Read More

Meet Your Laptop’s New Best Friend

ccanta — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:00:34 +0000

The unique pyramid shape of the Prisma 2.1 Audio System delivers clear and crisp audio from your PC or laptop. The down-firing 5 inch subwoofer provides a full 32-watts of powerful bass. Each of the 9-watt satellite speakers are enclosed in an anti-resonant composite material, and features a 2-3/4-inch oval mid-range as well as a 19-millimeter PV dome tweeter. All the units are magnetically shielded and offer an impressive 50 watts of total sound. The glossy finish enhances any environment and compliments the latest designs of laptops, desktop computers, and monitors. The installation of this system is as easy as plugging in the included 3.5mm audio cable into your laptop or PC. This system also works with your iPod, iPhone or MP3 player. The wired remote makes adjusting the volume easy and the power can be turned on or off with the simple push button on top of the subwoofer. Read More

Retro Style Alarm Clock with 21st Century Technology

ccanta — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:00:10 +0000

Alarm clock function with SD, USB, AUX, or FM input choice
LCD display screen shows time, FM station, and more
FM radio function has 24 preset channels
Omni-directional, full range speakers
Complete volume, track navigation, FM tuner, and input selection controls.

The Tick Tock radio by Edifier takes you back in time with this very easy to use, multifunctional retro-styled alarm clock. The SD card slot and USB slot allows you to plug in a preloaded SD Card or memory stick and listen to your favorite music. Easily control the track selection and volume level with the controls located on the top of the clock. The FM Radio input allows you to preset 24 of your favorite radio stations. An auxiliary input allows for other media devices to be connected and played through the clock. The input selection button allows you to easily select playing from the SD card slot, USB port, Auxiliary input, and FM Radio. The MF240 has two 360° omni-directional full range speakers that provide rich, multi-directional sound. Read More

Belt Buckle with Hidden Storage Compartment Holds Up To 3 Credit Cards

jaolvera — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:39:37 +0000

The Storus Smart Belt Buckle is a unique alternative to carrying a wallet. What makes the Smart Belt Buckle innovative is that it features a hidden storage chamber large enough to hold up to 3 credit cards or ID’s inside. This makes it a great alternative storage option for those who do not like to or aren’t able to carry around a wallet. To use the Smart Belt Buckle it will need to be attached to a belt strap which is sold separately. The Smart Belt Buckle measures 2.5″ H x 3.8″ W x 0.4″ L.
Read more