Nest is announcing something big on September 20 - CNET

The invite mentions a "comfy couch" and "popcorn." Are they referring to the announcement or the product?

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https://www.cnet.com/news/nest-september-20-popcorn-couch/#ftag=CADa08b18a

MrSpeakers Aeon Headphones Review

Performance
Build Quality
Comfort
Value

PRICE $799

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Closed-back, planar magnetic design
Made in San Diego, California
Beautifully balanced sound
Minus
Non-standard connectors on the earcups

THE VERDICT
The Aeon are a game changer for MrSpeakers. Their least expensive headphones might be their most accomplished design.

I meet a lot of audiophiles who flat out refuse to give headphones a chance. They go on about the headphones they bought in college when Michael Jackson released Thriller and won’t even try the new breed of ’phones. This one here, the MrSpeakers Aeon, might be the headphones that turn them around. The complete package—the sound, the shape, the smooth feel of the carbon fiber earcups, the luxuriously thick earpads, and best of all, the price—might win over even the most curmudgeonly of resistors.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/mrspeakers-aeon-headphones-review

LG Lawn Mower Robot Release Date, Price and Specs - CNET

The manufacturer says the robot will work with the virtual assistants Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

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https://www.cnet.com/products/lg-lawn-mower-robot/#ftag=CADa08b18a

All the new Alexa announcements from IFA 2017 - CNET

A tech trade show means new devices that work with Amazon's voice assistant. Here's a list from IFA 2017 in Berlin.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/all-the-new-alexa-announcements-from-ifa-2017/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Qihan Sanbot Nano Release Date, Price and Specs - CNET

The $,2800 Qihan Sanbot Nano is a friendly helper robot with a whole bunch of smart tech.

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https://www.cnet.com/products/qihan-sanbot-nano/#ftag=CADa08b18a

DTS Play-Fi-enabled Speakers Get Alexa Voice Control

DTS today announced that the first DTS Play-Fi-enabled multiroom wireless speakers to incorporate Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service are slated to hit the market in the coming weeks.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/dts-play-fi-enabled-speakers-get-alexa-voice-control

20 ways to get your home clean without harsh chemicals - CNET

These DIY solutions will get your home sparkling.

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https://www.cnet.com/pictures/ways-to-get-your-home-clean-without-harsh-chemicals/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Bang & Olufsen Teams with LG on OLED TV

LG and Bang & Olufsen today unveiled an OLED TV at IFA in Berlin that is the result of a new collaborative effort between the companies.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/bang-olufsen-teams-lg-oled-tv

Google Home expands its smart home reach with Z-Wave - CNET

Z-Wave shows off upgraded firmware at IFA in Berlin allowing you to control devices with your voice through Google.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/google-home-expands-its-smart-home-reach-with-z-wave/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Amazon's Alexa and Microsoft's Cortana are friends now (The 3:59, Ep. 276) - CNET

We take a look at this new partnership and Alfred talks about spending an afternoon channeling an anime ninja.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-alexa-and-microsoft-cortana-are-friends-now-the-359-ep-276/#ftag=CADa08b18a

How to setup multiroom playback across all of your Alexa devices - CNET

Want to sync up your Echo, Echo Dot and Echo Show smart speakers to play music together in perfect harmony? Here's how.

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https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-setup-multiroom-playback-across-all-of-your-alexa-devices/#ftag=CADa08b18a

EatSmart Precision MaxView Digital Bathroom Scale w/ 4.5" Backlit LCD Display - CNET

EatSmart Precision MaxView Digital Bathroom Scale w/ 4.5" Backlit LCD Display

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https://www.cnet.com/deals/eatsmart-precision-maxview-digital-bathroom-scale-w-4-5-backlit-lcd-display-2e9253c7/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Cortana and Alexa team up, will talk to each other video - CNET

A partnership between Microsoft and Amazon has the smart voice-controlled assistants working together to do more tasks.

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https://www.cnet.com/videos/cortana-and-alexa-team-up-will-talk-to-each-other/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Google Assistant finds a home in three new speakers - CNET

Google's making a splash at the IFA tech show in Berlin with a trio of new devices that are ready for your command.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/the-google-assistant-finds-a-home-in-three-new-speakers/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Did Alexa and Cortana just become best friends? - CNET

The Amazon and Microsoft voice assistants will now work together.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/did-amazon-alexa-and-microsoft-cortana-just-become-best-friends-windows-echo/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Bosch security cameras learn to talk to Alexa at IFA 2017 - CNET

Bosch's security cameras will soon be able to respond to Amazon Alexa voice commands.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/bosch-security-cameras-learn-to-talk-to-alexa-at-ifa-2017/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Pawbo Munch makes pets work for their treats - CNET

Make a game out of treat time with a new interactive feeder from Acer's Pawbo connected-pet brand.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/pawbo-munch-makes-pets-work-for-their-treats/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Sonos seems set to reveal their voice-control future on October 4 - CNET

The internet-connected speaker maker prepares to adapt to the age of Alexa.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/sonos-october-4-event-voice-control/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Origin Acoustics/Bang & Olufsen BOC106 In-Ceiling Speaker Review

Performance
Build Quality
Value

PRICE $1,595/each ($7,975 as reviewed)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Zip-Cliq mount for easy install
IPX6 rated for use in high-moisture locations
10-inch woofer
Optional billet aluminum Advanced Grille
Minus
Expensive

THE VERDICT
The overhead fruit of Bang & Olufsen’s partnership with Origin Acoustics combines superior, finessed sound quality with remarkably refined looks for any ceiling.

Although the story of its beginning may sound like it, Bang & Olufsen isn’t one of those up-and-coming startups that briefly create a lot of noise and then are never heard from again. B&O’s is a classic tale, though. Two engineers, Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, tinkering in the Olufsen family’s attic (not garage) in Struer, Denmark, start building and selling radios. They didn’t do a Kickstarter campaign because, well, it was 1925, and Kickstarter hadn’t been kickstarted yet. The fledgling company’s first “commercially viable” product was the ominous-sounding B&O Eliminator, a device that allowed a radio to run off of AC (alternating current) from a wall outlet instead of DC (direct current) from expensive batteries. This early innovation set the tone for Bang & Olufsen ever since: be innovative, use quality materials, and above all (some would argue), do things your own (e.g., the Bang & Olufsen) way.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/origin-acousticsbang-olufsen-boc106-ceiling-speaker-review

Elgato wants to secure your home with 5 new HomeKit devices - CNET

A lock and a smoke detector headline Elgato's full lineup of new products at IFA 2017.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/elgato-wants-to-secure-your-home-with-5-new-homekit-devices/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Get a Eufy Genie smart speaker with Alexa for $29.70 - CNET

Anker's Echo Dot-alike is $20 cheaper -- but what do you give up in return? Plus: Lifetime-warranty MFi-certified Lightning cables for six bucks apiece!

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https://www.cnet.com/news/get-a-eufy-genie-smart-speaker-with-alexa-for-29-70/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Alexa is my new BFF (The 3:59, Ep. 275) - CNET

An inside look at Amazon's quest to make its digital assistant more human.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/alexa-is-my-new-bff-the-359-ep-275/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Smart Speakers: The Next Smartphone?

Smart speakers, the product category Amazon created a couple years ago with its voice-enabled Echo, is abuzz on Wall Street.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/smart-speakers-next-smartphone

Eight Sleep Mars+ Release Date, Price and Specs - CNET

Monitor your zzz’s from your phone with Eight Sleep’s Mars+ Smart Mattress.

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https://www.cnet.com/products/eight-sleep-mars-plus-smart-mattress/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Amazon launches multiroom music playback for Alexa - CNET

Finally, Alexa can control multiple speakers at once.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-launches-multi-room-music-playback-for-alexa/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Near Introduces In-Ground Subwoofer

Near, the Maine-based company known for its indestructible outdoor speakers, has introduced a weatherproof subwoofer designed to be installed in or on the ground.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/near-introduces-ground-subwoofer

Top Smart Home Security Concern: Did I Lock the Door?

A recent survey from Wakefield Research and Schlage, an Allegion brand of smart locks, reveals Americans’ No. 1 concern when it comes to smart-home security: “Wait… did I lock the door?”

Out of the 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed, 75 percent have felt uncertain about whether or not they locked their doors upon leaving the house. The data jumps to nearly 81 percent among parents and 83 percent among Millennials (we’re a forgetful bunch).

The survey also reveals that 43 percent of consumers have experienced or know someone who has experienced a break-in when they were not home.

“As technology evolves, locking devices will continue to advance and offer additional capabilities,” says Ann Matheis, marketing director at Allegion.

As the popularity of smart home devices continues to increase, there are a number of solutions available to ease your fears. For example, the August Smart Lock Pro and Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt let you double-check (and control) the status of their locks from anywhere with their mobile devices.

Additional Findings from the Home Security Survey

• Break-Ins:More than two in five Americans have personally experienced or know someone who has experienced a home break-in while away.
• Key Management:56 percent of Americans have lost or misplaced the key to their home. Millennials and parents are more likely to do this, as 69 percent of millennials and 66 percent of parents have misplaced or lost the key to their home.
• Uncertainties:75 percent of Americans have felt uncertain about whether they locked their doors when they have left home. Specifically, 83 percent of millennials and 81 percent of parents have experienced this.

 

Here are a few smart locks that you can add to the door of your smart home:

 

Schlage Z-Wave Connect 

 

• Works with Amazon Alexa for voice control (hub required, Alexa device and hub sold separately)
• Z-wave technology connects to your home automation system and lets you lock or unlock your door remotely via the web or smartphone
• 3-Alert modes (activity, tamper and forced entry) let you know when someone is coming or going and communicate potential security threats
• Memory for up to 30 different access

 

 

 

Kwikset Kevo Touch-to-Open Bluetooth Smart Lock 

• Open the door from a smartphone
• Send and manage eKey access via smartphone
• Bluetooth Smart ready with a Bluetooth 4.0 enabled device
• History and notifications – see who locked/unlocked Kevo
• Smart Home compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Ring Doorbell, Skybell, Nest Learning Thermostat, select Honeywell Thermostats, Android Wear and IFTTT

 

 

Yale Real Living Electronic Push Button Deadbolt 

• Works with Amazon Alexa for voice control (Wink or SmartThings hub required, Alexa device and hub sold separately)
• Create up to 250 unique pin codes to share with family and friends (25 with no controller)
• Unlock by entering your 4-8 digit PIN code on the backlit, push button keypad, with your smart home app (i.e. SmartThings) or using your physical key

 

 

August Smart Lock

• Control your door with your smartphone
• Keep your existing deadbolt–installs in minutes on the inside of your door.
• Grant or restrict access to visitors anytime
• Automatically locks your door as you leave and auto-unlocks as you approach
• Voice Control – Lock your door using Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit or the Google Assistant
• Track who is coming and going with a 24/7 activity log on your smartphone

The post Top Smart Home Security Concern: Did I Lock the Door? appeared first on Electronic House.

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https://www.electronichouse.com/home-security/top-smart-home-security-concern-did-i-lock-the-door/

Wireless Access Point Brings Wi-Fi to the Back Yard

There’s nothing worse than heading to the back yard and losing your Internet connection. No more music, videos or social media. It’s a bummer for back yard barbeques and relaxing on an outdoor chaise. An outdoor wireless access point (WAP) can extend your connection to the outdoors so you can entertain with ease, and SnapAV has offers a new weather-hardy solution for Wi-Fi enjoyment with no dropouts.

SnapAV’s Araknis brand has introduced its new 700 Series Outdoor Wireless Access Point. The outdoor Wireless Access Point (WAP) offers the same network capabilities as its traditional, indoor 700 Series WAP, while facing the elements.

“Outdoor living is a growing trend in North America,” says Ayham Ereksousi, director of products, Araknis Networks. “Consumers want to enjoy the outdoors while staying connected to their digital life. The 700 Series Outdoor WAP allows dealers to bring this experience to their customers.”

Designed to complement outdoor spaces such as decks, pergolas, large yards and guest houses, the 700 Series Outdoor WAP features an IP55 rating, as well as SnapAV’s proprietaryOvrC remote system monitoring platform.

“Most products receive their IP rating simply by passing the lab test according to the predetermined specifications,” notes Ereksousi. “But when we audited the spec, we found that it didn’t consider real-world scenarios such as water streaming into the top or bottom of the product. We made the executive decision to test these scenarios because we want dealers to be confident installing this product.”

Delivering as much as 1750Mbps of throughput through features such as its 3×3 antenna configuration, the Araknis 700 Series Outdoor WAP provides network-friendly functions, including band steering and fast roaming.

The WAP also features a built-in switch, and Araknis adds that through its OvrC remote monitoring platform, integrators can securely manage their clients’ networks’ signal strength, network speed, power status and more.

The post Wireless Access Point Brings Wi-Fi to the Back Yard appeared first on Electronic House.

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https://www.electronichouse.com/smart-home/wireless-access-point-brings-wi-fi-to-the-back-yard/

Sensors and Predictive Analytics Smarten Up HVAC Vents

A few years ago, smart vents introduced a revolutionary way to heat and cool and home. But these motorized vents, which are meant to replace dumb air vents to control temperature in individual rooms, have struggled to find a following despite strong showings from from EcoNet, Keen Home, Ecovent and others.

Start-up HiberSense promises a more elegant approach to the smart-vent category, with a Connected Climate Control system that uses multiple sensors and analytics to make each room comfortable and save energy house-wide.

The solution includes a sensor package that can monitor temperature, pressure, humidity, light, motion (occupancy detection) and indoor air quality (optional).

“This provides our developers with a plethora of data for machine learning and predictive analytics,” says Bob Fields, chief revenue officer for the Pittsburgh-based company.

The result, he says, is a solution that “maximizes system performance and efficiency, and optimizes comfort for occupants.”

One concern about “traditional” smart-vents is they could damage the HVAC system if sealed off for long periods of time.

In the case of HiberSense, sensors monitor duct pressure and airflow among other things to mitigate potential problems like over-heated motors and freezing coils.

The HiberSense system is automated via a central hub, which receives data from the sensors via Bluetooth. The wireless vents – available in brass, wood, aluminum and plastic – have a 3-year battery life based on eight to 12 activations per day, according to the company.

The company plans to sell directly to the custom installation channel, as well as to HVAC contractors. Integration with Control4, Crestron, Savant, Lutron, Amazon Alexa and other control systems is coming, according to Fields. Recommended pricing starts $99 for vents (based on style), $200 for the hub, and $79 for the sensors.

The post Sensors and Predictive Analytics Smarten Up HVAC Vents  appeared first on Electronic House.

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https://www.electronichouse.com/home-energy-management/sensors-and-predictive-analytics-smarten-up-hvac-vents/

11 Amazing Smart Home Tricks

The future of Alexa video - CNET

CNET interviews three Amazon execs about the growth of voice computing.

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https://www.cnet.com/videos/the-future-of-alexa/#ftag=CADa08b18a

A chat with Pixie, Princeton University's socialbot video - CNET

Here's what it's like talking to a bot that runs on Amazon's Alexa voice assistant.

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https://www.cnet.com/videos/a-chat-with-pixie-princeton-universitys-socialbot/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Alexa, be more human - CNET

Inside Amazon’s effort to make its voice assistant smarter, chattier and more like you.

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https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-alexa-echo-inside-look/#ftag=CADa08b18a

When the Theater Next Door Has No Soundproofing

A Howell, New Jersey man who lives less than 200 feet from the back of the Xscape Theatres that opened last year has had it with the “rumbling thunder” that can happen any time between 11 a.m. when the Cineplex opens to 1 a.m. when it closes.

from
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/when-theater-next-door-has-no-soundproofing

TruSense Release Date, Price and Specs - CNET

Complete with professional monitoring, TruSense tunes the smart home to keep an eye on your elderly relatives.

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https://www.cnet.com/products/trusense/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Monoprice to Unveil THX Subwoofers at CEDIA

While tradeshows are always full of surprises, here’s a bit of pre-show news that really stood out: Monoprice, the company known for its value pricing, will unveil a line of THX-certified subwoofers at CEDIA 2017, which opens in San Diego next week.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/monoprice-unveil-thx-subwoofers-cedia

Apple HomePod: Apple Revisits Home Audio

I tried to contain my excitement when Apple announced HomePod, declaring it “a breakthrough wireless speaker for the home that delivers amazing audio quality.” And to think that it will use “spatial awareness to sense its location in a room and automatically adjust the audio.” Fantastic! With that kind of technology, I might be forced to end my longstanding (but tenuous) relationship with Windows once and for all, trade in my Samsung Galaxy for an iPhone, and embrace Apple Music.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/apple-homepod-apple-revisits-home-audio

Alexa’s new music feature makes your speakers work like Sonos - CNET

Playing music around the house with your Alexa speakers just got a lot better. Here's how to set it up.

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https://www.cnet.com/how-to/alexas-new-music-feature-makes-your-speakers-work-like-sonos/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Nest Cam 1080p Outdoor Security Camera for $159 + free shipping - CNET

Nest Cam 1080p Outdoor Security Camera for $159 + free shipping

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Avocado toast for days: Here are the best Whole Foods-Amazon deals - CNET

It's only Day 1, and Amazon-owned Whole Foods has already cut prices -- in some cases substantially.

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https://www.cnet.com/how-to/whole-foods-here-are-the-best-deals-thanks-to-amazon/#ftag=CADa08b18a

4K Apple TV Reportedly Due Out Next Month

Back in February rumors circulated that Apple was testing a 4K-capable fifth-generation Apple TV. Multiple sources are now reporting that Apple will introduce an updated 4K version of its streaming media player next month when it introduces the new iPhone and Apple Watch.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/4k-apple-tv-reportedly-due-out-next-month

The Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ Takes Aim at the Audiophile Market

It seems clear that phones have become the end-all/be-all product for most people. It’s a phone, computer, GPS, camera and music player – an essential part of everyday life. However, one group remained somewhat disconnected, until, perhaps, now. The new Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ both have features that many serious music listeners are getting excited about.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/samsung-galaxy-s8s8-takes-aim-audiophile-market

1byone Digital Body Weight Scale Bathroom Scale with Step-on Technology, 6MM Glass, Max Weight 400 Pounds - CNET

1byone Digital Body Weight Scale Bathroom Scale with Step-on Technology, 6MM Glass, Max Weight 400 Pounds

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Refurb D-Link Day/Night WiFi Security Camera for $20 + free shipping - CNET

Refurb D-Link Day/Night WiFi Security Camera for $20 + free shipping

from
https://www.cnet.com/deals/refurb-d-link-daynight-wifi-security-camera-for-20-free-shipping-2071222/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Here's everything that's included with Amazon Prime - CNET

A full list of all the stuff that is (and isn't) included with your Prime subscription.

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https://www.cnet.com/how-to/heres-everything-thats-included-with-amazon-prime/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Otto Smart Lock Release Date, Price and Specs - CNET

With touch-to-unlock simplicity, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi smarts and concierge installation service, Otto wants to be the Nest of smart locks.

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https://www.cnet.com/products/otto-smart-lock/#ftag=CADa08b18a

​Be ready for the next hurricane with a go bag - CNET

Keep this bag ready for a hurricane or other natural disaster.

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https://www.cnet.com/how-to/prepare-for-the-next-hurricane-natural-disaster-go-bag/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Wallflower review - CNET

The $170 Wallflower smart plug will let you know if your stove's on. But it can't turn your stove off for you.

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https://www.cnet.com/products/wallflower/#ftag=CADa08b18a

EmoFest Returns to Tennessee After 4-Year Hiatus

Emotiva Audio will host EmoFest 2017 at its Franklin, TN headquarters and manufacturing facility after a hiatus of four years.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/emofest-returns-tennessee-after-4-year-hiatus

Roku Is Top Streaming Media Player in U.S.

Nearly Four in 10 (37%) of Internet-connected homes in the U.S. own a Roku streaming media player, according to new research from Dallas-based Parks Associates.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/roku-top-streaming-media-player-us

John Wick - Chapter 2

Picture
Sound
Extras

When we last saw John Wick, he’d come out of retirement to take out the Russian mobsters who were responsible for stealing his prized muscle car and killing his puppy. In this well-made sequel, we are greeted by an angry Wick who’s still on the hunt for his Mustang Mach 1, which he finds in a local chop shop. Needless to say, Wick dispenses some brutal street justice on the thugs—and he does recover his car.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/john-wick-chapter-2

Unforgiven

Picture
Sound
Extras

Unforgiven marked another turning point for Clint Eastwood and the Western genre. The deconstructed Western stars Eastwood as aged outlaw Bill Munny, who, after years of living a reformed life, is dragged back into his old ways. His wife has passed, and his pig farm is struggling, so an offer to avenge a brutalized prostitute is too much to pass up. He enlists his old running mate, Ned (Morgan Freeman), and they set off with the young “Schofield Kid” to collect the bounty.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/unforgiven

KKmoon 800TVL CCTV Outdoor Camera Set for $56 + free shipping - CNET

KKmoon 800TVL CCTV Outdoor Camera Set for $56 + free shipping

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https://www.cnet.com/deals/kkmoon-800tvl-cctv-outdoor-camera-set-for-56-free-shipping-2070826/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Sleeping with Apps

With mobile screens dominating your waking hours, app makers have begun targeting the time you spend sleeping. Curious to see what it's all about, I decided to put an app-based smart pillow to the test.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/sleeping-apps

Coidak E26 Brightness & Color Temperature Adjustable LED Light Bulb with 2.4G Remote Dimmable A19 - CNET

Coidak E26 Brightness & Color Temperature Adjustable LED Light Bulb with 2.4G Remote Dimmable A19

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Etekcity Digital Body Weight Bathroom Scale , 400 Pounds - CNET

Etekcity Digital Body Weight Bathroom Scale , 400 Pounds

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Coidak E26 RGB LED Color Changing Light Bulb with 2.4G Remote Controll Pure White Dimmable A19 - CNET

Coidak E26 RGB LED Color Changing Light Bulb with 2.4G Remote Controll Pure White Dimmable A19

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Nest Cam 1080p Outdoor Security Camera for $160 + free shipping - CNET

Nest Cam 1080p Outdoor Security Camera for $160 + free shipping

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5 ways Alexa can help with your new baby - CNET

Alexa makes a new parent's job a little easier with these tips.

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https://www.cnet.com/how-to/5-ways-alexa-can-help-with-your-new-baby-smart-speaker-amazon/#ftag=CADa08b18a

How to stream any audio to your Google Home speaker - CNET

A recent Google Home update turned it into a Bluetooth speaker. Here's how to pair your phone and stream any audio you want.

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https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-stream-any-audio-to-your-google-home-speaker/#ftag=CADa08b18a

How to stream any music on Google Home using Bluetooth video - CNET

A recent Google Home update turned it into a Bluetooth speaker. Here's how to pair your phone and stream any audio you want.

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https://www.cnet.com/videos/how-to-stream-any-music-on-google-home-using-bluetooth/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Orbit B-hyve offers clever sprinkler smarts at a prudent price video - CNET

This Wi-Fi connected controller can watch the weather and schedule your sprinklers for you for less than half the cost of the competition.

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https://www.cnet.com/videos/orbit-b-hyve-offers-clever-sprinkler-smarts-at-a-prudent-price/#ftag=CADa08b18a

Soundcast’s VG7 Flagship Now at Best Buy’s Magnolia

Soundcast today announced that for the first time shoppers can demo the Top Pick-designated VG7 outdoor speaker at Magnolia Home Design Centers and Home Theater Showrooms in Best Buy stores around the country.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/soundcast%E2%80%99s-vg7-flagship-now-best-buy%E2%80%99s-magnolia

Samsung QN65Q9 LCD Ultra HDTV Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $6,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Bright and punchy HDR
Excellent resolution
Stunning color
Minus
No Dolby Vision
Edge-lit instead of full-array backlight dimming

THE VERDICT
Samsung’s new top-of-the-line QLED flagship brings first-rate brightness, brilliant color, and crisp resolution to the Ultra HD party, but enthusiasts might notice its lack of a full-array, localdimming backlight.

Now that we’re awash in high dynamic range (HDR) material on Ultra HD Blu-ray, Samsung is determined to make the most of it with two new TVs, the 65-inch QN65Q9 reviewed here and the 75-inch QN75Q9 for buyers who prefer a bigger (and, at $10,000, pricier) set. Each has a screen that’s flat, not curved.

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720p Pan and Tilt WiFi Security Camera for $19 + free shipping - CNET

720p Pan and Tilt WiFi Security Camera for $19 + free shipping

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What HDMI Splitter Should I Use With an Xbox?

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I recently upgraded my TV to an LG 65B7P OLED. My receiver is an older Pioneer model that I'm loathe to give up. I plan on using an Xbox console, either the One S or the forthcoming One X, as my 4K source. Here’s my problem: both Xbox versions provide only a single HDMI output. I know I could use the TV’s HDMI ARC port to route audio back to a receiver, but my Pioneer doesn’t support that feature. Another problem is that HDMI ARC doesn't support the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA lossless audio codecs. Which gets me to my question: Is there some kind of HDMI splitter I can buy that will let me route the Xbox’s output separately to the TV and AVR? —David Becker

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Crestron Home Automation System Helps Couple Entertain Guests

Suzanne and Irl Engelhardt love entertaining – so much so that they have set up their extraordinary home largely for that purpose.

“We bought kitchen towels that say, ‘Guests of our guests may not bring guests,’ but we’ve broken that rule,” Sue Engelhardt says. She has held parties for their grown children, for their friends, for employees, college alumni, even her book club from St. Louis. “I love to have people come and stay,” she says.

 

The five-bedroom house is unusually long and narrow. Most rooms have windows on two or three sides plus private patios. “We might have eight guests each in their own areas – but when they’re ready to socialize, they all congregate at the center of the house.”

 

The center is a beautiful living room, kitchen and dining area, with floor to ceiling windows that retract, on both sides, to bring the outdoors inside. Here the Engelhardts and friends can lounge in the sun, eat, talk, watch movies, or binge-watch Netflix.  “After dinner, we always love to watch something, whether an action movie, a drama or Downton Abbey. We take turns deciding what it will be, but we watch it together. It’s a form of bonding.”

 

Blending Design & Smart Home Technology

 

Sue Engelhardt says she and Irl bought their original property in Naples in 2003, but after retirement they were able to purchase the adjacent lot, tear down their existing house and build something special.

 

“I knew nothing from a technical point of view, but I know good design,” she recalls. She found Vero Beach-based architect Clem Schaub and loved his designs. “He grew up in Puerto Rico and enjoys the tropical lifestyle,” she says. “He understands that if you’re in Florida you want to be outside.”

She had trouble finding a good technology integrator, but Schaub recommended Will Gilbert of Fort Lauderdale-based Think Simple. “I felt comfortable with Will. He’s very open with how they will build something and transparent about pricing. If I would say, I really want this to be this way, he would always find a way to do it.”

 

The living room is something special. Schaub and Think Simple designed a media system with a JVC projector, James Loudspeaker surround sound and a huge projection screen, but hid everything in the ceiling and behind a beautiful piece of fabric art by Olga de Amaral. But because the family hates to close draperies, Think Simple also installed an 80” Sharp TV, a better option when the room is bright. Press a button on a handheld remote or iPad and the artwork rolls out of the way to the right, revealing the TV or lowering the screen and projector.  “It’s really cool,” Sue says. “You can’t even tell they are there.”

Sue says she was surprised and impressed when the Think Simple people came back after the audio system was installed and tuned each room with Crestron’s Surround Sound Tuning Kit, using a microphone to compare the sound coming from the speakers with a reference tone generated by a computer.  “It’s night and day how much better it sounds.”

As concerned as she was about sound and image quality, Sue did not want to look at the A/V equipment when she wasn’t using it. Think Simple installed an equipment rack in the attic, mounted speakers in the ceilings, and hid TVs in cabinets whenever possible. In the master bath, they installed Seura mirror TVs, which disappear when powered off.  If someone wants to play a movie or song list from a phone or tablet, they can connect wirelessly via AirPlay. The sound system defaults to the room they connect from, but it’s easy to play music in multiple rooms or throughout the house.

 

The Finer Details

 

Getting the details right was a bit of a challenge. Gilbert says he had the bathroom vanities custom built so that the glass would match the glass in the Seura mirrors perfectly.  “We also had to use linear actuator motors in the living room to keep from damaging the artwork,” he adds.

Think Simple owns its own “CNC” computer-controlled lathe and milling machine, which they used to build bronze plates for security cameras and wood plates for some of the outdoor lighting fixtures, all of which exactly match fixtures chosen by Schaub interior architect Christine Pokorney.

 

Network, Lighting and Security

 

In addition to the A/V systems, Think Simple installed the home network, a home telephone system including a cellular antenna,  and Crestron controls to integrate the security, lighting, shading, climate and A/V, coordinating with the family’s security and IT suppliers based near their main home in St. Louis.

“The name of the company [Think Simple] is interesting,” Sue says. “As technical as they are, they really do make it very simple for the end user. I was impressed, too, with their service after the sale. I was watching a movie with some friends one evening and something happened – the movie just quit. I called Will, and he fixed it immediately by connecting remotely to my house. We went right back to our movie.”

 

“The Think Simple people are all kind of nerdy but a good nerdy,” she adds. “They are all truly excited about what they do, and they are always looking for the next thing that will be great to use in a home.”

 

That’s one reason she recommended the company to a neighbor down the street. But the other is simply that she loves her integrated home.

She says her son is building a new house now and she told him to be sure to include an automation system. “I said, ‘Do it now before the house is finished. You’ll be really glad you did.’”

The post Crestron Home Automation System Helps Couple Entertain Guests appeared first on Electronic House.

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New from Fibaro: Temperature Sensor Watches Doors and Windows

Some sensors are designed to detect one condition, and that’s okay.  But Fibaro has combined a few sensing technologies into one small-size device that fits right on the side of a door or window, gate or a set of blinds. The Door/Window Sensor 2, a Z-Wave Plus certified smart home device, monitors the status of the door, window, gate or blinds. At the same time it functions as a temperature sensor.

The combo sensor can report to your smartphone or tablet a change in open/close status to help prevent theft, break-ins, and energy loss if a door or window is unintentionally left open. Then, through its internal temperature sensor monitor temperature changes to maximize efficiency and reduce monthly electricity bills. For additional security the Door/Window Sensor 2 also includes a tamper sensor that will alert the user if someone tries to remove it.

The sensor also has the ability to trigger a pre-programmed customized scene. For example, when the front door is opened and the Door/Window sensor is triggered, a “welcome home” scene can be activated with a series of actions pre-programmed by the user (i.e. the front hall lights are turned on, music starts to play and the air conditioning is activated).

With Z-Wave Plus certification, Door/Window Sensor 2 enjoys features that come with the upgraded Z-Wave platform, including longer battery life, faster operation, better RF coverage and easier installation.

The sensor is currently available in white and additional colors may be added later to this version of the Door/Window Sensor to give consumers the option to custom match their interior décor. Smaller than its predecessor (at less than 3-inches long), the Fibaro Door/Window Sensor 2 can be easily mounted on any style of door or window using the included strong two-sided adhesive. The sensor is battery powered and also works with a Z-Wave hub, so it can be placed anywhere in the home.

The Door/Window Sensor 2 is available for $49.99 from Amazon.com.

The post New from Fibaro: Temperature Sensor Watches Doors and Windows appeared first on Electronic House.

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Nakamichi Unveils DTS:X Soundbar with Dual Wireless Subwoofers

Soundbars introduced homeowners to a completely new way of integrating speakers into their media rooms. Mounted below a skinny TV, they provide channels of audio up front, but sometimes getting the rear speakers and subwoofers to connect to them can be challenging—especially if you’re interested in a multi-speaker setup like DTS:X.

Nakamichi hopes to simplify matters with the introduction of two DTS:X-compatible Shockwafe soundbars. The showcase product is the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 DTS:X, a 45” soundbar system with 9.2 channels, two 10-inch wireless subwoofers, and four modular 3S rear speakers. The other model, the Shockwafe Elite 7.2 DTS:X, comes with two 8-inch wireless subwoofers and two 3S rear speakers.

Compatible with DTS:X, they both possess object-based surround capabilities for more immersiveness and flexibility in how surround sound can be experienced. The new 9.2- and 7.2-ch soundbars are now available for pre-order on www.nakamichi-usa.com/shockwafe-ultra-preorder and www.nakamichi-usa.com/shockwafe-elite-preorder (delivery in October 2017), with a retail price of $899 and $1099, respectively.

With Nakamichi’s new 7.2- and 9.2-Channel soundbar systems, home theater enthusiasts can jump right into a state-of-the-art multi-dimensional cinema experience in only a matter of minutes.

“The new Nakamichi Shockwafe soundbars are the most ambitious research and development project ever undertaken by Nakamichi,” says Nakamichi USA CEO, Rayman Cheng. “Based on sound, simplicity and price-to-performance ratio, they are arguably the most value-for-money sound bars that anyone who owns a HDTV would be interested in buying.”

Dual Wireless Subwoofers

Why two subwoofers? Action movie soundtracks often push soundbar subwoofers past their limits. Even with careful placement, a single subwoofer will not provide an optimum frequency response at all listening positions in the room. Strategically placed dual subwoofers will help deliver accurate and balanced bass across the entire space, thereby making the entire room the sweet spot.

Quad-U-Flex Modular 3S (Synchronized Surround Sound) Speakers

Out of the box, the Shockwafe Ultra Quad-U-Flex 3S Speakers are arranged into a dipole configuration: two separate enclosures that face outwards and away from each other, dispersing the surround effects away from the listener to eliminate localization effects. The enclosures can be detached and placed in the room as four individual speakers for optimal placement to deliver the Ultra 9.2’s signature surround sound to any room shape or size.

Control and Connectivity

Shockwafe Ultra supports the latest video standards including HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC), 4K Ultra HD pass through, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and HDCP 2.2, connect up to 6 devices to this dream command center of your home theater via 1 HDMI ARC, 3 HDMI, 1 Optical and 1 Coaxial inputs.

The post Nakamichi Unveils DTS:X Soundbar with Dual Wireless Subwoofers appeared first on Electronic House.

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How Solar is Changing Everyday Household Objects

Onkyo Announces Hi-Fi Minisystems

Onkyo today announced plans to ship two compact hi-fi systems in September.

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SimpliSafe: $200 off Coupon - CNET

SimpliSafe: $200 off Coupon

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Belkin WeMo WiFi-Enabled Light Switch for $40 + free shipping - CNET

Belkin WeMo WiFi-Enabled Light Switch for $40 + free shipping

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The Orbit B-hyve combines dated looks with modern smarts - CNET

Large buttons and a clunky interface belie the Wi-Fi enabled prowess of this smart controller.

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Samsung smart speaker reportedly on the way - CNET

The company's mobile chief confirms to CNBC that Samsung is close to joining the crowded field of voice-activated smart home speakers.

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Google Home Gets Bluetooth, Phone Calling

Google Home has added new features. Find out how to pair a phone using Bluetooth and make phone calls directly from the voice activated speaker.

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Midnight Oil: Full Tank: The Complete Album Collection

Performance
Sound

It was one of the most galvanizing live experiences of my life. The instant WNEW-FM announced Midnight Oil would be performing live on a flatbed truck on Sixth Avenue in the heart of New York City in front of the Exxon Building around noontime on May 30, 1990 to protest the mishandling of the March 1989 Exxon Valdez oil-spill disaster in Prince William Sound, Alaska, three colleagues and I sprinted the entire length of the two long city blocks from the Stereo Review and Audio offices at 50th and Broadway to get as close as we could. Success! Each of us wound up standing no more than 10 people deep from the flatbed’s perch upon our out-of-breath Sixth Avenue arrival.

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Steinway Lyngdorf S-15 Speaker System

It’s not new but Steinway Lyngdorf’s S-15 remains stunning in its aesthetic and technical design. Visually, this tiny treasure has little in common with your garden-variety box speaker—nor should it, considering its pedigree. For starters, it’s 10 inches tall, 8 inches wide, and only 3 inches thick—or about a half-inch wider and an inch thicker than the 1997 Webster’s New World College Dictionary collecting dust on a shelf in my office.

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LG 4K/Ultra HD Blu-ray Player Now Available

LG today announced the availability of the UP970 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player it previewed at CES 2017 last January.

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Yamaha Introduces $350 Stereo Receiver

Yamaha has announced that its new R-N303 stereo receiver is now available online and in stores for $350.

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Super Nintendo Pre-Order Sells Out

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Classic Edition, a miniaturized remake of the popular ’90s console slated for release September 29, sold out within minutes of it being offered for pre-order yesterday on Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, and other sites.

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Solar Eclipse Puts a Dent in Netflix Viewership

With a healthy dose of humor Netflix let it be known that its viewership dropped 10 percent on Monday afternoon as millions of Americans gathered outside to witness the great solar eclipse of 2017.

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LaView 8-Ch. Security System w/ TP Link Plug for $305 + free shipping - CNET

LaView 8-Ch. Security System w/ TP Link Plug for $305 + free shipping

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Nanoleaf Aurora Rhythm Release Date, Price and Specs - CNET

The Aurora Rhythm module turns your Nanoleaf LED panels into music visualizers.

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Orbit B-Hyve review - CNET

At half the cost of the competition, the B-Hyve's smarts make a lot of sense.

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Belkin Wemo Smart Dimmer Switch for $70 + free shipping - CNET

Belkin Wemo Smart Dimmer Switch for $70 + free shipping

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Xiaomi Mijia Smart IP Camera for $28 + free s&h from China - CNET

Xiaomi Mijia Smart IP Camera for $28 + free s&h from China

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Colors in Space

When it comes to Ultra HD, we’ve heard endlessly about three different color gamuts: Rec.709, DCI-P3, and Rec.2020 (also called BT.2020). What’s a color gamut?

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Belkin WeMo WiFi-Enabled Light Switch for $40 + free shipping w/ Prime - CNET

Belkin WeMo WiFi-Enabled Light Switch for $40 + free shipping w/ Prime

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Ezviz Husky 720p WiFi Security Camera for $60 + free shipping - CNET

Ezviz Husky 720p WiFi Security Camera for $60 + free shipping

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Warmoon RGB LED Light Bulbs - CNET

Warmoon RGB LED Light Bulbs

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Nakamichi Offers Pre-Order Pricing for New DTS:X Soundbars

Nakamichi, the company that made a name for itself building some of the world’s best cassette decks in decades past, has announced that it is accepting a limited number of discounted pre-orders for two new DTS:X-capable 7.2- and 9.2-channel soundbar systems slated for delivery in October.

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Samsung Connect Home will get a web-based interface in the future - CNET

Samsung's new Wi-Fi mesh and smart home systems will get an update in the future that will bring different improvements, including a more traditional interface to set them up.

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Smart Light Offers a Cure for Insomnia

If you suffer from insomnia, Sleepace has developed a smart lamp that can offer some relief. When you’re ready to hit the sack, the Nox smart sleep light, which sits comfortably on a nightstand, bathes you with light and sound programs that adapt to your personal body clock to improve sleep quality with red-light wavelengths. This reddish light helps raise melatonin levels to promote sleep, and delicate sounds help soothe and calm. If you prefer a different color, though, you can choose to have the light shine in any of 16 million color combinations.

The light and sound is customizable through a companion Sleepace mobile app. The Sleepace app will tell Nox to turn off once you’ve fallen asleep. The Nox knows this by monitoring your body movement.

From the app you can also set the light to wake you up at a certain time. But unlike a typical alarm clock, Nox wakes you up with a gentle “nudge.”  Sleepace App will let Nox know when you are at the lightest part of your sleep cycle and Nox will wake you up within 30 minutes prior to the time you set—not with a shrill alarm, but with a light that simulates the rising of the sun and the sound of chirping birds.

The Sleepace App is handy, but since Nox is compatible with Amazon Alexa, you can also use your voice to set the light.

Connect the device to the Sleepace app, which is what tracks sleep cycle parameters like time and depth. The data generated from the app provides a comprehensive analysis and scores sleep quality.

The app then educates you with personalized daily reminders designed to help form healthier habits, while sensors monitor temperature, humidity, light levels and noise. You can refer to the app to find out if it was a barking dog or the lights from passing traffic by your bedroom window that interrupted your sleep.

The Nox smart light is available on Amazon.com for $149.

The post Smart Light Offers a Cure for Insomnia appeared first on Electronic House.

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NFL Football Inspired Home Theaters: Ready to Bring the Action Home

A popular trend in home theater design is incorporating the colors and memorabilia of a favorite football team. The two theaters profiled below scored the Gold and Silver awards during the Electronic House Home of the Year awards content held recently. You can see more winners here, here, and here. The Gold winning space was inspired by the owners’ love of the Denver Broncos; the Silver theater pays tribute to the Buffalo Bills. Each was put together for less than $75,000.

Gold Winner: Denver Broncos-Themed Theater Takes the Title

Ode to a fave football team and plenty of A/V power like 4K projection and 155-inch screen score a family a winning home theater.

Home theaters come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Thankfully, when the owners of this award-winning theater sat down with the home systems integrators at TYM Smart Homes & Home Theaters to brainstorm concepts for their new home theater, the house was in the framing stages, giving them a blank slate to work with. They could design the theater without much compromise, integrate technology with relative ease, and personalize the space fully.

TYM and the homeowners took the ball and ran with it, tailoring the 20-by-20-foot theater around the owner’s love of football, family, and the Denver Broncos. Naturally, the color scheme for the room would incorporate lots of Broncos blue and orange. Beyond this, the A/V presentation had to be as lifelike as possible — as if the Broncos super-fan was sitting on the 50-yard line.

 

“Graffiti” Inspires Gigantic Screen

The screen would need to be large, but how large? To help the homeowners visualize the screen’s impact on the room, TYM lead designer Matt Montgomery spray painted screen options onto the foundation walls of the basement. “This allowed the client to visualize his home theater and the impact of various screen sizes,” says Montgomery. “It’s a crude method, but effective.”

No surprise, the homeowner chose the largest of the screen options — a super-wide anamorphic screen measuring 155 inches (diagonal). A Sony 4K projector suspended from the ceiling throws football games and movies onto the Draper screen.

 

50-Yard-Line Seats

Based on the dimensions of the screen, TYM calculated the best seating location for the owner. The rest of the home theater design would revolve around this prime viewing spot. This would include a Dolby Atmos/DTS:X capable surround-sound system comprising Paradigm CI Elite in-wall and in-ceiling speakers and Anthem receiver. Additional seating in the form of blue bean bag chairs would occupy the floor in front of the main seating area. “Low to the ground, the bean bag seating would ensure that nothing would block the owner’s view of the screen,” Montgomery explains.

Going for the Extra Point

What would a game be without refreshments? At the rear of the home theater a fully stocked kitchen offers snacks and drinks … as well as a 75-inch Sony 4K TV that displays the same video feed as what’s on the 155-inch screen. There’s no chance of missing an important play as you grab a cold one from the fridge. The Just Add Power video distribution system delivers the action to all other TVs in the house as well.

The extra point on the experience is a custom-designed fiber optic star ceiling, which the TYM integrators installed permanently into the sheetrock. “If you can’t be at Mile High Stadium for the game, then we can create the feeling of being under the stars with your fellow fans,” Montgomery says.

The entire environment — audio, video, fiber optic stars, lighting, and temperature — can be easily controlled by an app on the homeowner’s iPad. The team at TYM initially configured the app with “scenes” that enable the homeowner to touch one button to command multiple devices. Since then, however, the homeowner has taken the liberty to create his own scenes as he discovers new ways to enjoy his Broncos-inspired home theater.

 

Systems Design & Installation

TYM Smart Homes & Home Theaters, Sandy, Utah

 

Equipment Highlights

• Sony 4K projector
• Draper projection screen
• Paradigm speakers
• Anthem A/V receiver
• Sony 4K TV
• Just Add Power video distribution
• Savant automation & lighting
• LaunchPort iPad wall mount

 

Silver Winner: Buffalo Bills Fan Treated to Theater that’s All Fun & Games

This sports bar-style theater was custom built by Pure Custom Integrations (PCI), of Mississauga, Ontario, for a huge Buffalo Bills fan who wanted to soak in as much football action as possible with a large projection screen surrounded by multiple TVs. A thin-bezel 108-inch acoustic screen from EluneVision was used in order to be able to place the TVs closer together and create a more uniform look. Two Samsung 50-inch 4K TVs were mounted on each side of the screen, with precise measurements for the spacing.

Five cable boxes allow for various sporting events to be watched at once, and content from a media player and PS4 can also be selected. The homeowner wanted to have a 7.1-channel theater layout, but after examining the potential speaker positioning, PCI determined a Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 setup made more sense.

To simplify operating the sophisticated A/V setup, PCI created a user interface (UI) that also catered to the theme. “The custom UI was a surprise we had and never discussed with him. We just talked with the client to find out more about what he liked and why he wanted to build his dream theater,” says PCI president Richard Juras. “We wanted his menu layout on the iPad to look similar to the displays on the wall — where he would just select which display he was controlling on the iPad and that corresponding TV would turn on and be ready to use.”

A storage closet next to the theater provided the perfect spot to hold the equipment rack and help PCI avoid extremely long runs on the HDMI cable to pass a true 4K source. RTI control systems allowed PCI to create a true custom layout that was reliable and quick responsive, while Lutron Caséta lighting sets the room for any viewing condition.

 

Systems Design & Installation

Pure Custom Integrations, Mississauga, Ontario

 

Equipment Highlights

• RTI automation
• Lutron lighting
• EluneVision projection screen
• JVC DLA-X700R projector
• Samsung 4K displays
• MartinLogan, Polk Audio, Definitive Tech speakers
• Marantz electronics
• Sony wireless headphones
• Panamax power conditioning
• Middle Atlantic rack

The post NFL Football Inspired Home Theaters: Ready to Bring the Action Home appeared first on Electronic House.

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