Two-hour turkey and more with this Electrolux induction range - CNET

The $3,749 Electrolux EW30IS80RS is a 30-inch induction range that includes a Perfect Turkey setting that can cook a 13-pound turkey and more.

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Make reusable dryer sheets for $3 - CNET

Forget dryer sheets. Try making your own reusable dryer sponges for $3 and a few minutes of your time.

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Testing out the new August skill for Alexa video - CNET

We put Amazon's Alexa in charge of locking the deadbolt.

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The Robomow Diaries: App turns lawn care into a video game - CNET

The Robomow RS612 connects to an app that lets you change the robot lawnmower's settings and check on its progress. But the coolest feature is a virtual joystick that lets you control the mower's movements.

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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

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Extras

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 2 is actually the fourth installment in the Hunger Games trilogy. Splitting the last book of a series into two movies can allow for complexity (i.e., Harry Potter), but here it should have been avoided. Part 1 is mostly filler, and even Part 2 has some pacing issues. If you’re new to The Hunger Games, start at the beginning. Of all the teenage dystopian movie series, this one is the best conceived: Underlying the action and drama, it’s a believable look at PTSD and the personal cost of brutal dictatorships. It also has, by far, the best acting.

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Concussion

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Football Hall of Famer Mike Webster of the Pittsburg Steelers won four Super Bowl rings throughout his 17-year NFL career. He retired in 1990 and was enshrined seven years later, but his life would go downhill from there: Five years later, he was dead from a heart attack. The sad story would have stopped there if it weren’t for a junior pathologist in the Allegheny coroner’s office whose relentless search to know why led to the discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. As more cases came to his attention, this Nigerian-born doctor took on one of the most powerful institutions in the world—the NFL.

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Dyson's robot vacuum aims high, but falls short video - CNET

The $999/£800 360 Eye by Dyson is good, but the competition sells similar bots for less.

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Image Is Everything

There aren’t too many to choose from, but bipole and dipole speakers are a special breed that I've long admired. Here's why.

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July 2016 Top Picks at a Glance

As you savor every moment of a summer in full swing and get ready to head out for the weekend, why not take a minute to scan our Top Picks for the month of July. More than one of ’em are road worthy. Like Optoma’s awesome micro projector that weighs less than a pound and fits in the palm of your hand or the sleek music player from Questyle that puts studio sound quality in your pocket or Mass Fidelity’s outstanding battery-powered Bluetooth speaker. Need a set of killer earphones? Check out the four-star-rated Cardas A8’s. And for when you’re back at home we offer up two very different yet very special tower speakers for your consideration—both guaranteed to bring pleasure with movies and music.

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Review: Yi 4K Action Camera

For nearly two years GoPro’s Hero4 Black has been the standard-bearer for action cameras. But there's a new contender. The post Review: Yi 4K Action Camera appeared first on WIRED.

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4 common Amazon Echo problems and how to fix them - CNET

Amazon's Echo, Tap and Dot speakers are featured-packed and constantly improving, but they're not perfect. Here are some common problems with the connected speakers and how to fix them.

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Sennheiser HD 800S Headphones

Performance
Build Quality
Comfort
Value

PRICE $1,699

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Rebooting a classic, making it better
Hand-crafted in Germany
Smoother sound than the original HD 800
Minus
Not as transparent as the very best planar headphones

THE VERDICT
The Sennheiser HD 800 S refines the original, hugely influential headphone, and makes it better than ever.

The hoopla surrounding the introduction of Sennheiser’s original HD 800 headphone in 2009 was monumental because it was such a radical upgrade over the HD 650, the previous Sennheiser flagship. So, we’re due for another flagship, but the HD 800 S is more like a reboot. What about a new flagship? As you’ll read below, it’s coming, too!

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Water your plants while you're away with this simple tip - CNET

Head over to your recycling bin and grab a couple of these to keep your plants alive while you're on vaycay.

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Alexa steps into security with an August lock skill - CNET

For the first time, you can use the Amazon Echo to directly control your deadbolt.

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The VCR Is Dead (and you thought it died years ago)

True, the VCR has been effectively dead for years but that didn’t stop Japan-based Funai Electric from selling more than 750,000 VHS machines last year. Where they sold ’em and who bought ’em is an interesting question but none of that matters anymore as this surprising vestige of the past comes to an end.

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20 most useful Alexa skills - CNET

Alexa has a ton of functionality out of the box, but the real magic happens when you dig into the world of skills and third-party support.

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What Is the Maximum Length for a Subwoofer Cable?

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

Q In my current system, the receiver’s subwoofer output connects to an external amp linked to a passive subwoofer via a 20-foot length of speaker wire. The speaker wire runs under the floor and is tacked to the basement floor joists, where it crosses several household electrical wires. I would like to upgrade my subwoofer, but am having trouble finding one that is not self-powered. What concerns me about using a powered sub in my current setup is that the 20-foot coaxial cable run from the receiver to the sub would be susceptible to noise and interference. Are my fears unfounded? — David C.

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How to Protect Your Home with Surveillance Cameras

If you’ve ever thought about adding a surveillance camera to your home, you might want to consider broadening your scope by having multiple cameras installed. You’ll be able to getting a better perspective of what’s happening in the house—not just the back yard or the front porch—but the entire property, both inside and outside.

Blink, a manufacturer of battery-powered wire-free smart HD home monitoring and alert systems, says that multi-camera systems are the new norm in home monitoring. Based US Census reports, the multi-camera approach makes sense, given that 72% of homes have five or more rooms and 62% of homes have two or more floors.

Blink’s multi-unit systems range from $149 for two cameras to $299 for five cameras. The wireless home monitoring system includes no monthly fees and can be purchased on Amazon or Blink’s website, www.blinkforhome.com.

Using the free Blink Home Monitor app for iOS and Android devices, Blink allows users to instantly gain insight into their home or workplace from any location via live HD video and recorded video clips when motion is detected.

Suitable for homeowners, renters, and businesses, the Blink camera’s sleek design and compact size fits into any décor. Its unique industrial design allows the camera to stand on its own or be mounted with an included bracket. Equipped with features, such as an adjustable sensitivity motion sensor, low-light illuminator, built-in microphone, temperature sensor and free cloud storage, Blink provides a comprehensive, customizable and user-friendly solution for home security.

Along with multi-system support (where a single account can access and manage multiple systems in one or more locations), Blink is also working on a battery-operated alarm, scheduled arming, and IFTTT support.

The post How to Protect Your Home with Surveillance Cameras appeared first on Electronic House.

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Touchpanel Doubles as a Tiny TV

Touchpanels are one of the sexiest tools for interacting with a home’s electronic systems. From it you can peruse your iTunes library, monitor and adjust the states of the lights, security system, and more, and launch strings of commands to thermostats, electronic door locks, motorized draperies … really anything that derives power from electrical current or a battery. This same screen, if it’s designed appropriately, can also display your favorite TV shows, the news, movies, even views from surveillance cameras. This was the thinking behind the development of RTI’s new KX10 in-wall touchpanel.

Designed to bring simple control and automation to A/V, environmental, and security systems, the KX!- combines the capabilities of a control device and a high-definition video display into one powerful interface.

“The advanced engineering of our new KX10 in-wall touchpanel makes it more than just a command device,” says Mike Everett, vice president of sales and marketing, Americas, RTI. “With its large, high-resolution LCD users also have a convenient place for viewing HD video via the unit’s HDBaseT input and well as analog video sources through the composite input port.

The KX10’s 10.1-inch, 1280×800 WXGA-resolution LCD is programmable to the finest detail and provides ample screen real estate for the ultimate user interface. Developed to be an elegant solution that allows users to efficiently engage with their surroundings, the touchpanel features built-in intercom support, a proximity sensor that brings it to life when a user approaches, and an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the screen brightness based on the room’s lighting conditions.

RTI’s KX10 in-wall touchpanel is available through authorized RTI dealers.

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7 Top Smart Home Trends

Emerging technologies including 4K Ultra HD and the Internet of Things (IoT), will drive the U.S. consumer technology industry to $286.6 billion in retail revenues in 2016 ($224 billion wholesale), according to new research by the Consumer Technology Association. A new report says these emerging categories will boost consumer-technology revenues 1.3 percent over last year.

*** pull out***CTA Report: Shipments of 4K displays will double; smart-home devices will jump 29% in units sold; and the really young category of virtual reality (VR) will quintuple.

According to the CTA report, U.S. Consumer Technology Sales and Forecasts:

• 4K Ultra High-Definition (4K UHD) ecosystem: 2016 will be a flagship year for 4K UHD TVs, driven in part by the market introduction of next-generation technologies like HDR. CTA expects shipments of 4K UHD displays will reach 15 million units (a 105 percent increase), and revenue will exceed $12.9 billion (a 69 percent increase). New to the market in 2016, 4K UHD Blu-ray players will further build the 4K UHD ecosystem with 700,000 units sold and $63 million in revenue.
• Wearables:  Driven by the popularity of fitness activity trackers, unit sales of all wearables in 2016 are forecast to reach almost 48 million units (a 39 percent increase). Fitness activity tracker volumes will hit 28 million units in 2016 – a 60 percent increase from 2015 – with revenues reaching $2.2 billion – a 62 percent increase. After a year of strong growth, smartwatch unit growth is slowing, while revenue will decline for the first time. Units are expected to increase 15 percent to 12.2 million units, earning $2.8 billion in revenue, a decline of eight percent.
• Smart Home: CTA projects the smart home category – including smart thermostats, smart smoke and CO2 detectors, IP/Wi-Fi cameras, smart locks, smart home systems, and smart switches, dimmers and outlets – to reach 9.5 million units sold (29 percent increase). Revenue will grow to $1.3 billion (24 percent jump).
• Drones:Drone sales are expected to reach record heights, topping 2.4 million units (up 112 percent from 2015) and $799 million in shipment revenues (an 80 percent increase from 2015). CTA’s forecast also delineates expected U.S. drone sales for units below and above 250 grams, the FAA’s threshold for mandatory drone registration, expected to reach 1.6 million units (below 250 grams) and 825,000 units (above 250 grams).
• Virtual Reality (VR): With several global tech leaders introducing VR headsets to the consumer market in 2016, CTA expects this to be the tech sector’s overwhelming leader in year-to-year growth. Unit sales will increase by 296 percent over last year, reaching 800,000 units sold. Total revenues are projected to reach $432 million, a 332 percent increase this year.
• Digital Assistant Devices: This is the first year the semi-annual CTA report has included projections for voice-activated device that provides a cloud-based artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant, such as Amazon’s Echo. Sales are projected to reach 2.2 million units (up 32 percent) in 2016 and earn $392 million in revenue (increasing 32 percent).
• 3D Printing: Ever-expanding 3D printing capabilities will drive the sector’s unit sales growth to increase 56 percent from last year, to reach 171,000 units sold. Total revenues will reach $148 million, a 35 percent increase.

The Old Faithfuls

Meanwhile, the five largest categories of the tech industry, including smartphones, tablets, LCD televisions, laptops and desktop computers, will collectively contribute $114 billion – or 51 percent – to the tech industry’s revenue this year, and smartphones and TVs will be responsible for most of that growth in 2016. However, in 2017, for the first time in several years, these five categories combined will account for a little less than half of industry revenue.

• Smartphones:  CTA projects unit shipments to reach 183 million in 2016 (up five percent), while revenues will reach $55 billion (a four percent increase). As tremendous innovations in smartphone hardware over the past few years have lengthened the replacement cycle, 2017 will be the first year smartphones see a slight decline in unit sales and revenue.
• Televisions: The TV market will remain on par with 2015, with unit sales estimated to reach 39.7 million units in 2016 (down one percent) and revenues expected to reach $20 billion (a three percent increase). LCD TVs, the category leader, will contribute 38.8 million units (a one percent decline) and $19.2 billion (two percent growth). Key areas of growth are large screen sizes, 4K UHD and smart TV displays.
• Tablets:After momentous growth and widespread adoption over the past five years, tablet sales will decline again in 2016. CTA expects sales of 65 million units in 2016, a two percent decrease, and revenues of $19 billion, down five percent.
• Laptops: Unit shipments of laptops are expected to reach 25 million units in 2016, a six percent decrease. Revenues are expected to reach $15.8 billion, an eight percent drop.
• Desktops:Amid an accelerated decline, desktops are projected to sell seven million units (13 percent decrease), earning $4.6 billion (a 15 percent decrease).

 

 

 

 

 

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Lutron Lighting Takes to the High Seas in a 130-Foot Yacht

Definitive Technology BP9080x Speaker System Review

Performance
Build Quality
Value

PRICE $7,194 as reviewed

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Spacious bipole sound
Seriously full-range with powered bass section
Astounding dynamics
Minus
Big and demanding of floor space
Reflective bipolar reproduction may not suit every room, taste

THE VERDICT
A big speaker with a sound to match, Definitive Technology’s latest, Atmos-onboard, powered-tower flagship delivers the impressive imaging depth and breadth we expect from bipoles. Its response is as full-range, and its dynamic abilities as unfettered, as anything I’ve heard from a one-piece system.

Definitive Technology’s monolithic bipolar towers —which launched the brand in 1990—have been around in one form or another almost as long as that thing in 2001: A Space Odyssey. With the fourth generation bowing recently, the Baltimore-area manufacturer set us up with a full suite: BP9080x fronts, CS9080 center, a pair of smallerbut-still-huge BP9060 towers for surrounds, and the A90 elevation speakers (Dolby Atmos-enabled and compatible with DTS:X) to go on top of those surrounds; the marquee BP9080x fronts have the same elevation componentry to bounce height-channel signals off the ceiling built right into their top 5 inches.

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Zvox Targets Clear Dialogue with “Smart Speaker”

Years of rocking out to Zeppelin and any number of other now-classic rock groups has taken its toll on the hearing acuity of a generation. Of course, we’re talking about the Baby Boomer generation. Now soundbar pioneer Zvox has developed a “smart speaker” for people who have trouble discerning dialogue from movies and TV shows.

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TV Prices Could Go Lower with Vizio Acquisition

LeEco, a China-based online video and internet TV content provider, is acquiring Vizio for $2 billion, the companies announced yesterday. The acquisition could mean even lower TV pricing from Vizio in the future.

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Tech Hoarding: It’s Time to Get Rid that Old Gear

One of my favorite comedies is Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, a film starring the incredibly well-cast Michael Caine as a savvy, sophisticated British confidence man trying to first mentor and then ultimately compete against the boorish, uncultured, bumbling American swindler played by Steve Martin.

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Alexa and Capital One introduce voice-powered home and auto payments - CNET

With a single voice command, Alexa can now pay your mortgage or tell you the payoff balance on your new car.

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iBaby's tiny new air purifier packs a punch - CNET

This 6-inch-tall iBaby Air has loads of extra features, from two-way audio to a full RGB color nightlight.

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Roku Streaming Stick

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $50

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Private listening via mobile device
Voice search via Roku Mobile App
Quad-core processor
Minus
No motion control for games
No 4K Ultra HD support

THE VERDICT
Roku Streaming Stick offers a glut of net-sourced channels enhanced by rapid performance and tight integration with the Roku mobile app.

Roku media receivers continue to ride the tsunami of internet-delivered movies, videos, and TV channels but with fewer company-owned turfs to protect than competing products from Apple, Amazon, or Google. In so doing, Roku’s users now have more than 3,000 channel choices. Its latest device, a finger-sized Wi-Fi receiver that juts out of an input on your TV or A/V receiver, largely solves two problems that have plagued the stick-it-in-HDMI category compared with tabletop streamers—lower performance and inferior interface.

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Twitter to Livestream Baseball and Hockey

Twitter announced yesterday that it will live stream weekly out-of-market games for free from Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Hockey League (NHL).

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How Apple Blew it With Apple TV

Next year marks the 10 year anniversary of Apple TV, which was groundbreaking product at the time. Today it is overshadowed by the competition. What went wrong?

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CEDIA Announces “Best New Product” Finalists

As the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association gears up for it’s the CEDIA 2016 exhibition in mid-September it has announced finalists for its 2016 Best New Product Awards.

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End of the Line for the Roadside CD

Things you will find on the side of the road: shredded truck tires, plastic hubcaps, baseball caps, too-fast squirrels, too-slow turtles, Bud Light cans, men’s underwear. And, of course, scratched, shattered, and otherwise discarded CDs. It wasn’t always like that.

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Epson Launches New 4K Projectors

Epson has introduced two new premium video projectors, the Pro Cinema 6040UB and Pro Cinema 4040, the first in Epson’s line of projectors to feature 4K Enhancement Technologyand high dynamic range (HDR) support. These newly designed Pro Cinema projectors deliver up to 2,500 lumens of color brightness and 2,500 lumens of white brightness and an expansive color gamut to display the entire sRGB and DCI color spaces. The projectors are engineered with up to 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and display high dynamic range content, with eye-popping bright colors and Ultra Blacks for a fully immersive large-screen experience.

“With mesmerizing resolution, up to a million-to-one dynamic contrast ratio and a full range of premium cinema features, the new Pro Cinema projectors are nothing short of amazing,” says Rodrigo Catalan, senior product manager, Projectors, Epson America. “Moreover, the flagship Pro Cinema 6040UB offers a level of performance that challenges any 4K projector currently available on the market. Viewers will enjoy stunning quality 4K UHD movies whether delivered from a UHD Blu-ray disk or streaming services.”

Designed to deliver brilliant, color-rich performance, the Epson Pro Cinema projectors’ expansive color gamut is capable of displaying the full sRGB color space, even in the brightest mode, as well as the entire DCI color gamut – the digital cinema standard — in Digital Cinema Mode. Both projectors include an enhanced optical engiHine and a new, all-glass cinema lens engineered to deliver excellent sharpness and color uniformity with remarkable clarity across the entire screen. Installers and customers can also take advantage of the projectors’ powered lens position memory, which enables users to preset up to 10 positions for motorized zoom, focus and lens shift for both standard projection and wide cinema ratios. In addition, a wide lens shift range offers exceptional installation flexibility, with both projectors delivering a super-wide range of up to ± 96.3 percent on the vertical axis and ± 47 percent on the horizontal axis. The projectors also include a new, non-inverting optical engine design, which utilizes an additional high-quality relay lens for Epson’s best color field uniformity to date.

The Pro Cinema 6040UB meets the ISF Certification standard. It features independent image calibration tools, plus lockable memory modes that prevent mis-adjustments that may inadvertently happen following installation and calibration. Installers will benefit from other features, including the ability to electronically lock calibration settings. Additionally, Red and Green pixels can be turned off for making adjustments without using a special filter.

The Pro Cinema 6040UB ($3,999) and 4040 ($2,699) will be available in August through authorized CEDIA dealers.

The post Epson Launches New 4K Projectors appeared first on Electronic House.

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Frozen Pipes No Longer an Issue with Roost Freeze Detector

One of the most damaging events that can happen in your home is a flood. Be it from a malfunctioning sump pump or a frozen pipe that has burst, the problems that can ensue are serious and costly. An ounce of prevention can go a long way when it comes to safeguarding your home against flooding, freezing, and other potentially harmful environmental conditions.

Building off its development of a Smart Battery and Smart Smoke Detector, Roost now also offers a Smart Water and Freeze Detector, products the company says can help save U.S. consumers and insurance companies over $8 billion dollars per year in potential water losses and claims paid. Like the company’s initial products, the Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector communicate to a connected smartphone app via Wi-Fi.

“We are excited to introduce the Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector, and expand our ability to offer consumers safer and smarter homes,” says Roel Peeters, Roost CEO and co-founder. “Our unique technology delivers consumers tangible solutions that are simple to install and at affordable costs. Roost provides essential alerts and notifications that enable consumers to take faster action when it comes to home emergencies, saving the trouble and cost of repair work or major home loss. With the new Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector, Roost now provides the ability to manage the all too common water leak or freezing pipes situation that we’ve all experienced in our homes at some point.”

The Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector features sensors that identify and alert homeowners to four major home emergencies through their smartphone, including:

• Water damage due to leaks from broken pipes, appliances, and basements leaks
• Frozen pipes water damage
• Molds and mildew damage caused by high humidity conditions
• Inefficient energy use due to abnormal home indoor temperature, caused by problems with heating and cooling systems, power, or gaps in home seals or windows to the outside.

The Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector are ideal for homes as well as second or vacation home properties. Unlike some home water leak detectors, the Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector does not require the addition of a communications hub. It is battery operated (more than 3 years of battery life), which means it can be placed in locations where there is no power outlet. It will be available in the fall for $49.

The post Frozen Pipes No Longer an Issue with Roost Freeze Detector appeared first on Electronic House.

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The Future of Drones and Their Role in Your Home

Smart Lighting: Are you Ready to Add Color to Your House?

Smart lighting seems to have hit its stride in the consumer marketplace. A few years ago, you might be hard-pressed to find many households that had made the switch from incandescent to LED bulbs, much less household that had incorporated light bulbs with built-in smarts. But according to a new nationwide study, thee Sylvania Sockey Survey by LEDVANCE, 65 percent of consumers are now familiar with fixtures or bulbs that are Wi-Fi controllable for producing color, providing dimming capabilities, or evoking scenes or moods.

Further, the survey indicates a 40-percent increase in one year of the percentage of Americans who own “smart lighting.” In addition, the study shows that 60 percent of Americans believe smart lighting fits their lifestyle, and 55 percent confirmed they’re likely to purchase smart lighting when they need new bulbs. The survey also shows that 76 percent of Americans agree smart light bulbs will eventually replace regular light bulbs.

 

“The LED revolution is changing not only how we light buildings and homes, but what light can do for us overall. Lighting is more than just illumination. Now we have smart connected devices that not only save energy, but also can evoke emotions, make our lives easier, and ultimately help create a better quality of life,” said Jes Munk Hansen, CEO, LEDVANCE.

The survey also reveals an upswing of LED lighting adoption as it continues to gain popularity, with nearly 70 percent of Americans having purchased at least one LED bulb. Plus, 48 percent have purchased at least one LED bulb in the last 12 months, a 17 percent increase over last year. According to the survey, 38 percent of consumers have switched to LEDs since the phase-out of incandescent bulbs, making LEDs the number one replacement option for Americans. This is a 27 percent increase compared to last year.

Easy Lighting Control Made Possible by Smart Home Control Systems

Download this guide to learn about Smart Lighting Control.

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Additional findings of the 2016 SYLVANIA Socket Survey include:

• 65 percent of consumers have heard of smart lighting, placing it in the top tier of smart technologies along with thermostats (68 percent), and house alarms (66 percent).
• 80 percent of Americans say there is some space in the home that could benefit from smart lighting

Those more likely to purchase smart lighting include Americans who:

• Get lighting information from the Internet (68 percent),
• Already own LEDs (61 percent),
• Earn more than $100,000 (64 percent),
• Are under the age of 35 (63 percent).

The post Smart Lighting: Are you Ready to Add Color to Your House? appeared first on Electronic House.

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iBaby Air Release Date, Price and Specs - CNET

Between two-way audio, air quality monitoring, a full RGB night light, and more, the iBaby Air stands out.

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Will.i.am’s Tech Line Expands with i.am+ EPs. Bluetooth Earphones

Music mogul Will.i.am has produced a new earphone, the EPs., inspired by the look of vinyl, launching exclusively online at Apple.com and in select Apple stores. At a time when “Made in China” might not seem all that cool, the EPs. proudly boast that they were designed in Los Angeles, and produced in China, with glamour shots of the factory included. They also boast that they’re for the dope. We’ll see about that. With rumors swirling around that Apple might be eliminating the headphone port on the next gen of iPhones, is it any wonder they’re the exclusive retailers of these wireless earphones?

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Creative Marketing…and Audio Mixing

Ya gotta hand it to the marketing geniuses at Klipsch (and plenty of other companies) for coming up with out-of-the-box ways to promote their products.

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Taking In the Northern Lights…on TV

Imagine the view of Aurora Borealis from Reykjavik, Iceland, 2,600 miles northeast of New York City. It must be simply amazing. But there’s one problem: You can’t see the northern lights from the capital city between April and August—the “midnight sun” keeps the country lit almost 24 hours a day.

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The Bigger Wow: Atmos/DTS:X or 4K/HDR Video?

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

Q About five years ago, I got serious (at least by my tightly budgeted standards) about home theater and purchased a 50-inch Panasonic plasma TV, a Yamaha 7.1-channel AV receiver, and Klipsch speakers. This setup has provided me with a great in-home listening/viewing experience, but I wonder which upgrade could better take things to the next level: Atmos/DTS:X audio or 4K/HDR video? Both would require a new receiver. For audio, I could easily add Klipsch Reference Premiere Dolby Atmos elevation speakers to my current system and be ready for Atmos/DTS:X. That option would be quite a bit cheaper than buying a new receiver plus a 60-inch or larger high dynamic range (HDR)-capable 4K TV. Which upgrade do you think would provide the biggest wow factor?—Adam Head / via email

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Review: Blu R1 HD

A $60 phone that punches way above its price---if you don't mind the ads. The post Review: Blu R1 HD appeared first on WIRED.

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Fisher-Price's latest gadget can't quite swing it. video - CNET

Although the Cradle 'n Swing boasts many talents, it's too big and expensive to prove indispensable.

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Fisher-Price shoves four baby gadgets into one giant frame - CNET

The 4-in-1 Smart Connect Cradle 'n Swing is big and expensive, but it is also many-talented.

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The Robomow Diaries: Taking a seat to see what the mower can do - CNET

This week, we leave the Robomow to its own devices on automatic mode. But sometimes, you still have to help a mower out.

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What the Conversation Surrounding Ghostbusters says About Hollywood, and Us, as an Audience

Over the last few weeks, there’s been intense discussion around the remake/re-imagining of the Ghostbusters franchise starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristin Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. The scrutiny started immediately upon the release of the trailer, and has surged well beyond opening weekend. Oddly enough, almost none of the conversation is focused on the quality of the actual film itself. What is it about this movie that has created so much hullabaloo?

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Time to sit back and leave the Robomow alone video - CNET

We put the Robomow RS612 in automatic mode this week and learn that you still have to keep an eye on on the robot lawnmower.

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Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Smart Connect Cradle n Swing review - CNET

The giant Cradle 'n Swing has many talents, but don't expect to it to store or travel well.

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Sharkk Crowdfunds Electrostatic Headphone

Sharkk has launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund Bravo by Sharkk, an affordable over-the-ear hybrid electrostatic headphone that runs on 0.1 volts of internally generated power instead of needing an external power source.

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The Revenant

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Extras

Leading a fur expedition in the early 1800s, frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is left for dead by one of his companions who is afraid of being attacked by Native Americans. Somehow Glass survives and begins to hobble back toward civilization, facing many obstacles, looking to exact revenge.

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Room

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Jack’s (Jacob Tremblay) fifth birthday is typical: He says good morning to the various objects in his home, brushes his teeth, then exercises with Ma (Brie Larson). Gradually, however, we realize that Ma was kidnapped seven years earlier by a sexual predator, and her son’s knowledge of the world extends no further than the inner walls of the tiny, locked shed he calls “room.”

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Paramount Releases DTS:X Blu-ray Titles

Paramount has released four Blu-ray Discs featuring the DTS:X object-based surround sound technology DTS announced more than a year ago to compete with Dolby Atmos.

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The genius trick that keeps trash bags from falling in - CNET

If your trash bags keep falling off the lip of the garbage can, try using Command Hooks to secure them and for easier removal.

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Sony Unveils XBR-Z9D TVs, Demos Advanced HDR Processing and Backlighting

Late this summer, or shortly thereafter, Sony will attempt to upend the way we look at UHD and high dynamic range (HDR) with its new Z9D series of premier Ultra HD. Don’t look for them at Joe’s Video down the street, however, but rather in premier outlets such as Magnolia (located in or adjacent to selected Best Buy stores) and custom installers. They’re also likely to find their way into more than a few professional facilities.

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Exploring Audible, a Different Audio Experience

You’d think that a company that started out in 1998, four years before the iPod, selling a dedicated audio player and a small library of spoken-word books would be out of business by now. Yet thanks to the rise of smartphones and a timely acquisition in 2008 by Amazon, Audible has become the leading provider of digital audio books.

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15 Amazon Echo tips and tricks - CNET

Amazon's Alexa devices are now loaded with features. Here are some tips to help you become more proficient with your Echo, Echo Dot or Tap.

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’70s Flashback: Forgotten Brands A-Z, Part 2

Nakamichi (October 1977), Nikko (December 1974), Optonica (March 1979)

Last week we presented a selection of iconic ’70s-era advertisements from long-forgotten brands with names that fall in the first half of the alphabet (A–M). Our favorites included the Carver ad showing a young Bob Carver hamming it up, Garrard’s “Improve Your Hearing for $200” turntable ad, and the iconic Maxell ad depicting a listener getting “blown away.” Here we pick up where we left off, starting with classics from Nakamichi, Nikko, and Optonica. Watch for Part 3, our final installment, next week.

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Cardas A8 Ear Speakers

Performance
Features
Comfort
Value

PRICE $299

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Driver designed by George Cardas
Accommodates balanced cables
Extraordinary sound quality
Minus
Lacks mic or smartphone controls

THE VERDICT
The Cardas A8 is big on transparency and soundstage and delivers remarkably deep yet tuneful bass.

Cardas Audio is best known as a manufacturer of audiophile cables, but the Bandon, Oregon–based company jumped into headphones a few years ago with its EM 5813 Ear Speakers. Their sound was big and bold, but comfort issues limited my listening times to short bursts because the earpieces were heavy and the cables unwieldy. Now Cardas is back with new in-ears, the A8 Ear Speakers. I’ve known George Cardas for decades, and he’s normally a soft-spoken dude, but he’s really jazzed about what’s going on with headphones.

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Samsung 837 Aims to Dazzle

Nestled in the heart of the trendy Meatpacking District, Samsung 837 is Manhattan’s latest destination. It is not, however, a store. You can’t buy anything there. But you can get an eyeful of the company’s TVs, virtual-reality headsets, phones, and other gear in convivial environments. In the auditorium is a giant screen made up of ninety-six 55-inch panels. It is used for screenings and Oscar parties—you can even display a selfie on it. The main floor’s art gallery features digital installations. If you’re not sure how a smart home works, the connected living room will show you; there’s also a kitchen for cooking demos and classes. Feeling peckish? Hit the cafe. But if you’re creatively inclined, you might use the pro-level studio to create your own videos or podcasts.

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Should I Trade My Projection Setup for a Big LCD?

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

Q For years, I had a projection system that dropped down in front of a plasma TV in my multi-use living room. I loved it but ended up using it less and less as the hassle of viewing in a blacked-out room grew to bother me. I have now moved and am considering options for my new living room. With the price drops of 80-inch LCDs, it’s hard to see a reason to use a projector anymore. I know the screens are getting better, but projection systems still can’t match the brightness and contrast of an LCD panel with local dimming. Then again, 80 inches is nowhere near as big as 120 inches. Right now I’m leaning toward the new Vizio M-series 80-incher. What are your thoughts? —Alex Smith / via email

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Review: Motorola Moto Z

The modular phone to begin all modular phones. The post Review: Motorola Moto Z appeared first on WIRED.

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Lake Tahoe Vacation Home Combines Elegant Design with Cutting-Edge Control

Lake Tahoe is known throughout the world as a second-home oasis that offers breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. When Mark Tanner Construction began building a beautiful new vacation home in Tahoe City, the goat was to create something that would reflect and complement the tranquil landscape — and provide year round views to the homeowner, even when he wasn’t there. To accomplish this, Mark Tanner Construction turned to long-time technology integration partner Epic AV Automation to enhance the unique space with a high-tech AV system built around ELAN home control system.

“The homeowner is very knowledgeable about smart home technology, and, in fact, has previously owned and operated several control systems,” says Epic AV Automation president and CEO Scott Ruzich. “He was used to paying substantially more money with those other systems, between the expensive hardware and extreme expense of programming and configuring his previous systems. So, when we introduced him to ELAN, he was elated when he saw what we could do with the system and for substantially less money than he had paid in the past.”

Managed by the ELAN System Controller, various media and entertainment options, security and IP cameras, thermostats, pool and spa systems, lighting, and irrigation systems can be monitored and controlled by the homeowner from a single application. ““ELAN has a single page menu that allows us to select whatever feature we are interested in using by selecting the touchscreen icon that quickly puts that feature on the screen.”

For security, three network cameras were strategically placed, so the homeowner can view the property at any time, from anywhere. “We installed some very high-quality cameras all around the property, but mainly to watch the homeowner’s boat dock from the shoreline,” Ruzich explains. “A few years ago, the Tahoe area had a very large storm, which shifted the homeowner’s boat dock to the far edge of his neighbors’ property! Through ELAN, he can now view his dock at all times, especially to check in after bad weather.”

With 10 zones of audio available, the homeowners and guests can be entertained in every room. Crystal-clear sound can be heard inside through 17 Niles loudspeakers and subwoofers. Eight Niles OS6.3 outdoor loudspeakers are strategically placed in the BBQ area and around patios to ensure superior listening quality. TV shows and movies can be viewed throughout seven zones of video on televisions ranging from 19 to 60-inches.

To operate the system while at the residence, the owner can use any of several ELAN remotes docked throughout the home, along with an ELAN in-wall touchpanel centrally located in the home’s main entrance. Epic AV Automation and the interior design firm, Dal Bon Designs, discussed the location of the touchpanel as well as the speakers, cameras, and other AV equipment in depth prior to installation. The goal was to intertwine the advanced technology into all aspects of the home without conflicting with the design.

“This project evolved seeking a timeless presentation, one that honored the serene lakeside environment,” owner of Dal Bon Designs, Kaye Dal Bon, explains. “My focus, as the interior designer, was to find prideful artisans capable of quality workmanship that implemented our design goals. The owners continue to enjoy the ageless environment and the many amenities of current technology. The leading technologies woven into the interior and exterior design of this beautiful home do not distract visually, but increase the ease of livability of the residence, even from afar.”

A major highlight of the ELAN system is the ability to operate the entire home from anywhere in the world, using a single application. “I remotely view the camera footage, check the security system, turn on or turn off the lights, and adjust the temperature,” says the homeowner.

The ELAN system also helps with home preparation, before the family even enters the property. “It starts with being able to remotely adjust the temperature prior to our arrival, using an iPhone or iPad,” the homeowner continues. “While approaching the home I am then able to turn the security system off, the lights on, and any other features that I would like to use.”

To further simplify the control process, Ruzich programmed ‘home’ and ‘away’ buttons into the ELAN system’s main screen. “These buttons easily prep the house prior to the homeowner’s, or a guest’s, arrival, as well as help expedite departure of the house,” Ruzich says. “When ‘away’ is clicked, the thermostat drops; every audio and video zone is turned off, and all of the security systems are armed, completely shutting down the home with only the press of a button.”

Vacations should feel like vacations, and the Elan system ensures that the owners of this luxurious Lake Tahoe home are able to fully relax, unwind, and enjoy their free time. Plus, the Elan system provides the peace of mind of knowing that their beloved house and boat are fine while the owners are away. It’s the best of both worlds: practical home protection combined with effortless operation lights, music, video, and everything else that contributes to the owner’s vision of a perfect getaway.

The post Lake Tahoe Vacation Home Combines Elegant Design with Cutting-Edge Control appeared first on Electronic House.

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Xbox Unveils 4K Ultra HD Streaming Console

Building on the introduction of its Xbox One S console last earlier this summer, Xbox announces a 2TB Xbox One S version, which will begin hitting shelves in select regions on August 2 (you can pre-order a 2TB Xbox One S through microsoftstore.com and select retailers).

In addition to a fresh new design, which is 40 percent smaller than the original Xbox One, Xbox One S is the first and only console that allows you to watch Blu-ray movies and stream video in stunning 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range (HDR). That means you’ll get to enjoy your favorite shows and movies in the clearest, most realistic video possible. With HDR support for video and gaming, Xbox One games like Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3, and Scalebound will look even better thanks to a higher contrast ratio between lights and darks, bringing out the true visual depth of your favorite games.

Xbox One S also comes bundled with the new Xbox Wireless Controller featuring textured grip, improved Xbox Wireless signal and added Bluetooth support. The controller can be purchased as a standalone item for $59.99 and will also be available on August 2. All Xbox One games, accessories, and Xbox Live services will work with Xbox One S.

The 2TB launch edition Xbox One S will be available in limited quantities for $399 on August 2. Other Xbox One S hard drive options are available: a console with 1TB and 500GB hard drives for $349 and $299, respectively, so you can choose the right console size console for you.

 

The post Xbox Unveils 4K Ultra HD Streaming Console appeared first on Electronic House.

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DIY Security System Recognizes Your Face and Voice

The Flare, developed by German start-up company BuddyGuard, may resemble a saucer-shaped smoke detector, but it watches for a lot more than house fires. The DIY security product, which the company claims sets up in just a couple of minutes, employs sophisticated technology to distinguish normal noise from suspicious sounds and your face from that of a stranger’s. Should Flare detect the face of an intruder, its built-in 1080p camera and microphone spring into action, sending a notification to your smartphone, or dial out to the authorities, or both. Meanwhile, the microphone enables you to listen in on the situation. If you or a family member that the Flare notices, it basically ignores you and keeps the camera off. The microphone, however, is there on standby to pick up any voice command you might bark at it, like “I’m leaving,” or “I’m going on vacation.” These commands could tell the Flare to monitor the house continuously until you come back home. If you forget to tell Flare that you’re leaving, it still knows based on the location of your smartphone, and can automatically adjust its security settings accordingly.

In addition to its incorporation of motion and temperature sensors, a speaker, and siren,  a unique feature is Flare’s ability to use 3G cellular service during when Wi-Fi is spotty (the device is also Bluetooth 4.0-enabled). Plus, its battery keeps the Flare running for three days in the event of a power outage (the product can also be plugged into in electrical outlet).

The BuddyGuard Flare is available for pre-order on IndiGoGo for $349, and will begin shipping in November.

The post DIY Security System Recognizes Your Face and Voice appeared first on Electronic House.

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Sonos Opens First Retail Store in SoHo

New Yorkers walking through the trendy SoHo district starting July 19 will catch a glimpse of perhaps the most unique retail store in the audio market.

Sonos is opening its first retail store on 101 Greene Street, nicknamed 101G, with the goal of giving users and prospective customers an audio listening experience that they just can’t get anywhere else.

While it’s certainly possibly to hear a Sonos speaker in a store like Best Buy or Target, the experience will never be the same once the speaker is hooked up at home. Why? Because consumers don’t live in spaces that resemble big box, warehouse or department stores. The acoustics, shape and size of the space are all different, so the sound will be different too.

Sonos built the store from the ground up to mimic the experience of listening to music in the home. When visitors enter the store, instead of seeing a bunch of Sonos speakers on shelves as they might expect, they’ll see a row of seven listening rooms, which actually look a bit like mini houses.

“It’s a very unusual experience,” says Dmitri Siegel, vice president of global brand and executive creative director for Sonos. “We’ve devoted almost all of the floor plan to these listening rooms. You’ll be able to go in there with whoever you come in with, and we’re going to leave you alone and let you listen to music.”

Each room is different than the next. The rooms range from staged kitchen and living room to bedrooms and studies, each are individually designed for aesthetics and acoustics and every one gives customers a different “feel” of being at home jamming out to some tunes.

Sonos worked with interior designers to capture the styles and periods from the past century, including custom furniture, visual art and lighting design. Sonos’ sound experience leader, Giles Martin, personally tuned every room for maximum quality sound. The listening rooms are covered in thousands of pounds of sheetrock and custom-beveled glass to make them soundproof and acoustically perfect. But the furniture and details in the space work to reflect exactly how music would sound at home, using bookshelves, woven rugs, and other pieces that improve acoustics in any room.

Visitors are encouraged to play around with the Sonos software and queue up the music they love, alternating between different combinations of speakers and sound systems. The different “personalities” of each room allow visitors to hear Sonos sound on everything from home theater systems to turntables in the proper context.

The entire store is designed to reflect the rich musical history of its hometown. New York City was the birthplace of so many new sounds, from hip-hop to punk rock to disco. Legendary illustrators and painters like Mark Stamaty, Thibaud Herem, and Mark Chamberlain designed and hand-painted the wallpaper. Thurston Moore lent the store cassette tapes from the golden age of NYC cassette trading. Archivist Arthur Fournier put up rare selections from his classic zine collection. And right in the front of the store, an 8-foot portrait of Rick Rubin, famed record producer and Sonos board member, greets visitors coming in the entrance.

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Hands On: Flixtape—Netflix’s Mixtape for Movies

Remember those days in high school when you could show your love by gifting a mixtape (or CD) of music that you created for the object of your affection? Netflix has launched the 2016 equivalent—a customized Flixtape to share.

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The Aural Thrills of Electronic Music Manoeuvres in the Dark, Starring OMD

It’s an intriguing concept: Get a number of recordings artists who made their initial impact in the 1980s to record new music in the style of that decade for Fly: Songs Inspired by the Film Eddie the Eagle (UMC), an album to accompany a movie directed by Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class, Kingsman: The Secret Service) and starring Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton about the titular, underdog British ski-jumper who gave his all at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Among those up for the challenge were Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys of OMD, a.k.a. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, who collaborated with project coordinator Gary Barlow on a vibrant throwback track, “Thrill Me.” McCluskey, 56, called from across The Pond to discuss the genesis of “Thrill Me,” why electronic music continues to thrive and how OMD get modern/retro synth sounds, and wrestling with the concept of streaming. It’s the ultimate discovery.

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