JBL Control X Wireless Outdoor Speakers
Instead of a boombox or portable speaker that has to be dragged out to the deck or by the pool, JBL has created something new that can produce good sound in the great outdoors. JBL Control X Wireless Outdoor Speakers are rugged enough to withstand some outdoor elements and can deliver great sound to a variety of indoor/outdoor spaces. Oh, and they can do it without additional components or wires.
That’s because JBL Control X Wireless Outdoor Speakers pack the power of Bluetooth. This allows you to stream music directly to each speaker from any smartphone, tablet, computer, or other compatible device. It can also work alone or in pairs—two pairs, to be exact. That leaves a lot of different outdoor audio options open. For instance, if you just want to hit the beach for the day, you can take one speaker with you. However, if you’re looking to entertain outdoors, you can link up to four speakers for the entire yard. It’s easy, too, because all of the connections are completely wireless.
Each speaker also has a 1-inch CMMD Lite tweeter, a 5.25-inch glass fiber reinforced poly cone, and 60-watt Class-D digital amplification. Promising up to five hours of battery power, the JBL Control X Wireless also has a 3.5mm audio input, a boundary compensation switch to tweak performance based on location, and both stereo and summed mono modes.
Available in graphite, red and white, JBL Control X Wireless Speakers retail for $499 per pair.
Apple Home Automation is Easy with Pronto and Peel App
The Pronto is a little add-on that works in conjunction with the free Peel Smart Remote app for iOS devices. The two are easy to connect via wireless Bluetooth technology. Once these devices are paired, a user can control everything in their A/V setup through the Peel app. The app sends all of your commands to the Pronto, which translates them into infrared commands—something that your devices can understand. It’s instant Apple home automation for your TVs, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, and more.
Pairing the Pronto and Peel puts Apple home automation at your fingertips, along with control options for more than 3,000 different home entertainment devices. You can even customize channel guides and other settings, so you’ll get recommendations based on your viewing habits. The app also displays what’s on in real-time, as well as what you can watch later and what people are buzzing about on Twitter.
The Pronto is slick looking, so you probably won’t mind having it sit out in the open. However, if you prefer a clutter-free A/V setup, there’s an IR extension cable so you can place it anywhere. And since it’s battery-powered (four AA batteries are included), it can go anywhere. You can even opt for a second Pronto in the bedroom, and use the same Peel app.
Designed to work with the iPhone 4S and up, as well as the iPad and iPod touch, the Pronto is available for $49.99.
ThinkEco modlet Adds Smarts to an AC Outlet
The ThinkEco modlet (or modern outlet) can cut the power to electronic devices based on a personalized schedule. The UL-approved outlet even has web-based software that allows you to peek in, track savings, and adjust those power schedules accordingly. You can even choose to control devices on the fly, whether through a web browser or the modlet’s iOS and Android apps. The end result should help you save a few bucks on that ever-growing energy bill.
And it’s insanely easy to install, because this little gadget can turn any outlet into an outlet with remote control capabilities.
The modlet fits into any standard 120V/15A outlet and has two sockets. Each of the sockets has individual minute-level power measurement and can be controlled remotely. Once the device is plugged in and set up, it can provide remote control and monitoring for anything that’s plugged into the outlet. Even better, is that after two weeks the software will start to become familiar with how you use certain devices and recommend ways to reduce your energy waste—which you can enable with a simple “click.”
Other features include built-in surge protection, schedule templates for common applications, an override function, and the option to download energy use data for further analysis.
The modlet remote control starter kit includes the two-socket modlet, a USB receiver that plugs into your computer, and the web-based software for $49.99. Additional modlets can be added for $44.95 each.
LinearLinc LB60Z-1 Smart LED Light Bulbs
These days, there is no shortage of smart LED light bulbs on the market. Linear is adding to the mix with its LinearLinc LB60Z-1 Z-Wave LED light bulbs.
While many of today’s smart bulbs use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to receive commands wirelessly from mobile device apps and smart home hubs, the LinearLinc LB60Z-1 packs in support for wireless Z-Wave technology. So when it’s used with a Z-Wave hub or controller (sold separately), you can wirelessly control the bulb. According to Linear, each bulb has a wireless range (line of sight) of 130 feet.
Also known as the BulbZ, the LinearLinc LB60Z-1 has your typical on/off features. It’s even fully dimmable with up to 100 levels of brightness and can deliver light that’s equivalent to that of a 60-watt incandescent bulb. Other features include the option to program scenes and events—either triggered by actions or other Z-Wave devices. The LinearLinc LB60Z-1 is a screw-in light bulb that only uses about 9 watts of energy and boasts an estimated lifespan of over 22 years (at 3 hours per day).
Designed to work with other Z-Wave certified products from Linear and 2GIG by Linear, LinearLinc LB60Z-1 Z-Wave LED light bulbs are priced at $38.95 each.
Sunfire Compact XTEQ Subwoofers
A lot of people think that the oomph in your home theater will be determined by the size of your subwoofer. Those people would be wrong. Just look at the latest from Sunfire. The company offers a compact subwoofer line designed to pack a big punch into a small footprint. The XTEQ line features three models: the 8-inch XTEQ8, the 10-inch XTEQ10 and the 12-inch XTEQ12.
Each subwoofer is housed in an enclosure that’s barely bigger than the size of the woofer diameter. For instance, the 12-incher measures a mere 13.5-by-13.5-by-13.5 inches.
However, this doesn’t mean that any of these are small when it comes to the sound. According to Sunfire, the lineup can produce up to 3,000 watts of bass from 16-100Hz using diametrically opposing drivers. This translates into one active and one passive radiator.
Sunfire decided to create this compact lineup in order to accommodate more home theaters and media rooms. The lineup has a little something for just about any installation. Features include Sunfire’s exclusive Tracking Downconverter amplifier design, Asymmetrical Cardioid Surround design, auto equalization technology, RCA line-in/line-out and slave connections, and XLR connections. Audiophiles will also appreciate the multiple turn-on options, soft-clipping amplification, anti-walking treads, variable crossover, and phase control.
All three models are built to be used in both 110-volt and 230-volt installations.
The Sunfire XTEQ subwoofers are priced at $1,500, $1,750, and $2,000, respectively.
Monster and Adidas Team Up on Headphones
The newly announced adidas Performance by Monster lineup will include a collection of styles designed to be the best earphones for athletes. The black adidas Performance adistar Bluetooth ACT by Monster is an in-ear wireless headphone option that’s known as the “official” headphone for adidas miCoach fitness devices. The other top in-ear model is the dark grey/white adidas Performance Supernova ACT by Monster. Both sports headphones have the Apple ControlTalk on-cable mic for making and taking calls while listening to music.
Each of the Performance models will have the patented SportClip design for a comfortable, no-slip fit. The Performance adistar works with the aforementioned miCoach Train & Run mobile apps, as well as the Smart Run all-in-one running watch with integrated wireless music player.
The adidas Performance adistar Bluetooth ACT by Monster will sell for $149.95, while the adidas Performance Supernova ACT by Monster is priced at $99.95. For something slightly more affordable, the adidas Performance Response by Monster will have models ranging from $49.95 to $59.95.
New Panasonic Nubo Home Security Camera
The Panasonic Nubo wireless home security camera is designed for both indoor and outdoor use—it’s weather resistant. It features a motion sensor, two-way communication, and can send alerts when activity is detected.
Another benefit of the Panasonic Nubo is that it can work with an optional external battery pack—that, and 4G connectivity mean you can take the camera with you on vacation or other places (most other cameras utilize Wi-Fi). The Nubo camera stores recordings on a MicroSD card and on the Cloud, in a secure Panasonic cloud storage system that can be accessed, viewed, and managed from a smartphone or tablet.
No word as of press time on the price or service plans, or what U.S. cell phone carriers the home security cameras will work with.
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