Drone-based security
Long work days? The Sunflower Home Awareness System by Alex Pachikov is available for pre-ordering. Designed to offer peace of mind while homeowners are away, the system is said to be the world’s first smart sensor and drone-based home security system. It is designed to unite intelligent outdoor sensors with an aerial drone-based camera to provide a complete view of what’s happening around one’s home. If a disturbance turns out to be a raccoon, the sensors can chase it away with flashing lights and a warning noise. When family arrives home, they are greeted with an increase in the light level. However, when someone unknown approaches the house, the system deploys the drone to investigate. Users don’t need to possess pilot skills, since the drone will fly itself to any suspicious activity. At nighttime, the drone employs its high-res camera with infrared light. For more information visit http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/sunflower-home-awareness-system/.
Lego of my coffee
Looking for a fresh way to begin a busy workday? Creative team Astonishing Studios has taken Lego building a step beyond conventionality by constructing a coffeemaker almost entirely out of Legos. The Lego Coffee Maker’s exterior – as well as many of its moving parts – are comprised of Lego blocks, and powered by various motors. However, the coffee isn’t free. The machine requires coins to produce a fresh cup of coffee. After a coin is inserted, the coffee maker drops an instant coffee – in this case, Starbucks – into a cup underneath the device’s dispenser. Water is funneled from an interior water bottle into the cup, and a heat coil is lowered into the concocted beverage to zap the liquid. Voila! A fresh cup of instant coffee is ready for consumption. For more information, visit http://www.digitaltrends.com/home/astonishing-studios-builds-lego-coffee-machine/#ixzz4PMTDB81P or http://www.digitaltrends.com/home/astonishing-studios-builds-lego-coffee-machine/.
Useful tech products
- The Twelve South HiRise is an iPhone dock with a metal body, whose design allows users to also use it with an iPad. Its deluxe retail package includes a lightning and a microUSB cable. The latter is convenient for those who use their iPhone with a battery case. (From $33)
- Microsoft’s Universal Foldable Keyboard is only 5 millimeters thin, and can connect to Windows, Android and iOS devices. It can handle accidental spills and will fit in one’s jacket pocket when folded. It comes with a three-year warranty and a reportedly long battery life. ($50)
- The Ring video doorbell allows users to see and talk to visitors, even when they are away from home. The device is available in several colors, and setup is said to be easy. The doorbell’s weather-resistant design helps ensure that water and humidity won’t damage the ring. (From $169)
- Canary, an all-in-one home security gadget, is designed to stream 1080p video, while monitoring the temperature, humidity and air quality of one’s home. The device features motion-activated recording, night vision and intelligent notifications. (From $132)
- The Canon Selphy CP1200 is a compact and user-friendly wireless photo printer. Its Wi-Fi connectivity enables it to connect to mobile devices via a free app by Canon, as well as via AirPrint and Wireless PictBridge standards. The device can also print from SD and microSD cards, and USB flash drives. The Selphy CP1200 has a 2.7-inch color display, and can deliver photos in multiple sizes, including 4 by 6 inches. Its rechargeable battery allows it deliver up to 54 images per day. ($100)
For more information visit http://www.bestproducts.com/tech/g864/cool-tech-products-you-need/.
Privacy? What’s that?
Google Glass may have banned facial recognition apps amid privacy concerns, but that hasn’t stopped British augmented-reality startup Blippar from creating a similar technology, according to a recent article in The Telegraph by James Titcomb. The technology reportedly can identify a person by scanning his or her face. Blippar has added the feature to its app, allowing users to point their phone’s camera at a person and see if the image matches a face on its database. The company said it was the most highly requested addition to the app, which is used to scan and identify real-world objects, such as food and buildings. The feature has launched with a list of 70,000 public figures, including politicians, musicians and sports personalities. Members of the public will soon be able to add their own face to the app by scanning it from different angles. Users simply can point their phone at people – or even at unlabeled photos in the newspaper – to identify others. When the software recognizes someone, it provides such information as the individual’s name and various other biographical details. The user, in turn, can edit this information on his or her personal media profile. Blippar has stated that faces will be added on a strictly opt-in basis; people can’t be added to the app against their will, and the 70,000 public figures will be able to remove themselves should they wish. The accuracy of the app is said to be above 99 percent. For more information visit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/12/06/blippar-app-can-reveal-someones-identity-scanning-face/.
More useful gadgets
- Tile Slim Bluetooth Tracker. This credit-card-sized gadget by Tile is designed to help users locate their lost cell phone, as long as the phone is within its Bluetooth range. Its non-removable battery reportedly lasts for a year. $30
- Nomad Key for iPhone. The Nomad Key for iPhone is designed to eliminate the stress of leaving one’s Lightning cable behind. Designed to attach to a keychain, the accessory is compatible with all Apple devices with a Lightning port. $20
- Casio WSD-F10 Smart Outdoor Watch. Casio’s first Android Wear smartwatch is water-resistant to 50 meters of depth, as well as compliant with military standards for shock and dust resistance. The gadget features two LCD displays (one color and one monochrome), which allow it to deliver a blend of smart features and battery life. $500
- The UE ROLL 2. The waterproof speaker is controlled via a smartphone app, and is said to offer quality sound for its small size. $80
For more information visit http://www.bestproducts.com/tech/g864/cool-tech-products-you-need/.