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You are here: Home / Archives for Technology / For the Home

Clarity Smart Speaker Preview

03/31/2017 By Hakan Can

Clarity smart speaker

Preview: The Clarity Smart Speaker with Voice-Enabling by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

Back in January, I had the pleasure of attending the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV. Every year manufacturers introduce what they believe are their latest and greatest gadgets. One couldn’t help but notice the volume of voice-assisted devices. I heard a statistic that between the CES2016 and CES2017, the number of voice-assisted devices grew from the low double-digits to over 600. That’s some serious growth. The one piece of electronics I didn’t see was that which offered both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Now it’s the end of March and such a product is almost upon us. Introducing the Clarity smart speaker, a portable touchscreen smart speaker with the voice-enabling services of Amazon and Google.
Clarity smart speaker

Read:   Triby Review: Alexa Smart Speaker

Introducing Clarity: Design and Features

Available in early summer, the Clarity smart speaker hits the retail marketplace. But what exactly is Clarity?

Per the Indiegogo campaign: “Clarity is a three-in-one wireless speaker and touchscreen Android system with voice control. It has two 5-watt speakers, superb audio quality, and Internet radio, and is the first smart speaker of its kind. It’s powered by Android with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi functionality, so Clarity can connect with any of your devices! Now you can stream Pandora, Spotify, Soundcloud and other apps or watch videos easily and portably. Get personalized answers from Alexa or OK Google to do everything from catching up on the latest news to controlling Smart home products.”

Come late June, we’ll all get to see this Android controlled smart speaker with a 7″ touchscreen which can access Alexa, Google Now, and Google Assistant. I for one am looking forward to seeing such a product.

Clarity can stream your favorite music from Pandora, Spotify, Soundcloud, and others. It will also act as a smart home hub controlling devices from the following brands:

• Amazon Alexa
• hue personal wireless lighting
• ecobee
• nest

• wemo
• tp-link
• Samsung SmartThings
• Insteon

[envira-gallery id=”7758″]
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Clarity Specifications

• Powered by quad-core CPU
• 16G internal memory with expandable storage via µSD cards
• 7-inch multi-touch screen with 1280 x 800 resolution
• Two megapixel camera
• Two 5-watt speakers
• Advanced near and far field capabilities
• Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Google Now enabled

• Dimensions 326 x 110 x 160mm
• Light weight of 2 lbs
• Android 6.0 Marshmallow w/OTA updates
• WiFi (2.4G and 5G Dual-Band) and Bluetooth (4.0) connectivity
• 1600 mAh Li-Poly battery providing six hours of audio and 2.5 hours of video playback
• I/O Ports: µSD, Aux Port, Mini USB, DC Port
• Power DC 12V – 1.5A adapter
• Contents: Speaker, user manual, charging cable

Clarity smart speaker

Read:   Here are the JBL Portable Bluetooth Speakers set for release in early 2017

Summary

As you can see and hear, the Clarity smart speaker has much to offer. At $199.95, this touchscreen smart speaker is well-priced in what will become a competitive marketplace. If you act within the month of April, you can have your very own Clarity for 25% less.

 

Have you heard about the Clarity smart speaker with Amazon Alexa and Google voice assistants? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear what you think. Clarity comes with a one-year warranty.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Clarity’s home page to see their latest announcements, and please check out our previous speaker product reviews.

FTC Disclosure: This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Pan Ocean (HK) Technology © 2017.

Read:   Libratone One Click Speaker Review

Filed Under: For the Home, Speakers Tagged With: Amazon Alexa, Clarity smart speaker, Google Now, touchscreen speaker 08/21/2018

Sit or Stand? The ErgotronHome Hub27 Desk Review

11/10/2016 By Hakan Can

ErgotronHome Hub27 desk review

Review: The ErgotronHome Hub27 Wall Mounted Desk & Organizer

As an “honoree” recipient of the 2016 CES Innovation Awards, the Hub27 from ErgotronHome is like a murphy bed for your desk. Ideal for dorm rooms, small city apartments or any cramped spaces; the Hub27 is a wall-mounted desk that folds up to maximize space and optimize organization. With a thoughtfully engineered design and customizable features, the Hub27 is the perfect way to take control of a tight or disorderly space. Organize your clutter with this innovative product. Let’s take a closer look in this ErgotronHome Hub27 desk review.

ErgotronHome Hub27 desk review

Pros:
• High-Quality Materials
• Customizable Inserts
• Minimalist Modern Design

Cons:
• Heavy Construction

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Design Features

I was pleasantly surprised with the intelligent design and sturdy construction of the Hub27. The dimensions of the Hub27 are 27.3” W x 20.3” H x 3” D.

When I initially viewed the product online, it appeared to be lightweight, perhaps made of plastic. But when a large package arrived at my address, I tried to pick it up and knew right away that this was a heavy-duty product. The white cabinet is made out of metal, and the drop down desktop is frosted glass.

The inside of the desk reveals horizontal sliding bars, which allow you to snap on a series of white plastic organizers that help you contain your cables, store your pens, dock you iPad, iPhone or any other electronic devices. The Hub27 need not be limited to storing electronic devices. It can be used as a kids craft station, an artist dock, kitchen storage, dorm essentials, or in a small home as an office setting. Additionally, at the base of the unit, there is a trough for collecting extra cable and keeping your desk neat and tidy. Two latches on the sides of the frosted glass allow you to adjust the height of the desktop.

[envira-gallery id=”6697″]
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Installation

In total, this unit weighs almost 40 pounds, so you have to be mindful when choosing its location on your wall. During my installation, I was initially concerned about the weight pulling it out of the drywall; I attempted to align the top screws with studs in the wall, but because of the tight placement in my particular space, I could not find one that lined up correctly.

After using a level to ensure the unit was mounted evenly at both ends, I secured all four points in the sheet rock with the included drywall screw set. After fixing the Hub27 to the wall, I gave it a slight push in every direction to ensure that it was tight. I was impressed with how well it held to the drywall without a stud to support it. The manufacturer sets a weight limit at 25 pounds, so I would not treat this as a high chair, but the 25-pound limit proved to be more than adequate for a laptop, cell phone and many of the miscellaneous items that you would store in a desk.

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Conclusion

What I find coolest about the Hub27 is the versatility of its application. This product is sold and advertised as a home desk, but that does not mean you can only put your laptop and pencils in it. The Hub27 would work great in a kitchen, garage, home studio, or really anywhere that you need to save space in an efficient way – the applications are endless.

The thoughtful design and quality construction materials used to create the Hub27 far exceeded my expectations. My reservations about the weight pulling it out of the drywall were quickly dispelled after the install.

All in all, this is a very cool and highly useful product that would significantly improve any space you placed it in.

[envira-gallery id=”6696″]

The list price of the Hub27 is $349.99. It’s currently available on Amazon (see link at bottom) and Staples. In the USA, the HUB27 comes with a 5-year limited warranty from date of original purchase.

Do you own a Hub27? Do you agree (or disagree) with any part of this ErgotronHome Hub27 desk review? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to follow ErgotronHome on Twitter and Facebook as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook. And don’t hesitate to head over to the ErgotronHome website to see their latest organizational products.

FTC Disclosure: ErgotronHome provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Hub27 desk sample for review purposes. These writers opinion are 100% their own and not a paid product ambassadors.

Editor’s Note: This review was co-written with Elliott Hall who tested the product.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2016.

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Filed Under: For the Home Tagged With: ErgotronHome, Hub27, standing desk 11/15/2016

Triby Review: Alexa Smart Speaker

08/23/2016 By Elliott Hall

Triby review

Triby Review: The Portable Voice-Enabled Smart Speaker with Amazon’s Alexa

Have you ever imagined the future and wondered what technology in the home would be like? Would we be floating around on Back to the Future II hover boards or living with a robot maid like The Jetsons? While the 21st Century has brought us flying jetpacks and iRobot vacuum cleaners, there is intelligent software residing in US homes, and it goes by the name “Alexa.” Alexa is Amazon’s wireless, voice-activated digital assistant. Alexa can be used to play music, set alarms, make calls, control smart lights, and so much more. Initially, the only product utilizing Alexa’s technology was Amazon’s “Echo” smart speaker. A new contender has entered the race following Amazon’s release of a free set of API’s that enable developers to integrate Alexa with any device that has a speaker, microphone, and Internet connection. Introducing Triby, the voice-enabled portable smart speaker from Invoxia.

Triby review

Triby Portable Smart Speaker

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Giveaway

Want to win this Triby? In cooperation with Invoxia, we’re giving away this Triby review sample beginning Monday at 11 PM through Noon January 10th. Enter the Giveaway. It could be yours soon after CES2017. If you’re heading to CES, please visit Invoxia at Booth 44303 at Sands Hall. Good Luck.

Introducing Triby

Triby is an alternate version of Amazon’s Echo; that utilizes the very same Alexa technology, but with a third-party design. Triby is a digital assistant capable of performing the same functions of the Echo, and even some unique ones. While this is not a review of the Alexa software, it is important to remember that Alexa is a lot like Siri, Apple’s voice-activated iPhone assistant. Though Alexa has far more capabilities than Siri, it is fundamentally similar software and is prone to the same issues you run into on your mobile device.

For instance: “Sorry, I didn’t understand the question I heard.”

The most important thing about Alexa is that it is a notable step towards a mainstream interface for controlling your smart home devices, the Internet of Things. With a little more intelligence, Alexa could become even more widely used software, across various devices. Now that Amazon has opened the door to third-party developers, there exists strong competition to the Echo, and that is how we find ourselves today with this Triby review.

Pros:
• Good Sound
• Screen/Message Board
• Alexa Technology
• Quality Construction
• Dedicated App

Cons:
• Bluetooth Issues
• Poor Battery Life
• Voice-Activation/Microphone Issues
• Magnetic Strips Could Harm Other Devices

 

Triby review

Triby Portable Smart Speaker

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Design

From a design perspective, Echo and Triby are nothing alike. The Echo is a tall, tubular speaker with buttons located at the top of the cylinder. You’ve probably seen the TV commercial starring Missy Elliott and Alec Baldwin.

The Triby has a much slimmer, square design, with ten buttons, a small e-ink screen, and a charging port. Though the design is unique with a modern/vintage combination, it is not the sleekest looking unit on the market.

The designers of Triby advise you to stick the device directly on your refrigerator, a central location in most homes, and somewhere that everyone in the house visits daily. On the back of the Triby are two vertical magnetic strips, which allow you to place it on any magnetic surface. Oddly enough, many fridges are not magnetic, but I found myself sticking the Triby all over the place from metal patio chairs to my dishwasher.

My only concern with the magnetic backing is that it could be harmful to some electronic devices such as your mobile phone, tablet, or laptop if you were to store it in your backpack or somewhere close to a similar device.

The Triby is wrapped in a non-skid rubber sleeve. There are four color options for the rubber sleeve (gray, green, blue, and red), so you can customize your Triby to match your personality or home décor.

Triby review

Triby Portable Smart Speaker

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Features & Performance

One of the features unique to the Triby is this sort of ‘modern-day sticky note’ style message board. From the Android of iOS app on your mobile phone, you can send messages or illustrations called “Doodles” from your phone to Triby. When the message is sent, the yellow message alert tab pops out of the side of Triby, and your message is displayed on the e-ink screen. Triby’s message board feature is a convenient alternative to texting for families who want to send messages to the home while they are away. It should be noted that the most recent message will be displayed. Past messages and read receipts can be seen via the app. Triby’s message board is one of the standout features that sets it apart from Amazon’s Echo, which does not offer an on-screen message function.

Triby review

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Now, according to publicly available data, 40% of US homes have removed their landlines. If you reside in the remaining 60% of US homes, Triby gives you yet another great reason to finally cut that cord. Through the integrated app, you can load contacts into your Triby and use it to make free Internet calls. Triby’s family phone is especially useful for parents, as children can access the pre-loaded contacts, and use the two dedicated phone buttons to safely call friends or family. Triby can handle voice recognition from up to 15 feet away. The one downside I found with calling on Triby is that it’s not capable of making or receiving emergency (911) calls.

For on-the-go music listeners, Triby has got your back. As a Bluetooth speaker, Triby excels! Though the device is small, the sound is big and warm. As with all Bluetooth devices, there can be a bit of ‘jumpy-ness’ to certain functions based on range, but aside from the occasionally sporadic volume adjustments, everything runs smoothly with Triby. If connected to WiFi, Triby can access Amazon Prime Music, iHeart Radio, Spotify Connect, TuneIn, and more just by a click of one of the two dedicated radio buttons. You can even assign your favorite playlists to the dedicated radio buttons and use them with Alexa disabled. Another great feature is that you can put multiple Triby’s on the same WiFi network and use them as an Intercom system. Each Triby receives a unique ID name.

Updated: In late August, Invoxia added a feature to Triby — an Alexa Tap to Talk mode. A number of users complained that Triby’s battery life wasn’t as long as they wanted. The issue was that the microphone was always on and waiting to hear the wake word. When charging Triby, there’s really no issue. You can either say the wake word or press the right side button to begin. When not charging, you must press the same button for Alexa to begin listening.

Activating the Tap to Talk mode is a snap. Make sure the Triby app is updated first. Go into Settings, and select Amazon Alexa. Here you activate/deactivate said mode. Check the upper left corner of the product screen for the microphone icon.

Speaking of Spotify, if you’re one of the first 100 to purchase a Triby beginning on Labor Day, you can get Spotify Premium for the next 3 months for free. Enter the Promo Code: SPOTIFY at checkout. It’s that simple.

[Tweet “As a Bluetooth speaker, Triby excels! Though the device is small, the sound is big and warm.”]

All in all, the design of Triby is quite good. The dedicated buttons make it convenient and quick to make calls as well as play music. The magnetic backing allows you to place the device in central locations in your home, without having to place it precariously or find table space. The message board feature is an excellent communication alternative for families or to leave a digital sticky note behind for the next user.

My only complaint about Triby’s on-screen interface is the lack of a constant battery meter. Since Triby is entirely portable, it needs to be recharged every 48 hours. It was inconvenient that I could not simply look at the corner of the screen and see how much ‘juice’ was left.

Lastly, and I am nitpicking here, it would have been nice to see a dedicated On/Off button for Triby. To power on the device, you hold the Play/Pause button for two seconds, at which point the screen will launch a prompt telling you that Triby is starting up. To power down the device, you hold the Play/Pause button for five seconds, at which point the on-screen prompt will ask for power down confirmation by pressing the first phone button. However, if you hold the Play/Pause button for longer than five seconds, nothing will happen, and you may find yourself pressing it a few more times while counting down the seconds to get it just right.

Ultimately, I found the On/Off functions to work fine but wonder why Triby’s designers did not include a dedicated power button among the other ten buttons.

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Editor’s Note

In my research on Triby, I encountered one particular Q&A between Triby Support. I felt it was worth sharing with you readers.

Question: “I already have an Echo near my kitchen. If I put a Triby withing ‘hearing’ distance of my Echo what happens when I say ‘Alexa’?”

Answer: “If your Echo is currently set to respond to the wake word ‘Alexa’ then, yes, both your Echo and Triby will respond to the same voice commands which could make things a bit tricky! That said, you could certainly change the wake word for your Echo to ‘Echo’ or ‘Amazon’ and keep Triby’s wake word as ‘Alexa.’ That way, you’ll get to deliver voice commands to the device of your choosing.”

Conclusion

Per Invoxia’s website “Alexa is capable of handling a wide array of tasks on a user’s command, from playing music from local and web-based libraries to searching the Internet for flight deals, to ordering a ride on Uber. And all of those skills, when packaged inside a portable speaker and communications hub, become Triby.”

Upon completing this thorough Triby review, I can wholeheartedly say I liked the Triby quite a bit. It is the first third-party product to use Alexa, and I thought it handled the challenge well. Additionally, Invoxia, the makers of Triby, included some extra functions that you will not find on the Echo. Just like Alexa, the Triby needs time to work out the kinks, but I think there is a bright future for both IoT technologies.

Triby is slightly more expensive than Echo, coming in at $199.00 from Amazon. Pick one up today and see if you can make your life a little bit easier through the use of a digital assistant.

Do you agree or disagree with any part of this post? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media on our Twitter or Facebook pages. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

FTC Disclosure: Invoxia provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Triby sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and is not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC and Invoxia.

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Filed Under: For the Home, Speakers Tagged With: Triby 01/03/2017

Petzi Treat Cam Review

06/13/2016 By Elliott Hall

Petzi Treat Cam review

Introducing The Petzi Treat Cam from Petzila

Pets are like our children. When you are away from your animal, you feel responsible for their loneliness. People often joke, “I wish my dog had a cell phone.”

Well, we have good news for all you animal lovers.

For the past few months, there’s been a new product on the market–the Petzi Treat Cam. It’s an interactive, WiFi camera that allows you to send audio messages, stream live video, and toss out treats to your pet while you’re away. The Petzi Treat Cam is operated through a free app for iOS and Android that doubles as a remote controller and social platform. Let’s take a closer look in this Petzi Treat Cam review.

Petzi Treat Cam review

Pros:

  • Simple Software & Easy Operation
  • Interactive Jingle Summons Pets
  • Send Audio Messages
  • Live Stream Video
  • Pets Love It

Cons:

  • Low Quality Audio/Video
  • Large, Inelegant Product Design
  • Very Small Treats Only
  • One-Way Audio/Video
  • Price
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Giveaway

Like what you’ve read so far? It just got better. In partnership with Petzila, we’re running a giveaway from Noon September 3rd until 11 AM September 12th for the very Petzi Treat Cam we reviewed here. Enter the Petzi Treat Cam giveaway by clicking this link. Good luck.

Set Up & Design

As you unbox the Petzi Treat Cam, you might realize that this is not a piece of furniture you want on your mantel. The tall, white, plastic design is far from elegant. As you pull off the front cover, you reveal the treat compartment at the top and the AC adapter at the rear. Pour in some of the included treats, plug it in and find an ideal spot to place the device. The four-foot power cord makes finding proper placement slightly difficult. Once you find an appropriate place for your treat cam, use the included screws or Velcro to secure it. You will not want to leave the Petzi free standing, as your pet will very likely knock it down. [envira-gallery id=”4729″]

Now you are ready to set up the WiFi connection. The treat cam easily integrates with your home network. First, download the iOS or Android app and connect to the “Petzi_XXXX” network via your mobile phone’s wireless settings. Next, return to the app and enter your home network password and securely integrate the Petzi with your WiFi connection. In my experience, this process worked seamlessly on the first try.

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Remote Controller & Social App

Now that all your devices are connected, you can use your smartphone as a remote for the Petzi.

The free Petzi app will allow you to stream live video, take pictures, send audio messages and of course, launch treats. These functions work fairly well. The live video stream has a delay of a few seconds, so what you see on your phone is not exactly real time. Additionally, when you send audio messages, there are several seconds of delay before it is output by the camera. However, the delay is of little consequence, since your pet cannot see you and you cannot hear your pet – this is not Skype, after all. The picture function works consistently well, so you can snap candid photos of your unaccompanied pets as they await their treat.

[soliloquy id=”4710″]

The primary issue with the camera is that the Petzi does not always output the 720P HD quality that it boasts (though, this could be due to other factors such as your WiFi connection strength and speed). However, when the camera is outputting full quality video, you can get a great shot of your pet to share online or through the Petzi social app.

Aside from acting as a remote controller, your Petzi app allows you to set up a public profile for your pet. Similar to a dating or social media app, you input your pet’s name, age, species, a favorite treat, and more alongside a profile picture and description. Through your pet’s profile, you can post the images you take with your Petzi cam or images stored on your camera roll. Additionally, you can browse the app’s social feed featuring dogs and cats from all over the Petzi world.

[envira-gallery id=”4725″]
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Overall Performance

The Petzi Treat Cam has its strengths and weaknesses. As a camera, it falls a bit short. The video and audio qualities are less than satisfactory in an age of high definition, and there is a sizable delay in transmission. There is also the issue of the price. At a retail price of $170 this unit should perform better in aspects of design and media quality.

However, the primary function of this device is a treat dispenser and at that task, it performs fairly well. Aside from the occasional jamming of the treat dispenser, the Petzi Treat Cam has performed well for many people. It is an excellent way to connect with your pet while you are away from home. Animals love to interact with the Treat Cam, and its mild projectile launch allows your pet to have some fun and exercise in you absence.

[Tweet “It is an excellent way to connect with your pet while you are away from home. @Petzila”]

Overall, if you are looking for a remote treat dispenser, the Petzi Treat Cam is the best option, but if your focus is on the audio/video surveillance of your pet, then you are better off with a camera-centric device.

Have you tried the Petzi Treat Cam? Do you agree (or disagree) with any part of this review? Let us know on social media on our Twitter or Facebook pages. And don’t hesitate to head over to the Petzi website. Feel free to check out their Blog, Support Page, and Treat Shop.

The Petzi Treat Cam comes with a 1-year limited warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee. Should you have questions about the product, feel free to contact their customer service department at (855)-738-9452.

FTC Disclosure: Petzila Inc. provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Petzi Treat Cam sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC. The video is the copyrighted property of Petzila Inc.

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Filed Under: For the Home Tagged With: camera, Petzi 09/06/2016

7 Great Reasons Why You Need To Use The Panamax Power 360 Line Of Protection

04/01/2015 By Hakan Can

The Panamax Power 360-Dock surge protector

The Panamax Power 360-6 surge protectorAs someone who has THX Home Theater Level 1 Certification, I know a little something about electronic protection. I know a fair amount about the top six brands. Out of these six brands, I’ve put three to use, two of which I’ve had mixed success with. This leaves one brand and by no coincidence, it just so happens to be Panamax. Whether you’re a custom A/V installer or an enthusiast, you’ve surely heard of Panamax. They have the highest of reputations and the awards to prove it. Last week they introduced the Power 360 series, an affordable line of three electronic equipment protection devices. (See the press release below.)

The Power360-Dock has the following 7 features: The Panamax Power 360-Dock surge protector

  • 6 Protected AC Outlets
  • 2 USB Charging Stations
  • Protect-or-Disconnect
  • SmartGuard
  • Circle of Protection
  • Charging Cradle
  • Lifetime Warranty

The Power360-6 has the following 7 features: The Panamax Power 360-6 surge protector

  • 6 Protected AC Outlets
  • 1 Dual-Port USB Module
  • Protect-or-Disconnect
  • SmartGuard
  • Circle of Protection
  • Signal Line Protection
  • Lifetime Warranty

The Power360-8 has the following 7 features: This is the Panamax Power 360-8 AC surge protector

  •  8 Protected AC Outlets
  • 2 Dual-Port USB Modules
  • Protect-or-Disconnect
  • SmartGuard
  • Circle of Protection
  • Signal Line Protection
  • Lifetime Warranty

All photos are the courtesy and the property of Panamax.

NEW PANAMAX POWER 360 SERIES PROTECTS AND POWERS HOUSEHOLD ELECTRONICS, AND DELIVERS EASY USB CHARGING

The Panamax Power 360 Line of ProductsPETALUMA, CALIFORNIA, March 27, 2015 — Consumers outfit homes with more electronic devices than ever before, including expensive TVs, cable boxes, home theater systems, WiFi routers, computers, tablets and smartphones. And while we may not always think of it, every time we plug a device into an outlet there is the danger of a spike, surge, brownout or other power anomaly that could shorten the life of the equipment, or worse yet, damage it immediately.

No one knows this better than Panamax, the country’s pre-eminent designer and manufacturer of electronic and electrical protection, filtration and control products. For 40 years Panamax has earned a reputation for creating unique solutions for the worldwide problem of power disturbances, has earned numerous industry awards for the quality of their products and is consistently rated #1 among custom installers.

Now the legendary Panamax protection is available to all in the new Power360 series. This affordably priced product line is designed to protect and charge all electronic devices.

Included in every product in the Power360 line, the Circle of Protection indicator provides consumers with three vital pieces of information in real-time, right on the front of the unit. The Protection indicator ensures that connected devices are protected from power surges.  The Voltage indicator confirms that the incoming voltage is in a safe range, and the Wiring indicator shows that the home’s wiring is performing safely.

In the event of a catastrophic power or spike, Power360’s Protect-or-Disconnect circuitry will disconnect all power to connected equipment before any damage can occur. Additionally, Power360’s SmartGuard technology monitors incoming voltage and will automatically disconnect power to connected equipment in prolonged unsafe voltage event (such as a brownout or lost neutral condition) and then automatically reset power when conditions are safe.

The Panamax Power 360-Dock surge protectorLeading the way in the new Power 360 Series is the P360-DOCK. This wall-mounted charging station delivers the Panamax “Circle of Protection” to connected devices while serving as a convenient USB charging station for smartphones and tablets. For just $39.95, the P360-DOCK turns a standard power outlet into a serious power station with six surge-protected 120V outlets plus a 2.1 amp charger with two USB ports. The ingenious design also features a cradle on top of the unit that allows consumers to rest a two smartphones or a tablet while charging, reducing clutter and eliminating anxiety about charging cables being too short.

The $59.95 P360-6 power strip is designed for general use and home office power management, providing six side-by-side surge protected outlets, an integrated 2.1 amp USB charger with two ports, plus a coaxial in/out connection that protects the signal for the cable or satellite box. What makes this power strip stand out is the USB charger is modular and can be extended to the tabletop with a micro USB cable, delivering ultimate flexibility that allows consumers to easily charge desktop devices without having to get on their hands and knees to plug them in. The P360-6 also features mounting holes so it can be fastened to a wall for convenience.

The Panamax Power 360-8 surge protectorFor larger workstations, or areas with a lot of devices, the $79.95 P360-8 combines eight surge-protected outlets with two detachable 2.1A USB chargers, each with two ports for a total of four USB charging connections, plus the coaxial in/out for signal protection. It is shorter and wider than the P360-6, and can similarly be mounted to a wall for convenience.

“With the introduction of the Panamax Power 360 Series we really are bringing ‘power to the people,’” John Benz, Core Brands Director of Power emphasized today. “Designed to look as good as they perform, and affordably priced, the Panamax Power 360 Series will change the way consumers view protection and USB charging in their homes. The era of poor performing, commodity power protection is over.”

For more information about the new Panamax Power360 Series, visit www.panamax.com/power360. The Panamax Power 360 Series is available at Crutchfield and BestBuy.com.

About Panamax

Panamax is the industry leader for power protection, filtration and control products Award-winning and recognized for its innovative Lifetime Warranty on almost every unit, Panamax creates solutions for installations of all sizes leveraging its many patented technologies. The brand is consistently ranked #1 in the custom install industry by the CE Pro 100. Many Panamax products leverage the BlueBOLT® remote power, energy and network management platform for real-time, cloud-based control and monitoring of the energy used by electronic devices.

About Core Brands

Headquartered in Petaluma, California, Core Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of iconic and award-winning audio, power management and control brands including SpeakerCraft®, ELAN®, Niles®, Panamax®, Proficient®, Sunfire®, Furman®, Xantech®, BlueBOLT® and Korus® to deliver a portfolio of connected home solutions to its channel partners and end users. For further information, visit www.corebrands.com.

About Nortek, Inc.

Core Brands is a Nortek company. Nortek Inc. is a global diversified company with leading brands and innovative, technology-driven products and solutions for lifestyle improvement at home and at work. For further information, please visit: www.nortekinc.com.

Filed Under: For the Home, Hardware Tagged With: Panamax, Power 360, Power360, surge protection 04/12/2017

Review: The OmniMount WorkSpace Wall Organizer

01/28/2015 By Hakan Can

Omnimount WorkSpace Wall Organizer

Updated: 12-10-2015:

In the past few months, much has changed with the WorkSpace Wall Organizer. First, it’s now called the Hub27. And it now falls under the newly created ErgotronHome line of products, of which there are four. Best of all, it is now available for purchase on their website at a price of $349.95 with shipping and tax included. (It’s nice when a product comes in at the low end of the expected pricing.)

Next month at CES2016, I’ll get to see these new products first-hand and report back to you. Maybe before then, you’ll see a refresher article on the entire ErgotronHome product line.

Cheers.

Original Post:

Most of us take our bodies for granted. Whether we realize it or not, we’ve been trained to act this way since we were children. And you know what? There’s nothing wrong with this behavior. The feeling of invincibility is a grand one.

But as we age, injuries start to creep in. We need to make changes in our lifestyles to keep ourselves in peak shape. Not all of us make these necessary changes. Many of us continue with habits which should have ended years earlier.

For instance, sitting at work destroys one’s lower back. Take a moment and think about your lumbar spine being compressed continuously for 8-10 hours a day, 5X a week. It’s not a pleasant thought. If by chance you think it is, have a conversation with a good chiropractor or spinal surgeon. After this chat, you’ll quickly learn otherwise.

Like the high majority of you, I used to work like this. While I’m neither a chiropractor or spinal surgeon nor a medical professional, I can state from first and second-hand experience that the statement I made about lumbar compression is true.

Eight years ago, my 5th lumbar disk herniated from all this above described workplace sitting. And I’ve personally witnessed this happen to others. I can assure you that it was not a pleasant experience for them or I.

So today, I want to introduce you about what I believe to be a great product. One I believe should alleviate much of the pain many of you fellow lower-back-pain sufferers feel daily. How can I make this claim you wonder? Well, every day for the past two years, I’ve been using an Ergotron WorkFit-D standing desk while I work. Like I stated, first-hand experience.

This product is the WorkSpace Wall Organizer by Ergotron/OmniMount.

OmniMount WorkSpace Wall Organizer

The OmniMount WorkSpace Wall Organizer

Introducing the OmniMount Workspace Wall Organizer

Earlier this month at CES2015 in Las Vegas, I got to play around and familiarize myself with the WorkSpace Wall Organizer. It’s a beautiful piece of hardware, something which I’ve come to expect from Ergotron/OmniMount. Although the dimensions haven’t been finalized, they currently reside at 27″ wide x 20″ high x 3″ deep. With the glass tray down, there’s a working area of 26.5″ x 15″. The outer edge of the glass tray will be about 19″ from the wall. And with a height adjustment of 10″, you taller folks can use it without having to compromise or lean forward, thus preventing further injury to your back or neck. Just think of the space savings you’ll get over the traditional desk.

So where exactly in the house or condo does this wall organizer go? Well, you can put it almost anywhere. If I were to picture this in my home, I would recommend any one of the bedrooms, the living room, or an interconnecting hall, say between the kitchen and living room. You can store your keys within or place Post-it® notes on the exterior surface. The case is lockable so you can secure anything that will fit within.  It could be used by the homeowner or house guests. This wall organizer is truly versatile.

As you can see, the organizer is wall-mountable with a height-adjustable work surface. What you may not know is that it also doubles as a charging station. In the photo above, there’s smart cable management hiding those charging cables we’ve become all too familiar with. So while you work on your laptop or tablet, you can simultaneously charge these and/or other mobile devices.

The lower portion of the organizer supports a surge protector strip. The aforementioned tray has a soft-opening feature and is capable of supporting between 25-30 lbs.  The work surface is etched and made of tempered/treated glass with rounded edges for safety. The organizer also comes with four shelves, fully adjustable and customizable to your needs.

Available this Spring, this wall organizer just may be the non-tech piece of hardware your life needs the most. While the MSRP has yet to be finalized, one should expect it to be in the range of $350-$400. Home designers and builders take notice.

[soliloquy id=”1571″]

All photos are the property of OmniMount/Ergotron Inc. or Beantown LLC.

Filed Under: For the Home Tagged With: Ergotron, ErgotronHome, Hub27, Ominmount, Organizer, standing desk, WorkSpace 12/11/2015

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