The internet of things. It’s the new buzzword. Cisco claims it’ll generate $14.4 trillion in value within 9 years. Exactly why a company like Zuli hopes to snag a small piece of that pie. They hope to do so with these new Zuli Smartplugs ($40). Use your smartphone to control each plug and automate your home appliance usage. Connect three and they’ll form a mesh network, where each plug can talk to each other. In other words, gossip about you while you’re out of the house. With greater usage, the smartplugs eventually learn your behavior and lights, tvs and stereos will magically turn on every time you enter the room. And to think people used to use a primitive device like the Clapper.
Pressy: Cute As A Button (Probably Because It Actually Is A Button)
Tech By on Sep 20, 2013
It’s amazing: In the span of about 20 years, us first-world humans have gone from being totally content to drop coins into a pay phone, to now throwing hissy fits if a TMZ video of Nicole Kidman getting run into by a papparazzo doesn’t load in less than 3 seconds on our handheld supercomputers—which are also phones. So yeah, we’re tech brats, and the trend is only getting brattier. Pressy ($15) feeds the tech troll in all of us by promising a faster way to take a picture, turn on your flashlight, share your location and more. Just plug the little guy into your headphone jack and you’re ready to shave valuable seconds off your phone’s app-load times with a simple press(y) of the button.
Apple iPhone 5S: Finally, A Phone For Your Fingerprints
Tech By on Sep 11, 2013
Fingerprint smudges on your smartphone, a necessary evil. Fingerprint smudges on your mom’s personal massager, whoa. But fingerprints on the iPhone 5S ($199 for the 16GB model, $299/32GB, $399/64GB) are downright vital. Apple’s newest top-of-the-line iPhone features a zippy 64-bit A7 processor, bigger sensor in the camera, and rapper-worthy color schemes. But it’s the fingerprint recognition feature (“Touch ID”) that’s building buzz here. It’s built right into the home button and can be used for security or even to buy stuff on iTunes. Get your paws on one September 20.
Apple iPhone 5C: Breaking The Color Barrier
Tech By on Sep 11, 2013
Some guy somewhere has probably been saying for the last 7 years, “I don’t care! I’m not buying an iPhone until they offer it in pink!” Well stand-your-ground guy, Apple’s ready for you now. The iPhone 5C is the step-down version of the flagship iPhone 5S. It’ll come in white, green, blue, pink, and yellow, with the 16GB model running just $99. The front-facing FaceTime camera has been improved, the battery is a little bigger, and again, pink is an option.
Nokia Lumia 1020: Here’s Your Haystack Needle-Finder
Tech By on Jul 12, 2013
We’ve all lost plenty of needles in haystacks, especially since the whole barnyard sewing craze swept the nation; but now there’s finally a phone that can find the needle for you. The Lumia 1020 Windows smartphone ($300, AT&T exclusive) boasts a second-generation 41 megapixel-image sensor, Zeiss optics, xenon flash, and an assortment of impressive camera specs. Nokia’s so high on the camera capabilities with the 1020, they actually demoed the device zooming in on a picture of a haystack and finding the needle. Of course needle-peeping is also made easier on the 1020’s 4.5-inch Super Amoled-Gorilla Glass-protected display.
LIFX: Wi-Fi Enabled, Smartphone Controlled Light Bulb
Home By on Sep 19, 2012
Is it OK to be more excited about a new light bulb than the new iPhone? I think so. Especially when it’s the LIFX ($70), an LED bulb with built-in Wi-fi allowing you to control your lighting and change its colors via smartphone. With an estimated lifespan of 25 freakin years, auto dimming, and the ability to sync to the beats in your phone, the iPhone has some catching up to do.
Sony Smartwatch
Style By on May 2, 2012
The Sony Smartwatch ($149) gets you one step closer to being James Bond, and you could use the help, since we haven’t exactly seen you busting up terror cells or bedding a bevy of international babes recently. It connects to any Bluetooth-enabled Android device running Android 2.1, with the multi-touch display letting you get all your vital info at a glance on the 1.3-inch OLED display screen. We don’t recall Bond using his watch to listen to Bon Iver as he right-hooked Jaws in his silver grill, but you can use the Smartwatch to listen to your tunes as well. It does have competition, though.
Pebble: E-Paper Watch for iPhone and Android
Style By on Apr 12, 2012
Putting down your phone takes willpower, and let’s face it, you’re fresh out. The Pebble ($150) may be the watch for you, Mr. Lilly Liver, as it works with iPhone and Android devices to run a number of apps on your wrist. The e-paper screen is viewable even in bright sunlight, and you’ll appreciate that function when you’re checking your email, Facebook and Twitter messages, caller ID, and music functions. A Kickstarter pledge of $99 can lock you in for one now as they go to production.