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Smoke alarms are a far from exciting, and really, most of us forget about them completely until they start chirping because a battery needs to be changed. Well, just as Nest improved the thermostat, they now aim to improve the smoke alarm, with a carbon monoxide alarm thrown in as well.

The Nest Protect will give you an early warning telling you where the danger might be, and, if it’s a case of burning toast or some other cooking fiasco, you can simply wave your hand to silence the alarm. It can also send a message to your phone if the alarm goes off or if the batteries need replacing. It’s not for sale just yet, but you can reserve one now if you’d like to try it out once it ships at the end of the year.
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Well, surprise, surprise, it seems like the home security market is coming up with a few more options for renters and homeowners. Piper is a complete home security system with high definition panoramic video, motion detector, two-way audio, piercing siren, and 3 customizable security modes, all housed in a relatively compact device.

Easy to setup and use, you can control Piper with its mobile app (all user access is authenticated), and, for extra peace of mind, know that all security and automation rules are active without reliance on your internet being active- that means your settings will work (like the siren going off when motion is detected) whether the internet is connected or not. More below.
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The Canary device just became the most successful Indiegogo campaign in history, surpassing it’s original goal of $100,000 almost 17 times to $1.67 million dollars. There are still 65 hours left on the campaign, so if you want to get it at a discount, now’s your chance!

Because the campaign has done so well, the designers have been able to provide additional features, such as an ethernet port and adaptive video quality in the app.

In case you missed it the first time, check it out!

The Canary contains an HD video camera with multiple sensors that track just about everything- motion, temperature, air quality, vibration, sound, and activity.

Maybe there’s a sudden temperature change (could be a fire) or maybe there’s enough sound and movement that indicates a possible burglary… when anything is out of the ordinary, the Canary will send an alert to your iPhone or android device, giving you options to instantly respond and keep your home safe.
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Renters and home owners, rejoice, for there is now an affordable home security device that you can easily take with you when you move. The Canary contains an HD video camera with multiple sensors that track just about everything- motion, temperature, air quality, vibration, sound, and activity.

Maybe there’s a sudden temperature change (could be a fire) or maybe there’s enough sound and movement that indicates a possible burglary… when anything is out of the ordinary, the Canary will send an alert to your iPhone or android device, giving you options to instantly respond and keep your home safe.
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Home security systems aren’t all that exciting- long term contracts usually dissuade renters and homeowners alike- but this one offers something new. You install it yourself. There’s no wires or technicians required, and you can take it with you if or when you move. There’s also no required monthly fees. Sounds pretty good, right?

There’s a base station, which works over WIFI and allows you to use the security system on your smartphone or computer, an arm/disarm panel to place on main doors, open/close sensors on any door or window you want monitored, and a motion sensor to cover other areas where open/close sensors might not work (glass breakage, for example). You pick and choose which ones you want, and how many. Read more about the software at Scout.
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It’s about time. The WeMo Switch allows you to turn electronics on or off from anywhere. A lamp, a heater, a toaster, whatever, as long as it’s plugged into the WeMo Switch, you can use the WeMo app to control it. You’ll need your iPhone and your home Wi-Fi/mobile internet to make this magic happen, but what magic it would be to put your entire house on a schedule and save time (and maybe even some money). Have the lights on when you come home, or use the motion sensor (+$50) to have a light go on when you pass by. So many options…
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Perhaps you’d like a little of the old fashioned feel in your extension cords? If so, Best Made Company has it covered, literally. Their cloth covered extension cords aren’t meant to be hidden, so if you’ve got an unavoidable spot where a cord shows (and it bothers you), this would be a good option. The cords are “woven in Massachusetts using three copper wires, each stranded and covered in PVC insulation.”

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Here’s a fun photo application for you iPhoners. Gif Shop uses your phone’s camera to create animated gifs. I got the chance to play with it yesterday and it’s pretty fun! It’s very simple to use: snap a few photos, set the animation speed, and you’re done. You need to create an account to upload the gifs to the web, but from there you can also post to Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. I goofed around and made a few examples, but here’s my best attempt at creating an amusing one for you all:
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Here’s a fun screensaver for Mac or PC.
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Continuing their line of energy-saving products as part of their Conserve line, Belkin recently released the Insight, a plug-in energy monitor that will track electricity consumption of any device plugged into it (wattage), carbon dioxide produced, as well as the actual monetary cost of energy usage. Definitely useful for the gadgets you leave on all day like your computer, but it will also aid in finding and keeping tabs on the not-so-obvious devices that draw power unbeknownst to you.
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Bluelounge, a company that is completely obsessed with organizing your electronics and workspace, has recently released a smaller version of their popular Cablebox, appopriately named the Cablebox Mini. Plug in your gadgets to the provided 4-socket powerstrip and close the lid. The sight of power adapaters and messy cables will be replaced with a clean, minimalist box. And if you get any of the bright colors, it might actually become a focal point in your room.

Dimensions: 9.3 x 4.6 x 5.2in
Material: fire retardant plastic

Colors: White, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Pink
Includes UL listed 4-socket surge protector
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Belkin makes saving money and the environment as easy as flicking a switch. The Conserve Surge Protector comes with a remote control which allows you to shut off devices that consume standby power. Just remember to stow away the remote, it would be quite a bummer for you to step on it and completely zap that 20 page presentation you’ve been working on.

Product Details:
Six switchable and two always-on power outlets
Built-in cord management; wall-mountable remote control
2.8 x 4.4 x 16.2 inches

If you’re serious about losing some pounds, this scale might help with its fancy ‘bioelectrical analysis’…plus, if you’ve got to have a scale, you might as well have a futuristic (or old-school eighties) looking one, right?

With a digital readout over four inches tall, this body-analyzing scale measures several critical health metrics and displays them in numbers large enough to read without glasses. In addition to precise weight measurement in 0.2-lb. increments, the scale uses bioelectrical impedance analysis–a harmless electrical impulse–to calculate body fat percentage, body water, muscle mass, body mass index, and basal metabolic rate, providing important data that helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle…The scale’s memory stores data for up to 12 individuals. Rust-resistant stainless-steel platform has black mirror accents. 400-lb. capacity. Requires four AAA batteries.

1″ H x 11 3/4″ W x 11 3/4″ L

$99.95, Buy it here.

[via coolmaterial]

This little device looks slightly insane, but perhaps that’s appropriate considering the amount of other devices and peripherals we have to attach to our computers/ipods/bodies/lives.

Famed designer Ora-Ito designed this hub to work with Mac or PC. Its globe shape, glossy white polycarbonate finish, and flexible cables give it a distinctive, out-of-this-world look. This new model simplifies the formula, ditching the firewire ports, fan and light to provide you with seven USB ports. Each port is linked to a colorful LED that illuminates through the casing when plugged in. The Hub is also great for charging your iPod, camera, cell phone and other devices that charge from a USB port. Bundled with 8 flexible cables, an external power supply, a USB extension cable, and a flower petals kit, the LaCie USB 2.0 Hub comes fully equipped for making all of your connections.

[posted by kris]

Ever since Katie posted this sink over in our ‘Remodel’ section, I’ve been having fantasies about the perfect bathroom.

I think this would fit in nicely.

[posted by kris]