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It’s about freaking time. Often when we search for a home tech product, nothing pops up that looks good (or gets good reviews). That’s been my experience when searching for home security, more specifically, video cameras at the entryway. I know some of my neighbors have spent thousands of dollars on a whole home security package just so they can see a person at their front door. If they were patient, they could have saved a lot of money by trying out this $200 doorbell.
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There’s not much time left to back this project (eek!), but it’s better to post it now than never. For radio monogamists, The Public Radio by Centerline Engineering is the perfect pairing. It’s a single station FM radio in a Mason jar, pre tuned to your favorite station. There’s only an on/off/volume button, an antenna, and the radio, all housed in/on a Mason jar. No complications, no tuning, just the one station you tune into most.
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Power outlets are ugly. We do all manner of things to hide or hang them out of sight, because a mess of cords isn’t pretty, no matter what you do to them. However, maybe, just maybe, this Oon Power Outlet might change our minds, as it divides each electrical socket into individual blocks, allowing the unit to flex and rotate. A soft color scheme and cloth cord add a familiar warmth, making this outlet less of what you might find in a cubicle and more of what you’d find in a small, elegant toy box.

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That’s right, it’s an electric paint pen. It’s completely safe, as the electrically conductive paint is formatted to be non-toxic, solvent-free, and water-soluble, and only becomes conductive when dry. And what would you use this pen for? If you’re especially handy, you could repair devices, draw circuits on all sorts of materials, solder stuff… you fill in the rest. The paint dries after five minutes and can be removed with soap and water. Oh, and there’s an Electric Paint House Kit ($35) if you’d like some paper houses to turn into “an illuminated voltage village.” It would be an excellent tool for you (and your kids/nieces/nephews) to learn more about electronics, if you’re interested.
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Your precious device deserves a nice landing pad, especially as it delivers so much news and information to you each and every day, right? The Tinsel & Timber iPhone Docking Station is handcrafted from solid (sustainably sourced) American walnut and features a sculpted bowl that will catch all manner of odds and ends that you need close at hand. Wool felt lines the phone’s spot, ensuring a soft landing each and every time.
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You’ll be happy to see this charging station, trust me. Yes, it is streamlined and altogether unoffensive to the eyes, which is a definite plus, but a handsome face only goes so far, right? Well, the All Dock has 2400mA per USB exit, and in terms all of us can understand, that means it is SUPER fast. Your phone can be recharged nearly 80% in less than 1 hour, and it’s compatible with nearly all devices. Charge, dock, and store any and all your devices in one spot. There’s several sizes and finishes available, and keep in mind that there’s a mere 15 days to go for funding if you want to get on board now and receive one at a discounted price.
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Who’s this little guy? Designed by Ionna Vautrin for Lexon, this Mezzo Radio is a modern take on vintage radios. Measuring in at 5.5″ long, 3″ wide and 1.5″ deep, it’s a friendly size to tote around, so you’ll have your radio or playlist to keep you company whether you’re working in your kitchen or hanging out at a campsite. A silicone rubber case ensures durability and there’s an output for MP3 players, of course.
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There’s absolutely no reason for fishing around for your charging cord like an idiot. Come on, give in to 2013 and get a charging station. Bluelounge recently released Sanctuary4, a new station that has loads more power (a 4-amp charger) which allows four devices to quickly charge all at once. There’s four USB ports, so simply unplug and replace the cables when you have a new device.
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Your poor iPhone, it just clatters around on your desk without a real home. Sure, you plug it in to charge, but every time you pick it up to check the time/messages/email/news/calculation, you set it back down with an unfriendly thud. No wonder it wants to join the circus. Save it from that particular fate with this little companion called the Saidoka. Think of it as a sidecar kind of dock, with a comfortable viewing angle to make your screen easy to read while your phone rests safely (and happily) charging.
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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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If you travel often to dry climates, you might be familiar with some of the portable humidifiers out there in the marketplace, but have you ever seen a house shaped humidifier that works with any water bottle or glass? No? Well, set your eyes upon this little house with its purifying filter. It’s around 3 inches square- making it a pretty compact choice for your travel needs.
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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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What is this odd, clear plastic box that looks like something familiar? Note the round speaker, and the dial on top.. that’s right, it’s a portable FM radio and amplifier, if you can believe it. The transparent casing enhances the minimalist design, with a light to indicate that the unit is turned on (green) or that the power is low (red flashing). Includes four AA batteries, or use an AC adapter (not included).

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Remember the boombox? If you don’t, congratulations, you’re young. If you do remember, then you might have a few fuzzy feelings for the old school stereo and speaker style and you’ll want to know more about this cardboard version. That’s right, cardboard.

The black and white graphics by Berlin-based designer & illustrator Axel Pfaender are printed on heavy corrugated cardboard with a strong carrying handle and a one big knob for power and volume. You’ll enjoy listening to your playlist (at the correct volume) via the D-class stereo amplifier.
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