Since the time a mobile phone vendor first added a camera lens (creating the ‘camera phone’), we’ve seen improvements to the lenses, megapixels and software, but not much else on the outside. While you’ve likely given up using a regular digital camera in favor of your smartphone, for truly professional photographs you likely have invested in a larger DLSR-style camera (with the costs associated with that).If you’re looking for something that helps enhance your existing iPhone but not to the level of the DLSR space, Bitplay has some accessories that can help. The company recently sent me a bunch of their Snap! line of camera cases and accessories – the SNAP! Pro, the Snap! 7 and one add-on wide-angle lens.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
The de.Light system (about $150) by XY-Connect (based in Singapore) is one of the more unique networking products I’ve tried in some time. The set includes an LED light bulb with Wi-Fi capabilities, gaining network access through a powerline adapter that users can plug into their home router. The system is designed to help fill any Wi-Fi blind spots within your home, giving client devices network access without needing to upgrade to a new router or switch.Here’s how it works: you plug the de.Light Adapter into a wall outlet near your existing router, then plug in the included Ethernet cable into one of your router’s LAN ports. The Adapter includes a passthrough power outlet, so you can then plug other things (like a power strip or other power cord) into it without losing the outlet. The adapter supports HomeplugAV, creating a powerline network throughout the power lines within your home. The light bulb (an LED device) screws into any light socket. The company says the bulb works better with overhead lighting sockets rather than mobile lamps, to give Wi-Fi coverage from the top downward into an area.To read this article in full or to Continue reading
The Portal router is a new class of Wi-Fi router, utilizing frequency bands not seen in other Wi-Fi products, whether a more traditional Wi-Fi router or some of the newer Wi-Fi mesh products. It’s still a dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) router, but includes additional spectrum within the 5GHz space (designated as part of the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure).The Portal router has the permission of the FCC to share some of the spectrum normally reserved for radar (U-NII-2 and U-NII-23). This gives Portal 15 extra channels to work with, in the frequency ranges from 5.260 to 5.700 GHz, where other routers in the U-NII-1 and UNII-3 space can operate across 9 channels in the 5.180-5.240 GHz range and 5.745-5.825 range. Because those ranges are also unlicensed, Portal can make use of those too, so in essence you would get 24 channels across the entire 5.180 through 5.825 GHz range.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
The home security camera market has taken a big hit in recent months, becoming the poster child for “bad security behavior” when people talk about the security (or lack thereof) of Internet of Things. Last year’s highly publicized DDoS attack on Dyn highlighted insecure cameras being used as part of a botnet; vulnerabilities were also found in Chinese-based security cameras and at least one Samsung SmartCam product. In the U.S., the FTC filed a complaint against D-Link over claims that their webcams were “secure”.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
The home security camera market has taken a big hit in recent months, becoming the poster child for “bad security behavior” when people talk about the security (or lack thereof) of Internet of Things. Last year’s highly publicized DDoS attack on Dyn highlighted insecure cameras being used as part of a botnet; vulnerabilities were also found in Chinese-based security cameras and at least one Samsung SmartCam product. In the U.S., the FTC filed a complaint against D-Link over claims that their webcams were “secure”.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
The home security camera market has taken a big hit in recent months, becoming the poster child for “bad security behavior” when people talk about the security (or lack thereof) of Internet of Things. Last year’s highly publicized DDoS attack on Dyn highlighted insecure cameras being used as part of a botnet; vulnerabilities were also found in Chinese-based security cameras and at least one Samsung SmartCam product. In the U.S., the FTC filed a complaint against D-Link over claims that their webcams were “secure”.To read this article in full, please click here
In IT circles, actor Christian Slater is known for the very popular USA Network show "Mr. Robot", so fans of that show might like watching him in this short film, sponsored/created by HP. The film, titled "The Wolf", showcases the security vulnerabilities found at companies through the connected office printer.It’s certainly a clever way to get people to think about printer security, especially as more of them become connected not only to the office network, but the Internet. Plus, Slater is really good here.Enjoy!
To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
In IT circles, actor Christian Slater is known for the very popular USA Network show "Mr. Robot", so fans of that show might like watching him in this short film, sponsored/created by HP. The film, titled "The Wolf", showcases the security vulnerabilities found at companies through the connected office printer.It’s certainly a clever way to get people to think about printer security, especially as more of them become connected not only to the office network, but the Internet. Plus, Slater is really good here.Enjoy!
To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
Netgear’s Arlo brand of home security, network-connected cameras continues to improve, defeating every real or perceived criticism about the devices with an upgrade or improvement. Want to place in an area where there’s no network cable? Bam! Wi-Fi connection. Need to place in an area where there’s no power outlet? Bam! Battery powered! Don’t like replacing batteries? Bam! Rechargeable batteries and a quick-charge battery adapter.The latest version of this system is the Arlo Pro – it’s the most flexible camera system I’ve come across so far. After a few weeks of testing, I’ve determined that anyone who has a problem with this system (or think that it can’t do something) is just a cynical old crank.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
Netgear’s Arlo brand of home security, network-connected cameras continues to improve, defeating every real or perceived criticism about the devices with an upgrade or improvement. Want to place in an area where there’s no network cable? Bam! Wi-Fi connection. Need to place in an area where there’s no power outlet? Bam! Battery powered! Don’t like replacing batteries? Bam! Rechargeable batteries and a quick-charge battery adapter.The latest version of this system is the Arlo Pro – it’s the most flexible camera system I’ve come across so far. After a few weeks of testing, I’ve determined that anyone who has a problem with this system (or think that it can’t do something) is just a cynical old crank.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
In virtual reality’s latest iteration, it’s clear that 2016 and the first part of 2017 (based on the number of companies and products displaying at CES) is seeing the beginnings of mainstream interest in the concept.But after having tried several different VR headsets and offerings, I’m starting to have doubts about whether the technology can make the jump from a niche audience and market (mainly gamers) into the larger space held by the rest of the world. The rest of this year (and possibly 2018) could determine whether VR becomes as prevalent as the smartphone, or whether it becomes another gadget that gets placed in the recycling bin labeled “fads.”To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
With all of my recent testing in the wireless home Wi-Fi mesh space, I’ve still had some time to try out some smaller items. This post/review highlights a bunch of them. There’s no rhyme or reason as to why I’m bundling them together, other than this is the “clean up your desk” column! mJoose
Front and back views of the mJoose smartphone case.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
The latest “whole home coverage” system to cross paths with the Cool Tools testing team is from Amped Wireless. The ALLY Plus system includes a router and extender unit that looks a bit like a wireless mesh system (since both units have somewhat the same design), but in fact is more in line with a traditional router/extender offering. However, like those wireless mesh systems, the ALLY Plus is installed via mobile app that makes setup go quicker for those non-techie types. In addition, features such as in-depth parental controls and a security partnership with AVG means device protection for all clients connecting through the router.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
I’m generally an optimist when it comes to new technology (hence the ‘Cool Tools’ name of the column, not ‘Meh Tools’ or something like that), which means I go into most reviews ready to enjoy the products I’m testing.Such was the case with the Royole Moon 3D Virtual Mobile Theater ($799). I’ve seen products like this before – take a display and attach some headphones, and you can experience video and music as if you were sitting in a movie theater while you’re at home or on an airplane. Royole
In the case of this headset, it includes the experience of an 800-inch movie screen – the front part has two AMOLED displays at 1080p resolution. Over the top of the unit are two noise-canceling headphones that create the audio experience. It looks a lot like the VR headsets in the market now – such as the PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift or HTC Vive – so much so that people might think you’re playing VR games while using this. But no, it’s more of an entertainment device for experiencing content in this “virtual environment”.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
At CES earlier this month, I stepped into an autonomous car for the first time. Sure, there was a driver who was there in case something went wrong (it didn’t), but the most interesting part of the ride (other than when Sven, our driver, took his hands off the wheel and the car kept moving just fine) was learning more about all of the other connected technologies that will be needed or that will work along with the autonomous driving.The “test drive” I took was part of a collaborative effort between companies in this space – Microsoft, NXP Semiconductors, Swiss Re, Esri, IAV and Cubic Telecom (see video, above). Each company provided some of their technology to showcase how human beings will interact with (and benefit from) autonomous, self-driving cars.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
It’s been interesting to see how longtime home wireless vendors have been approaching the new wireless mesh market, in which startup products like Eero, Luma, AmpliFi and Almond have hit the scene – in addition to Google, which doesn’t qualify as a startup, but is new to the Wi-Fi market.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
How many years have gone by since you’ve upgraded your Wi-Fi router? If it’s been a few years and you want to also future-proof the network for upcoming technologies, a router on your short list should be Netgear’s Nighthawk X10 (model R9000, $499.99).The X10 not only has very fast dual-band (5GHz and 2.4 GHz) networking, but it also adds 802.11ad (60GHz) support, which provides for very fast data transfer rates over very short distances. This can be perfect for transferring large amounts of files over your LAN (such as between computers or a centralized storage device). Netgear also says that VR gaming will benefit from 802.11ad technologies (for when the headsets go wireless and need a high-speed connection to the PC from the headset) in the future. MU-MIMO technology is also supported, which maintains high data transfers when multiple-devices are also trying to do things on the network (such as stream video).To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
The scoop: SVALT D2 dock/cooling fan, by Svalt Design, about $200.What is it? The SVALT D2 is a solid, pyramid-like device with a notch in front and a flat top. The idea behind the dock is that you take a compatible Macintosh notebook (check here for compatibility) and put it into clamshell mode connected to an external display (and a USB mouse/keyboard). While in this mode, the built-in heat sink on the SVALT D2 helps cool the notebook, bringing about higher performance for the notebook (the theory being that cooler notebooks allow for faster notebook performance).To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
Even statues love CESImage by Keith Shaw / Network WorldHere are some more products and hot technologies that were showcased last week in Las Vegas during the International CES trade event. Even the MGM Grand lion statue was into VR.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
The International CES trade show is so big now that you can’t possibly see everything on display here, even if you had superpowers like Iron Man (speaking of Iron Man, there was a very cool Iron Man-branded massage chair on display). For the most part on Day 1 (officially now, although it’s my second full day of meetings and booth visits), I stuck to the Sands Expo Center, which featured mainly Smart Home products, robots, 3D printers, kid tech, fitness tech and wearables. The Sands Expo also features the Eureka Park section, a whole floor dedicated to startups that brings a LOT of people to its very narrow aisles. I can’t tell whether a product or company is very popular because of the crowds or because they (probably) pack them in tight to give them the appearance of popularity (probably a little bit of both).To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
Keith Shaw