Ambient, makers of the Desktop Scoreboard we recently featured, have truly outdone themselves - and many others. An umbrella that lights up when rain is coming? Genius. If rain is expected in the next 12 hours, the tip of the handle illuminates with a blue glow so you won’t forget it. The system wirelessly retrieves information from Accuweather.com - free of charge. Batteries last about two years (likely depending on whether you live in Seattle or Death Valley). Never forget your umbrella again. Simple - smart. $105 BUY
AMX, makers of home-tech integration systems - has released the ViewStat Thermostat. While it might be hard to get too excited about a thermostat - this one impresses. 3.5″ touchscreen gives you indoor and outdoor temperatures, the unit links to remote sensors throughout the house that calculate how much heat or cooling is needed to average out the temperature you are looking for. Also gives you 5 day forecast through complimentary 3 year weather service. Programmable up to 4 temperature points per day for each day of the week. Faceplate is even paintable to match the walls. We assume it has all functions of our previously mentioned unit. We don’t think they missed much on this. AMX
Beyond the good looks - Samsung’s new Monochrome Laser Printer has some impressive bonus features. At just over 14 lbs it is actually portable, and it operates at less than 45 decibels (an average library operates at 40 decibels) so you’ll barely hear it. On top of that it is Energy Star Compliant, and only takes 15 seconds to go from sleeping to printing. Hook it up to your Apple router and print wirelessly. All you need. $200. BUY
Cyber-Rain has come up with something very clever. The Cyber-Rain XCI System for your sprinklers, will wirelessly connect to the internet to research the weather, then adjust your watering schedule accordingly. You can even adjust the schedule from your computer and see how much water you are saving (Cyber-Rain estimates 30-70% drop in watering bill.) The system also accounts for seasons as well as fertilizing. The Cyber-Rain can manage eight separate zones, meaning you can put different sections/plants of the garden on different watering schedules (as is probably best anyway). Why didn’t anyone think of this before? Combine this with your lawn-robot and forget about the lawn permanently. We love it - and it pays for itself over time. $340. BUY
Apple has done it again, and cheaply this time. For less than $100 you can now have wireless access to your printer and your music system. Hit play on your iTunes, and your home speakers come to life. Hide that printer wherever you want. The Airport Express Base Station acts as all this, and a strong router. This one is worth it. $99.
The Biometric Wall Safe from Earthtech Products is sure to keep all your valuables safely hidden behind that painting. For some gravitas, keep in mind the U.S. Department of Justice, gives this safe an official seal of approval for securing firearms. Whether its guns, germs or steel you’re keeping safe, only those with the right set of fingers will get in. And, to top it off, no wiring required. For $450, this one might be worth it.
