samedi 6 juin 2015

Steam Machines Are Finally Coming! Here’s What You Need to Know

steam-machine

When Valve first announced the Steam Machine back in September of 2013, there was plenty to get excited about. Gaming on Linux? Living-room PC gaming? Custom controller? Sign me up. It’s been a long and complicated road since then, with plenty of delays and setbacks, but the day has finally come: the first true Steam Machines are now available for pre-order, and you can have one in your hands as early as October. Should you pre-order now? Well, there are three important things you need to know first. 1: Good Hardware is Still Pricey One of the selling points for...

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Steam Machines Are Finally Coming! Here’s What You Need to Know

Chamberlain MyQ Smartphone Garage Door Controller review

myq01

Have you ever driven down the road and wondered if you closed the garage door when you left?  Unfortunately, it happens to me a lot, and then I’m in the situation where I can worry about it until I get home or drive back to check.  Sometimes I’m 150 miles away when I think about it and then driving back is not an option, which means I worry about it all weekend.  The MyQ Smartphone Garage Door Controlled aims to solve my problem, by letting me check the status of the door and then opening or closing it as appropriate.I do have another device that tells me if the garage door is closed, but there is no way for me to close it remotely.  Now I’ll be able to overcome my forgetfulness anywhere I have Internet access and my smartphone.

Features:

  • Installation in about 30 minutes
  • Works with iOS and Android devices
  • Works with most garage door openers manufactured since 1993
  • Control your garage door with your smartphone

myq02

The device consists of two main pieces:  the hub on the left and the remote sensor on the right.  There is a power supply for the hub in the kit and various screws and brackets to mount the items in your garage.

The first step in the installation is to configure the hub with your WiFi at home.  You must have a good signal in your garage for the MyQ to work well.  I checked mine out using my smartphone and because the garage is directly below the room with my router, I had a very strong signal.  There are two suggested ways to configure the hub.  One is using the app, which you download, or you can use the WPS function of your router if it’s supported.  I went the WPS route and after powering up the MyQ hub and then pushing the WPS buttons on both the router and hub, it was configured in a flash.

Now it was time to go down to the garage to actually mount the hardware.  This was very simple.  If you can use a screwdriver, you should have no problem.  All the brackets and screws are provided.

myq03

The hub (the black box on the right) slides into a bracket that is attached to the ceiling.  The bracket is attached  sing two screws and sheet rock anchors. Then plug in the provided power supply and connect it to the hub.

myq04

Here’s a closer look at the hub.  In the center is an LED which flashes when the command is given to close the door.  It also sounds a beep while closing.  The only cable required is for power.

myq05

And here’s a look from a different angle.   By the way, before you purchase the MyQ, go to their website and check that your opener is on their supported list.

myq06

Next you’ll need to attach the remote sensor to your garage door.  The included instructions make it very clear as to the orientation of the sensor and where it should be mounted.

myq07

One thing that was not pointed out in any of the documentation is what type of battery the sensor requires and how long it will last.  FYI, it is a CR2450.

Once the hardware is installed, it is simply a matter of downloading the free smartphone app and following the instructions for setting up a new device.

Firstly, ensure you have a WiFi signal at the hub.  This is shown by the indicator light on the hub.  A solid green light means you’re good to go.  Next, you fire up the app and go step by step.

IMG_0248

At some point, you have to sync the remote with the hub by pressing the test button on the remote sensor.  Then it’s time to program your door opener.  Now would be a good time to dig out the opener manual if you don’t know where the program button is or how it works.   I didn’t have a manual, so I looked around the opener and finally discovered a learn button under the lamp cover.  I pushed the button and continued with the app and in a  matter of seconds the garage door began to close.  This couldn’t have been easier.

IMG_0247

When using the app, you are presented the home screen which depicts the position of your garage door.  By tapping on the icon of the door, it will either open or close the actual door and the graphic will change to show the current state.

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And now it’s opened.

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It is also possible to set alerts via the app, to inform you of transitions of the garage door.

During my time of using the MyQ, I didn’t experience any issues with the door not responding to commands from the app.  However, on one occasion, the app hung on my Android smartphone, and I had to force stop and restart it.  From that point it worked with no further problems.

The MyQ is an addition to your normal way of opening and closing the garage door.  You can still use your remotes and hardwired buttons and the MyQ will send alerts and indicate the position of the door in the app.  With the addition of another remote sensor, the MyQ can control up to 2 doors.

The MyQ has made my life a little easier in that I don’t worry anymore about whether I remembered to close the garage when leaving the house because it allows me to close it when I forget.  And because we use the garage as the main entry to our house, I can give the password for the app to my relatives for access when I’m not  home.  It also lets me know when they come in.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Chamberlain. For more information, visit http://ift.tt/1hlbTI5 or Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $129.99 MSRP
Manufacturer: Chamberlain
Retailer: Amazon.com
Requirements:
  • Broadband Internet
  • Home WiFi
  • Compatible garage door
Pros:
  • Easy Setup and installation
  • Boon to forgetful people
Cons:
  • None

Filed in categories: Car Gear, Reviews

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Chamberlain MyQ Smartphone Garage Door Controller review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 6, 2015 at 10:00 am.

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Chamberlain MyQ Smartphone Garage Door Controller review

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and Gear VR Review and Giveaway

real-featured-gs6-gear-vr

Samsung sells more Android devices than any other manufacturer, and thanks to some aggressive marketing, the Galaxy brand is almost synonymous with Android. Because of this, there’s a lot of hype behind the newly released Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. As if that wasn’t enough, Samsung has teamed up with Oculus (see our review of the Oculus Rift) to create the Gear VR for the S6 — a virtual reality headset that uses the phone to immerse you in a virtual world. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the Galaxy S6 Edge and the Gear VR for the S6 to...

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Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and Gear VR Review and Giveaway

Cut the cord with SHOWTIME’s new streaming service

showtime-streaming-service

If you have an internet connection, you’ll be able to subscribe to SHOWTIME’s new streaming service.  In the beginning, they’ll be partnered exclusively with Apple, so you’ll also need an Apple device or an Apple TV until the service expands to other providers.  The new service is simply called SHOWTIME, and subscribers “will have unlimited on-demand access to every season of award-winning SHOWTIME original series, and hundreds of hours of movies, documentary and sports programming, as well as the live broadcast of the east and west coast feeds of SHOWTIME. Showtime will offer a 30-day free trial to new customers who sign up through Apple in July. The launch of SHOWTIME will coincide with the new seasons of the critically-acclaimed, hit series RAY DONOVAN and MASTERS OF SEX, premiering on Sunday, July 12th.”

When you sign up from an Apple device, you’ll receive the first month free; subsequent months are $10.99.  Read the press release here, and go to SHOWTIME to sign up for email updates.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod, News

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Cut the cord with SHOWTIME’s new streaming service originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 6, 2015 at 8:00 am.

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Cut the cord with SHOWTIME’s new streaming service

vendredi 5 juin 2015

5 Sites with Nature Background Sounds & White Noise to Help You Focus

nature-background-sounds

Feeling anxious, or distracted? Research shows that listening to natural sounds can improve your mood, and even your productivity. Whether you want to make nature sounds a part of your day or clear your brain with white noise, today’s Cool Websites and App has you covered with 5 free resources for sounds that will help calm you down so you can get things done – or even just relax. Let’s get started. CalmSounds (Web, MP3s for sale): Simple Collection of Relaxing Sounds Sometimes you just want to hear waves crash against the shore, or the sound of a forest on...

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5 Sites with Nature Background Sounds & White Noise to Help You Focus

A Look at Some of the Worst Computer Viruses in History

DangerousVirus

When you get a virus on your computer, the results can be devastating to you, personally. Some viruses, however, take the destruction and devastation far beyond a few people. Some computer viruses have caused million in damages the world over. Which computer viruses have been the most destructive throughout history? Check out the infographic below for an extremely detailed look and prepare to be surprised, because some of the damage caused by these viruses is truly hard to comprehend. Via WhoIsHostingThis Click to Enlarge

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A Look at Some of the Worst Computer Viruses in History

Caseco’s Core 360 is one of the smallest smartphone car mounts I’ve ever seen

caseco-core360

The Caseco Core 360° is a car mount that will put your smartphone right where you need it without a lot of unsightly plastic holders, Velcro or unreliable suction cups. The mount is made of an anodized aluminum alloy and features a neodymium magnet that keeps a secure hold on your device. The mounting part attaches with a strong 3M adhesive to a spot on your car’s dash or another smooth surface and will not leave a mark or stain if you remove it. The included steel rings stick to the back of your devices. Once attached, you just touch the back of your phone to the Core 360° mount and the magnet holds it in place while allowing for a full 360° rotation for both vertical and horizontal views.The Core 360° is available in red or black and is priced at $44.99. For more info visit Caseco.

Filed in categories: Car Gear, News

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Caseco’s Core 360 is one of the smallest smartphone car mounts I’ve ever seen originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 5, 2015 at 5:05 pm.

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Caseco’s Core 360 is one of the smallest smartphone car mounts I’ve ever seen