Home Tech

Coming to Grips With Wire
February 21, 2013

If there's one area of complication in any direct-current, hobbyist tech project, it's wire. What gauge of wire should you use? How should you terminate it? How can you join wire on a budget? You'll encounter issues like this in any DC-current application project, whether you're working on audio amplifiers or other after-market automotive accessories, solar equipment or amateur radios.

Add a Solar Panel to Keep Your Backup Battery Topped Up
February 14, 2013

A few weeks ago, I wrote about building a simple, home backup power system for charging phones during extended electricity outages. However, there's a limitation to any battery system, and that is that any battery power supply will eventually become depleted. I reckon to get a theoretical 13 days out of mine. What happens, in a catastrophic event, if grid power isn't restored at the end of 13 days?

Sonos Raises the Soundbar Bar
February 13, 2013

Those who like to cut the cords but still get the best sounding audio with every note and chord will soon have a new mid-priced option, as Sonos has officially unveiled its long rumored soundbar. The Sonos Playbar, which will be available in March for around $700, is designed to provide all of a listener's audio needs in a single sleek package that can even be wall-mounted beneath a TV.

The Smart TV Shopping Saga: Size and Power Matter
January 11, 2013

To buy a flashy new ultra-thin framed 3D TV or not: Like many consumers over the holiday buying hustle, I struggled with that question. I finally gave in and decided to buy one. That decision was not an impulse-only submission, however. I was toying for a while with replacing my aging 42-inch plasma HD "dumb" TV set and finally bought a 55-inch 3D smart TV.

Here Comes UHDTV - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
January 09, 2013

The original analog NTSC TV standard for sets that graced living rooms for decades was only phased out in 2009 after years of delays, extensions and efforts to reach a standard for digital TV, but already TV manufacturers are looking to the next big thing. At this year's International CES, all the buzz is about "4K" TV sets that offer four times the resolution of current-generation HDTV sets.

Samsung Takes CES by Storm
January 09, 2013

Samsung has unveiled a slew of smart TVs and related technologies at the 2013 CES being held this week in Las Vegas. They include a redesigned Samsung Smart Hub TV center, S-Recommendation Technology, advanced Smart Interaction technology motion control; and the Samsung Allshare content-sharing software.

Consumers Tuning Out OLED in 2013
January 08, 2013

The 2013 International CES is in full swing, and it's easy to get caught up in all the hoopla over the latest and greatest tech gizmos on display. However, this is a cycle that repeats itself annually, and what's hot in Vegas this week may cool down faster than you can say "OLED."

Lenovo's Horizon Does Double Duty: Table PC or Huge Tablet
January 07, 2013

Lenovo on Monday announced a 27-inch table PC that doubles as a monster tablet and a desktop at the 2013 CES in Las Vegas. The IdeaCenter Horizon Table PC has a two-legged kickstand in the back that, when extended, props the device up for vertical use. It has a 10-point multitouch screen that's optimized for Windows 8.

Why CES Will Suck This Year
January 07, 2013

I think CES is the worst show in the technology market. That's not because it is badly run -- on the contrary, it is one of the better-run shows. Nor is it because there aren't any interesting and compelling products there. No, it is because we all just blew out our budgets buying crap, and CES is a showcase of why we should have waited for the improved crap that will be in the market shortly.

Microsoft May Get Home Advantage
January 03, 2013

Microsoft could be cutting new inroads into the world of home automation, based on rumors that it has purchased id8 Group R2 Studios. This acquisition will reportedly bolster Microsoft's Xbox division, which is likely to introduce a next-generation game console later this year. Aside from an Android application that can control heating and lighting systems, R2 Studios currently does not have any products.

Asus Takes Giant Leap Into Gesture Tech
January 03, 2013

Leap Motion announced on Thursday that its touch-free 3D motion sensing and control technology will be bundled with high-end notebooks and premium all-in-one PCs high-tech vendor Asus will launch later this year. The Leap Motion controller can track movements smaller than the tip of a pin with no visible lag time.

LG Ships a Big, Bright OLED That Makes Flat-Screens Look Fat
January 02, 2013

LG Electronics on Monday became the first manufacturer to make a 55-inch OLED TV available on the market, taking preorders in Korea for its device. The device is the LG Model 55EM9700. It is listed at $10,000, and will begin shipping in February. With the announcement, LG has taken pole position in the race for the 55-inch OLED TV market over rival Samsung.

A Few of My Favorite 2012 Things
December 31, 2012

As I look back on 2012, a number of products stand out as memorable. I figured I'd use my last column of the year to take a moment to recall each one and what made it special. For years I wondered why someone didn't use the technology that was used to cool astronauts and race drivers in consumer clothing and beds. This is important to me.

CES 2013: Plenty of Innovation In Store
December 27, 2012

The Consumer Electronics Show kicks off Jan. 8 in Las Vegas, and it looks like it will be another big success. So what will be hot during this year's show? There are plenty of new ideas that will wow you. Let's take a quick peek at what we can expect. Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, seems very happy with what he is expecting at this year's CES.

Be Prepared: Build Your Own Backup Battery
December 20, 2012

"Normal connected lifestyle to resume in due course," could have been the tag line recently in New York and New Jersey. If there was one lesson learned from Hurricane Sandy, it was that even the most sophisticated of urban areas can experience an unexpected loss of essential services.

How About an iTV Built by Sir Richard Branson?
December 13, 2012

When I first saw the news about the survey that revealed 47 percent of American heads of households were interested in buying an Apple-branded TV set, I thought, "Well, heck yeah, who wouldn't be interested in a real big-screen Apple HDTV?" And then the survey also claimed that respondents would be willing to pay a premium for an Apple-branded TV. Again, I thought, "Well sure."

FreedomPop Dishes Up Free Data in Broadband Offensive
December 12, 2012

FreedomPop is looking to disrupt the cable and DSL business model by offering free wireless Internet service to home users. The startup on Wednesday began taking orders for an $89 modem that will provide online access to as many as 10 WiFi-enabled devices in the home, at speeds faster than digital subscriber lines.

Bringing Healthcare Home From the Hospital
December 01, 2012

As the dust settles on the 2012 election, one conclusion remains as inevitable now as before: The healthcare industry is in line for major changes, especially over the next two years. Industry and consumer factors are pushing the transformation to a patient-centered approach in care delivery, which will open new opportunities in connected-home technologies.

Wii U Wii U Rock You
November 16, 2012

Nintendo's next-generation video game console system, the Wii U, will arrive at stores on Sunday and is expected to sell out quickly. This could leave many holiday shoppers unable to find one as Nintendo will be unable to meet the demand. In many ways this is a replay of the 2006 launch of the Nintendo Wii, which was a smash hit -- so much so that it took years for supply to reach demand.

No-Sweat Windows 8 Networking
November 15, 2012

Easy sharing and streaming of media and other assets among computers at home or in the workplace is a good reason to get networked. Other benefits include sharing Internet connections. If you've been using email as a method for distributing files among family members or a small business, or are simply taking the Windows 8 plunge, Microsoft has never made it easier.