After its successful launch in Australia and the US, Sage is finally introducing the all-new the Barista Pro Espresso Coffee Machine in Europe.

We had our first look at the Sage Barista Pro at the London Coffee Festival, and liked it so much, that we decided to get one and write an in-depth review over on our sister site CoffeeScience. Please find the full Sage Barista Pro review here.

Check out the Hands-on Video we made, which will give you a pretty good idea of the machine and it’s features.

For now, please check out the below pics and videos.

Sage the Barista Pro Review

Here is a little sneak peek on what you can do with the new Sage the Barista Pro

Sage the Barista Pro Features

INTEGRATED CONICAL BURR GRINDER

At the touch of a button, the integrated conical grinder with dosage control delivers the right amount of coffee for maximum taste. Adjustable grinding size and quantity.

19-22 GRAMS DOSE FOR FULL FLAVOUR

FASTER HEAT UP TIME

PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION

MICROFOAM MILK TEXTURING

Please let us know in the comments below, if you have any questions you would like us to ask Sage at the upcoming event and any features you would like us to test.

The post Sage the Barista Pro Espresso Coffee Machine Review appeared first on ChipIn.

After 2 successful Indiegogo campaigns in 2015 and 2017 Innovative Brands is back with a brand new product range; the Lucis 3.0, ultra-powerful Dutch-design LED mood lamps that have some game-breaking features including; wireless phone charging and full power bank functionality. 

There is a lot to like about this portable little light. Designed to provide instant ambiance to any space, you can bring this splash-proof lamp and unpack it to light up any dark corners, picnics under the stars, or beside the bed.

“With the new series of Lucis Lamps, we continued our search towards creating the perfect cordless LED lamp that can set the mood anywhere, anyplace, anytime. Our 3.0 product line features both the Simple & Twist models that are centralized around intuitive function, portability and the sharing of both power and light ’’ says co-founder and designer Simon Koop. “Our new models were greatly influenced by the notion that people should connect and find each other, we wanted to create a truly social mood lamp that combined clean looking Dutch-design and great functionality to create the perfect setting’’. 

The Lucis 3.0 Lamp & Qi Wireless Charger is a first-class piece of tech that immediately draws the eye and the versatile nature of its performance capabilities is sure to appeal. This excellent device comes in three different styles

• Simple 
• Simple Power 
• Full Color Twist 

that combines top-class Dutch-design with unparalleled functionality. Whether using indoor or outdoor; you can set the mood wherever you go.

Unpacking

The Lucis 3.0 Full Color Twist comes in a very nice box and with everything you need, including a bottle connector & hanging hook to hang the light using the Tripod connector. I’ve managed to charge and have everything set up within a couple of hours. If you want to use the light with one of the attractive stands Lucis is offering, you need to order them separately.

Powerful Light & Innovative Functionality

The Lucis 3.0 Simple is equipped with powerful LEDs that have a maximum output of 180 lumens. The lamp is easy to use thanks to the elegant touch sensors that control the brightness of the lamp. The lamp is aesthetically similar to its counterpart; the Lucis 3.0 Simple Power, which is equipped with a powerful 8000 mAh battery and provides 88 hours of continuous light. This simple but powerful addition to the new roster includes some features that were not available in previous versions. Lucis introduces the charging of mobile phones as well as the full power bank functionality for 3 models of the 3.0 product line.

The company introduced another brand new feature with the Lucis Twist. Simply turn the top of the lamp to adjust brightness and color and create a nice ambiance. The Lucis 3.0 Full Color Twist is the first lamp to be equipped with this mechanism. This rotating lamp has the same charging and power bank functions for mobile phones as the Simple Power.

In addition, Lucis is back with a brand new line of accessories that improve adaptability and make the lamps a bright addition to any interior design. All new accessories are fully functional for each model thanks to the same ¼ connector, so the user can fully customize the accessories.

We were lucky enough to get our hands on the Lucis 3.0 Full-Color Twist

A lamp with a ‘Twist’

The Lucis 3.0 Full Color Twist is equipped with strong RGB full-color LEDs and has a maximum output of 250 lumens. This lamp features all the functionalities of its siblings combined with the full-color spectrum capable of producing over 16 million colors. These colorations can be enjoyed using the 5 dynamic light programs that set the perfect mood for any situation.

Set the mood, with a twist, anywhere, anytime

The creators of Lucis claim it can last for up to 88 hours on a single charge and I must say it lasted well beyond that time frame (on the lowest setting). I am not overly concerned about the interiors of my house, but I realized that gadgets like Lucis can bring a sense of distinct design and personalization and a few people who visited me were immediately drawn to it.

High-Quality Material

All the Lucis 3.0 Mood Lamps & QI Wireless Chargers are crafted from the best grade materials and built to the highest standards possible. This includes top-quality matte plexiglass upper housing and a solid aluminum ring which means this device is the ideal portable lamp and they are splash-proof so you don’t have to worry about a little rain when using them outdoors. There is a tangible sense of quality to this product that helps to set it apart from the competition.

Unique Touch Sensors

Lucis is equipped with 2 touch sensors for quickly adjusting the brightness. It comes with 5 light programs, which you can easily switch between using a little button.

Power Bank & Wireless Charger

The all-new Lucis series is a fully functional power bank for charging your devices via USB and Qi-Wireless Charger. Just turn the lamp around and place it on top of your smartphone. We’ve tested it a few times and it worked perfectly. The only slight drawback is that you need to switch between wired and wireless charging manually by pressing a small button.

About Lucis / Innovative Brands

Innovative Brands designs, develops, produces and brands consumer products. The company builds high-end solutions for its clients through a worldwide production and distribution network. As a Holland-based company, Innovative Brands has strong Dutch design roots with the highest quality standards. The head of design has more than a decade of expertise designing sports cars for Spyker. The sourcing and production department of Innovative Brands has several years of experience working with production facilities in markets worldwide.

The post Lucis 3.0 Full Color Twist Review – Powerful, Portable & Rechargeable appeared first on ChipIn.

This hardware wallet weighs just 5 grams and is very small with 86 x 54 x 0.8mm. Is the purchase worthwhile according to our CoolWallet Review? For which user behaviour does the hardware wallet make the most sense?

At the beginning of January the hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger announced an upgrade of its well-known Nano S. From March 2019 it will be possible to manage your Bitcoin and other crypto currencies with the successor Nano X via Bluetooth and the mobile app.

The company CoolBitX has been offering the possibility to connect a hardware wallet with the smartphone via Bluetooth with its CoolWallet S since the beginning of 2018. The wallet in credit card format is set up and used exclusively with the smartphone.

How well the CoolWallet S perform in my test and whether I give it a clear purchase recommendation, you can find out in this article.

Who built the CoolWallet S ?

Behind the CoolWallet S is the Taiwanese manufacturer CoolBitX. It was founded in 2014 by Fintech entrepreneur Michael Ou and reinvented the future of cold storage in 2016 with the release of its first-generation CoolWallet, the world’s first-ever mobile hardware wallet for Bitcoin owners.

Driven by this success, several investors joined the company in 2017, which made enough capital available to develop a successor to the first CoolWallet.

With feedback from the First Wallet Generation, an improved version, the CoolWallet S, was released in early 2018. According to the manufacturer, more than 150,000 units have been sold so far.

CoolBitX’s mission is to leverage the best of blockchain technology in order to foster a more secure and empowered future for cryptocurrency investors.

Is the CoolWallet S safe ?

The CoolBitX company has installed a CC EAL5+ certified security chip in its hardware wallet, which is also used for military purposes.

The complete processing of a transaction takes place within this microchip. Therefore, only non-critical data is transmitted via the Bluetooth connection.

Your private key never leaves this chip if used properly!

A Bluetooth connection of the CoolWallet S can only be established when the wallet is switched on and is secured with the AES 256 encryption method.

As an additional security function, the microchip is sealed so that physical access to it is almost impossible. This means that the hardware is irreversibly destroyed during the disassembly attempt.

Secure transactions

To execute a transaction requested by the app, press the button on the hardware wallet. In addition, all necessary information will be shown again on the E-Ink display.

Overall, the CoolWallet S thus offers a very high level of security.

CoolWallet S – What’s in the Box

The CoolWallet S is delivered in a stylish black cardboard box which can be opened upwards. Immediately after opening, the hardware wallet shines at you in the form of a bank or credit card.

Included in delivery:

• CoolWallet S with E-Ink display
• Charger with USB cable
• Recovery Seed Card
• Stickers

How can I find out if I have an original CoolWallet S ?

The packaging of the CoolWallet S is closed with a seal. However, this type of protection is not the most effective. It is easy to reproduce the adhesive labels.

Unfortunately there is no other way to verify the authenticity of your CoolWallet S. Here the Genuine-function, as with the Ledger Nano S, would be desirable.

If you want to be on the safe side, we would recommend to only order the CoolWallet S directly from the manufacturer. In our case, the delivery was fast and problem-free.

The CoolWallet S set up in 4 easy steps

The hardware wallet can be set up quickly and easily. All you need is a mobile phone with the latest Android or iOS version. During the entire setup procedure, the CoolWallet S should be charged with the supplied charger.

Be sure to insert the card the right way round. The arrow of the charger must be on the front of the card. A red LED next to the display indicates the charging process.

1. Pair the CoolWallet S with your mobile phone via Bluetooth

• To pair the CoolWallet S, first install the CoolBitX App from the Apple or Google Play Store. Simply scan the QR code on the Recovery-Seed card.
• Press the button of the CoolWallet S once and turn it on. It will show “Please pair” in the display.
• Now open the CoolBitX App and press the “Connect” button.
• A message appears to confirm the connection by entering the Bluetooth password. The required password is shown on the CoolWallet S display.

2. Update the CoolWallet S firmware

Immediately after pairing, the app checks whether there is a firmware update for the CoolWallet S and installs it if necessary. For security reasons, I recommend that you always use the latest firmware.

Attention:
If you have already set up your CoolWallet S, you will need your recovery seed for recovery. The wallet will be completely deleted during the firmware update!

3. Create a new wallet

After you have confirmed the successful firmware update, the CoolWallet S restarts. To reconnect, press the “Connect” button in the app and the button on the hardware wallet.
Now it is time to create a new wallet account. Press the “Create” button to continue.

4. Create CoolWallet S recovery seed

The CoolWallet S gives you several ways to choose the length and location of your recovery seed. I recommend that you select 24 words, or more precisely, sequences of numbers, to be displayed on the wallet’s E-Ink display.

Once you have made your selection, you can press the button on the CoolWallet S to display the next combination of numbers in the row.

Write all 24 rows of numbers on a piece of paper, or better yet, on a non-destructible stainless steel note, such as a Cryptosteel.

After you have noted down all the sequences of numbers, you must verify your wallet backup to complete the setup.

Important:
To verify the recovery seed, you must sum up all the numbers one by one. Then enter the result into the input mask of the app.

Example:

Recovery phrase:   11111; 22222; …    
Total numbers:  = 11111+22222    
Result of the verification = 33333

Personally, I had my problems with this verification method and had to add all the numbers several times to get the correct result. After all, it takes 120 characters at a time to enter correctly into the calculator!

I would definitely prefer a query of individual phrases with direct confirmation, which is available with the app set up, but they don’t recommend it for security reasons.

Recovery seed with numbers?

CoolBitX has decided to use a sequence of numbers instead of words in its wallet to make it easier for non-English speaking users.

The technique behind it is the same. If you prefer to work with the known words, you can use a table to convert back the sequence of numbers.

CoolWallet S Review – The Conclusion

The CoolWallet S with its credit card format and mobile operating concept can be described as a revolution in the hardware wallet market. The built-in battery is large enough to use the CoolWallet S for several weeks without having to recharge it.

The app UX is tidy and while it could be enhanced, it comes with all the features you need. The integration of Changelly makes it possible to switch between individual assets quickly and easily, anywhere in the world – provided there is an Internet connection.

Setup is largely trouble-free. What I personally didn’t like is the verification of the recovery seed, but you go through this process only once every while. The wallet offers the possibility to work with fewer sequences of numbers or to use the app for creation, but this is at the expense of security.

Unfortunately, CoolBitX comes without an operating system, so that new features can only be imported by a firmware update. There is always the danger that you have to restore your wallet with the Recovery-Seed.

In daily life

The CoolWallet S combines the advantages of a hardware wallet with the advantages of a mobile wallet while eliminating the weaknesses of both.

All in all it is a very cool feeling to have your Bitcoins available at all times and to have them really safely stored.

With its CoolWallet S, the manufacturer CoolBitX certainly makes a contribution to the mass adaptation of crypto currencies. The beginning is made, with a simplified backup of the wallet and more acceptance points I see a lot of potential for the future.

More hardware wallet tests can be found in our big upcoming hardware wallet comparison article.

The post CoolWallet S Review – All you need to know about the Hardware Wallet in Credit Card Format appeared first on ChipIn.

Although there are plenty of alternatives to the Apple Pencil, nobody could match the original iPad pencil so far. Now the Logitech Crayon is available and Apple had its hands in the development. Is there finally a sensible alternative to the Apple Pencil?

Crayon lies well in the hand

The feel is definitely right: despite its 20 grams, the Crayon lies well balanced in the hand. The wide shaft is reminiscent of that of a Zimmermann pencil and can be held securely by both small and large hands and at the same time guided precisely. Some people might prefer a round pencil shape, but after an initial period we got used to it. One major benefit. When placed on a table, it does not roll away so easily.

Another advantage is that the Crayon is ready for writing and drawing immediately after pressing the power button. It does not connect to the iPad via Bluetooth, but via a proprietary wireless connection and works like magic. In contrast to the Apple Pencil, the Logitech pen also works directly with any iPad of the sixth and seventh generation.

The rest of the Crayon has also been carefully designed by Logitech product developers with its intended use in education, at home with the family and above all by children’s hands: there are no loose parts that could be lost or even swallowed. The cap of the charging socket, for example, is connected to the pen by a rubber tab. Logitech also made sure to make the product break resistant: the pin body is made of aluminum instead of plastic, and the Crayon can easily withstand a fall from table height.

The design, on the other hand, is a matter of taste: The Apple Pencil in its plain snow-white looks noble, the Crayon on the other hand is rather playful because of its orange accents on the silver-grey aluminium. But the colour was obviously chosen carefully: It catches the eye in the chaos of a classroom, a schoolbag or a couch scribe at home.

The battery lasts a week and more

The Crayon is just as easy to charge as the Pencil. But instead of using a Lightning plug like Apple, there is a Lightning socket under the dust cap of the Crayon.

A full battery charge results in about seven hours pure usage time. And if the battery runs out at just the wrong moment, one and a half minutes of uninterrupted charging results in about 30 minutes of usage – a two-colour LED and an automatic switch-off function warn and protect against an empty battery.

Reliable workhorse instead of a noble brush

But how does the Crayon actually perform? First of all, you can easily write in different line widths (which are determined by the inclination of the pen), for example in the notes app. Annotations in PDFs or in the word processor Pages can also be added easily; sketches, drawings and photo editings are also easy to do. In other words: the Crayon does a great job in everyday life, the palm recognition reliably prevents incorrect entries.

When implementing complex shadings or similarly advanced techniques, the Logitech pen, on the other hand, fails to perform in comparison, because of the lack of pressure recognition. Apple’s own stylus is the potentially more expressive and sensitive, but also a much more expensive tool.

Works with hundreds of Apps

Use Crayon to learn a new language, sketch, design, or create with apps that are compatible with Apple Pencil.

Logitech Crayon put to the test: Conclusion

The Logitech Crayon is characterised by an idiosyncratic shape. The flat pen has a better grip than we initially feared. It writes well, and even drawing is successful. Placing the ball of your hand on the screen of the iPad is no problem at all – the Crayon also works perfectly here. It’s ahead of its competitors.

Drawers prefer to use the Apple Pencil because of the lack of pressure, and the iPad Pro is also more accurate and looks more direct thanks to the laminated display. All in all, the Logitech Crayon deserves a recommendation.

Logitech Crayon in the test:

What we really liked:

• The iPad’s palm recognition works very well when using the Crayon – one of the main problems that the other pencil alternatives have.
• The accuracy is good.
• The iPad does a good job of tilt for hatching.
• A Lightning cable can be plugged into the back for charging.

What we didn’t like that much

• The design looks a bit like a basic school or construction site, the broad form is not everyone’s cup of tea.
• The Crayon is not quite as exact as the Apple Pencil. Moreover, it doesn’t work with the iPad Pro, which allows even higher accuracy on the tablet side.
• The Crayon does not support pressure intensity.

Things you should know about the Logitech Crayon

• Do not forget to switch it on! Otherwise nothing works. Unused, it switches itself off automatically after half an hour.
• If you have paired an Apple Pencil, disconnect it (e.g. simply switch off Bluetooth in the control centre). Crayon and Pencil cannot be used on one tablet at the same time.

The post Logitech Crayon Review – the Best Apple Pencil Alternative for your iPad? appeared first on ChipIn.

We start at the entry point. Smart locks are the most important element to your smart home. If this part doesn’t work – all of the rest is in jeopardy.

1. August Smart Lock 2.0

This little gem has been the leader of smart locks for quite some time. And not surprisingly so! An easy-to-install device offers you a real and sensible alternative to usual locks. Making a case for utility, rather than pondering to IoT trend bandwagon is a great step from August. Smart locks will be overtaking the traditional locks we have and August 2.0 is a great example of why.

The looks might not be as crucial to a smart lock as it is for virtually any other tech tool we use, but we didn’t want to avoid talking about this. The product will be available in four colours – silver, grey, copper, and red. Picking up a neutral colour, or one that will match your doors might be a good idea since the August Smart Lock 2.0 is a bit bulkier than a usual door knob. Its dimensions are 3.3 by 3.3 inches, with a depth of 2,2 inches.
The manufacturer boasts an improved design of the device, that, supposedly, makes it easier to handle, install and use. We have to admit that this smart lock does look stylish and sleek.

August Smart Lock 2.0 has an app for iOS and Android, which gives you full control of the lock and virtual keys

August Smart Lock can be the first door lock you’ll install yourself. And you wouldn’t even need a DYI or a door lock installation for Dummies book. All you’ll need is a compatible deadbolt and a screwdriver. Okay, and an official August guide, just in case. The procedure is relatively simple, as you can see in the guide,

It works with Nest and Apple’s HomeKit, Logitech Harmony, Siri and Xfinity Home. This should be enough to cover your basic smart home needs and connect the right amount of devices into a singular ecosystem. Apart from integration with most home automation platforms, the August Smart Lock 2.0 has an array of great features.

Things like overlock and auto-unlock take care of the core function of this smart lock. The smartphone app helps the device sense you approaching and automatically open the door. You can generate an unlimited number of virtual keys that would grant the owners access to open the lock and manage them. If you have a falling out with someone who would occasionally drop by – not a problem anymore! Just delete their virtual key and it’s done.

You can lock/unlock your door, as long as you stay within the range of Bluetooth signal

Through Bluetooth connectivity, you can lock/unlock your door, as long as you stay within the range of Bluetooth signal. Remote work with the device is enabled though using one of the smart home platforms (hubs) we’ve mentioned earlier. The smartphone app keeps track of all people entering and exiting your home in a log, which you can access at any time. You can even see real-time notifications on your smart lock activity.

2. Kwikset Kevo Bluetooth Deadbolt

Kevo can integrate with Nest, Honeywell Thermostat, Skybell Video Doorbell and can be boosted through IFTTT applets and services.

The deadbolt has this nice light strip on its radius that will flash when you lock or unlock Kevo. The colour will indicate if you’ve unlocked the door or were denied. In terms of compatibility – Kevo’s on par with August. It supports both iOS and Android devices, including wearables. While Apple Watch will only receive notifications, Android Wear can boast the full functionality of a mobile app. Kevo can integrate with Nest, Honeywell Thermostat, Skybell Video Doorbell and can be boosted through IFTTT applets and services.

The company has a wide range of products that can be added on top of the Kevo lock. With the first generation, Kwikset was adding a Kevo FOB, which is a small keychain accessory than enabled opening the door with the touch without smartphone near you.

With Kevo you can send and manage an unlimited number of electronic keys

Unfortunately, with the 2nd generation, the company stopped adding this item in the box, so you’ll have to buy it separately for additional $25. Security, arguably being the main feature of a smart lock, has been seriously improved this time. The previous device, reportedly, could be opened with brute force.

The improved metal structure of the lock lets you sleep calmly now. With Kevo you can send and manage an unlimited number of electronic keys and keep track of all the smart lock related activities in the app log. Getting this smart lock now would be perfect timing, since the free unlimited e-keys functionality and full compatibility with iOS have been introduced just recently.

Smart lighting is probably the most fun smart home element to have. It’s easy to understand why – we rarely appreciate a door lock, while light is a completely different thing. We adjust it to our mood, our activities, time of the day, weather and so on – and manufacturers know this all too well. Smart lightbulbs aren’t only beautiful and easy-to-use, they are quite efficient, too. Some smart light bulbs offer over 25000 hours of an average lifecycle.
There are many players in this market right now, but since we’re talking about a smart home for beginners, we’ll start with the entry level offers in terms of ease of use and price tag.

1. Philips Hue Smart Lighting

One of the pioneers and current smart lighting champions – Philips Hue is the place to start. Despite its somewhat high price tag, the starter kit they’re offering would be great for a novice. And this is why.

The hub is almost barely noticeable in the household

We’ll take the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit 3rd generation for the test drive. What you get in the box is three light bulbs, that are able to change the 16 million supported colors and a hub, sorry, a ‘bridge’. As seen in the photo – the hub is pretty nice-looking and almost barely noticeable in the household. It has LED indicators (which aren’t really needed, since all the operations will be done from the app) and a push button used to connect bulbs.

You do have to hide the wires, as the bridge has to be plugged into the power socket, as well as to the Internet cable. The smart bulbs themselves aren’t anything special, really. But only until you turn them on.

The different regimes and color patterns are so vast, that it would be hard to list them all. Especially, given that there are dozens, if not more, 3rd party apps – both free and paid. You can adjust the lights to fit your needs in a particular room almost perfectly. The kitchen can have this energetic bright bluish light (or daylight simulation light) and the bedroom can have a lighting mode most accommodating for reading or snoozing your alarm for an indefinite number of times.

Light bulbs and the bridge are interconnected via an app, which is super simple to use

You can even create ambient light for a movie you’re watching using an app, or video game that you are playing.

Philips Hue bulbs start a color loop when the ISS passes over your location

Timers, wake-up and sleep modes are all available from the original application and they are worth of trying out. Imagine, you’re cooking something or waiting for a sports game to start, simply set a timer on the app and lights will start flickering when the time runs out.

That’s pretty neat, isn’t it? If you want to go even further and super geeky – IFFFT offers some amazing applets for Philips Hue, like the one making your Philips Hue bulbs start a color loop when the ISS passes over your location! Another one simply changes the lights to blue colour, when it starts raining. As I’ve said – smart light and smart locks are in a different weight category.

On the other hand – it’s understandable why you wouldn’t want your doors to unlock every time ISS passes over. The bulbs have an unimpressive 800 lumens. So, you’ll be unable to perform high-precision surgery with this setting. But this is well compensated by the different modes you can switch between when using your Philips Hue. Philips claims the bulbs to last for 25000 hours, which is quite good.

The upgradable bridge offers constant improvements and the ever-expanding market for apps and applets guarantees new cool things you’ll be able to do with these smart bulbs. Compatibility with Nest, Amazon Alexa, Harmony, Samsung SmartThings and HomeKit make it a no-brainer as your first smart light system.

2. C by GE

GE is this up-and-coming startup tech company trying to get into the trendy market of IoT. No, on a serious note, this mammoth, established in 1878, is now offering the expertise, quality, and experience of a 140-year company to a very new trend in consumer electronics. And this is a very appealing point to start with. So, what are they offering with the C?

These bulbs are designed to recreate natural light and provide best lighting adjusted to your sleeping patterns

You might have already guessed that the lightbulbs do look pretty much the same across the board. What you’ll find in the C by GE, which is a smart lighting starter kit, is 4 bulbs – two for any room and two for the bedroom. Named C-Life and C-Sleep, these bulbs are designed to recreate natural light and provide the best lighting adjusted to your sleeping patterns.

As expected, C support both iOS and Android platforms. It does not require additional hubs, as is the case with the Hue, and you connect to the bulbs directly via an app. However, the maximum amount of bulbs you can manage is 50, just like with the Hue. So, just in case you were thinking of getting OVER 50 bulbs for some reason, you might have to do some manual tweaking of the app or devices used for it.

The coolest thing that GE is marketing in their bulbs is that they are super adjustable to your daily (and nightly) needs. Yes, C does not have color change and all the palette that Hue is offering, but you can get any level of brightness from your C-Life bulb. “From working to cooking to kicking back”, as said on the official website. This bulb should recreate almost perfectly the natural daylight, which is beneficial for health – psychological and physical.

The coolest thing that GE is marketing in their bulbs is that they are super adjustable to your daily needs.

With all the perks that the color change in the Hue gives you – you don’t want to sit under the acid green strobe light for all day long, do you? That wouldn’t feel right. So, jokes aside, it really does make sense for someone not sure about the whole smart home thing to start with C by GE – simple and efficient, nothing over the top. Speaking of efficient – GE says, that the bulb will last for 20 years.

With a small footnote, that says “based on 3 hours per day usage”. Well, still pretty good if you ask me. The C-Sleep is basically the same bulb, but one that is configurable to automatically change light based on the daytime and your sleep cycles. You’ll get a dimmed light in the evening and an energetic bright one in the morning.

3. LIFX

One could not go talking about smart lighting and avoid mentioning LiFX. While the company doesn’t offer a ‘starter kit’ (well, a pack of 4 bulbs can be technically called a starter kit), the LiFX bulbs are definitely worth mentioning. Let’s take the standard LIFX – you get 1100 lumens of brightness, 16 million colors and 1000 shades of grey. No, that’s not it – 1000 shades of warm to cool whites! And all of this will last for 22 years (again, based on a 3-hours/day usage).

LIFX offer a bunch of product similar to Hue (like the lighting strip) and all of them can become a viable competitor for the Philips and GE products. One more thing – no hub is needed for the LIFX bulbs! The bulb itself is a hub with WiFi onboarded.

1. Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo came out of the blue and immediately got everyone’s attention. This was the first real (arguably) attempt of creating a product that has been envisioned for decades. Remember the Computer from Star Trek? Incidentally, the new wake word for the Alexa Echo and Echo Dot is “Computer”. So, what made the product so popular and why you should care to buy it?
We’ll take the newer product in the Amazon Echo family – Echo Dot 2nd generation.

The first thing that you’ll notice is the price tag – it’s currently set at $49.99 which is super low when you compare to all the other stuff that’s in the IoT market. What can it do for the 50 bucks? Imagine a better version of Siri or Google Now and you’ll get Alexa, which is the name of this virtual assistant.

There’s a bunch of stuff you can do with it and Amazon provides updates weekly on the new features they’re adding. So, here’s a quick list of the main features.

Music streaming-Just pair it with Amazon Prime Music, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio or TuneIn and you’re good to go. Using the Dot as a speaker is not perfect. It’s definitely not going to give you a nice clear loud sound. But if you’re not looking for the best sound experience. – it’ll do.

News-This is one of the coolest features of the device. Add the news agencies you follow and start your morning by saying “Alexa, what’s the news?” to get your briefing.
Dominos & Uber have integrations with the device and you can manage your preferences through the mobile app, something you might use every once in a while.

Control of your lights-It integrated with Philips Hue, LiFX, and GE bulbs, among others. While simple turn on/off commands for Hue is working fine, advanced voice controls, like color change are not really easy to use.

Smart home devices-The August Smart Lock must be mentioned here. While you can’t lock or unlock the doors through Alexa (which might be a smart approach here) you can check on the status of your lock, which can come in handy.

Heating-Alexa is the champion here, boasting integration capabilities with all the big guns of the market – Nest, Honeywell, Ecobee3, you name it.

Miscellaneous-We’ll put adding notes to Evernote via Alexa, stopwatch and simple random fact checking here. Alexa is great when you need to learn something on the spot and don’t want to turn on your PC or pick up your tablet. Alexa is always on and it can do a basic google search nice and easy. Stopwatch function is pretty straightforward and working with Evernote demands time to get used to. Also, you can just say “Alexa, good morning!” and hear the response. Today I got “Good morning to you and Happy Birthday to George Washington!”. I looked it up – it all checks.

Overall, there’s an array of awesome things Alexa can do and the list is growing thanks to the developers and the community on IFTTT. With a price of 50 dollars – it is a must-have in a smart home.

2. Google Home

Rivaling Amazon’s product, Google had released their smart speaker – Google Home. Aimed at the emerging home automation market, the thing is running a Google Assistant software, which is an upgrade of Google Now.

Google Home runs a Google Assistant software, which is an upgrade of Google Now.

It can do pretty much everything Alexa is doing and the feature list of Google’s Home Assistant is neatly organized on the website into categories like Entertainment, plan your day, Control Your Home and so on. You can connect and vocally manage your Nest, SmartThings, Philips Hue with Google Home. IFTTT will remain a never-ending source of cool new features. While price and a number of available features, services and applets are still on the side of Echo Dot, there are two great advantages to Google Home.

First one – it’s smarter. There is a number of tests you can find on Youtube, where a series of questions is put forward for the digital assistants to answer, and Google’s product scores a bit higher across the board. Travel directions, next games, recipes, conversion of ounces into grams and so on. The second one is the design.

This might be just a matter of taste because the looks of these two devices are really different. Google Home’s top surface is a touchpad which enables you to control it with gestures.

The emerge department of the Internet of Things systems has been the pioneer of the whole smart home movement. The ones to watch here are Nest and Honeywell Lyric.

1. Nest Thermostat

“Nest” is already a household name in the smart home business. Already in its third generation of Nest Smart Thermostat, the company is exploring other domains of smart home systems, debuting on the home security cameras market last year. However, it’ll be difficult to shrug off the association with thermostats they’ve become famous for.

The Nest Learning Thermostat will wow you first with its nice look. The device owes its design to the guy who is known as one of the ‘fathers of the iPod” and its immortal design. You can even kind of spot the similarity with that wheel-as-a-control mechanism on both devices.

Nest makes it extremely easy for the user to understand when it’s in the energy-efficient mode

The biggest change this year (the Nest launched in 2011!) is the display. While previous versions would wake up when detecting you approach – this iteration of Nest uses a technology called Farsight, which, basically, means – it’s always on and you can easily see the temperature status from any point in the room. The main function of a thermostat would be (spoiler alert) the ability to control temperature. And Nest does this flawlessly.

Not only is it nice to use the wheel to set the temperature (reminiscing of the old-school iPods), the thermostat will show you how many minutes it will take to reach the set temperature. The “learning” part in Nest Learning Thermostat is responsible for adjusting to your lifestyle. Seems a bit odd, but this actually is quite simple. Depending on what temperatures you set for different times of the day – Nest will literally learn your rhythm and will start switching to your usual temperatures automatically.

Another important element to having a smart thermostat is to save energy. Nest makes it extremely easy for the user to understand when it’s in the energy-efficient mode. There’s a little leaf icon, that will light up when you’re saving energy. Nest has motion sensors to detect its user. While the previous versions needed this in order to activate the screen for the approaching user, this time around you are able to try what is called “Auto-Away” feature.

Depending on what temperatures you set for different times of the day – Nest will literally learn your rhythm and will start switching to your usual temperatures automatically.

Basically, if the device does not detect any motion for 2 hours it will go into an energy-saving mode, under the assumption that you’re gone. Again, this feature will kick in even faster, when the thermostat will learn your daily regime and learn your working hours.

With Internet of Things, we’re all about connecting device. Naturally, Nest is well aware of this. Connecting your thermostat with Alexa is one of the biggest additions this year. If this is too much for you – simply connect to Nest from your mobile app. Remotely managing a thermostat might not be something you’d be super excited about, but it does come with benefits. For one – now you can see how much energy you’ve saved. And these savings might be a nice thing to juxtapose the price you’ll have to pay for Nest.

2. Honeywell Thermostat

Honeywell has a stunning array of smart home products – from doorbells to UV purifiers. The one we’ll take a look today is Honeywell Lyric Round Wi-Fi Thermostat 2nd Generation.
It looks suspiciously like the Nest, but that’s okay. The look is cool and we can excuse companies ‘borrowing’ designs from market leaders. Honeywell Lyric has touch screen controls and illumination based on motion-sense detectors.

Nest turns to energy-saving mode when you’re away for over 2 hours

One of the few things that Honeywell got right, while Nest might be a bit short on is geofencing. Yes, Nest will turn to energy-saving mode when you’re away for over 2 hours, but Honeywell tracks your mobile phone location and switches to energy-saving mode when you’re away. You can set up the radius in your app, which is neat and a step forward from the previous version of Honeywell thermostats which had only two range options for this feature.

Mobile-centricity is at the core of what Honeywell offers. You can use it with Android or iOS and receive notification when the temperature has spiked or decreased dramatically or when the humidity is out of control at your place. Potentially, it can work as an element of home security. For example, when you see a sudden drop in temperature it might mean that the door or window is open. The device integrates with HomeKit platform, so you can control the thermostat with Siri, as well as with the Samsung SmartThings and Amazon Alexa.

The smart part of this thermostat manifests itself mainly in terms of assessing the temperature ‘feel’. So, it calculates the humidity and shows you how warm or cold does it actually feel in the room. In this case, 72 will definitely feel like 72, and you won’t have to adjust anything. The company also offers you to calculate potential savings with their product. Just plug in your zip code and expenses on the heat in the calculator on their website and you’ll be able to see how much Honeywell Lyric can save you.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of a smoke alarm system. Making them smarter makes a lot of sense, since a malfunction in this department can literally cost someone’s life. A functioning smoke alarm system doesn’t really need any fancy IoT additions, however, there’s one major thing you’d want to have. The traditional systems would alarm you in case of smoke, but only if you’re in the range of the alarm sounds. Smart home systems bring a whole new addition to the table – you’ll be notified anywhere you are, simply through a mobile notification.
Two offerings on the market make our list – Nest strikes again with its Nest Protect, and also – Birdi Smart Air Monitor.

1. Nest Protect

Beloved by many mostly for its thermostat, Nest offers a pretty great smart smoke alarm. Nest Protect does not only monitor your room environment, it can also self-diagnose, when a battery is running low, so you’re always sure that the alarm is up and running.

Nest Protect is also regularly checking its speakers to function properly. The spectrum of dangers this thing will guard you against is vast – carbon monoxide, heat, humidity, room occupancy, ambient light.

Overall, Nest made sure to take away all the anxiety you may have when getting a smart smoke alarm system. This includes the battery and sound check-ups, comprehensive mobile notification system and the quality of sensors that come on board. The only possible downside to an overall great product might be the price.

2. Birdi Smart Air Monitor

The ecosystem that Birdi created enables you to know the environmental situation in general.

In case you want to go above and beyond – “Birdi” is for you. An Indiegogo-funded startup offers much more than just a smoke sensor. With “Birdi” you’ll be up-to-date on the pollution, dust, soot and pollen situation in your apartment. It checks air staleness, humidity, and temperature, overall – you’ll get as much info on the air in your rooms as you might wish.

But wait, there’s more. The ecosystem that “Birdi” created enables you to know the environmental situation in general. Meaning, you can get notifications on the fires or natural disasters that can potentially impact you. And if this much information might overwhelm you or just bring you down – just turn them off! You can calibrate the type of notifications you’re getting.

There are even cameras for those, who want to check up on their pets every once in a while

Smart Cameras is probably the most oversaturated domain of the Internet of Things. And that’s a great thing! You can literally pick up a camera that will fit your needs perfectly. There are even cameras for those, who want to check up on their pets every once in awhile. Granted, people are typically looking for these kinds of devices for extra security reasons. That’s why we’ll take a look at the offerings that provide the best security.

1. Icontrol Networks Piper NV

Icontrol stays connected with two-way audio to check up on those you care for

Icontrol Networks is simply one of the best smart cameras out there. This should be mentioned upfront. However, the price for this device might be serious issues for many potential buyers. You can find the unit in black or white on Amazon for $279, which is almost double the price of our next security camera. If the price isn’t an issue for you, just check out what this bad boy can do.

This system requires no additional fees, contracts or payments. The camera itself is a high-resolution 180-degree immersive-view camera that can stream and record video. There is an abundance of sensors onboard. Motion, sound, heat, humidity, light – once one of these is triggered you’ll get an earful from the 105 dB siren. And also a bunch of notifications on your mobile app. For the beginners of smart home systems – this is a perfect fit, as the device can be installed in 2 minutes. It integrates with iOS or Android and offers super customizable app experience, with all the preferences, graphs and checks for sensors you want to use.

One of the coolest features is setting rules for different modes. Say, you spend much time on vacations, you can get a separate set of rules for your sensors on the camera to be triggered while in this mode! This is super neat, as you can balance the camera “sensitivity”, for it not to cause much commotion when it’s just you in the house.

2. Homeboy

The camera tracks your GPS position and can automatically go into a ‘disarm’ mode.

Homeboy is a super straightforward approach for a security camera. It does have a lot of shortcomings that we’re not expecting to see in a security camera like the lack of live video streaming and the fact that the quality of the image is below par. But the benefits of having this particular camera can outweigh the disadvantages it has. First off – Homeboy battery is designed to last literally for months on a single charge. You can place it anywhere and forget about it. But only in the best case scenario, as the camera will immediately remind you of itself with a push notification in case of motion detection.

The camera also has a night vision mode and a 30-day free video storage. A built-in siren will act as an archaic substitution of a push notification or an email (that the system will send), but it can prove to be super important in your household.

The camera tracks your GPS position and can automatically go into a ‘disarm’ mode, meaning that it will not freak out and start the alarm when you’re just minding your own business around the house. Once you leave the vicinity of your home – the camera will go into the ‘arm’ mode. The way its main feature works – detecting motion is pretty simple. When an alarm is triggered by suspect motion the camera will go online and start recording video. Alongside with sending you all kinds of alerts. Homeboy’s ease of use, durability, and features make it one of the great security cameras out there.

Now, you’ve got all these different smart devices in your house. The first thing that would probably come to mind is ‘How do I make it all work together?” If all these devices comprise the ‘nervous system’ of your home, the thing to control and manage them all would be the brain, or the ‘hub’, as they are called in the smart home domain. We’ve mentioned hubs like SmartThings and Apple HomeKit a number of times. Naturally, these are precisely the hubs we’d pick for our list of the best smart home platforms.

1. Apple HomeKit

Using HomeKit can eliminate the need for a smart speaker

Using HomeKit can eliminate the need for a smart speaker since you’ll be able to control your smart devices via another AI assistant – Siri. While the ease-of-use of all HomeKit compatible devices is, as one would expect, simply great, the fact of the matter is that there are not as many devices on the market to fit into the HomeKit framework.

2. Samsung SmartThings

SmartThings works with a wide range of connected devices, including lights, cameras, locks, thermostats, and sensors

The post Best Smart Home Systems of 2019 – Tech, Gadgets, Devices appeared first on ChipIn.

And thankfully speaker systems haven’t been left in the ever-evolving Bluetooth dust. Now the latest generations of Bluetooth speakers are just as mobile as we are. And the performance isn’t limited necessarily to price. As the tech advances so do the product’s accessibility to the public.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a food chain of relevant Bluetooth speakers to sort through. And that’s where we come in. We’ve managed to fish through the overwhelming crush of Bluetooth speakers and separate the alphas from the betas. There are some critical, determining factors that you should keep in mind before you whip off to the electronics store to purchase that new Bluetooth speaker. A lot of it comes down simply to specs, price and mobility.

Put on your Sleuth hat and ask yourself some serious questions about what you want out of a Bluetooth speaker. Performance should be first and foremost on your list of questions. Nothing demoralizes a consumer more than being duped by a nice slick presentation that is all bark and no bite. If the speaker doesn’t live up to the hype you’ll be feeling it in the wallet afterward.

The Fugoo Style is one of the Best Bluetooth Speakers currently available

So ask yourself how strong of a performer the speaker is. What is the frequency range on the speaker? Does it have a compelling range of sound, burrowing down into the lows and equally scaling up to reach those highs? Or does it sound like AM radio has made a comeback in a big way with no dynamic sound or performance to speak of? Does the speaker have a poor performance when it runs on battery power? How long does it last without recharging?

Then consider the speaker’s mobility. Nothing cramps style more than a pair of speakers that could pass for amplifiers at that huge Megadeth amphitheater show. Sure they’re big. But you can forget to transport them from place to place. So taking size into consideration, what do you intend the speakers for? Do you plan to bring them with you to the beach for an outdoor barbecue? Or will they be stationary in the home?

Editor Pick: Loudest Bluetooth Speakers 2019/h3>

The 13 Loudest Bluetooth Speakers On The Market in 2019

Posted: June 24, 2019

WE all want speakers that go boom, plumbing down to the deepest depths while putting our subwoofers to the test. We also want speakers that boost each cello and each violin as if we are sitting front row at the orchestra. But it’s ultimately all for naught if a Bluetooth

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Then there is always the subject of your budget. Some people will say money is no object when it comes to finding the absolute best product on the market. But now that price isn’t necessarily an indicator of stellar design with the current wave of Bluetooth speakers, there are some criteria to take into account when looking at prices. How far will your buck go in finding the pick of the litter? A speaker that possesses the best design, best performance, great mobility, functionality and durability for its price may cost less than a speaker that is inconsistent across the board with these qualities.

Now that we’ve gotten those criteria out of the way, we can lump our Bluetooth speakers into two categories: truly portable speakers and the stationary speakers you ultimately intend for the home or office.

Best Bluetooth Speakers

Something to consider with your choice of stationary indoor Bluetooth speakers is whether or not you want to pair the speaker with another to add a stereo sound. Some speakers allow multiple pairings so that you can even achieve a surround sound effect. If looking for a solid product to add ambiance to your home entertainment system, look no further than the list we’ve mined from the constellation of stationary indoor Bluetooth speakers orbiting out there in the consumer electronics milky way.

1. MARSHALL STANMORE

Marshall has opened up its brand to a more mainstream audience with its take on wireless speakers. Until that time it was more specifically known amongst music aficionados as the go-to brand for amps and musical instrument gear. Fast forward to today and Marshall wants to fill your home with the same wall of sound it’s gifted musicians over the years. The Stanmore retains the same guitar amp look that Marshall has cultivated through time. But that’s the only similarity between the Stanmore and Marshall’s vast lookbook of guitar amps.

Marshall has opened up its brand to a more mainstream audience with its take on wireless speakers.

This baby has a respectable threshold for creating near CD quality sound. While Bluetooth streams a lower audio quality sound, the Marshall Stanmore comes equipped with the AptX codec which makes up for that difference. It uses the 4.0 version of Bluetooth and is compatible with iOS, Android, PC, Mac, Windows and integrated speaker systems.

And for the sound, it has a nice frequency range of 45Hz to 22kHz (30 Hz lower than the average wireless speaker). So while you won’t be causing an earthquake with subs you will still get some nice bass and highs during your listening session. And best of all it packs a punch when it comes to volume. It falls under the $400 price bracket.

As for the brass tacks, this one channel wireless speaker has two tweeters and one woofer. It clocks in at 13.5 x 7.3 x 7 inches.

2. BOSE SOUNDLINK III

Bose has created a winner of a wireless speaker in the Soundlink III. With 14 hours of battery life generated from its rechargeable lithium-ion battery, you’ll be sure to listen to music uninterrupted. Its Bluetooth reaches up to 30 feet. And it uses RCA 3.5mm inputs and a mini USB. All of these things will certainly come in handy if you want to stack the speaker with another or several others in order to create a full surround sound experience.

The Soundlink is a smaller speaker than the Stanmore, clocking in at 2 inches in width and depth and weighing no more than 3 pounds. But it makes up for size with big sound. It, like the Marshall Stanmore, boasts an AptX codec to help round out that dynamic sound you are looking for. And just like the Marshall Stanmore the Soundlink is compatible with iOS, Android, PC, Mac and Windows operating systems.

Bose has created a winner of a wireless speaker in the Soundlink III.

But here’s an interesting addition that the Marshall doesn’t possess, speakerphone. Should you pair your speakers with your smartphone, feel free to accept those incoming calls and route them through your Soundlink. Some downers though about the Soundlink are no EQ app to adjust and tweak the sound, the limited Bluetooth distance, and Bose does not publish its frequency response for the speaker. We’re assuming somewhere in the 80Hz to 20kHz range. Not all A’s across the board but for a speaker that you can place in the home and only at a price of $269, it performs handily.

3. FLUANCE Fi50

Here is a genuine contender for a reasonable indoor Bluetooth speaker. The Fluance Fi50 packs powerful sound, boasting a 5-inch woofer with a tweeter dead smack in its center. The Canadian speaker has a built-in 40-watt amplifier as well.

Here’s the thing about all that sound. While it kicks out a hefty bit of volume, you won’t be able to readily transport it from place to place without plugging it into a wall socket. There is no rechargeable unit with this one.

The Fluance Fi50 Bluetooth Speaker has a tweeter in the center of its 5-inch woofer

But if you’re willing to overlook that, it has some other stellar qualities worth taking on board. You have an adjustable LED display, ready to be dimmed or brightened to your needs. You also have a USB input that will allow you to charge other devices like your smartphone or tablet.

The Fluance streams via the Bluetooth 2.1 version. But it does offer AptX to help boost that streaming capability. Overall it is a solid speaker with a dynamic sound. And at only $200 it is a nice investment for the home or office.

4. CAMBRIDGE AUDIO YOYO M

The Cambridge Audio Yoyo M is a refined specimen of a bluetooth speaker. The brand cultivates a genuinely unique design aesthetic in the rendering of this moderately sized 6.6-pound speaker. Instead of opting for the typical source material like plastic, Cambridge goes the route of British wool.

The Cambridge Audio Yoyo M is a refined specimen of a bluetooth speaker.

These speakers are optimized for a stereo configuration in your home or office. With a Bluetooth range of 30 feet sound fills ample space. Imagine even stacking these babies to generate a nice full surround sound. A full 24 hours of battery power will keep the speakers pumping out a respectable frequency range on a full charge. While like the other speakers on this list you won’t be blasting out tremendous subs, you will have a clear sound. They retail for $375.

5. CREATIVE SOUND BLASTER ROAR 2

The Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 is a lightweight speaker, weighing in at 3.6 pounds and not taking up more space than a normal forearm. The speaker resembles a little black case, something in which you might stow away your jewels or secrets. Instead, it’s a powerful speaker that goes hard in the paint.

The Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 is a lightweight speaker, weighing in at 3.6 pounds and not taking up more space than a normal forearm.

What separates the Sound Blaster from the others on this list? The Roar 2 has an overdrive function to take the sound to the next level of dynamic performance. That becomes especially attractive as a feature given the speaker’s 40-foot Bluetooth range. You’ll be filling your home with all your favorite sounds with this one.

It is NFC enabled and has a USB port. Should you decide to stack this for a full on surround sound or stereo sound experience you can avail yourself of the AUX inputs. Battery life for that power is a sparse 8 hours, however. It’s a discreet looking speaker with an extroverted sense of bravado. It retails for $164.

6. NAIM MU-SO

The Naim Mu-So falls on the higher end of the price spectrum. But if you are looking for a premium indoor Bluetooth speaker, this is the one. It features Bluetooth AptX, two USB optical inputs, 1 woofer, 1 midrange, and 1 tweeter. The results are a robust range, dynamic performance, and crisp pure sound. This is a muscular speaker.

The Naim Mu-So Speaker comes with six 75 watt digital amplifiers

The cons against such a fabulous speaker are few. The sound loses some of its pristine detail as you pump up the volume into the louder registers. And when so many less expensive indoor Bluetooth speakers currently saturate the market with somewhat comparable performance, is such a purchase justified? At this price, you are venturing into a genuine Hi-Fi territory. The Mu-So retails for $1100.

The landscape of portable Bluetooth speakers is much more densely populated. We find a constellation of speakers equipped to do more than just stream your favorite tunes. And separating the fluff from the muscle is sometimes a gargantuan task for consumers. Here a generation of speakers plunge into the surf with you and resist all manner of weather challenges. A few of the top performers fall below…

7. FUGOO STYLE

The Fugoo Style is a durable dynamic all-weather speaker that weighs in at 11.6 ounces and measures 5.3 x 1.6 inches. Talk about a compact gem of a Bluetooth speaker! This is one of the most affordable and equally strong performing speakers out there this season.

The Fugoo Style is a durable dynamic all-weather speaker that weighs in at 11.6 ounces and measures 5.3 x 1.6 inches.

Where do you take this speaker? Anywhere you want. It’s waterproof and boasts 40 hours of strong battery life. So if you’re wandering aimlessly nearly 2 days nonstop in the wilderness or floating in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle, never fret. You still have music to while your hours away. And top it all off with voice controlled functionality via Siri or Google Now. It retails for $140.

8. UE ROLL 2

The UE Roll 2 is your swim coach. Take this orb like speaker into the pool with you, never missing a beat from your favorite playlist. Its frequency range is decent, scaling admirably through the midrange sounds with ease.

The UE Roll 2 is the perfect companion for your next pool party.

It’s got a few cons weighing against it: no voice commands, only 9 hours of battery life, and no in speaker controls. Certainly, these might seem damning. But if you are taking this into the pool or into the surf, chances are you aren’t so concerned. And for only $100, those elements can be quickly overlooked.

9. BRAVEN XXL

The Braven XXL is a hefty yet luggable (pun fully intended) Bluetooth speaker. Here’s a heavyweight in the line of portable Bluetooth speaker weight classes. Weighing in at a chunky 18 pounds and measuring 20.25 x 9.5 x 8.25 inches, the Braven recalls the days of massive boom boxes and tailgate parties.

The Braven XXL is a hefty yet luggable (pun fully intended) Bluetooth speaker.

Where do you schlep this one? Probably to those BBQ picnics, tailgates and outdoor extravaganzas that require killer bass, dynamic frequency range, and full-bodied sounds that have legs. This is definitively that speaker.

But while it is water resistant, it is not the sporty sort of speaker put forward by JBL or Naim. It retails for $250.

10. JBL CLIP 2

And speaking of JBL, the JBL Clip 2 clips the competition (another bad pun, folks) with its light and remarkably portable design. This waterproof speaker is only 6.5 ounces, 5.5 x 3.7 x 1.7 inches and has 8 hours of battery life. From a distance, it looks like a miniature kettle bell one finds in a Crossfit gym, with its orb shape and handle.

The JBL Clip 2 clips the competition with its light and remarkably portable design.

But in fact, it’s one of the most affordable speakers on the market at only $60. Not remarkable on sound and no app to speak of. However, it’s a very forgiving purchase to your wallet. Need an upgrade in the same family of speakers, try the JBL Xtreme on for size.

Cambridge Audio YoYo Range looks and sounds good on any surface.

. Indoors or Outdoors

The post Best Bluetooth Speaker 2019 | Best Portable Speakers On the Market Review appeared first on ChipIn.

Top 13 Loudest Bluetooth Speakers 2019

1. Teufel One M Multiroom Speaker

The high-quality Teufel One M all-in-one loudspeaker streams music not only via Bluetooth but also via WLAN, thus establishing a much more stable connection and ensuring multiroom capability. In our test, the Teufel One M was the most convincing in terms of sound and tech of all the speakers. The WLAN Bluetooth loudspeaker is speech controllable if you combine it with an Alexa or Google Assistant. The authentic stereo system with 3-way technology includes 4 tweeters, 2 midrange drivers, a woofer and 2 passive bass membranes and creates a perfect sound.

The Teufel One M can replace an entire stereo system in conjunction with your existing smartphone

So far we have only introduced a few speakers whose excellent audio quality the experts agreed on as quickly as this model. Some of them even equate Teufel One M with a small hi-fi system in terms of sound and audio quality.

2. The Vava Voom 21

Vava shoulder checks the other Bluetooth speaker brands with its robust sound. Here is a speaker that pulls no punches when it comes to pumping out big sounds. The Vava brand is building on its stellar line of Voom premium speakers. The 21 boasts a 10-hour battery life that throughout its duration will shake the rafters if you want it to.

Let’s get right down to how this one is built like a brick house. It has one 10W subwoofer, two 5W drivers, and two passive radiators. What does that mean? If you’re planning to bring the house down with your favorite playlist, here’s the Bluetooth speaker equipped to do so. And not only that, it’s aptX enabled, meaning you can stream high-quality audio without fear of losing the integrity of the sound.

If you’re planning to bring the house down with your favorite playlist, the VaVa Voom 21 bluetooth speaker is equipped to do so.

Then for the audiophiles who like to tweak the way they listen to music, there are EQ settings for surround sound, party mode, and standard. These will all do as they claim, rendering sound according to the nuances of the listening mode.

What’s more is that this speaker goes from being a stationary indoor speaker to a portable speaker seamlessly. It weighs in at only 1.76 pounds and measures 3.9 x 2.1 x 9.4 inches. A lightweight compact speaker that packs a hell of a punch, the Vava Voom 21 retails for $299.

3. The Cambridge Air 200

We’ve already gushed about Cambridge and their impeccable design aesthetic. The Air 200 couples chic design with powerful sound dynamics. This speaker is nothing short of amazing. Admittedly, the Cambridge line of speakers is something of a hybrid. Designed by Hi-Fi experts, these speakers are not uniquely Bluetooth speakers. They have a number of connectivity options at the ready. But for our purposes, these aptX enabled speakers to render sound in pristine high quality.

You will be hard pressed to find another bluetooth speaker on the market with better specs than the Cambridge Air 200 Bluetooth Speaker

What’s under the hood? Well, a 200W digital amplifier with a built-in subwoofer for one. You will be hard-pressed to find another Bluetooth speaker on the market with comparable specs. Naturally one would think all of that power must come in an enormous package. No, not the case. It measures 17.7 x 8.7 x 6.9 inches. It’s a reasonably sized speaker that could easily blend into the ambiance of your living room or office.

And just how do they get all of that sound to fill a space? They’ve patented their own design tech they call Balanced Mode Radiator speaker drivers that move both vertically and horizontally to create a fuller, wider-reaching sound. The result has a slew of reputable Audio experts gushing over the speaker. It retails for $527.

4. The UE Megaboom

The UE Megaboom could make an argument as the best all-around and loudest Bluetooth speaker currently on the market. The tubularly shaped speaker stands up to all challenges and plows through them handily. While aesthetically it won’t compete with Cambridge’s design-conscious approach, it will, however, hold its own when the conversation turns to durability and volume.

The UE Megaboom Speaker channels all kinds of top notch elements to bring it to the front of the pack.

The UE Megaboom channels all kinds of top-notch elements to bring it to the front of the pack. Firstly, it has more than 20 hours of battery life to its name. So when you take it outside to the beach, the campgrounds, the tailgate or even the safari; you won’t be too concerned about recharging it after one or two days. And while you’re out under the open sky, it’s weather resistant and waterproof.

But here’s what brought us here. How does it stack up in volume? The 100 feet Bluetooth range speaker boasts a maximum volume of 90dB, two 2 inch drivers, and a solid frequency range of 65hz – 20khz. All that sound carries, even more, weight when you realize that it is compatible with a number of devices, NFC enabled, and can connect up to two devices at the same time. It retails for $299.

5. The Braven XXL

Comparable to the UE Megaboom, the Braven XXL pokes out its chest and thunders. It is a much larger speaker than the Megaboom. But surprisingly it isn’t much louder. However, that still leaves it hovering in the category of loudest Bluetooth speakers with its competition.

This hefty speaker weighs in at 18lbs, measures 20.25. X 8.25 x 9.5 inches, and features 1 subwoofer and 4 HD drivers. It also boasts a battery life of 14 hours. And for all that, the brand claims to be the loudest outdoor speaker; while specialists have rated it at maybe 20% louder than the UE Megaboom.

The Braves XXL speaker weighs in at 18lbs, measures 20.25. X 8.25 x 9.5 inches, and features 1 subwoofer and 4 HD drivers

If you’re not concerned about schlepping a large and somewhat heavy speaker around (there is a shoulder strap for it), then you will be blown away by its massive sound. Does it hold water as THE loudest outdoor Bluetooth speaker? That is debatable. But it certainly is one of the loudest. It retails for $350.

6. The Sharkk Beast

The Sharkk Beast is exactly what you expect: a beast of a Bluetooth speaker. For a seemingly discreet little speaker, it comes guns a-blazing. This Bluetooth speaker offers a dynamic range of options for your listening pleasure. But let’s be honest here. We want to know how it stacks up to the competition.

The Sharkk Beast is exactly what you expect: a beast of a bluetooth speaker

The Beast features a 45W speaker that takes no prisoners. In other words, you’ll be able to pump out your tunes at a maximum without worry of sending your Bluetooth speaker to the graveyard. The 10.2 x 6.3 x 2.8-inch speaker uses Bluetooth 4.0 and is NFC enabled. So when you decide to stream from your iPhone or Android, you can hear your favorite bass-heavy track as you like. The Maxxbass Technology has been rendered expressly for that purpose.

The question is where do you take this speaker? While it is a portable speaker, chances are you won’t want to test its durability against inclement weather conditions. You’ll probably best be served to crank up the volume indoors. It retails for $199.

7. The Naim Mu-So

The Naim Mu-So, like the Cambridge, is a design wonder. But if you’re not wowed by its design aesthetic, its ability to conquer killer bass without blinking might tickle your fancy. It doesn’t offer merely one subwoofer or one tweeter. It goes for the jugular.

The Naim Mu-So Speaker comes with six 75 watt digital amplifiers

In fact, it’s the same constellation of audio systems that Naim rendered for Bentley Motors.

What’s more is over a crush of audio format options, the Mu-So has a maximum frequency range of 48 kHz. Keeping in mind that the speaker is also chic for all its robust sound, we’re left wondering what doesn’t this baby do.

It’s compatible with iPhone, iOS, Android, and PC devices; has multi-room functions for streaming, Bluetooth aptX, two USB optical inputs, 1 woofer, 1 midrange, and 1 tweeter. And given that it has all the spots and scales of a genuine Hi-Fi system it retails for a pricier $1100.

8. The Fluance Fi50

The Fluance Fi50 is a powerfully built Bluetooth speaker. It packs a hell of a wallop with its 40W amplifier. And that only is the tip of the iceberg. It has a tweeter in the center of its 5-inch woofer. So the sound comes barreling out at you in such dynamic fashion you’ll forget you’re listening to a Bluetooth speaker.

The Fluance Fi50 Bluetooth Speaker has a tweeter in the center of its 5-inch woofer

For an indoor speaker, the Fluance Fi50 has managed to carve a respectable niche for itself. It’s not too design heavy so as not to price itself out of reason. And it’s not too pedestrian either when it comes to perks. Instead, the Canadian brand has given the Fi50 legs to run with.

It’s equipped with Bluetooth 2.1 and aptX tech. So listening to your playlist in high quality at high decibels is easy. The best thing about its muscular sound is that it fills space with ease. If you’re looking for a moderately priced loud Bluetooth speaker, this one is a winner. It retails for $200.

9. Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2

The Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 has endowed its name with everything you need to know about this speaker. It doesn’t purr folks. Here’s a rugged yet lightweight speaker, weighing in at only 3.6 pounds, that is deceptively loud. But as we’ve already pointed out with some of the other speakers on this list, big surprises come in little packages. Such is the case with this little black box.

The Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 is a rugged yet lightweight speaker, weighing in at only 3.6 pounds, that is deceptively loud

So just what is in the box? The secret weapon is the Roar 2’s overdrive function. Engaging the overdrive boosts the sound to the next level of dynamic performance. And when you want to augment the bass during low playback, engage the TeraBass feature. At full blast the speaker performs well, filling ample spaces with ease.

As far as mobility goes, it boasts a 40-foot Bluetooth range. So you can pump up the volume in your home at sizeable distances from your smartphone to your actual speaker. And it will go full blast for 8 hours on a fully charged battery. It retails for $164.

10. The Marshall Woburn

The Marshall Woburn sits in Marshall’s wheelhouse of “loudest” Bluetooth speakers. They’ve done the heavy lifting for you, separating their speakers into the categories of loud to loudest. And the Woburn is a stocky addition to the Marshall line of Bluetooth speakers, measuring 15.75 x 11.5 x 7.87 inches.

The Marshall Woburn sits in Marshall’s wheelhouse of “loudest” Bluetooth speakers

Here we have two 20W and one 50W Class D amplifiers, with two 5 ¼ inch woofers and two 1 inch tweeters. What does all of that add up to? Well, the highs, midrange, and bass frequencies are attained with a fluid sense of ease. That also means that when time comes to blast the roof off, you’ll be able to do so aptly with the Woburn. In fact, it boasts a very respectable frequency range of 35hz – 22kHz and up to 200W of juice.

We should expect no less from the brand that for generations has built guitar amps for musicians. The same brand that has been the industry standard for giving guitarists and bassists room to shred has now given average Joes reason to play air guitar at the highest volume possible in the comfort of their own homes. The Woburn retails for $549.

11. BOSE Soundlink Revolve Plus

BOSE continues to assert itself as a perfectionist brand. With a larger catalog of Bluetooth speakers that already boasts a grocery list of strong features, the brand pushes forward into 2019 with an update to its sense of design and the debut of its Soundlink Revolve Plus.

The BOSE Soundlink Revolve Plus ups the ante with its interesting take on aesthetic design. The fine folks at Bose imagined a speaker that looks like a lantern or perhaps a thermos. And for all grins and giggles, the sound quality is brilliant and beaming. Does it compete with the other standard bearers on the market? Handily.

It packs 16 hours of uninterrupted battery life. And it’s lightweight, portable, shock-resistant and waterproof. So the Revolve Plus cheekily skirts the fine line between outdoor and indoor Bluetooth speaker. Given that its lantern handle design is urging you to pick it up and carry it with you, no one will blame you for transitioning it from the home to the pool to the campsite.

The sound is so robust it won’t falter no matter what environmental challenge you throw at it. BOSE kitted out the speaker with 2 opposing passive radiators that face downwards. Couple that with their new patented take on audio and the result is overwhelmingly positive.

However where the Revolve Plus and perhaps more so BOSE takes a tumble is with the price. The accessory charging station is an add-on for the price. And at an already not-so-competitive base price of $300, BOSE and the Revolve Plus price themselves out of serious contention with the baseline of buyers looking for something affordable.

12. RIVA Turbo X

Stealing a bit of BOSE’s thunder with a dip in price is RIVA’s Turbo X. While the Turbo X won’t compete head to head with BOSE on all of the design essentials, it will blast most of the competition out of the water in terms of loudness. It gets a whopping 100db to its medium sized frame. But loudness isn’t the only perk to its sound. Pressing the T button implements the Turbo mode. That, in turn, boosts the volume. The S button engages the surround sound option.

RIVA is also banking on the possibility that you’ll want to take this speaker into the great outdoors. Should you decide, the Turbo X has a gargantuan 26 hours of battery life to its credit. And this brick-shaped speaker also is water and weather resistant. Mix that all together and you have an excellent formula for an outdoor speaker that adds some finesse to the shape of its sound.

As for the bottom line, the speaker is a bit clunky in size and shape. It’s larger and heavier than some of the other outdoor entries here. It also sits in the mid-range of prices at $220. It could fit nicely in the home or out on the road. It meets both challenges readily.

13. The Devialet Gold Phantom

The Devialet Gold Phantom sounds like the name of a new luxury sports car. And given that it prices itself up there in that stratosphere of luxury goods, it might as well be. But if the price is not a stumbling block for you, this may very well be the best of the best. The gold has a 108dB maximum volume. That certainly eclipses the majority of other Bluetooth speakers in the conversation. But what’s most amazing about the line is that the silver comes in at a close second with 105dB.

You won’t find a louder Bluetooth speaker on this list than the Devialet Phantom

The Gold can fill a simple space or flex its muscle in multiple rooms. It has a 4500 W maximum amplification. So testing the limits of its volume is what the fine folks at Devialet want you to do. And here’s where they dare you to try: the bandwidth is a gobsmacking 14hz to 27kHz.

This is the Bentley or Rolls Royce of Bluetooth speakers folks. Not only for its sublime design but for the sheer perfection of its performance. And for that matter, you won’t find one that for its volume retains the pristine detail of the sound with each increasing decibel. The Devialet Gold Phantom retails for $2990.

.Pump Up The Volume – The Loudest Bluetooth Speaker

The post The 13 Loudest Bluetooth Speakers On The Market in 2019 appeared first on ChipIn.

Ultimately a laptop backpack is “only” a backpack with a separate compartment for notebooks and laptops and otherwise a normal leisure backpack. Laptop backpacks often have a few more pockets and storage compartments.

A laptop backpack is an ideal companion for your notebook because it can be carried around easily and is protected from heavy shocks. Of course, there are differences in size, weight, material, design and special features between the backpacks.
Lighter laptop backpacks are best suited for users who care more about the protection factor for their netbooks, whereas heavier and usually more expensive backpacks, which are equipped with more features, are suitable for users who need more storage space in addition to the laptop compartment.

Please find here some of our favorite laptop backpacks of 2019.

Moshi Hexa: Extremely Lightweight & Stylish Backpack

If you are looking for a lightweight, urban backpack with good storage capacity, then the Moshi Hexa should be able to meet your needs. Moshi’s first backpack made of nylon has a barely perceptible weight and is specifically designed for the everyday needs of the modern nomad due to its straight-line yet refined look. This backpack is the lightest product of its kind produced by the manufacturer, but it does not neglect its practical, safety and design aspects. Its generous capacity allows you to store not only a 15″ notebook but also all other essentials you need. For even more security, Hexa has an external RFID shield pocket to protect your personal information such as credit cards and identity papers. Wear Hexa on your way to work, sports or on your next trip to town.

Conclusion

This has become my laptop backpack of choice for everyday life. It’s so lightweight, that even with a laptop inside I often thought I’d forgotten my Macbook Pro, simply because it didn’t feel heavy enough to contain it. Its modern look fits always and everywhere and due to the slim design, it doesn’t look bulky and overloaded. Additionally, I really like the color and design. It has enough space for most of the things you need, is water resistant (great for cycling) and feels it will last a long time.

Booq Daypack: The Compact Backpack that is not Boring

Elegant and suitable for business, but not old-fashioned and boring, that could be the short description of the Booq Daypack. The most striking feature is certainly the mottled grey, which together with the light brown straps and zippers makes it a very successful and stylish combo.

Due to its curves, the Booq Daypack makes itself slim on the back. Nevertheless, it reaches a height of 42 cm and a width of 31 cm. Combined with a depth of 15 cm this is enough for a 15-inch MacBook Pro with accessories, as well as something to write and 1-2 books.

The Daypack satisfies the basic need for organizing with a sufficient number of compartments. The Notebook compartment is lightly padded and a leather strap protects the valuable Macbook Pro from accidentally falling out. The notebook compartment also has a simple compartment that is large enough for an iPad Pro 10.5. However, it’s not padded and also gladly accommodates an A5 block. Booq has also provided space for pens, up to six pens can be stored in three loops. It has become quite rare to find something like this in a backpack. The main compartment holds either a small folder or two books. In a small compartment with zipper, there is room for a handful of USB sticks with adapter cables. In the lid above is a large mesh pocket, storage space for the power supply unit.

No modern backpack comes without the inevitable bottle holders on the sides. Booq has always attached importance to this feature and so it should not be missing in the Daypack. But the two bags have a conceptual problem, they don’t give way. Therefore you need a little more space inside the backpack. This is only noticeable if you try to put a 0.7-liter bottle in the compartment. Small outdoor bottles with a capacity of 0.3 or 0.5 liters fit in without any problems.

Conclusion

Just as you would expect from Booq, the Daypack convinces with its impeccable workmanship. It may not be a packing miracle, but everything a mobile worker needs finds its place comfortably. Due to the chic rounded bottom, it, unfortunately, does not stand and must be leaned against. If that doesn’t bother you, you get a high-quality backpack in an individual design for a fair price of 95,- Euro.

Moshi Arcus: Modern backpack with many compartments

Moshi calls his Arcus a multifunctional backpack and means a backpack for laptops and optionally for a camera. With its 48 cm height, it is a handsome sight. The angular design and especially in the color titanium grey Arcus is not only an eye-catcher but looks very modern as well. As befits a backpack of this size, it can hold anything. So that your stuff doesn’t get out of order, it shines with many detail solutions and compartments.

The back compartment for Notebooks and Tablets is very well thought out. The large opening provides perfect access and the many compartments offer a very well thought-out storage space.

Macbooks find their place in an extra compartment on the back of the backpack. This is opened with a large zipper on three sides. This gives you great access to the laptop compartment. The compartment for an iPad and three further compartments with flap are also located in this extra compartment. As protection against the Macbook and iPad falling out, a safety strap is attached, which is fixed with a Velcro fastener. This is a simple and effective solution.

I managed to fit into the compartment a Macbook Pro, various adapters, USB sticks and a writing case. Thanks to the neat padding, the Macbook and iPad are also well protected. There are no other compartments in the large main section. The angular storage space is designed for maximum volume and can hold six large 1.5-liter water bottles. A mesh pocket under the lid is a good place for cables and bits and pieces. A cover with Velcro across the entire width provides reliable protection against anything from falling out.

The lid, which accommodates an extra compartment, is interesting. Meant for sunglasses it is also a good place for a power supply with cables. An outer compartment for a drink bottle or a tripod is of course not missing, as well as a few other outer compartments with zippers. The hidden compartments on the back of the backpack are interesting. One is perfect for an iPhone and the other for purses or identity papers. They are in a perfectly protected position against thieves.

A large backpack can get very heavy, so comfort is always a priority. The generous padding on the back with its mesh fabric feels very well, only the carrying straps are a bit thinly padded. This is noticeable with a full load. A chest strap helps with the fixation.

Conclusion

All in all, the Arcus is a robust backpack with a modern look that leaves a very good impression both at work and in leisure time. In general, both the number and the position of the compartments are very convincing. Especially the iPhone compartment on the back is very well protected. The Arcus is a very convincing companion in everyday life and when traveling.

Moshi Helios light: Stylish into the office

On the one hand, there are backpacks that are simply practical and have endless space, or on the other hand, there are backpacks that just look smart.

The Helios light is such a designer piece that it immediately catches your eye. Especially in the color titanium grey, which is also our test sample. The warm grey tone in combination with the light brown leather applications results in a perfect composition. In its main compartment, the Helios light holds a narrow folder or a few folders together with slim headphones, spectacle case and small items. The many inner compartments are very practical. So not only pens, adapter cables and presenters get a home, but also a small mobile hard drive. The Macbook’s power adapter can easily be stored in a large external compartment and a 13-inch Macbook Pro Retina fits perfectly into the padded Notebook compartment.
The Moshi designers have also thought of a small compartment with a zipper in the lid. Keys or USB sticks fit very well into it. The lid can be closed elegantly with a magnetic clasp. Depending on how full you have packed the small Helios light, it is appropriate to make the leather straps to which the magnets are attached longer. Otherwise, there is a great danger that the closures will open with a slight pull. A nice idea is a small compartment on the back. It’s a safe place for a purse or iPhone. In practice, however, a purse will push unpleasantly into your back in the long run, but an iPhone won’t bother you.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a suitable backpack for your business dress, the Helios light is a perfect choice and always looks good. Not only as a woman but also as a man.

Laptop Backpack Buying Guide

Purchase criteria: Use these factors to compare and rate laptop backpacks

We’ve put together a short buying guide to show you how you can compare and rate laptop backpacks so that you can find the one that suits you.

In summary, these are the following criteria:

• Size and weight
• Material
• Design
• Special equipment
• Size and weight

The size and weight of laptop backpacks vary from model to model as the range of laptop backpacks has a comprehensive selection.

The size of laptop backpacks varies. It depends on whether the backpack has only one laptop compartment and therefore only has space for the laptop or whether it has several compartments and can therefore also carry accessories, for example. Nevertheless, the size values are always between 35 and 45 cm in length, 25 to 40 cm in width and 5 to 25 cm in depth.

Laptop backpacks always weigh on average between 0.4 kg and 1 kg. Here, too, it all depends on the equipment and the material. The heaviest of them are those with the largest equipment and those made of a robust material such as polyester or leather.

Material

Laptop backpacks made of a polyester offer you more protection than laptop backpacks made of plastic. You need to decide how much protection you want your laptop to have.

If you take your laptop with you when you travel, and you want to have it with you at the airport or train station, we would recommend a polyester or nylon backpack. They simply offer the highest protection against hard shocks and jolts, thanks to their robust casing.

However, if you only want to take your laptop with you to different places in everyday life, a backpack made of plastic or imitation leather is also sufficient.

Design

Laptop backpacks are available in different designs. It all depends on your subjective preference and which color and design you like best. Backpacks that are designed only for outdoor use and geared towards functionality in general are more likely to be in simpler colors such as black, grey or blue and have few design elements.

Special features

Many laptop backpacks have additional features and functions. For example, a spacious main compartment with padded or lined inner compartments or a padded back section.

Some of them also have additional pockets where you can store your accessories or other belongings. In addition, some backpacks are water-resistant, making them perfect for all weather conditions. Also, almost all have adjustable straps, which are often reinforced and contribute to optimal wearing comfort.

The post Best Smart Laptop Backpacks for Macbook, iPad and Camera 2019 appeared first on ChipIn.

It’s a familiar situation. If you haven’t experienced it yourself, you probably have at least heard someone tell a story about it happening to them. No one’s really come up with a reliable solution to these kinds of airport troubles yet. But what if I told you that your suitcase could help solve them for you?

That’s the goal of the various startups and more established companies in the smart luggage game. These innovators create suitcases and carry-on bags that have a bunch of high-tech features designed to make travel easier.

The features include things like location tracking so that your bag doesn’t get lost or stolen, integrated scales to help your luggage stay within weight limits and batteries with USB ports to charge your electronics. There are now a number of smart luggage options on the market, so here’s a list of all the best high-tech luggage for your next trip.

Best Smart Luggage

1. Looks

Away offers four different sizes of their signature suitcase. There are two carry-ons. One measures 21.7” x 13.7” x 9” and weighs seven pounds. The other is 22.7” x 14.7” x 9.6.” Both of them fit into the carry-on size requirements for major airlines. There’s also a medium 25” x 17.5” x 10.5” checked bag and a large 28” x 19.5” x 12” checked bag. The bags have a simple but smart plain black design. The build leaves a little bit to be desired though and the bag tends to wobble as you roll it around. The shell is designed to be flexible so that it doesn’t break. It bends quite a lot, which might actually cause problems if you’re carrying anything exceedingly fragile.

2. Features

Away’s carry-on features a 10,000 mAh battery with two USB charging ports – one for regular charging and one that’s more high-powered for faster charging. As far as tech goes, that’s all that Away offers. The checked bag doesn’t include any smart features. The bags do feature a TSA-approved combinations lock and several zippered compartments, a removable laundry bag and a compression system to help you pack compactly. The different sized bags also fit in each other for easy storage after your trip.

3. Price

The smallest carry-on costs $225, and the bigger version’s price bumps up to $245. The medium checked bag will costs you $275 and the large costs $295. Away offers some of the most affordable smart luggage available, but you do sacrifice some features including the integrated scale and location tracking. However, if you’re looking for a solid suitcase with just a splash of tech, Away fits the bill.

1. Looks

Raden is one of the biggest players in the smart luggage game – and for good reason. Their carry-on and checked bag offerings look sleek but also just like regular suitcases and come in seven different colors, so that you can customize your bags to fit your personal style. They feature a sturdy polycarbonate shell to help them withstand the wear and tear of travel. At 28” x 21” x 13,” the checked bag weighs about 13 pounds. The carry-on comes in at seven pounds and measures 22” x 19” x 14.”

2. Features

Raden’s products come with all of the main features that smart luggage tends to offer. There’s a 7,800 milliamp hour (mAh) battery, which the company says can provide up to four full phone charges. There’s also a built-in scale to help you make sure you don’t overpack. The bags also come equipped with location awareness, so that you can track your stuff’s location with Raden’s companion app. To top it all off, there’s a TSA-approved lock and waterproof zippers.

3. Price

The 28” check bag goes for $395, and you can get your hands on the carry-on for $295. If you decide to go for the set, you can save a few bucks and just pay $595 for the two of them.

1. Looks

Bluesmart, whose 2014 Indiegogo campaign raised over $2 million, bills itself as the world’s first smart carry-on. The company followed up its original Bluesmart One case with the Bluesmart Black Edition, which is similar but with a few upgrades, mostly centered around the materials it’s made of. The case’s Makrolon body and shell are more weather resistant and durable. The Bluesmart Black Edition measures 22” x 14” x 9,” the standard size for major airlines. It weighs 9.4 pounds.

2. Features

Bluesmart’s Black Edition has all the same technology as the Bluesmart One – built-in charging, location awareness, an integrated scale and a remote lock. The suitcase has a 10,4000 mAh power bank that the company says can recharge a phone five to six times on one charge. The remote lock feature is somewhat unique. If you get out of range of your suitcase, it will automatically lock, and it will stay locked until you open it through the app. The lock is also TSA approved.

3. Price

The Bluesmart Black Edition goes for $599 on the company’s website. If you want a slightly cheaper version, you can opt for the Bluesmart One for $449.

1. Looks

Horizn offers a large variety of models, ranging from cabin-sized trolleys to check-in ones. All of these offer a pleasant, bold aesthetic with well-defined features. There is a DJ Trolley model that measures 8.7”x17.9”x18.9” and weighs 12 pounds, several Cabin Trolley models that measure 15.7”x21.7”x7.9” and weigh around 7.5 pounds. They both feature German polycarbonate hard shells, while the Cabin Trolley features a 360° ultra-durable, aerospace-tested polycarbonate hard shell. Most of the models come in different colors, with the Cabin Trolley Model H2 boasting bright colors such as Infra Red or Electric Blue.

2. Features

Every Horizn smart luggage trolley features a TSA-approved lock, an inbuilt 10,000 mAh removable battery with 2 USB ports and silent Japanese 360° spinner wheels. The DJ trolley has multiple compartments for digital equipment, and a nylon front pocket. Customers can opt for GPS tracking at an additional cost, or for a smart card that notifies you whenever your luggage, wallet or handbag has gotten more than 30 meters away from you.

3. Price

The Cabin Trolley Model H2 is the cheapest smart luggage available, starting at 200 euros, while its Model M counterpart costs 300 euros. The Check-In Model H2 costs 250 euros, and the DJ trolley costs 500 euros. If you’re not sure about your purchase, Horizn offers a 100-day risk-free trial, meaning that you can return any model within 100 days of your purchase, no questions asked.

1. Looks

This Kickstarter-funded company’s claim to fame is that its bags collapse to under three inches even with its aircraft grade aluminum frame and polycarbonate shell. The case has a sturdy build and a no-frills, functional-looking black exterior. The design isn’t quite as sleek as some of its competitors, but it’s quite durable and practical. The company offers a 90-liter checked bag that weighs 10 pounds and measures 29” x 18” x 12.” The carry-on version comes in at eight pounds and measures 22” x 14” x 8.”

2. Features

As far as smart features go, Néit’s bags are a bit lacking, although the company says it is adding location tracking soon. For now, the features are mostly low-tech and include a waterproof exterior, a TSA-approved lock and, of course, the ability to collapse for easy storage and enhanced maneuverability. Once the company launches the location-tracking feature, its bags will become truly smart. There’s also a companion app that allows you to track the bag, as well as find hotels, flights and other travel accommodations.

3. Price

Néit’s prices are quite reasonable compared to some of its competitors. but you do have to sacrifice a few of the high-tech features. The luggage is high quality however. The checked version will run you $295, the cabin size costs $245, and you can nab the two as a set for $495.

1. Looks

Planet Traveler says that it “set out to design the most fashionable smart luggage in the world.” Its suitcases are pretty slick, and they offer some cool tech features as well. The company offers an eight pound bag that’s 21.5” x 7.5” x 13.5.” It’s eleven-pound bag measures 29” x 11.5” x 21.” The case comes in four styles – polished silver, polished black, stealth black and raw carbon fiber texture.

2. Features

The lock on the Planet Traveler Space Case helps set it apart from the competition. You can unlock your case by placing your finger on its fingerprint scanner or through the companion app. The app also features location tracking and a proximity alert that will let you know if your bag enters or leaves your immediate area. You can even arm your case so that the case itself issues an audible alarm if it leaves your vicinity. There’s also a Bluetooth-connected scale and a Bluetooth-connected speaker system integrated into the suitcase. It features a 12,000 mAh battery with three USB charging ports.

3. Price

The extra features that aren’t available on some other bags bump the price of the Planet Traveler Space Case up a bit. The small case costs $750, and the larger version is priced at $950. You can get the two cases as a set for $1,660. It’s a bit of a hefty price for luggage but if you want a bag that’s truly decked out with tech, this might be the right choice for you.

1. Looks

What sets Trunkster’s smart suitcase apart from other smart luggage is the way you open it. Instead of a zipper or a latch, it features a rolltop door that brings to mind a miniature garage door that allows you to quickly and easily access your stuff. The bag weighs 10.3 pounds, measures 22” x 14” x 9″ and has 43 liters of packing space. Rather than having the separate compartment inside, the inside of the bag is just one big open space, which could be a positive or a negative depending on your packing style.

2. Features

Trunkster’s smart bag features a 10,400 mAh power bank that is designed to be easy to remove and upgrade with another, more powerful battery. You can use the bag’s two USB ports to charge your devices. The case also features a built-in digital scale with a display on the bag itself. You also get GSM location tracking that integrates with Trunkster’s app, but it’s only free for one year. The bag’s durable outer shell is also water resistant, and the handle is easy to use and retract. One downside is that it doesn’t come with a lock.

3. Price

At $295, the Trunkster is more affordable than some other smart luggage offerings. If you want to keep the tracking service after a year, it will cost you $5 for one month, $20 for six months or $30 for a year.

1. Looks

First off, what makes the Modobag exciting is the fact that it doubles as a motor scooter – but more on that later. As for the bag’s specs, it measures 22” x 14” x 9” and is, understandably, the heaviest smart suitcase on this list at 20 pounds. It has a lightweight aluminum frame and high strength ballistic nylon shell that allows it to be both light and durable enough to transport a person.

2. Features

The Modobag has a 200-watt electric motor that can reach speeds of up to eight miles an hour and run for up to six miles. The company’s website points out that the top speed of the bag is three times the normal walking speed. It also includes a dual braking system to help you avoid airport fender benders and a touch-control dashboard. The bag features two USB charging ports and will recharge in under an hour. You also have the option of adding a GPRS/GSM location tracking system that works with the optional companion app.

3. Price

You can buy the Modobag on Indiegogo for $1095 plus an additional $69 if you want the tracking capability. The company’s fundraising campaign was successful and delivery is estimated for May 2017.

1. Looks

The Barracuda measures 22” x 14” x 9” and weighs 8.7 pounds. It can, however, collapse to 22” x 15” x 4.5.” The bag has a more casual look than some of the other smart bags and is made of Bayer Makrolon Polycarbonate Ballistic Nylon and Aircraft Grade Aluminum. Unfortunately, the design of the bag isn’t flawless and the craftsmanship is not quite as impressive of some other smart suitcases. Zippers frequently get stuck and some of the features aren’t particularly easy to use.

2. Features

The Barracuda emphasizes convenience with its collapsible laptop tray and two cup holders, which will help make your time waiting for your flight a little more enjoyable. The bag also includes a 10,000 mAh battery and a USB charger. The battery is removable, and you have to take it out of the bag in order to charge it. It also features a digital scale. Location tracking isn’t standard but you can opt to add in the feature. Additionally, the bag’s exterior is waterproofed. The Barracuda also has some neat features that help you store it. It comes with a bag that fits the suitcase once you collapse it, which you can hang in your closet.

3. Price

You can purchase the Barracuda on the company’s website for $349 or get two for $299 a bag. If you want luggage for the whole family, you can get four for $273 per bag. If you’d like to add location tracking, you can purchase a Lugloc luggage tracker from Barracuda for $50, which is cheaper than such a system usually costs.

1. Looks

Traxpack just finished up a successful Kickstarter campaign for its smart luggage offering, which focuses on easy maneuverability in addition to tech features. The case weights eight pounds and measures 22” x 14” x 9.” The hard shell exterior is a smooth-looking black with a few colorful accents.

2. Features

What sets Traxpack apart is its focus on maneuverability. It has tracks like those on a tank on the side of the bag so that you can easily roll it upstairs. The handle also tilts, so that you can comfortably pull it at different angles. For added convenience, it includes a mobile device stand, so that you can comfortably use a tablet or other device while waiting in the airport. The way that Traxpack handles its smart features is unique as well. The company allows you to pick and choose which ones you want when you check out on their website. Your options are a GPS tracking system and a proximity sensor, a built-in scale, a TSA-approved lock and packing cubes.

3. Price

Price, of course, varies depending on how many of the features you want. Full functionality costs a little under $300, and the bare bones case costs $139.99.

1. Looks

Another recent graduate of a crowdfunding campaign, Ready Travel expects to start shipping its smart luggage around June 2017. Ready Travel makes perhaps the most stylish of the smart suitcases, but it’s made with aircraft grade aluminum and 100% polycarbonate shell so it’s durable as well. It’s also scratch and water resistant, so you don’t have to worry too much about it getting damaged during travel. The case weighs a little over eight pounds and measures 21″ x 14″ x 9.”

2. Features

The Ready Travel bag features all of the major smart features available on many smart suitcases. It has an integrated scale, tracking capabilities, proximity alerts that let you know if your bag leaves your vicinity and USB charging ports. It’s designed to for use with a battery but one doesn’t come standard. The company does offer a 10,000m mAh battery for a reasonable price though. It also has a TSA-approved lock and a cup holder. Instead of using a zipper, the bag utilizes latches on the side of the case.

3. Price

Although the retail price for the Ready Travel bag is $339, if you order off of Indiegogo, you can get the bag for $199. If you order a battery with your bag, you’ll pay an extra $19 for a charger that the website says has a retail value of $39.

UPDATE: Ready announced in August 2017 on their Indiegogo Page, that they have ran out of money and won’t be able to proceed with the mass manufacturing of their Smart Luggage range. This unfortunately leaves all backers out of Pocket.

1. Looks

E-CASE just started its Kickstarter campaign and has already surpassed its goal – a good sign for the startup. The campaign is scheduled to end on May 22, 2017. The E-CASE comes in three sizes. There’s a carry-on that’s 22” x 14” x 18,” a smaller checked bag that measures 26.5” x 18.5” x 10.5” and a larger check bag that’s 31.5” x 21” x 12.” It comes in black, navy blue, rose gold, mint, and teal but the company says that you can message them if you want a different color.

2. Features

The E-CASE team emphasizes the fact that it uses a combination of real GPS, GSM, WiFi, and Bluetooth signals for its tracking. GSM-based positioning, the company says, must be disabled during the flight to conform to airline regulations. Upon landing, you only get a one-time notification that tells you just that it arrived at the airport. Because of its use of GPS, E-CASE says that its tracking is more accurate. The suitcase also includes proximity alerts, a built-in scale, a lock that can be opened by fingerprint, through the app or by SMS, a removable 12,000 mAh battery that lasts 10 days and USB ports. E-CASE also guarantees that its luggage is TSA compliant.

3. Price

According to the Kickstarter page, the retail cost of the carry-on is $489, the small checked bag goes for $549 retail, and the large version’s retail cost is $609. You can however currently get one for pledges of $269, $289 and $349 respectively. The cases come with two free years of the GSM portion of the tracking service. After your two free years, the service costs $9.99 annually.

The post The Best Smart Luggage and Carry On Bags in 2019 Will Enhance your Travel Experience appeared first on ChipIn.

The pins inside the locking mechanism prevented the wooden bolt securing the door from being moved. If the correct key was used, it would push the pins up allowing the bolt to be unlocked.

Sound familiar? That’s because locks have changed relatively little over the many years they’ve been in use. Of course, they’ve been upgraded and diversified and we don’t use wood anymore, but the basic idea is the same.

Until now that it is. Smart technology is being introduced into practically every device we use. In the home of the future, every device is connected to the Internet and to every other device in the home through a network known as the Internet of Things or IoT. From thermostats to refrigerators to light bulbs, that technology is already being integrated into our lives.

Locks are not exempted from this trend. They’re currently undergoing one of the few major changes in their history – going from purely mechanical to electronic and gaining the ability to connect to the Internet. Locks with this new technology can do a lot more than non-connected locks can and offer homeowners capabilities and conveniences that traditional locks never could. They also come with potential security risks that have some people worried.

Smart locks are still developing and are gradually becoming more common. They can include a variety of different features, but there are a few characteristics that apply across the board and help define them as smart locks.

Smart locks, while they come in many different forms, are electronic locking mechanisms that are often connected to the Internet in the style of IoT.

Different smart locks are opened in different ways. Some work with a smartphone and connect to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or both. With a Bluetooth lock, you can walk up to your door with your smartphone, and it will recognize your device and let you in. With Wi-Fi connected devices, you can unlock your door remotely from your phone.

Other smart locks use radio frequency identification, also known as RFID. A RFID device requires you to carry a key fob. Your lock detects the key fob when you get close and automatically unlocks. Locks that use RFID may or may not be smart – as in connected to the Internet.

Other smart locks use biometrics to identify the homeowner and open the door for them. Biometrics is the identification of characteristics that are specific to a particular person. Fingerprint scanning is probably the most common form. Another type is voice recognition.

Keypads, which use a pin code, are a technology used in older electronic locks. Some smart locks, however, use it too – sometimes as a backup entry method for a situation in which power or Internet connection is lost. One advantage of using a keypad is that you can create codes for trusted family members, friends, and neighbors or entry codes that expire after one use.

Although most of the attention has been given to front door locks, smaller padlock versions exist as well. Manufacturers are also producing variations for apartment dwellers, bicycle riders and more. This article will focus mostly on front door security systems.

Different smart locks come with different features. Here’s a run-down of some of the common ones.

1. Mobile and Web Apps

Many smart locks come with their own dedicated app that you can use to lock and unlock the door, view information about who’s opened and closed it and find installation instructions. Others don’t come with a dedicated app and require hooking the lock up with a separate home automation system to use it remotely.

2. Auto-Lock

The auto-lock feature automatically engages the lock after the door is closed for a certain amount of time. The time varies by the lock, and some even allow you to choose how long it takes for your door to auto-lock.

3. Geofencing

With the geofencing feature, you won’t have to worry about whether you locked up after your left. To use geofencing, you set up a perimeter around your home. When your smartphone leaves that perimeter, your door will automatically lock. Some locks can also open when you enter the perimeter.

4. Security Alarms

Some smart locks feature security alarms that go off if someone attempts to tamper with the lock or if it detects an unusual amount of force being exerted on the door.

5. Text, Email, or Push Notifications

You can receive text, email or push notifications from some smart locks that alert you when someone locks or unlocks your door.

6. Integration

Many smart locks are designed to be integrated with home automation systems and devices such as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Nest products. Some also work with If This Then That (IFTTT), a web-based service and app that allows users to create chains of conditional statements, enabling them to automate the use of various technologies. You can also purchase optional devices, such as security cameras, that your locks can connect with to add to their usefulness.

Best Smart Locks

Although the many different variations of smart locks can make it difficult to compare them, there are a few contenders that stand out from the crowd. Below is a list of some of the most popular and high-performing smart locks on the market.

1. Kwikset Kovo Smart Lock Second Gen

The Second Generation of the Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock is similar to its predecessor, one of the first smart locks on the market, but its all-metal interior makes it slightly more secure. All around, this lock provides both superior security and convenience.

You can use a variety of methods to unlock the Kwikset Kevo. You can either walk up with your Bluetooth enabled smartphone or a key fob and tap the lock or unlock through the Android or iOS app or with a physical key.

It’s also relatively easy to install, and the device’s companion app will walk you through the installation steps. You can also integrate it with various smart home systems. It comes in three attractive finishes – satin nickel, polished brass or Venetian bronze.

The Kwikset Kevo sells for $229.00. There’s also the option to purchase the Kevo Plus upgrade, a $100 in-app purchase that provides you with some extra capabilities.

2. August Smart Lock

The August Smart Lock is easy to install, allows you to track who comes in and out of your home and comes with plenty of high-tech features.

One of the major updates from the earlier version of this lock is increased integration capabilities.The August Smart Lock can be integrated with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Nest and IFTTT.

The lock connects to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and has a geofencing capability. It also has an auto-lock feature that engages after an amount of time determined by the user.

You can also control the lock using Siri voice commands, an exciting feature. It’s controllable remotely, but that requires an additional August device or an Apple TV.

The August Smart Lock sells for $229.99.

3. Lockitron Bolt

At $99.00, the Lockitron Bolt is one of the more affordable smart lock options. It connects to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so it unlocks when you get within Bluetooth range and you can provide others with guest access.

The lock is easy to install and the accompanying app is sleek and easy to use. It operates quietly, reliably records locking and unlocking activity and comes in either Modern Gold or Quicksilver.

Some of the features available on other devices, such as auto-lock, voice commands, and integration capabilities, are missing from this device but that’s to be expected for the price. If you want a simpler and more affordable smart lock, this may be the right choice for you.

4. Schlage Sense

The Schlage Sense provides a lot of convenience for Apple users, but may not be the best choice for Android fans. It connects to Bluetooth and can be opened via a smartphone app, the touchscreen on the lock or Siri voice commands. The keypad allows you to assign unique codes to people you want to give access to.

The app can be integrated with Apple HomeKit-enabled devices. You can also control it remotely but only if you have an Apple TV.

The lock is easy to install, and the simple app is convenient to use. MSRP is $229.00. For Apple users, this may be the ideal choice but if you don’t already use Apple devices, you may want to skip it.

5. Yale Real Living Z-Wave Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock

This smart lock, called the YRD 240 for short, is beautifully designed and allows you to ditch keys entirely. It is a little pricey, however, and may require some additional equipment to get full functionality.

The YRD 240 uses a touch screen keypad that allows you to set up multiple pin codes. Installation and setting up the codes is relatively easy thanks to voice-guided instructions.

There’s no dedicated app for this device, so you can’t unlock it remotely unless you pair it with a separate Z-Wave or ZigBee home automation controller. MSRP for the YRD 240 is $325.00, but you may be able to find it for cheaper. A home automation controller will cost you another $125 or so.

6. Schlage Century Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock

This lock gives you the option of using it with a touch-screen keypad or a physical key. There’s no dedicated app, but if you have a Z-Wave home automation network, you can control it remotely too.

The Century has a useful auto-lock feature and the ability to program up to 30 different codes. It also features quite a loud alarm system, but the lock itself is also fairly loud when it opens and closes.

The Schlage Century Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock will set you back about $199.00. It would cost considerably more, though, if you want to use it remotely and don’t already have a compatible home automation network.

7. Mul-T-Lock ENTR

If you like having a lot of options, this may be the lock for you. You can open the Mul-T-Lock ENTR with your smartphone, a key fob, a pin code or your fingerprint. There’s no option for using a physical key though.

The sleekly designed Mul-T-Lock ENTR also has an auto-lock feature and the ability to provide guests with access by using pins. The device can support up to 20 users. It also uses three-barrel multi-lock technology making it one of the sturdier smart locks.

At around $300, this choice is a bit on the expensive side but for some, opening your door with just your fingerprint may be worth it.

8. Kwikset Z-Wave SmartCode 916 Touchscreen Electronic Deadbolt

This lock works with a pin code and lets you use your old house keys as a backup. If you have a Z-Wave or ZigBee home automation network, you can also operate it with a mobile device.
The Kwikset Z-Wave SmartCode 916 Touchscreen Electronic Deadbolt is also relatively heavy-duty and has a built-in alarm. You can assign up to 30 access codes to the touchscreen keypad. It’s easy to install and looks nice with pretty much any home.

As a stand-alone keypad deadbolt, this device will cost you around $215.

9. Poly-Control Danalock V2 BT

The Poly-Control Danalock V2 BT is a small, round device that’s easy to install and can connect via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Z-Wave or ZigBee technology. The manufacturer was plagued by some malfunctions on older models but seems to have corrected them with this update.

It comes with its own app, which is easy to use and tracks all the comings and goings through the door. It can be integrated with Nest devices, you can use geofencing to enable the automatic unlock and set up guest access. It is missing a few of the fancy conveniences, though, like voice command capabilities. For $129.99, it’s not a bad buy at all.

10. Haven

Haven is much more heavy-duty than most smart locks and front-door locks in general for that matter. This lock isn’t a deadbolt. Instead, it acts as a barrier across the bottom of the doorframe, making forced entry extremely difficult. It’s also made of aluminum, steel and Nylon 66.

The lock connects via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to mobile devices, which allows you to access it remotely and enable guest access. You can also opt to use a key fob.

Haven, which raised funds on Kickstarter, isn’t available in stores yet. It’s expected to be ready to ship in June 2017, but you can preorder it for $299.00. MSRP will be $349.00.

11. Nuki Smart Lock

Made in Austria and launched on Kickstarter, the Nuki smart lock is designed specifically for European homeowners. If you have a fairly standard European door with a europrofile-cylinder that has around a three millimeter overlap on the inside, you can install the device easily within five minutes.

Nuki locks work with smartphones via Bluetooth. Your door will automatically lock and unlock as you enter and exit your home. All you have to do is keep your smartphone in your pocket. The company also offers a key FOB for those who don’t have a smartphone.

Among the features of this lock are the ability to see if your door is locked or unlocked at any time and let people in and out from anywhere via the smartphone. It’s also secure as it encrypts the information it sends to the same level that banks do. For the basic lock, you’ll pay 229,00 € or about $240 US dollars. Package deals and extras like the key FOB will cost you a bit more, but you’ll gain more functionality.

Sure, smart locks are impressive gadgets, but some critics say they’re not necessary and regular locks work well enough. So, what might make purchasing a smart lock worth it?

If you have a smart lock that doesn’t require a key fob, you eliminate the possibility of losing your keys. With some smart locks, all you need is a pin code or even your fingerprint. Even if it requires a smartphone, there’s probably less of a chance you’ll lose your phone than your keys.
Not having to use keys is also convenient. When you walk up to the door, you don’t have to search for anything. You can just type in your pin or walk right in as your door automatically unlocks.

The ability to grant trusted people access to your home at certain times can also be quite useful. For example, you could let your neighbor in to feed your dog if you’re away for the day without having to hand out a key.

With some smart locks, all you need is a pin code or even your fingerprint

Smart locks can also offer additional conveniences such as the ability to integrate with other smart devices and home automation networks.

Besides the notion that they’re unnecessary, another common argument against smart locks is the potential they have to be hacked. Having a lock that’s connected to the Internet creates a new vulnerability in your security system that someone with the right skills could potentially take advantage of.

To mitigate this security risk, smart lock manufacturers encrypt the locks’ communications. Various smart lock companies use 128-bit AES encryption, the same kind that’s used by banks and for secret-level classified government information.

Of course, the most skilled hackers can still occasionally hack the networks of banks and the government, which means they could also hack into your home. That’s only hackers who are extremely skillful though. Someone with that level of ability would likely go for a bigger target and not spend their time and talents on individual homes. If someone really wanted to break into a home, it might be easier to just kick down the door or break a window.

Another common concern deals with what happens if your phone dies, you lose your Internet connection or the lock’s batteries die. With some locks, this could be an issue. Most of them, however, have a backup access method. This could be a keypad, backup power or a physical key.

If your backup method is a physical key, though, that cancels out the convenience of not having to carry around house keys. Also, if you need a physical key for your car or office, you’ll have to carry around a keychain anyway. Unless one day, every lock is Internet-connected, we might not be able to take full advantage of the convenience of smart locks.

Another concern of some homeowners may be installing and programming their smart lock. In most cases, however, this isn’t too complicated and the locks or their apps will come with instructions to guide you through the process.

For most smart locks, the installation takes around 10 minutes to half an hour. The process, of course, varies by the style of lock you get.

Some models come with their own deadbolt hardware and require removing the old lock completely, including the deadbolt mechanism and strike plate. Others fit right over the existing deadbolt.

Most smart locks are designed to work with the standard, pre-drilled holes used on most front doors. You shouldn’t have to buy anything extra to make your smart lock fit on your door.

The advent of smart locks presents some new challenges to locksmiths, but many are adapting and learning how to install and troubleshoot them. If you need help installing your smart lock, you might be able to call a professional. Although some of the more unusual models, like the Haven, might cause a locksmith more difficulty, someone with smart lock training should be able to help you if you get locked out or your device malfunctions.

The post The Best Smart Locks 2019 – Reviews | Features | Security appeared first on ChipIn.