Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Verizon’s Fios Gigabit Connection Deal Offers Xbox Goodies – While Supplies Last

Internet providers are well known for their deals, but Verizon’s new campaign targets a specific demographic, gamers. That’s right, Verizon is reaching out to Xbox gamers with a new offer that also nets you some Xbox–friendly access options.

  1. Xbox Live Subscription from FiOS
  2. Choice of one of two games: PUBG or Sea Thieves
We know, you probably have some questions. So let’s answer some of the most obvious ones to provide a clearer look at just what Verizon is offering for this promo, which is good until supplies last.

Okay, What is Fios Gigabit Connection?

The offer requires that you sign up for or upgrade to Fios Gigabit Connection, one of the top tiers of internet service that Verizon provides, with speeds up to 940/880 Mbps. It is offered on a 100% fiber-optic network, which means it uses fiber-optic cable all the way to the home. Fiber-optic lines are famous for using woven glass and light to transmit information, which allows them to send and receive data at incredible speeds. With Fios Gigabit Connection, however, the fiber connection continues all the way to your home. This allows for up to 940/880 Mbps speeds with fewer lags and data issues. That’s an incredibly good speed spec and you can check to see how it compares to other speeds and what you can accomplish with this tier on Verizon’s FAQ page. Unfortunately, Fios Gigabit Connection isn’t available everywhere, so you will need to hop over to Verizon and check availability in your area.

What Gaming Bonuses Do I Get?

Well, first you get those amazing speeds up to 940/880 Mbps, which are excellent for high-level gaming. If you stream a lot of games and the highest-definition, 4k gameplay is important to you, this is a good way to game. If you run a gaming stream on Twitch or a similar platform and have a lot of things going on at once, Fios Gigabit Connection speeds may also help prevent a lot lagging. Finally, if you prefer more sensitive shooter games where accuracy is vital, more bandwidth can help keep your eye on the bullseye. But that’s all just the icing on the cake. You also get Xbox-specific goodies:
  1. A free year of Xbox Live Gold. Depending on how you purchase Xbox Live, this typically costs between $50 to $60, and now you get it for free for a year. If you already have Xbox Live, don’t worry about it – the deal can be used for next year if you want.
  2. A choice between two games – Sea of Thieves or PUBG. PUBG (Player Unknown’s Battleground) is, of course, famous enough to need little introduction, but this immensely popular battle royale game is the chief competitor for Fortnite and filled with the same kind of chaotic fun, strategy, and shooting skills that define the genre. Sea of Thieves, meanwhile, is a co-op game where you ride the pirate seas in an incredibly realistic sailing experience, looking for quests to complete while dodging – or plundering – other players on the map.

All Right, What Would This Cost?

You can get the Fios Gigabit Connection deal for $79.99 per month with Auto Pay plus taxes, equipment charges and other fees. The standard setup charge is waived for this deal, and there is no annual contract. If you are with another service, you can also get up to a $500 credit to help cover any early termination fees for switching.

Verizon’s Fios Gigabit Connection Deal Offers Xbox Goodies – While Supplies Last is courtesy of tested products by gadgetreview


Verizon’s Fios Gigabit Connection Deal Offers Xbox Goodies – While Supplies Last published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
Verizon’s Fios Gigabit Connection Deal Offers Xbox Goodies – While Supplies Last published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Link Interactive Home Security System Review

The Link Interactive Home Security system is just one of dozens of DIY protection networks that have burst onto the scene in the past several years, using an array of older sensors alongside new technologies like 24/7 IP cameras to give homeowners a cheaper solution to alternatives like Bay or ADT. But will Link Interactive really be able to trust the average user (like myself) with something as technologically complex as home security? Read on in my Link Interactive home security system review to find out!

Overview

Price: $10/month + equipment from ScoutAvailable: Now Summary: The Scout Alarm home security system is a protection network made for a new generation of homeowners, and incorporates deep customization options into its network of intrusion sensors with the help of IFTTT and more. What We Liked
  • Simple, seamless setup
  • Deep customization options
  • Responsive sensors
  • Contract-free subscription option
What We Didn’t
  • Could use a native IP camera option

Scout Alarm System Specs

Hardware and Design

Unlike some other options in the emerging market of DIY home security, the Link Interactive system is 100% fully committed to function over form. While the Scout Alarm System comes with several different color choices and looks like something straight out of Apple’s labratory, the Link Interactive system is proudly unconcerned with coming off as chic or stylish, instead opting to look pretty much exactly how you would expect a home security apparatus to. The desk-or-wall based touchscreen panel is the only thing that looks remotely modern, and even then the LED screen is fairly grainy and by no means will you want to be watching any movies on it anytime soon. That said, it still functioned perfectly under multiple tests, including operating with a glove on and with messy fingers in case you accidentally spilled a drink on yourself in the time it took to get inside and get the alarm shut off before it alerting the authorities. Our testing kit came with the one central touchscreen panel, one motion sensor, one glass break sensor, one smoke alarm, and a door/window sensor. All were coated with a flat-white color scheme without any additional options, so if for any reason you think that might not work with your home’s decor, you’d be better going with an alternative like the Scout instead.

Setup and Installation

From opening the box to the system being fully functional, it took me about 30 minutes to get the system running the way it was supposed to (at least in practice). Unfortunately, whoever tested the system before I did stripped the adhesive off all the sensors, so I was unable to actually stick anything to the doors or windows to get the full effect. On the software side of things, the setup process wasn’t that much unlike what you’d find when setting up a mesh networking router. After plugging the “Hub” in, I then followed the on-screen instructions to go through and add each additional device one by one until the whole network of motion, door, and window sensors were live. Read More: Canary Home Security Review Unlike some other options in this category, we didn’t need to make any calls or speak with an installation assistant to make it from zero to 100% protected. Everything was handled directly from the Scout app on an iPhone 7, which also happened to be where the different devices and IFTTT connections were managed.

Software and Integrations

The Scout app for iOS isn’t as well-defined or intuitive as other general apps you might find for the device, but it still functioned well enough on its own to get the job done. Despite its lacking UI, we were still able to navigate around and set things up with relative ease, and nothing crashed during the process which is always a plus when it comes to any product that just made it off the first floor of Kickstarter. Read More: Angee Home Security System Raises Over $470,000 on Kickstarter One of the biggest selling points of the Scout Alarm system is the extensive number of external devices and apps that it’s compatible with right out of the gate. If you’ve been working on your smart home upgrades piece by piece, this is the perfect system for you thanks to its integration with all manner of smart home devices and software. This includes the ability to connect with third-party hardware like Nest Thermostats, Protect, Amazon Alexa, and Dropcam, as well as with the popular app IFTTT to create recipes that give you more control over what happens if/when an alarm is triggered. This gives the system immense levels of customization and depth that would take an entire article to explain on its own, but all you need to know here is that if you can dream it, you can just about do it with the Scout Alarm system.

Performance

Although we would normally take the IFTTT integrations into account when testing the performance of a system, we decided for our blanket reviews of these types of devices it would be best to keep things impartial and rate them on their barebone functionality instead. Without any additional recipes, devices, or software added on top, the Scout Alarm performed pretty much exactly how you’d expect it to, given the hardware. When the “front door” was opened - no adhesive to actually install on the door, remember - the alarm went off and sent the notifications we had asked it to, including an email, a text message, and a phone call (you can also set it to let off its local alarm on the Hub, which screeches at an ear-splitting 90dB). From here we were given the option to either mute the alarm or have the system call the police, and while we couldn’t actually test the police response ourselves without running the risk of getting a hefty citation, we’d imagine it’s just as quick as it would otherwise be if you’d called yourself. The included RFID key fobs, which are used to grant access without setting off the alarm, worked at a decent distance away from the front door sensor. The included RFID-laced sticker was a nice touch as well, and functioned as something we could slide into our wallets or attach to the back of a smartphone to turn it into another wireless disarming device. Read More: Netgear Arlo Q Security Camera Review The same story of quick responsiveness carried over to the window sensor, which notified us in a matter of milliseconds after the bond between the base unit and the companion magnet were broken. Last up was the motion sensor, which claims around 25ft of sight in optimal conditions. The motion sensor was very sensitive, and should only be placed in an area where you’d expect almost no movement unless an actual break-in was happening. That is, unless you like the idea of being notified two hundred times a day that a tree branch outside blew in the wind.

Pricing/Subscriptions

As I mentioned in the hardware section, everything about the Scout Alarm system is sold on a purely a'la carte basis - you couldn’t even buy a package deal if you wanted to. For the system we tested the total cost came to $345, though it should be noted this only covered the front door, one window, and our backyard. The good thing about the a'la carte system is that if you have another door or series of doors you want to monitor, but don’t need RFID access on them (basement, sliding glass, or back doors for example), you can buy the comparitvely cheaper window sensors and achieve the same effect. For a more protected household with two doors monitored, several windows, and multiple yards you could easily be looking at a cost in the range of $500 - $700, though this all depends on the size of your home and how secure you want to be. As far as the monthly subscription is concerned, you have two choices to pick from, neither of which demand any sort of contract which is a huge plus in my book. For $9.99 you can get the basic plan which adds 3G connectivity in case your home internet is cut during a burglary, and for $19.99 you also get 24/7 monitoring from professionals who will be able to respond to threats even when you’re away from your phone.

Wrap Up

The Scout Alarm is a new type of security for a new type of buyer, the “millennial” home security system that keeps members of all ages safe from outside threats. The software is simple to use, the system is easy to set up, and its deep vault of possible customization thanks to IFTTT makes it a gold mine for even the most experienced smart home geeks among us. Though the a'la carte DIY approach to home security may not be for everyone, Scout knows who it’s targeting with this product and it’s done everything it needs to do to capture that market splendidly. If I had any criticisms here it would focus mainly on the lack of any included IP camera options, but if you’ve already got a Dropcam, then getting it running with the rest of the system is a cinch. All told if you want the closest thing you’ll get to a “plug and play” home security network today, the Scout Alarm is the system to go with. Read Next: Best Home Security System

The article Link Interactive Home Security System Review was originally published to GadgetReview Expert Testing & Reviews


Link Interactive Home Security System Review published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
Link Interactive Home Security System Review published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Best Appliance Brands

If you buy a large home appliance, you want it to be both reliable and durable – it’s the top concern for buyers considering refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, air conditioners, microwaves, and any other bulky, pricey appliance. So let’s tackle the big question! What are the best appliance brands? Which are the top-rated for their quality, their performance, and their overall user reviews? We took a look, and here’s what we found. When it comes to reliability, fewer service calls, and customer opinion, Whirlpool appliances tend to score the highest out of available brands. That makes Whirlpool an excellent place to start your appliance hunt! However, the data also has several other brands performing extremely well, including LG, KitchenAid, and more. Let’s take a look!

Best Appliance Brands

#1  Whirlpool

When looking for large kitchen appliances, Whirlpool is one of the most reliable brands on the market, excellent for those who want durable models that are easy to use and won’t unexpectedly break down right after you buy them. According to Yale Appliance statistics, Whirlpool is the most reliable brand in their affordable lines (typically smaller models at prices well-fitted for those on a budget), with the lowest percentage of service calls. Whirlpool also comes in the top 3 on Ranker’s survey of the best large kitchen appliance brands. They have also received high marks for their customer service, which is always reassuring from the consumer point of view! (Repair service marks for Whirlpool are significantly lower, so it’s a good thing their products don’t break down very easily.) Whirlpool products tend to slant toward laundry appliances, followed by basic oven ranges and refrigerators. Their products don’t always have a lot of bells and whistles, but provide long-term durability instead…which is usually exactly what homeowners want. However, if you are looking for particularly large or spacious appliances, you may want to consider other brands.

#2  LG

While LG is typically associated with electronics, the company has won numerous accolades for its appliances: according to a J.D. Power report, LG ranks highest in appliance ratings for washers, dryers, dishwashers, oven ranges, French door refrigerators, and top-mount freezer-fridge setups. Yeah, that’s a lot of appliance options! Specifically, LG won seven JD awards (2017), and the brand performed particularly well in performance, reliability, ease of use, and styling/appearance (with high marks in customer satisfaction as well). It’s easy to see how LG does so well. The company has hit a sweet spot of including just enough high-end tech to make their appliances top performers, without making them too fragile or difficult to use. The LG/SKS brand, in particular, is a high-end option for luxury kitchen spaces. However, this popularity comes with a price – high prices, to be exact. You may have to pay more for an LG model. Note: As Yale Appliances and others mention, the “techy” brands like Samsung and LG tend to have a lot of bad reviews floating around online, with an important caveat. This might discourage consumers from looking into their appliances, but take a closer look and you see that most of these reviews have to do with something other than product. The appliances themselves performed excellently (and these brands have the awards to prove it). However, these bad reviews occur typically because something went wrong in the delivery process (which is often out of the hands of the brand) or a tech support question that the buyer didn’t feel was answered correctly. These issues are more likely to happen with these large electronics companies that have many different divisions and logistics concerns, as opposed to a much more focused brand like Whirlpool. To prevent problems along this line, we suggest you find a trusted local retailer to supply LG products (or appliances from other large companies) to reduce any delivery issues you may experience.

#3  Samsung

Yale lists Samsung as one of the top luxury appliance brands available, excellent for when you are willing to spend a bit extra to invest in high-tech features, large appliances, and the latest designs. There’s a reason they are the top selling brand in the United States. Samsung also has excellent compatibility benefits with other devices. Their TVs are just as durable as their kitchen appliances. If all your Samsung electronics have smart features, you can operate them on the same Samsung platform, including your appliances. So, if you are already a Samsung fan, you get extra synergy from incorporating Samsung appliances into your ecosystem. Samsung refrigerators, in particular, get a lot of praise for design, especially with larger washers and refrigeration units. However, they are also known for producing top-notch oven ranges and stovetops.

#4  Frigidaire

When Ranker has people to talk about the best kitchen appliance brands, the most-voted brand was Frigidaire by a sizable number. Consumer Reports also ranks it as a refrigerator brand that won’t let you down, especially when it comes to side-by-sides. The key here is specialization and simplicity. Frigidaire is a dependable middle-of-the-road choice, not too expensive and not too complicated, making it a common choice for homeowners replacing older appliances with newer models that don’t ask too much. Of course, specialization also limits Frigidaire’s reach: the company has a good, long-standing reputation for coolant systems, making it an ideal choice for refrigerators and air conditioner units. Outside of this, however, other brands tend to become much more competitive, and Frigidaire falls down the list.

#5  KitchenAid

KitchenAid is an interesting case study. The brand has a long history of providing solid products, but had started to fall behind more aggressive competitors entering the modern market. In return, KitchenAid revamped its appliance design entirely, focusing on high-end models with a sharp industrial look. As a result, KitchenAid is one of the best brands available today for high-end dishwashers, refrigerators, and oven ranges. If you are thinking about a serious kitchen remodel, looking into KitchenAid products and see if their recent offerings appeal to you. This being said, it is still KitchenAid, and they are primarily interested in durability, performance, and traditional-style controls. This is not the best place to look for advanced smart features or fun touchscreens.

#6  Bosch

While LG may have gotten most of the J.D. Power Ratings awards in the recent study, Bosch came in second place for these esteemed ratings. The Bosch brand did particularly well in cooktops and wall ovens, plus performing well for over the range microwaves – basically, if it needs to be heated, Bosch is worth looking into. The company’s strengths tend to be useful features, good warranties, and low prices compared to other brands. This makes them a good choice for buyers who want budget appliances that still perform well.

#7  Miele

Do you want an alternative brand compared to the usual suspects, but one that consistently gets praise for appliance quality and performance? Miele is exactly the sort of brand you should look into when making your decisions. This German manufacturer has amassed multiple best brand awards over the years, and is known for its top of the line products. However, there are two important notes about Miele worth knowing. First, they are largely focused on European sectors, so it will probably be more difficult to products compatibility with American outlets and voltage – always check to be sure (don’t worry, Miele does have U.S. centers of operation, too, but you need to be careful when buying online). Second, Miele products tend to be high-end in terms of construction, which means they also tend to cost more. Prices will be higher for these products, so watch for deals.

The following post Best Appliance Brands is available on gadgetreview.com/


Best Appliance Brands published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
Best Appliance Brands published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/

Saturday, September 8, 2018

iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum Can Now Empty Itself

We’ve been enjoying our robot vacuum cleaners in our homes for years now and we love them, but one of the biggest drawbacks to owning one has always been the fact that you have to manually empty their bins every fairly often. Well, it looks like iRobot has come up with a clever solution. You are going to love this.

This Robot Empties Itself

iRobot has announced the Roomba i7+ robot vacuum with Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal. This robot vacuum has a few new tricks that owners are going to fall in love with. It will remember your home’s floor plan and even clean specific rooms by name, but the coolest trick is that it will automatically empty itself. This makes owning a robot vacuum easier than ever and gives users something they have been wanting for a long time: Freedom from constant robot maintenance. Using Imprint Smart Mapping, the Roomba i7+ is able to learn, map and adapt to your home’s floor plan. This allows you to clean specific rooms by name using the iRobot HOME App or by voice command if you have Alexa enabled devices or Google Assistant. The Roomba i7+ will do its job cleaning your floors and when it’s finished cleaning, it will dock into the Clean Base and empty its dustbin. The Clean Base holds 30 bins of dirt. This means that you won’t have to worry about emptying your robot vacuum cleaner daily and can instead forget about vacuuming for weeks until you need to clean the base.

Schedule Cleaning Times and More

You can also use the iRobot HOME app to schedule cleaning times, view Clean Maps of your home, tweak cleaning settings and more. It’s going to be very nice not having to empty your Roomba’s bin daily. It’s one less thing to do around the house and let’s face it, we have enough chores as it is. Vacuuming and mopping are just the start.

The following post iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum Can Now Empty Itself was first published to GadgetReviews


iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum Can Now Empty Itself published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum Can Now Empty Itself published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/

DISH Launches OnePoint To Control Multiple TVs

DISH has been making a lot of solid moves lately to give their customers even more and now DISH has launched a new app that businesses are going to love. It’s called DISH OnePoint. OnePoint is an interactive app that gives business owners the ability to control multiple televisions from a single interface.

Your Customers Will Never Miss A Thing

The days of getting frustrated by all of those remotes are over. With OnePoint, you can control multiple TVs using iPad and Android tablets. You can use the DISH OnePoint remote app to manage large entertainment systems that use DISH set-top boxes, making it an ideal solution for businesses like sports bars, restaurants, fitness centers, waiting rooms and more. If you have a business that uses multiple TVs, this is going to make life easier. Now you won’t have to worry about juggling remotes or scrolling through the programming guides, both of which are a pain. This means that your customers don’t have to miss a second of the big game or any show that they’re watching while employees find the right channel. This is another great reason to love DISH. DISH OnePoint features include a single interface that will control all TVs connected to your network with a single app as well as custom groups that lets you rename individual receivers and create custom groups to easily control a single TV, a group of sets or the entire system. You can also set favorite channels or categories in the interactive guide. It also brings an interactive guide and searches that let you search for content in the interactive guide without upsetting the current program. Plus you can filter content by favorites or genre.

Control It All From Your Tablet

DISH OnePoint is available for free on iPad and Android tablets and is compatible with DISH’s Wally set-top box and all generations of Hopper and Joey receivers. If you have a Hopper Duo, support for that is coming soon. This is a great move by DISH.

The following article DISH Launches OnePoint To Control Multiple TVs Read more on: New Product Reviews by GadgetReview


DISH Launches OnePoint To Control Multiple TVs published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
DISH Launches OnePoint To Control Multiple TVs published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/

Moët Mini Champagne Vending Machines Arrive In Los Angeles

Last week Mama Lion, the popular bar, lounge and social club in Los Angeles, celebrated the arrival of champagne vending machines for their guests to enjoy. Hey, when you need a bottle of bubbly, you need one, so these machines are very convenient. You’ll never have to be without champagne again.

Let The Champagne Flow

This is especially great for celebrating things on the spur of the moment. Good thing there is champagne in that machine over there. Just pay the machine and you’ll be popping the cork in no time. The vending machine is loaded with 320 mini bottles of Moët and Chandon champagne, so you can always have your fancy brut and rosé when you need them. This machine helps you to keep the party going. And with all of the live entertainment at Mama lion’s you can be sure that the party continues. This is a first for Los Angeles and a first for Mama Lion and Moët & Chandon. That’s because this is the first lounge and bar in California to serve champagne from a vending machine. Making it a fun occasion to use the machine, the new vending machine installation includes interesting touches like a tiny champagne flute for every purchase. And aside from that the machine only takes specially branded Moët golden tokens that you can buy for $20 at the bar. These details make using the machine a more interesting experience for patrons. You may not be aware, but the very first Moët & Chandon champagne vending machine was unveiled back in 2013, however, those were only available in limited quantities, in very exclusive locations.

A High Profile Treat

The concept first showed up in the U.S. at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas and vending machines have since shown up at some of Hollywood and the fashion world’s most high-profile celebrations. We’re talking the Golden Globe awards, amfAR Gala and Harper’s Bazaar Icons during NYFW. But now folks in Los Angeles can see what all of the excitement is about. This is the town that makes the movies we love and they are always innovating.

Moët Mini Champagne Vending Machines Arrive In Los Angeles See more on: Gadget Review - honest reviews that help


Moët Mini Champagne Vending Machines Arrive In Los Angeles published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
Moët Mini Champagne Vending Machines Arrive In Los Angeles published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Smarter Coffee Second Generation Coffee Maker

What would life look like without our morning coffee? I shudder to think what that kind of a world would look like. Most of us would probably stay in bed. Lucky for us, no one is going to be taking our coffee away anytime soon.

The Smartest Coffee Maker You Can Buy

In fact, coffee makers like the Smarter Coffee Second Generation Coffee Maker are making it easier than ever to enjoy a fresh cup of joe anytime you want, with some very nice home automation features built right in. Imagine getting out of bed and going downstairs to find a freshly brewed cup that you didn’t have to lift a finger to make? Now that’s the future we’ve been waiting for. It is here. Smarter Coffee’s Second Generation coffee machine has a built-in grinder and is compatible with many popular smart home products like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and If This Then That (IFTTT). I have no doubt that you will find it to be the smartest coffee maker you’ve ever had. The minimal design will please wives everywhere as it shouldn’t clash with your home decor, only compliment it. This machine sports replaceable panels so that you can change the color too. Why wait on your coffee when it can wait on you? Get coffee when you want it with no hassles. You have full control of the machine remotely via the Smarter app which is compatible with iOS and Android. Use the Smarter app to start your day with a fresh batch of coffee by setting alarms with Wake Up mode. If you want to sleep late, no problem, since the hotplate keeps your brew warmer for up to 40 minutes. You won’t find many coffee makers that do this, but hey, if you still prefer your old pour over coffee maker, we understand.

Coffee When you Want It

Do you want your coffee the instant you get home from work? Again, no problem. Smarter Coffee knows when you enter the front door and will start brewing a pot with Home mode. Many coffee aficionados like to grind their coffee before brewing and these folks won’t be disappointed thanks to the hopper on top of the machine. It sure is nice to see a coffee maker that adjusts to our lifestyles so well.

Smarter Coffee Second Generation Coffee Maker Find more on: Gadget Review - honest reviews that help


Smarter Coffee Second Generation Coffee Maker published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/
Smarter Coffee Second Generation Coffee Maker published first on http://www.gadgetreview.com/