Simon Walsh

Having dove into the Alexa ecosystem over a year ago, one might think that I would have largely discovered its compatible smart home gear. While I have certainly found several products, it seems I have only scratched the surface of what’s currently available and yet to come. In this guide, I’ll shine light on Alexa smart home devices that have caught my attention and clock in at under $50.
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Just 6-months after VAIO debuted its incredibly light, portable, and port-covered 12-inch notebook, the company is back with a hardware update which it says will boost performance by “up to about 40%.” VAIO SX12 can now max out with a 6-core 10th Generation Intel Core U processor and 16GB of RAM. When it comes to I/O, VAIO’s 12-inch laptop positively trounces both MacBook Air and the brand new MacBook Pro thanks to the inclusion of USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI, Ethernet, SD, and more.
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Face it, for better or worse we are inundated with what seems like an overwhelming list of smart home gear solutions. This alone makes it difficult for companies to differentiate themselves from the competition, but Leviton has done so today with the official release of its Smart Voice Dimmer. This smart light switch sets itself apart from most by giving you yet another place to fire up Alexa. Leviton has also released its Smart Wi-Fi 4-Speed Fan Controller, which works with IFTTT, Alexa, Google Assistant, and more. Continue reading for further details.

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Today marks the 1-year anniversary of when I received my first 3D printer. Knowing this has caused me to reflect on how much I’ve learned and which things I wish I had known sooner. Since I am not a skilled craftsman, one of the things that drew me to 3D printing was the ability to create custom-tailored items at inexpensive price points. While this is true for small items, large prints can be expensive. Continue reading to for helpful 3D printing tips, tricks, and terms that have prepared me to tackle large projects.

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Having recently surpassed the 150 million subscriber milestone, Amazon Prime is becoming ubiquitous across households. While its largest selling point is same, next, and 2-day shipping, there are a plethora of other hidden gems in Prime. One that I have begun taking advantage of is Prime Wardrobe. After debuting as a beta back in 2017, Prime Wardrobe became available to all subscribers in mid-2018. This service lets you select up to 8 articles of clothing to have shipped your way, with no up-front costs. You only pay for what is kept. Continue reading to learn all the ins and outs of Prime Wardrobe.
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With Amazon having revealed its Q4 earnings, there is at least one very notable number worth diving into. The number being referred to here is just how many Amazon Prime memberships the company has sold. As of now, Amazon has surpassed the 150 million member mark, highlighting an increase of 50 million subscriptions in the last two years. Perhaps the juiciest bit of information here is that this last quarter offered the strongest level of growth that Amazon has seen to date. New and upgraded services bundled with the subscriptions are at least partially to thank for this boost.
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I don’t know about you, but I am all about making 2020 simpler than years past. While eliminating items can certainly lead to an easier life, there are some products that should not be given up. So for those things, arguably the next best solution is likely to let someone else do the heavy-lifting. Thankfully Amazon subscription boxes are here to save the day. Continue reading to see my top picks for 2020.
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With loads of smart TV operating systems out there, it can be hard to decide which is right for you. Thankfully switching between platforms is simple in some regards thanks to an increased level of competition to deliver a full ecosystem of products. While Roku initially became known for its streaming devices, an expansive smart TV rollout and recent launches of a sound bar, subwoofer, and wireless speakers have bolstered its strength as a lineup. Today the company is taking its audio products a step further by letting all of them pair together to create a Roku Surround Sound experience.

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After purchasing an Avantree Leaf for my PlayStation 4, I recently got the urge to find a similar product that would allow me to seamlessly pair AirPods with Nintendo Switch when playing portably. After a bit of searching, I came across HomeSpot. This nifty device plugs directly in via USB-C, which ensures it is always powered up and ready to go. I purchased both HomeSpot and HORI Split Pad Pro (recently reviewed). Continue reading to learn about the pros and cons HomeSpot.

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When it comes to the world of monitors, there are a lot of specs that differentiate one from another. This can make it difficult to find a display with the perfect blend of features. The Eve Spectrum lineup sets out to solve this by being “crowd-developed” from the ground up. This means that since its inception, every detail of Spectrum has been “discussed, debated and decided” by over over 7,000 people. These displays feature a ton of ports, high resolutions, and refresh rates that reach up to 240Hz. Continue reading to learn more.
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Technology made with kids in mind is a burgeoning market. Even Amazon has been hard at work with special Echo speakers and Fire tablets filling out its lineup. A new product called Yoto Player is here and it takes a different approach than what’s found in competing devices. It accepts NFC cards that play linked stories, podcasts, and more. Continue reading for additional details.
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Ever since I initially covered the debut of HORI Split Pad Pro, I’ve been anxious to take it for a spin. While my PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch both take up a bit of my time, the portable option has made the latter my go-to console more often than not. One gripe that I have had is that when in portable mode, Nintendo Switch can become uncomfortable to use over time. On top of that, I find Joy-Con joysticks to be very stiff, making any sort of aiming maneuver difficult. This is why I bought HORI Split Pad Pro. I’ve spent more than three weeks with it, continue reading to see what I think.

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A couple weeks after AMD produced an inaccurate render of Xbox Series X, we now have what appears to be real-world photos of the upcoming console. A total of two images began making the rounds on Twitter last night and have since been vouched for by Brad Sams over at Thurrott. One of the photos displays the front of Microsoft’s purported Xbox Series X while the other showcases the back. Of both images in the potential Xbox Series X leak, the rear photo is easily the most interesting as it provides us with a glimpse of what I/O the future of console gaming may hold. Continue reading for more details.
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Just one day after announcing the tactix Delta, Garmin is back at it again with yet another wearable. It’s called Garmin Approach S62, and is a full-featured golf watch with a 1.3-inch display which the company touts as 17% larger than its predecessor. Garmin Approach S62 features a scratch-resistant ceramic design, up to 14-day battery life, detailed maps of 41,000 golf courses worldwide, and more. Continue reading to learn what else it is capable of.
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Now that the smartwatch floodgates have been opened, it seemss that much like headphones there is a design out there to appease anyone. Garmin tactix Delta is the latest of the bunch, with interesting privacy features like a stealth mode, kill switch, and more. It’s comprised of premium materials like a domed sapphire lens and carbon coated bezel which Garmin touts as being “diamond-like.” Continue reading for further details.
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Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s likely many would agree there’s something classy and timeless about black and white photos. Sure, they’re reminiscent of an era when color photos weren’t yet available, but even today, a well-shot black and white shot can often standout in a crowd of vibrant and colorful alternatives. The new Leica M10 Monochrom exists for this very reason, and is fully-focused on taking top-notch black and white photos. It sports a special grayscale image sensor capable of snapping very-detailed 40 megapixel photos. Continue reading for more details.

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An updated version of Bang & Olufsen earbuds have been unveiled today and the standout feature is an incredible boost in the battery department. The preceding generations of B&O E8 earbuds delivered 16 hours of battery life, a number that is trounced by 119% in the company’s third iteration. The latest E8 earbuds boast 35-hour battery life, a number that far-surpasses Apple’s gold standard of 24. Continue reading to learn more.
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Despite the fact that the market is flooded with Mac and PC peripherals, Kensington has released yet another mouse to join its ever-increasing lineup. In typical Kensington fashion, the company has produced a product with a unique twist that is bound to catch the attention of a specific market segment. It’s called Kensington Pro Fit Ergo Vertical Wireless Trackball. This ergonomic mouse bundles a vertical design with a trackball and sports nine programmable buttons. Continue reading to learn what other tricks it has up its sleeve.
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Cuisinart has joined the likes of Weber and Traeger with new two new pellet grills that wield built-in smart functionality. Both of the new Cuisinart smart grills are quite spacious with its Woodcreek 4-in-1 Pellet Grill sporting an 862-square inch surface area and Twin Oaks Pellet & Gas Grill clocking in at about 5% larger. Both Cuisinart smart grills feature built-in Bluetooth connectivity and pair with a smartphone app for food monitoring, notifications, and more.

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While LG has several pairs of headphones to choose from, you’ll have a hard time finding a pair of truly-wireless AirPod competitors. That changes today with the release of LG TONE Free. With its new headphones, LG adopts some of the headlining features found in AirPods, including “automatic ear detection” and a “semi-open design” which mimics Apple’s first design of its popular pair of headphones. Some areas are completely different though, with USB-C charging and self-cleaning technology inside the included charging case. Continue reading to learn more.

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With a whole lot of products being being shown love at CES 2020, a new smart storage container called KEEP had to fly largely under the radar. This is because it is made specifically to store cannabis, a drug that has been legalized in many states likes Washington, Michigan, Maine, and others, but has yet to receive similar treatment on a federal level. No matter where you stand on the subject, on the merits of technology alone, KEEP is a very smart cannabis storage container. Continue reading to learn about its impressive feature set.

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On the same day August debuted its new Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Yale has taken the wraps off of a new app-controlled storage lineup. Products announced include Yale Smart Delivery Box, Cabinet Lock, and Safe. Each of which joins Yale’s burgeoning smart home lineup. Of all three, the Delivery Box seems to be the most interesting as it offers a unique approach that aims to ward off porch pirates. Keep reading to learn about each of the new Yale smart storage products.
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While the v these days, there are a few brands that stand out from the crowd and August is one of them. Earlier today at CES 2020, the new August Wi-Fi Smart Lock was officially unveiled with a design that’s more compact than ever. It is described as “45% smaller in volume and 20% slimmer than the August Smart Lock Pro.” Continue reading for more details.

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AUKEY is back at it again with a fresh batch of MacBook, Nintendo Switch, and smartphone-friendly USB-C chargers at CES 2020. The new AUKEY Omnia Series is comprised of five new GaN chargers that continue the ongoing trend of shrinking power adapters. The smallest charger found in the lineup delivers 61W of power and the largest tops out at 100W. Continue reading to learn more.

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Plugable has been crafting Thunderbolt 3 accessories for many years now. Thanks to all of the company’s experience, it has now delivered one of the most powerful Thunderbolt 3 docks to date. It boasts a total of 14 ports that are powered using one Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C cable. Additionally, the dock is able to supply 100W of power to a compatible MacBook or PC.
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Today at CES 2020, the TCL Alto 9+ Soundbar has been unveiled. It features an aggressive look that houses triple-channel speakers. While TCL doesn’t get specific, it does compare its new release with options “typically reserved for high-end home theater systems.” This is due in part to its support for Dolby Atmos and RAY·DANZ technology, which beams sound towards reflector units to create “an even wider soundstage than mainstream digital signal processing.”

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Elgato 4K60 S+ has arrived, and it’s shaking up the notion that video game streaming requires a dedicated PC. It doesn’t require a computer at all. That’s because Elgato’s latest device features a built-in HEVC chip for real-time 4K60 encoding and an SD card slot for storing it all. Continue reading to learn more.

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When it comes to action cameras, none have the brand recognition of GoPro. That’s because the company has been working on exceptionally well-built products since the company’s inception in 2002. We’ve seen the company roll out accessories before, but the announcement of three new HERO8 Black modular accessories at once, including GoPro Light Mod, signals that the release of official add-ons may become standard behavior going forward. Continue reading to learn what we know about GoPro’s Light, Media, and Display mods. 
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When it comes to 3D printers, Creality is certainly a staple in the industry. While many of its models can be quite primitive in their design, the company’s new resin 3D printer looks fantastic. On top of that, it offers a respectably-sized build volume and is priced competitively. Continue reading to learn more.

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Just one week after bringing split-screen support to Fortnite, Epic Games has launched Winterfest. During the Fortnite Winterfest event, players will be able to unwrap free presents each day to obtain items like gliders, skins, and emotes. The new feature seems to fall in line with what you’d expect during the gift-giving season.

Fortnite Winterfest isn’t the only new thing found in the latest update. Players will also find a new mode called Battle Lab. This allows gamers to choose their own rules and create unique combat scenarios. Continue reading to find out more.
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I’ll admit it. The only reason I go to the grocery stores these days tend to be for, well, groceries. Everything else mostly falls into the online shopping bucket and Amazon is by far the majority winner of my spending. As you would expect, this trend continues throughout the holidays when shopping for gifts becomes common. With so many packages being delivered, it’s very easy for someone to open a box with a gift before they should and spoil the surprise. Thankfully, a bundle of new and existing Amazon delivery options are here to save the day. Continue reading to see what Amazon offers.
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From Ring cameras to keyboards, the amount of products powered by light is constantly growing. With REFLECT Eternal, JBL is unleashing its plan for a crowdfunded pair of solar-powered headphones. Development is still in the early stages, but based on what’s been accomplished to date, JBL REFLECT Eternal set out to eliminate traditional charging while offering unlimited listening to wearers. Continue reading to learn more.

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Believe it or not, PlayStation 4 has been around for more than six years. Over its lifetime more than 100 million units have been sold. If you’re even faintly familiar of PC gaming, you know that six years is a very long time to go without upgrading components. Thankfully PlayStation 5 is just around the corner. This fact have never been more apparent than now, with the first PlayStation 5 game, Godfall, having been announced less than 24 hours ago. Continue reading to see Godfall’s trailer and learn what we know so far.
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While online multiplayer support has paved the way for friends to game with each other no matter where they are, it does seem to have taken some of focus away from couch co-op support in many games. Thankfully a Fortnite update has been pushed out today that hopefully signals a shift towards local split-screen support in other games too.

There are some limitations when it comes to the new feature, but it is Epic Games’ first attempt and the company has promised to continue improving it. Continue reading to find out everything we know.
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Last year Amazon began selling fresh cut Christmas trees. Apparently it has proven to be a success with at least a couple of brands still live at the moment. In this post we’ll dive into which trees are still available for order and can still make it to your door before Christmas Day arrives with no saw or trip to the tree farm required.
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With smart home ecosystems largely funneling down to HomeKit, Alexa, and Assistant, it’s always good to see new products that natively support as many as possible. The new ConnectSense In-Wall Outlet thankfully supports all three, solidifying itself as a solid contender in the smart home space.

Unlike typical smart plugs, this unit replaces existing outlets. Going this route yields a clean look while also delivering desirable smart home functionality. “Ultra-precise power monitoring” is also a notable feature, delivering measurements that ConnectSense touts as accurate within a 0.1% margin of error.
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IOGEAR has added yet another USB-C dock to its ever-growing lineup. In addition to support for desktop, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, IOGEAR Dock Pro shakes things up by giving a lot of love to Nintendo Switch. Thanks to what the company calls Game+ mode, users will more easily be able to hook the Switch up to a big screen and even play select titles with a keyboard and mouse.

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Here at 9to5Toys we annually create a series of gift guides that showcase our favorite gear in an attempt to make your holiday shopping a bit easier. This time around, I’ll be recommending items that have seriously enhanced the common tech that I already owned. So sit back, relax, and scroll down to find favorite tech gift recommendations that set out to make ordinary electronics better.
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With more and more home appliances smartening up, Weber is here with SmokeFire. The company’s first-ever pellet smart grill that’s got enough sensors to notify a smartphone when your dish is cooked and ready eat. Weber’s new smart grill sports easy temperature adjustments and a wide range that can vary from 200- to 600-degrees.

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Just when you thought you had seen all the possible audio hardware configurations out there, Quirky releases a modular speaker that can seamless convert from one into as many as five. The modular speaker is held together using magnets, making both separating and rejoining a breeze to do.

The fact that Quirky has brought such a neat product to market is not very surprising. This is because the company has made a name for itself when it comes to releasing unique products that few, if any, companies end up competing with. Continue reading to find out more about Quirky’s new modular speaker.

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Over the last year, we’ve seen competition heat up in the home audio space. This means that Black Friday speaker deals are abundant with home theater and smart solutions ripe for the picking. In this guide we cover some of the most notable deals we’ve seen to date, making it easy for you to plan ahead and increase the likelihood that you score exactly what you had in mind.

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As the holiday season rapidly closes in, discounted Black Friday TVs are one of the first pieces of tech that many think of scoring big savings on. Thankfully the some of the prices we are seeing are absolutely incredible, making Black Friday 2019 a great time to upgrade the big screens throughout your home.

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When it comes to immersive audio, there are all sorts of solutions out there. From AirPods to XM3s and Sonos One to Echo Studio, each product has its own intended use cases. Is a wearable speaker justifiable? Bose and JBL have thought so for a while, and Sony appears to think so too with its own SRS-WS1 offering slated to debut in the United States.

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