Beddit tracker monitors your sleep patterns without having to wear it

Definitely useful for anyone that wakes up exhausted every single day, the Beddit sleep tracker can monitor the quality of your sleep without having to actually wear the device on your wrist or clothing.

Now you can control Philips Hue lights straight from your Mac

OS X users can now use a third party app to control the colorful Philips Hue smart lightbulbs right from your Mac's Menu bar. But the added convenience will cost ya - the regular Hue app is free while Hue Menu is $3.

Quirky’s ‘Snapchat for grocery shopping’ device will remind you what’s in your fridge

Quirky's latest invention bills itself as a Snapchat for your fridge, taking photos of the content each time the door is opened so you can check your inventory before the next grocery shopping trip.

You may soon be able to use your gadgets during takeoff and landing

An FAA advisory panel has reportedly recommended that the agency lift a ban on using gadgets, like smartphones and tablets, during takeoff and landing. Don't get too excited, though – the FAA still has to change the rules.

Hands on: What? Your showerhead isn’t also a Bluetooth speaker?

Those guilty of singing in the shower will find lots of to like about the Kohler Moxie, a showerhead and Bluetooth speaker combination that makes it rain music and get your morning started right.

I will never forget that one time I was having a good summer morning, hopped in the shower, sang the entire discography of Beyoncé’s 4, and exited the bathroom to a living room full of my brother’s friends commenting on my mini-concert. Yikes. 

Stir’s Kinetic Desk learns your sitting habits, nags you into standing up for your health

Standing desks maybe trendy, but they're not the most fun thing to use. Stir's Kinetic Desk will quietly nudge you when it's time to stand so you'll remember to switch between exercise and rest.

Dish Network announces Hopper integration with Control4 home automation

Dish network announced Thursday a new integration service with Control4 home automation at CEDIA 2013. The new service will allow users access to Hopper DVRs through the Control4 system, including remote access of basic services, with plans for deeper…

Kwikset’s Kevo bluetooth locks open your door with the touch of a finger

Kwikset's KEVO locks let you lock and unlock your door with a smartphone app and the touch of a finger. Digital Trends takes a close look from the show floor at CEDIA 2013.

LockState cuts the wires, brings home control and monitoring to your Wi-Fi netowork

The problem with most home monitoring and control systems is that they require a bunch of wiring to get them all connected. That can be a deal breaker for folks who love the idea of checking in on the kids or adjusting their thermostat with their smart phone while away from home, but aren’t up for having an installer come in and run a bunch of network cables through their walls. That’s where LockState comes in.

BluFit smart water bottle keeps tabs on your water drinking habits

Definitely useful for anyone that forgets to drink those crucial eight glasses a day, the BluFit smart water bottle helps you remember the importance of drinking water with visual notifications and data tracking.

Does your salad spinner need a turbo engine? Well, this one’s got it

Turbo anything might not sound like something that belongs in the kitchen, but if the idea tickles your fancy, perhaps you'll adore this Turboline salad spinner that promises to boost rotational speed by 50 percent.

Staples Connect bridges all your ‘Internet of Things’ into one managing app

Smart devices are all the rage, but they also come with a million different apps to remotely control them. The new Staples Connect will link all those items into one centralized hub.

Nest’s upcoming project rumored to give smoke detectors a next-gen revamp

Smart thermostat maker Nest is rumored to be revamping another one of our home's boring plastic boxes: The smoke detector. Possible features include wireless alerts and motion gesture recognition to turn the beeping alarms off.

How To Determine Digital Multimeter Accuracy

Electricity is nothing but an electric charge that tends to flow through a good conductor if there is a voltage present. This concept has revolutionized the way people live in this century and there have been several upgrades to the human lifestyle with the rise in electrical equipments. Every house in today's modern world is equipped with electrical lights, heaters and coolers to name just a few.

The Monitor - One of the Most Important Gaming Accessory

It's not unusual for gamers to treat their computer and its related accessories very carefully. That is because they spend a lot of time using these products, thus making it quite logical to find the best models available, even if this takes a substantial amount of time. And this doesn't apply only to the tower, though this forms an important purchase.

Is Black Carbon Fibre UrbanShield Good As a Galaxy S4 Back Case?

In this technological world, it pays to protect your gadgets with accessories so as to preserve them. Other than that, you will have to splurge a pretty penny if your gizmos get damaged just to restore them in most cases. And if you are truly unfortunate, you can just say goodbye to your pricey device for good since no replacement parts are available to revive it.

Apple TV’s new firmware lets you stream straight from the cloud

Apple has released Apple TV 6.0, an update that allows AirPlay streaming from iCloud, access to iTunes Radio, and a handful of other features.

Apple released on Friday an update to Apple TV, which allows AirPlay streaming of music, TV shows, and Movies from iCloud rather than directly from iOS devices. The update also includes access to iTunes Radio, podcast syncing, and enables purchasing of content from the iTunes store through the Apple TV set-top box.

Best universal remotes

The death of the universal remote control as we know it may be on the horizon (though it’s not here yet). Apps like Apple’s Remote and the Android-compatible Gmote are becoming increasingly popular as big-name developers find ways to make use of emerging mobile platforms, much like smaller offerings from Dijit (iOS/Android) and iRule, but they are limited in scope and require additional hardware that can prove costly regardless of the manufacturer. For now, it appears it may still may be best to stick with a good ol’ fashioned remote control for all your A/V needs.

Monster iSport Freedom review

Built to stand up to the elements and your sweaty workout, Monster’s iSport Freedom on-ear wireless headphones are one of the first to offer a premium audio experience paired with cord-free convenience.

Tips on Choosing a Lens Filter

The art of taking photographs is such a tricky one that you need a number of accessories in order to get everything right. No matter whether you are an amateur or professional photographer, one of the best accessories you will ever need to buy is a camera lens filter. They come in different varieties and they generally add a great dimension to the clarity of the images you will take.

Tips on Using a Camera Filter

Many budding photographers get amazed at the sheer number of lens filters that are available in the market. You generally get to buy the type of filter that is perfect for the type of photography you want to get involved in. you can use these filters creatively in order to make the images soft or warm while there are those that are basically protective, considering that some cameras and their lenses are quite expensive.

Commonly Used Camera Filters

You must have heard or read about camera filters and if you are a new photographer, you must be wondering what specific filters actually do. Since there are different types of these accessories, a simple knowledge of what they do is essential especially if you love good quality images. However, it is also important that you also know a few basic things about lens filters.

Samsung vs. LG: Whose TV belongs in your living room?

While it would be wildly irresponsible to generalize and claim one brand better than another, there are some distinct characteristics among brands that might help with research and decision making when buying a new TV. Here's our take on how LG and Samsung…

Spanish restaurant hacks a sandwich press to bake ‘hot’ ice cream. Say what?

Ice cream sandwiches never looked so good. The ice cream brioche at a Catalonian restaurant is made using a reconfigured sandwich press to bake bread with an ice cream scoop waiting inside. We'll take 20, please.

Underglow isn’t just for tuners anymore! Hands on with Philips’ new Hue LEDs

Philips expands the Hue smart lighting system with the Friends of Hue line, starting with the LivingColors Bloom and LightStrips. They don't do much on their own, but combine well with an existing system.

Better than Brita? Elegantly-designed Soma water filter sure wants to be

Kickstarter success Soma, a beautifully-designed water filter, has finally completed its funding and manufacturing phase. Looks like Brita's got some competition from the little guys.

Google Glass’ European release may be years away, thanks to a problem with accents

Google has recently taken its Glass smart specs to Europe, where they were demonstrated to regulators, however due to issues surrounding Glass' voice control, they may not be released there for several years.

‘Hey Honey, I’m feeling hot’: Whisper sweet nothings to your Honeywell Smart Thermostat

Feeling hot? No need to keep that information to yourself. Now you can tell Honeywell's latest model of the Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat and it will use your prompts to adjust the temperature from up to 25 feet away.

Ping helps iPhone email feel more like text messaging

We try out Ping, the latest attempt to reinvent email. This time, it's focusing on mobile, and its innovative method of categorizing messages and conversational message style means it comes pretty close to managing it.

Apple hiring music experts to give iTunes Radio human touch

While music streaming services like Pandora rely largely on algorithms to power song selection, Apple is hoping the human touch will give it the edge with iTunes Radio, which launches today.

7 things we love about iOS 7 (and 7 things we hate)

We've been using iOS 7 for a while now, and for the most part, we like it. Here is our review, which is split up into our seven favorite features and seven biggest frustrations with Apple's new iPhone OS.

Awesome smartphone covers with Kindle-like E Ink screens are on the horizon

Traditional ebook readers like the Kindle seem to be losing some popularity, but their screens will live on. New smartphone covers could turn any phone into a working epaper reader.

How to prepare for and download iOS 7

Apple’s new iOS 7 platform has arrived, but are you ready to roll? We take a look at how to prepare your iPhone or iPad, and how to download and install the newest update.

Bowers and Wilkins brings luxury to jet-setters with new P7 over-ear headphones

Bowers and Wilkins announces its first ever over-ear headphones, the P7. The headphones are constructed from high-grade materials, packed into a travel ready chassis, promising elite sound and comfort in a convenient, noise isloating package. The P7 headphones…

HTC One Max Rumor Roundup: What we know about HTC’s phablet (Updated)

Following the HTC One and the HTC One Mini, the company's next major smartphone release is rumored to be a larger version of the One, codename T6 and known as the HTC One Max. Here's a roundup of all the juiciest rumors surrounding the device.

Sony HT-ST7 7.1 Soundbar Review

Pros

• Built-in Bluetooth and NFC
• Wireless Subwoofer
• HDMI pass-through with HD audio decoding
• IR pass-through
• Wide soundstage in Movie mode

Cons

• Treble can sound too bright
• Lackluster subwoofer build quality and performance
• Dialing in sound to personal preference can be difficult  

Yamaha RX-S600 Slimline AV Receiver Preview

Sometimes it feels like there is a big disconnect between electronics manufacturers and furniture makers. Frankly, quite a few so-called A/V cabinets do a horrific job of actually accommodating equipment like A/V receivers, both in terms of providing a bit of extra breathing room as well as sufficient depth to comfortably run cabling.

Jolla boasts its Sailfish OS will run Android apps

Jolla has announced its Sailfish OS, one of several new challengers to Android and iOS out this year, will be compatible with Android apps and hardware, opening the software up for both potential owners and manufacturers.

Rumor: Galaxy Gear sequel coming soon with lower price and wider device support

Samsung is rumored to be working on the sequel to its Galaxy Gear smartwatch, and it could be out early next year with cutdown specs, a cheaper price and more device compatibility.

Remember before Samsung announced the Galaxy Gear smartwatch an executive described it as a concept device? The quote was, “We will be introducing a new wearable concept device called Galaxy Gear,” and was supplied by Lee Young-hee in an interview with the Korea Times.

Bulb flashlight uses built-in battery to keep things bright during power outages

Forgetting to supply batteries for a flashlight is a problem of the past thanks to this Bulb Flashlight from the MoMA store that has a rechargeable battery to give users an extra three hours of light in case of power outages.

Why use one clunky Roomba when you can enlist an army of tiny cleaning drones?

A concept from the Electrolux Design Lab imagines a cleaning system that enlists an army of tiny flying robots to clean all areas of your room at the same time, drawing inspiration from bees collecting honey.

Is medium format the new (old) frontier for camera makers, and why does it matter?

Rumor sites are reporting that both Nikon and Canon are working on medium format products. Medium format allows for high-quality resolution images, but is this expensive niche sector a place Nikon and Canon wants to play in?

Samsung Ativ S Neo review

Its international roaming capabilities, excellent screen and good battery life make the ATIV S Neo a good option for travelers looking for a mid-range phone. But camera performance isn’t great. And you’ll want to find a good case if you’re prone to…

Uji shower head glows furiously red when you take too long in the shower

A team of three Tufts University grads have designed a lighted shower head that changes its color to indicate when you need to hop out of the shower. Water conservation never looked so disco-y.

Motion-controlled ‘Area’ light is the 21st century Clapper

Is this the decade we'll finally say goodbye to buttons? Touchscreen and motion sensor devices are taking over the market, even in this lamp which allows users to determine how much light they want by placing their fingers under areas they need lit.

iRobot Roomba 650 review

Unless you’ve got a really small place with a lot of open floor space, you’re probably not going to get by with a Roomba as your only vacuum. But, it does do an excellent job of keeping high-traffic areas tidier between vacuuming, especially with small children or pets doing their best to keep it busy. And, it’s just so damn chipper about its mundane job, we had a really hard time saying goodbye. We think the new Roomba 600-series makes a good addition to your floor cleaning arsenal, as long as your expectations are reasonable.

Kaleidescape Cinema One Media Server Preview

Kaleidescape just blew our minds. Yes the Kaleidescape Cinema One media server is $4000. Yes, we realize that many people will say, "But I could build an HTPC for less!" But that HTPC wouldn't have Kaleidescape's interface, access to Kaleidescape's Store (which features Blu-ray quality video and audio AND full downloads with special features), and Kaleidescape's features and build quality.

TiVo Roamio DVRs Preview

TiVo has always been expensive and that hasn't changed with the new Roamio boxes. If you are a true cord-cutter, the straight Roamio will be for you. This is the only one that has support for OTA. At $200, it isn't the cheapest solution on the market (and only has a 500 gig drive) but it will also stream your favorite services and, with a $130 peripheral, throw content to your iOS device (and hopefully Android soon).

Canton DM 900 Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer Preview

  The Canton DM 900 solution includes not only a wireless subwoofer but also Bluetooth connectivity and high-end audio decoding. While we don't know the price yet, we're looking forward to learning more about this soundbar solution. We've been reviewing Canton loudspeakers pretty much since Audioholics came into existence.

New Moneual handheld cleaner uses ultraviolet to zap fabric with freshness

If you haven't the time to wash your clothes and wait for them to dry, apparently this ultraviolet cleaner can zap your fabrics with some fresh sanitizing. And we do like us some lazy cleaning tools.

Cause a stir with app-connected cooking assistant Philips HomeCooker neXt

We see concept appliances from artists, designers, and students all the time, so it’s a bit odd – to say the least – when Philips decided to unveil its concept design for a new product made for your kitchen. Shown at IFA 2013, the Philips ComeCooker neXt is the latest appliance to get Internet-connected, and wants to assist you in perfecting that impossibly difficult risotto recipe.

Sony wants to bring out your inner chef, releases Xperia Tablet Z: Kitchen Edition to help

You know how it is, you’re preparing a meal in the kitchen using an online recipe, and the screen on your tablet ends up covered in the same ingredients which went into the pot. Getting them all off can be annoying, as rarely can you just stick it under the tap. Sony feels your pain and has come up with a solution, the Xperia Tablet Z: Kitchen Edition.

Altec Lansing MIX iMT800 Review

Introduction

Anyone who was a teen in the ‘80s will tell you that THE must-have item at the time was a boombox. It didn’t matter that they were expensive and ate up pricey batteries for breakfast; being able to blast your jams anytime and anywhere was crucial for your coolness quotient.

Piper makes home security paranoia look much less intimidating

Some Kickstarter and Indiegogo projects come and go, but the Piper smart home security system is a real, live device that's ready to hit the market as early as this November. We got a sneak preview of how the machine works.

Dyson sues Samsung for ripping off its cylinder vacuum design

Dyson is not impressed with Samsung's new sleek vacuum cleaner. Not because it might be Dyson's latest true competition, but because it is basically a Dyson design with another company's name on it.

Nexus 4 cases: Protect that fragile glass back!

The Nexus 4 is a great smartphone, but it could hardly be described as rugged. Gorilla Glass is tough, but when you have a device with a glass back, it is going to be seriously prone to cracking when dropped. You really need to invest in a Nexus 4 case if you expect it to stay whole and unblemished. We’ve already taken a look at some of the most commonly reported Nexus 4 problems, and we’ve thrown up a few Nexus 4 tips, now it’s time to run through some of the best Nexus 4 cases.

Klipsch Music Center KMC 3 Review

While the glut of wireless speakers available today can make for some difficult choices, it also makes for some seriously excellent engineering. After all, if you’re going to put out a speaker in this market, it had better kick some ass or it’s going home early. One thing that can make the buying decision a little easier is when big names get involved. And when someone with a name like, say, Klipsch puts out a wireless speaker, you can bet we’re interested.

Soundfreaq Sound Spot review

Due to its especially low price, our expectations of Soundfreaq’s Sound Spot were pretty low, but we came away surprised at how much oomph it delivers. Once again, Soundfreaq manages to hit a sweet spot with its aggressively-priced speakers.

We first met the folks over at Soundfreaq last January at CES with the debut of their new Sound Platform 2.

Samsung Printer Xpress C410W review

Samsung’s Xpress C410W is one of the world’s first color laser printers with NFC – great for printing from smart devices. Print quality is good, but it’s slightly marred by expensive supplies.

The world is a colorful place, which is why color printers far outsell black and white monochrome units. Not too long ago, having a color laser printer at home meant you were probably well off. But the price of laser printers has since come down significantly, making them more attainable to the masses.

5 cameras that say it’s never too early to get your kids started on photography

When's a good time to get kids interested in photography? As soon as they grab onto a camera without dropping it. Here are five digital cameras that will get children started on the path to great photography.

The saying goes, the best time to learn something is when you’re a kid. Whether it’s memorizing a new language, a ride on a bicycle, or a swim in the pool, children are able to pick up on things faster than most adults can.

LG’s insane 77-inch Ultra HD curved OLED leaves no box unchecked

LG has unveiled the biggest, curviest, Ultra HD-iest OLED TV the world has ever seen. For now.

At IFA 2013 in Berlin, LG unveiled the world’s first 77-inch television, a concept model that proves OLED isn’t stuck at 55-inches anymore. Ultra HD resolution also pays off nicely at a size like 77-inches, making this the one of the most exciting combinations of OLED and Ultra HD technologies we’ve seen so far. And boy does LG know it.

Everything you need to know about HDMI 2.0 (Hint: You don’t need new cables)

Cables aren’t sexy technology. So it’s no surprise that innovations and advancements in the wires that make so much home entertainment possible usually fly under the radar for the average consumer. But HDMI 2.0 is a little different because its introduction is tied tightly to the advancement of Ultra HD, or 4K, televisions.

Galaxy Gear vs. Google Glass: The battle for your wrist was just won … by your face!

  Yesterday’s unveiling of Samsung’s Gear smartwatch has some hyperventilating about how this oft-ballyhooed form factor has finally arrived. But as we watched the event unfold, and some of us even got our mitts on it, we couldn’t help but think that, stripped of the whole band and face, the Gear didn’t strike us as that different from another oft-ballyhooed form factor: Google Glass. What’s more, Glass is superior in most every way, and it’s not even out of beta.

Nikon’s new Coolpix cams won’t steal the show, but they offer boost in features

Nikon introduced two new Coolpix models, the P7800 and S02. Both are updates to existing cameras, but they have enhanced features and performance. Also announced is a new LED lighting accessory.

Android 4.3 coming to the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3 in October, says Samsung

During the launch event for the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear, Samsung also told owners of the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 smartphones to watch out for an update to Android 4.3 soon.

Qualcomm launches Toq smartwatch with always-on touchscreen, out late 2013

Attention at IFA 2013 may appear to have centered around the Galaxy Gear smartwatch, but another watch has also been given its official debut at the show, and it’s made by a most unlikely manufacturer. It’s called the Toq, and it’s produced by Qualcomm, the company best known for making the Snapdragon processor range.

Xperia Z1 spec and Smart Lens accessories leak ahead of official reveal

With just hours to go before the smartphone is officially announced, another leak has provided us with the final specs for the Sony Xperia Z1, plus a video showing the Smart Lenses in action.

JBL Charge review

The last time we checked out a portable speaker from JBL, the $100 Flip, we were pretty much blown away by the small speaker’s big-league blast of sound. The Flip easily filled our test room with its concise, detailed sound signature, and its exterior design was a refreshing break from the ritual rectangles we’ve grown accustomed to. The only real issue we had with the speaker was its mediocre 6-hour rechargeable battery life.

Surprise! Sony says HDMI 2.0 is just a firmware update away

 

New Sony Reader lets you read a 600 page novel on a 3 minute charge

 

Today is a busy one for Sony, but it hasn’t forgotten its little ebook reader. While unveiling a slew of new phones, cameras, tablets, and other gadgets at the IFA tech show in Berlin, Sony slipped in the latest version of its new E Ink ebook reader.

Google sells out, names next version of Android ‘KitKat’

In a story that would be funnier on April 1, Google has announced that the next version of Android will be called 'KitKat,' taking its name from Nestle's chocolate-covered cracker treat. Android 4.4 KitKat will be co-promoted with Nestle.

Braven 850 review

The Braven 600 stands as one of our all-time favorite portable Bluetooth speakers. Its sound quality is pristine and powerful, and its build quality is second to none. It’s such a great product, that we couldn’t help but want more of it. In fact, since we reviewed it, we’ve secretly held hope that Braven would come out with a super-sized version. You can imagine, then, that we got a little excited when Braven announced its 850 speaker.

Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS review

The Olympus Stylus TG-2 iHS ($380) is the latest flagship in Olympus’ rugged series of cameras, taking over from the TG-1 (in fact, the two cameras are similar in looks, with noticeable difference in body color). Packed into this point-and-shoot are a lot of nice features and performance, but does it live up to its “tough” billing and top the high bar its predecessor set?

BlackBerry Q10 ‘hit the ground and died,’ according to WSJ

According to a recent report from Wall Street Journal, sales of the Blackberry Q10 have been unexpectedly low since its release. Sales from corporations may help boost company profits, but it seems to have lost its buying power in the consumer realm.

Galaxy Gear smartwatch: More info prior to Samsung’s big reveal

Samsung's all set to show off its eagerly awaited Galaxy Gear smartwatch on Wednesday, and with just a few days to go, more rumors and revelations about the wrist-based tech continue to surface.