Smart Home and Security Reviews
Samsung 4-door Flex with Family Hub Review
by Jodie Lynn Masteller - June 8, 2016
Review
Do you ever get home from the grocery store only to find that you have left that certain something off of your list? So, you cannot make that special dinner you wanted to. Well, now your refrigerator can save the day. It can let you know what you don’t have before you leave the store. No more missed groceries. What kind of refrigerator is this?
It is the Samsung 4-door Flex Family Hub™ Smart Refrigerator, and it is revolutionary, so says Samsung. It has cameras inside so you can see what you have in the refrigerator. There are, however, a few shortcomings with this feature. The actual cameras do not cover the entire interior of the refrigerator. What about letting your fridge order the groceries from an online store and have them delivered? It has a Wi-Fi enabled touch-screen front that allows many applications to run via the Internet and the Family Hub™.
The Family Hub ™ is a way to connect with your family, pictures, and music, as well as your food. It serves up recipes, photos, and a calendar that you can sync with your children’s calendars using your Samsung smartphone. All of this keeps the fridge’s pertinent information at your busy fingertips. No need to borrow your neighbor’s refrigerator or buy ice to keep food cold when there is a party. The FlexZone™ can turn part of the freezer space into refrigerator space allowing you to have more of what you need. The refrigerator also has a built-in ice maker that makes over five pounds of ice a day, allowing you to enjoy your party without worries over ice.
This refrigerator also comes with a wine rack that can be positioned in three areas of the refrigerator allowing you more flexibility. Control settings for white wine or beer gives one varying cool ranges. After all the party-goers are gone, one look at your fingerprint resistant finish will keep the smile on your face. That is one less thing to think about after a party. You will not have any excuse to have forgotten the milk thanks to this refrigerator that does everything but talk to your kitchen sink, but would do that if it was Samsung. Using the refrigerator for more than just keeping food cold is what this one is all about.
Highlights
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Food management wherever you are, and see what’s in your Family Hub™ thanks to three built-in cameras accessible from your mobile device.
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Share family connections with amily’s calendars, photos and notes from your mobile device or directly on the Family Hub’s 21.5” touchscreen.
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Enjoy entertainment by streaming music to the Family Hub’s™ built-in speakers or mirror your Samsung smart TV.
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FlexZone™ is a versatile, bottom-right door that can be a fridge or freezer.
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The triple cooling system features 3 evaporators for ultimate freshness and provides precise temperature and humidity controls in all three zones.
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Up to 5.3 lbs. of ice per day and stores up to 2.9 lbs. of ice.
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Wine rack which can be positioned in one of 3 ways
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Finger print proof coating helps eliminate fingerprints and smudges
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1-time in-home tutorial
Pros
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Syncs to Samsung smart devices and homes
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Lists fridge’s contents for ease of access
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Functionality of a tablet plus more
Score
9.4
Cons
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Only made in two colors
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Only works with Samsung products
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Limited camera vision inside refrigerator
SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Review
by Jamaica Scott - May 21, 2016
Review
Ever worry about who is at your door? It could be your best friend, a package thief, or worse. The SkyBell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell can help. SkyBell is a doorbell with audio and video. If you are an Android or iOS (iPhone, iPad, etc.) user, you can see and communicate with night vision, and it’s in color! It is difficult for a visitor to tell if someone is actually home the person at the door using your mobile device.
SkyBell can work as a security feature. Criminals will often attempt to determine if someone is home before breaking in. SkyBell uses motion detection to determine when someone is approaching the door. SkyBell will send a push notification to each connected mobile device if someone rings the doorbell or stands in front of the door for at least 10 seconds. It even has because users can view the person at the door and tell them to leave. If you see someone outside your door acting suspiciously, you can use SkyBell to record video or take pictures of your visitor. SkyBell stores the videos and pictures you take on a cloud drive for no additional cost. SkyBell files can be accessed from anywhere using a mobile device and an internet connection.
SkyBell isn’t without limitations. SkyBell needs a constant power source to function. If there is a power outage, SkyBell will only work for a few minutes. Another consideration is the physical size of the doorbell. It is larger than most traditional doorbells and may not fit properly in your current doorbell space. It is also very important to check your existing equipment for compatibility with SkyBell; I suggest you seek help with the installation if you are not a technical person. The doorbell app has only been tested on a few Android phones, and it doesn’t work with Windows or Blackberry devices.
Overall, SkyBell has proven useful enough to be considered more than just a gimmick. It is effective for security and convenience. SkyBell is in the process of partnering with other companies to help provide smoke detection and other home safety notifications. The SkyBell could become one of the leading smart-home products.
Highlights
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Answer your door with a smartphone
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HD videos and photos
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Live video monitoring
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Motion sensor
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Two-way communication between the visitor and the app-user
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Free video recording
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Color night vision
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Receive notifications alerts even if visitor does not use doorbell
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Accommodates multiple users and SkyBells
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Works between -40 and 140 Degrees Fahrenheit
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Theft guarantee - If stolen, it can be replaced for free
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1-year warranty
Pros
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Relatively easy to install
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Two-way audio
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Motion detection
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Weatherproof
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On-Demand access
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Awesome night vision
Score
9.3
Cons
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Must use existing doorbell wiring
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Bulky - Larger than most standard doorbells
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No computer/web app
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Only uses direct power
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No motion triggered activity log
Livewatch Smart Home Security IQ 2.0 Review
by Audrey Liang - March 21, 2016
Review
Home security is something we need to consider seriously. If you watch the news every morning, you can always find reports of a burglary. So, is your home safe enough? With LiveWatch Smart Home Security system IQ2, you can say ‘yes.’
The LiveWatch Smart Home Security provides Plug&Protect - a professional grade security system that gives you just what you need to keep your home safe from intruders and more. The LiveWatch is an easy to use do it yourself (DIY) home security system. This package offers simple operation with single button clicks. The kit includes a Simon XT Wireless Alarm System along with a LiveWatch Yard Sign and a LiveWatch Window tracker. Different from traditional home security systems that have a maze of sensors, LiveWatch offers a two-layer protection to include secure outside doors and indoor motion detection with only a few sensors. With LiveWatch, you can easily control your alarm system from everywhere by using your smartphone app on Android, iOS and Windows platforms.
The Plug&Protect home security system of LiveWatch can be personalized and it is easy to install. Besides the basic security system that comes in the kit, LiveWatch offers a paid service called “ASAPer” and its based on your home size or your interests. For instance, you have up to 40 home security devices to add to your system, including flood sensor, smart door lock, security cameras, etc. Once an alarm is triggered, the alarm system sends you mobile alerts to notify you of a breach. If there is no response from you, the ASAPer monitoring center will get the signal and send the police to your home.
The LiveWatch Smart Home Security automation system is also built into the system. You can use one smartphone app to control both LiveWatch’s home security system and its home automation system. The most important thing is, you don’t need technical know-how to install it. All you need to do is to plug in the system, set up sensors wherever you want and no more worries! LiveWatch Simple Smart Home security system gives you a simple and reliable way to keep your home safe. If you don’t like complexity and long-term contracts, LiveWatch is what you need.
Highlights
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Full home security in one simple DIY package
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Pre-configured for your home
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Just unbox, plug in, activate
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Control your alarm system from anywhere
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Get notified instantly when alarms occur
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Wireless monitoring via smartphone
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Alarm alerts via SMS, email, & the web
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Add to your system as your needs change with customization
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24/7 Professional security monitoring available
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Easy false alarm clearance
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Location-based control
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Built-in camera in the touchscreen control panel
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2-year warranty
Pros
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Incredibly easy to set up and use
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Systems are 100% cellular
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Received an “A+” from the Better Business Bureau
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Supports z-wave technology including lights, locks and small appliances
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3 paid home monitoring services available with free cancellation
Score
9.1
Cons
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Frequent package changes; call to order to avoid confusion and have equipment set up for you
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Too many equipment options may be hard to choose for a DIY
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No professional installation option
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Only a 2-year warranty on equipment besides Plug&Protect
Amazon Echo Review
by Malcolm Black - December 26, 2015
Review
You woke up late for work; you have to make lunch for the kids, you can’t find your car keys, and you have no idea how you are going to make it to work on time without knowing the latest traffic update. However, you’re lucky, you have an Amazon Echo. The Amazon Echo gives you extra help when you need it the most. The Echo can be used as an alarm, it can check traffic, perform quick web searches, and can even check your google calendar.
The Amazon Echo uses Alexa, a personal digital assistant that allows you to play music through apps like Pandora, listen to audiobooks through Audible, and check sports scores as well as news and the weather. With seven microphones, Echo is generally very effective in hearing your voice commands; Echo’s voice cancellation feature allows you to ask questions or give commands even when you are listening to music.
Echo’s features are not limited; Amazon is constantly making improvements. Recent updates have included Amazon.com re-ordering, Yelp search, and even more options for controlling smart home devices—such as Insteon Home Control, Wink, SmartThings, Philips Hue and WeMo. The Echo is continuously adjusting to the user’s speech patterns, and the services that the Echo offers are always being improved—updates are automatic, so you should always be ready for more options and cool features.
Whether you are on-the-go or staying in with the family, the Echo gives you the flexibility to multi-task during hectic times or the ability to have more relaxing experience at home with your friends and family. The Echo has the capabilities of a personal assistant at the size of a small and compact speaker. The Echo gives you the ability to get more done while doing less work; the Amazon Echo is productivity and convenience at its finest.
Highlights
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Alexa voice service
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Can search and report news and traffic updates
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Checks weather
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Accesses Yelp reviews/local business information
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Checks updated sports scores and schedules
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Alarm
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Add to Shopping List
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Google calendar integration
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WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, and Insteon compatible
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Plays music: Pandora, Prime Music, iHeartRadio, TuneIn and more
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360º omnidirectional audio
Pros
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Easy Wi-Fi setup
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Connect phones, tablets and other devices via Bluetooth
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Alexa—personal assistant
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Compatible with a wide array of services and devices
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Automatic updates
Score
9.5
Cons
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Audio quaiity could be better
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Must be charging at all times—no battery option
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Voice-recognition doesn’t always work the first time
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Needs more basic options for voice commands
Nest Camera Review
by Priya Modi - November 3, 2015
Review
Your home is your nest—everything you do matters. But who is watching your house when you’re gone? It could be a couple of hours or a few days. Anything can happen at any time. Thanks to Google’s Nest Camera, now you can leave home with peace of mind. Think of it as your personal spy gadget.
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The camera is sturdy and has a sleek design. Stream videos to view activities throughout the day. Your eyes can’t remain glued to the screen all the time. Luckily, the camera can detect motion so you can receive notifications to your smartphone or PC to view the video. If something seems fishy, you can get a close-up of the image. Recording and storage for the video feeds is offered when signed up for the subscription. The app is the “cherry on top”—it takes care of all your needs. The initial setup is simple and there are no issues with getting the right angle.
Shhhh! The baby is sleeping—use the Nest Cam as a baby monitor. The nice part is that you can talk and listen, so tell your pet to get off the couch when needed. Bed time?—No fear. The cam has high-quality night vision; if there is an intruder, movements are fluid. Be aware the cam gets hot, so place it cautiously. It also has a white 3-foot Micro USB cable so hiding it during the night can be somewhat tricky.
You will need a paid subscription to record, store, and do other things with your videos. While these features are included with other brands, Nest Cam has a polished app and a slightly higher video quality. The Nest Cam is worth it when signed up for the premium quality and monthly subscription.
Highlights
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Full 1080p HD video
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Activity alerts
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Night Vision: 8 High-power infrared LEDs (850nm) with IR cut filter
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3-megapixel camera with millions of colors and 8X digital zoom
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Nest app
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Software updates over Wi-Fi
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Speaker & Microphone (talk & listen)
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130° diagonal field of view
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Subscription includes video History (10 or 30 day available), alert summary, clips and time-lapses
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Advanced motion sensing
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2 year limited warranty
Pros
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Easy setup
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Streams to mobile devices
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Night vision, video and color quality
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Responsive motion sensors
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Digital zoom and enhancement mode feature
Score
9.0
Cons
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Gets hot within few hours
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Low-quality resolution when streaming
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No email alert notifications
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2-second lag in video
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USB cable is white – makes it hard to hide
Ratio Eight Coffee Maker Review
by Priya Modi - October 16, 2015
Review
Many coffee makers can’t seem to catch your eye; they’re so dull you don’t even bother to give it a second glance. The Ratio Eight coffee maker is designed in a way that makes you want to delve right into brew some coffee. Assembled in Portland, Oregon, the machine is anything but ordinary.
The high-end machine is beautifully crafted to simplify the brewing process. Simply grind your beans and initiate the brew by pressing the button. The first phase of the brewing process is called “bloom”. This is when the water heats up to about 205°F and then drips a small amount. It slowly saturates the grounds, but not fast enough to force liquid down into the carafe below. This allows the carbon dioxide to escape so it doesn’t end up in your brew.
One downfall is that there is no setting for the coffee to stay warm so it starts cooling down within 30 minutes of use.
While most coffee makers use lightweight polycarbonate, both the Ratio Eight's water reservoir and carafe are made from hand-blown glass. The Eight's carafe holds Chemex paper filters or Able Kone stainless steel filter. The machine uses a magnet in the carafe to detect if it is safe to deliver hot water. However, vessels other than Ratio Eight cannot be used due to the magnet detection.
The name of the coffee maker serves its purpose. It is designed to brew eight 5-ounce cups of coffee at a time (40 ounces total). The machine’s water tank is not precisely graduated: one line indicates it is full and other line for half full.
The major perk, beyond the water temperature, is that this device allows you to pour similarly to a hand manually making a batch of pour-over: it pre-infuses the grounds and evenly pours the hot water. For coffee enthusiasts, this may be the product to experiment with.
Highlights
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Dynamic Design
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Uncompromising Quality
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Champagne Nickel, Bright Silver & Dark Cobalt
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Cantilevered top and base made of die cast aluminum with nickel-plated finish
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Laboratory grade borosilicate glass water tank, supply lines, and carafe
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Carafe holds Chemex paper filters or Able Kone stainless steel filter
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Brews up to 40 oz (eight 5 oz cups)
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13.5" deep x 9" wide x 14" tall
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110 or 220 volts
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10-year warranty
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Each unit entirely hand assembled and tested in Portland, Oregon
Pros
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Exceptional taste with a smooth finish (no bitter after taste)
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Easy to use - one touch button that easily detects finger
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Pre-infusion that removes CO2 from ground coffee
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High quality materials
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Precise water temperature
Score
9.5
Cons
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Too much condensation around the glass carafe during brewing
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Glass carafe not graduated
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Does not keep coffee warm longer than 30 min
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Cannot use other brewing vessels (only Ratio Eight)
Highlights
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Metal Cooling
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28 cu. ft Extra Large Storage Capacity
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J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Award
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Twin Cooling Plus™
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CoolSelect Pantry™
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Ice Master
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High- Efficiency LED Lighting
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LED Display with Water and Ice Dispenser
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ENERGY STAR® Rated
Pros
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More features than previous models
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Elegant addition to the kitchen
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3-Door Design
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Slim icemaker leaves more shelf space
Cons
8.9
Score
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Some shelves are awkward
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Only one removable, and one foldable shelf
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Lacks electonics to comunicate with other devices
Samsung Showcase Refrigerator
Review
by Sarah Gruenewald - August 20, 2015
Samsung’s newest Food Showcase Refrigerator was created to improve your food storage. With a modern two-door system, the exterior showcase door provides immediate access to on-the-go items, while the InnerCase allows you to store larger food items.
The stainless steel Metal Cooling paneling helps maintain consistent temperature throughout the refrigerator, locking in cold and sealing in freshness while bringing an elegant finish to your kitchen. The 28 cu. ft. capacity is enough room to fit even a large household’s groceries. Foldable and removable shelves allow you to organize or rearrange to fit items of nearly any shape or size.
Samsung crafted its Food Showcase refrigerator with its own measure of temperature control. The Twin Cooling Plus™ feature maintains both high humidity levels in the refrigerator to preserve perishable foods, like fruits and vegetables, longer, and keeping dry freezer conditions prevents freezer burn. The CoolSelect Pantry™ delivers optimal temperature control with Deli, Fresh and chilled options, which are perfect for defrosting items safely.
The Ice Master can produce up to 10 lbs. of ice per day and store up to 4.2 lbs for ready access. It churns out considerable amounts of ice and still leaves more shelf space than other icemakers of its caliber. The external, Ice Blue Digital Display allows you to easily control settings with the touch of a button. The dispenser is also a filter, ensuring that you have plenty of filtered water and ice on hand at all times.
LED lighting gently brightens every inch of your refrigerator to quickly spot what you want. These lights emit less heat and are more energy and space efficient than conventional lighting. These lights are as efficient as the entire fridge to earn ENERGY STAR® qualifications, reducing your carbon imprint and your utility bill while tying your home together.
Highlights
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8.4 pounds
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3.6 inches tall
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13.9 inches diameter
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Carrying handle
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AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System
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Airflow Accelerator
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Home Base™
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High Efficiency Vaccuum
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iAdapt Technology for navigation
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Remote Control
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All batteries and extra filters included
Pros
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Virtually maintenance free
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Thorough
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Hassle-free, hands-off cleaning
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Can be programmed with a schedule
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More powerful than previous Roomba models
9.3
Score
Cons
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Pet hair stills fills bin quickly
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High noise level
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Home Base™ requires open area
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Unit size may prevent it from cleaning corners and tight areas
Roomba 880
Review
by Sarah Gruenewald - July 12, 2015
No other robot is used in-home more than the Roomba. The cleaning companions have improved to near perfection with their newest edition. Roomba’s new 880 model features the revolutionary AeroForce™ Performance Cleaning System. Roomba 880 removes up to 50% more dust, dirt, debris, and hair from any type of floor. The tangle-free rotating rubber extractors are virtually maintenance-free, making Roomba even more capable of tackling dirt build-up without taking time out of your day.
The only maintenance the Roomba 880 should regularly require is when it lets you know when its bin is full, which should not be too often if the floors are regularly cleaned . The Airflow Accelerator seals the vacuum power directly against the floor’s surface as the high-efficiency vacuum, five times more powerful than previous generations, extracts more debris.
Keeping the sturdy, minimalist design, Roomba 880 proudly sports its large round “CLEAN” button which initiates the Roomba’s cleaning and with manual commands, Roomba allows you to set a schedule, so it only runs when you want it to freeing yourself of having to remember to start it. You can also calibrate it to focus on a particularly stubborn spot or area in the household and when you are home. For further easy of use, the Roomba can be controlled with its remote control, allowing you to send it to where it needs.
The included Virtual Wall Lighthouses act as either boundaries or beacons between rooms, naturally guiding the Roomba 880 where you intend it to be and preventing it from deviating from its schedule. Thanks to iAdapt Technology, iRobot’s sophisticated system of sensors and software, Roomba 880 is able to traverse houses of any shape or size. Roomba 880 will also automatically return to its dock, called “Home Base”, after its run to recharge itself between cleanings. So if you want a pet like robot to help you keep your house clean, the Roomba’s new 880 may be the perfect solution.
Highlights
Auto-Schedule
The Nest Learning Thermostat programs itself in about a week. It creates a personalized schedule based on the temperature changes you’ve made and continually adapts to your changing life.
Auto-Away
After you’ve left the house, the Nest Thermostat senses you've gone and automatically adjusts the temperature to avoid heating or cooling an empty home.
The Leaf
Want to know if you’re saving energy when you change the temp? The Nest Leaf appears when you turn Nest to a temperature that's energy efficient.
Remote Control
Change the temperature from anywhere using your smartphone, tablet or laptop. You can also adjust your schedule and check your Energy History.
Pros
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Elegant design
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Easy to install
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Learns your heating and cooling preferences over time, so you don't have to program it
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Wi-Fi networking and apps let you control and monitor your Nest from afar
Cons
9.0
Score
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Cumbersome to control through the device itself - much easier through the app.
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No WindowsPhone app
Nest Learning Thermostat
Review
by Mark Peterson - January 14, 2015
Most people leave the house at one temperature and forget to change it. So the Nest Learning Thermostat learns your schedule and programs itself. Teach it well and the Nest Thermostat can lower your heating and cooling bills up to 20%. The Nest uses Neat files that can be accessed anywhere with your browser or mobile device (Available for iOS devices and Android phones).
Most people install the Nest Thermostat themselves in 30 minutes or less. Once it’s on your wall, it automatically activates the best features for your system and starts learning about you and your home. Programming thermostats is complicated and irritating - but an un-programmed thermostat can waste 20% of your heating and cooling bill. So the Nest Thermostat programs itself.
Just turn it up and turn it down. The Nest Thermostat learns what temperatures you like and builds a personalized schedule. Teach it efficient temperatures for a few days and, within a week, it'll start setting them on its own.
With Auto-Away™, the Nest Thermostat automatically turns to an energy-efficient Away temperature when you’re gone. Use the Nest app to connect to your thermostat and change the temperature miles away from home.
In a few days the Nest Thermostat will make a schedule for your home that’s helping you save energy. Change the temperature a few days in a row and Nest will catch on, but one-off adjustments won’t confuse it.
Want to refine your schedule? You can edit it in seconds on the Nest Thermostat or remotely using your Nest Account.
When summer comes, it’s time to switch from heating to cooling. Nest will start building a new schedule, just like it did in your first week. Then Airwave™ can help lower your AC bill. It automatically cuts AC runtime when humidity in your home isn’t too high.
In conclusion, all you need to do is turn it up and down and the Nest thermostat will do the rest.
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