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July 17, 2008

Food Blenders Review - Washington Post

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The Washington Post have published a review of the Vita-Mix 5200, Waring Pro 3HP and Blendtec Total Blender food processors. 'After weeks of working with the Vita-Mix 5200, the Waring Pro 3HP and the Blendtec Total Blender, I think the answer is: almost, but not quite. Take out the food processor requirement, and any of these blenders could indeed be an all-in-one appliance. Granted, if you already have a fully stocked kitchen, spending $400 or more on such a workhorse might not fit into your budget, especially during tough economic times. But if you're building a kitchen from scratch or putting together a wedding registry, if you're a smoothie addict or if your diet demands lots of fruits and vegetables and perhaps some alternative flours, one of these nifty things might be worth a look.'

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July 4, 2008

Conserve Water With A Dual Flush Toilet From Briggs

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Press Release

GOOSE CREEK, SC—Briggs Industries, Inc., announces the release of the dual flush Conserver™ toilet. The high-efficiency toilet (HET) delivers an estimated average consumption of 1.28 gal per flush (gpf)—a water savings that embraces Briggs slogan, “Green thinking for a sustainable world.”

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June 13, 2008

Review: Black & Decker VPX Hand Vac - The Gadgeteer

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A review of the Black & Decker VPX Hand Vacuum has been posted over at The Gadgeteer. 'I am impressed by the initial feel of power the vacuum gives when turned on. It seems like the 14V are providing sufficient muscle, but after sweeping up around the house, I start to notice something affecting the power. The filter was getting clogged up. The cyclonic action filter is designed to keep the filter clean from debris but unfortunately, it did a poor job for me, especially with lent-like (dust bunnies) fragments. When the filter starts to clog, the power is noticeably affected in a negative manner.'

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April 22, 2008

Fingerprint-Activated Door Knob Introduced by Tychi Systems

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Press Release

(Salem, NH) Tychi Systems, Inc., introduced BioKnob™, the world¡¦s first doorknob incorporating fingerprint recognition technology. Only users whose fingerprints have been programmed into the lock¡¦s self-contained memory can turn the knob and open the door. It stores up to 100 sets of fingerprints, and all programming functions are accomplished directly at the BioKnob without need for external computers or wires.

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March 29, 2008

Glow Flow Tap Review – Pocket-Lint

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Pocket-Lint have published a review of the Glow Flow Tap which fits onto most taps (comes with a set of universal adaptors) and has an internal switch that lights up a set of LEDs when you turn on your tap in turn transforming the stream of water into a waterfall of light. 'Fitting is easy, it's just a case of screwing on the device to your tap fitting, and therefore doesn't need a costly plumber involved. There are three different sized fittings included in the box to fit most taps and the whole job took us, without a spanner we must add, about 2 minutes.’

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February 29, 2008

Soda Club Soda Maker Review - GadgetNutz

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GadgetNutz have published a review of the Soda Club Home Soda Maker. 'My Sample unit was the “Edition 1” model. It is very sleek and futuristic looking with a brushed silver design with black accents. The machine is very lightweight and has few moving parts – which is a good thing. The Soda maker gets its “juice” from an included co2 cartridge. Just pop off the back and slide the CO2 cartridge into the holder. The cartridge screws in securely and then the back is replaced.

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February 12, 2008

DC24 Dyson Ball Vacuum Cleaner Review - Pocket-Lint

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Pocket-Lint have published a review of the DC24 Dyson Ball "Mini-Me" vacuum cleaner. 'We used the DC24 on carpet, floorboards and slate and cleaned a series of dirts such as flour, dog hair and even garden dirt. Like the DC15 the manoeuvrability is impressive with the claim of being able to turn on a sixpence being true. Drawbacks we found however are the size of the bin, something that shouldn't bother you if you are only cleaning a small flat and a fiddly hand wand set-up that requires you to construct it every time rather than as with the bigger model just extend it. However, where the DC24 outperforms the regular-sized DC15 is in its size and weight. It weighs 5.4kg.'

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February 11, 2008

Energizer Launches Innovative New Line of Everyday Home Lighting Products That Works When the Power is On or Off

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Press Release

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Energizer is helping home owners see the dark in a new light by launching the Energizer(R) Light on Demand(TM) line. The first-of-its-kind home lighting product line provides continual lighting by brightening homes on a day-to-day basis, but also stays on when the power goes out. The line is made up of seven different products, each of which uses a unique light stick that is battery operated and can stay on when normal electricity goes out. Energizer (R) Light on Demand(TM) products are easy to install, energy-efficient and affordable, offering a variety of home lighting solutions for any room in the house.

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November 30, 2007

TwistaLamp: Unique gadget gift idea for the season and beyond

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Surprise that special someone this season with a gift of the four modular resin lamps that make up the TwistaLamp package available from ThinkGeek for $99.99. 'LED's has given decorative lighting a brand new lease on life. Low power, bright and tiny, LED lights have opened up new ideas and new ways to jazz up your workspace. A pair of fine Brooklyn designers created these hand-cast resin bricks that can be connected in a variety of configurations. Each brick has four connectors that let you link up to another brick either inline or offset, and twisted 90 degrees. Each package contains four bricks, but you can link as many as twenty-four of them into a single chain of high-fashion lighting.'

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November 6, 2007

Linksys SPA962 VoIP Phone Review - Personal Computer World

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Personal Computer World have published a review of the Linksys SPA962 VoIP Phone. ‘Having cabled up the phone it then takes just a few seconds to boot, the firmware using DHCP to obtain an IP address and other basic network settings automatically. From here on it gets more complicated. Support for the Session Initiation Protocol (Sip) enables the SPA962 to be used with either a local VoIP exchange or public Sip services. Each line can also be configured with its own number or programmed to use a shared number assigned to multiple phones, with a browser-based interface provided to configure these and other settings. Unfortunately, this is far from easy to follow with a huge number of options that can be fiddled with if you want, none particularly well explained. As with a lot of VoIP products, documentation is minimal and a high level of technical knowledge assumed.’

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August 30, 2007

Review: Nespresso C185 Le Cube Espresso Machine - Digital Trends

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Digital Trends have published a review of the compact Nespresso C185 Le Cube Espresso machine . 'The industrial design team at Nespresso seems to be as skilled and dedicated to excellence as the design team at Apple. The entire modern line of Nespresso machines is stunning in elegant simplicity. The overall design and form factor of the Le Cube machine is equally unparalleled. Shaped as a near perfect cube with curvacious metal edges, clear plastic gull-wing doors, sexy satin paint, and metallic accents, every cubic inch of the Le Cube is somehow put to good use. Even the product packaging, brochures, and the espresso capsules themselves are all expertly designed with beautiful colors, textures, etc. At Digital Trends, we have a massive selection of gadgets, electronics, and computers with stunning design — LG and Samsung televisions, Apple computers, and Audioengine speakers, just to name a few — and the Le Cube fits right in with the rest of the gorgeous hardware.'

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August 10, 2007

Netgear-SPH200D Dual Mode Cordless Phone Review - CNET

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CNET have published a review of the Netgear SPH200D Dual Mode Cordless Phone with Skype which facilitates internet and landline calls on one cordless handset without the necessity to be connected to your PC. 'The Netgear SPH200D comes in three pieces. The largest item--a white box the size of an average cable or DSL modem--is the hub, and must be connected via its included Ethernet cable to a broadband modem, router, or switch/hub (we tested it with a pair of Netgear HDX101 powerline Ethernet adapters, for example). If you want to tap into your existing phone system, you'll need to have the hub close to a phone jack (there's a standard RJ-11 phone jack alongside the Ethernet port on the back of the hub). The box is powered by your typical oversize AC adapter, which can be a pain to deal with if your power strip is already full.'

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July 25, 2007

Review: Boomchair Racer Multimedia Video Rocker - 14U News

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14U News have published a review of of the Boomchair 2.1 Racer Multimedia Video Rocker. ‘The chair is low to the ground with a 32” H x 30” L x 24” W. the back folds down for easier storage as well. This is a great video game chair. Inside the BoomChair 2.1 are 3” two-way speakers and a 4” subwoofer as well as vibration motors. On the side are the controls for adjusting volume, vibration, and bass as well as the power switch, RCA inputs for connecting to your home theater, and a headphone jack.’

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July 7, 2007

eMats Viscoform 2500 Memory Foam Mattress Review at Pocket-Lint

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Pocket-Lint have published a review of the eMats Viscoform 2500 Memory Foam Mattress. ‘In October last year we tested and loved the eMats Viscoform 1200 memory foam mattress. This year eMats has launched a new design; the Viscoform 2500 memory foam mattress, which promises to be even more comfortable than previous versions. So, will it give you a good night's sleep? We take a nap to find out. The Viscoform 2500 is the new flagship model in the eMats range. An extra 50mm thicker than our last test candidate, the King size weighs in at a hefty 30kg. This extra weight and size is from the addition of a further 2 layers of foam, bringing the total number to 4.’ .

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July 5, 2007

Preview: LG HT502THW Wireless Home Theater System - CNET Asia

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CNET Asia have published their initial review of the LG HT502THW wireless home theater system. ‘With the weather going bizarre, it may be high time we go green and the HY502THW 's onboard 500W digital amplifier is a good start. This delivers higher power efficiency and at the same time runs cooler than its analog counterparts. You are spared the installation guesswork with a set of height-optimized tallboy speakers. These are complemented by a compact center equivalent and favorable timbre matched via an identical two-way three-driver speaker configuration. .

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June 27, 2007

Review: LG Compressor Vacuum Cleaner – Pocket-Lint

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A review of the LG Compressor vacuum cleaner has been posted over at Pocket-Lint. ‘The bagless cleaner looks more like astronaut's helmet than something that belongs in your living room, and its main promise is that it can compress the dust it collects into tightly packed cubes in the container. Why is this of importance to you? Well LG say that in doing so it allows you to collect up to four times as much dust in comparison with similar bagless vacuum cleaners and thus meaning less trips to the bin to empty it out. Furthermore a more compacted dust clump at the end means that it won't fly everywhere when it comes to emptying it out.’

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May 10, 2007

RiteAlarm Clock - The Gadgeteer

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A review of the RiteAlarm Clock which features unique alarms for the weekday, Saturday and Sunday, has been posted over at The Gadgeteer. The RiteAlarm is a 4.0 x 3.2 x 1.0 inch clock made of plastic with a 2.5 x 1.0 inch mono LCD display divided into 4 quadrants on the front. Six small Black plastic buttons surround the LCD. On the back you will find the battery compartment, which holds 2 AA batteries which are not included. A small switch next to the battery compartment allows you to customize the Saturday alarm. More about that in a minute. A snooze button is located on the top of the clock. All buttons have good tactile feedback, so you won't be left wondering if you actually pressed one.'

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March 29, 2007

Review: Panasonic - KX-TG915OES Phone - IT Reviews

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IT Reviews have published a review of the Panasonic - KX-TG915OES phone which can be used to make Skype calls. 'Panasonic has come up with a simple gadget that is sure to help speed up the progress of Skype. The KX-TG915OES phone is effectively the Panasonic KX-TG9120 phone, which typically costs £75, with the addition of a Skype adapter that is part number TGA915ES. Although we can't find the adapter on sale separately, a quick bit of maths tells us that it's about £20-worth.

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March 6, 2007

Vector Tough Brite Storm Tracker

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The Vector Tough Brite Storm Tracker is one hell of an emergency gadget with all the components capable of operation from a few hand cranks. 'TV/Radio/Lantern with weather alert radio is rechargeable with the hand crank. Comes with a 5 In. solid state UHF/VHF black and white television. The AM/FM weather band radio has an AUTOMATIC STORM ALERT warning alarm. The 7 channel NOAA weather frequencies warn of dangerous weather conditions and emergency information. Powerful halogen spotlight and a fluorescent tube lantern. The built in hand crank provides backup power for all radio functions and LED area light. Approximately 2 crank minutes provides up to 15 minutes of runtime for the radio or LED light.' Price: $50

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February 27, 2007

Star Wars R2-D2 Trashcan

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If you don't mind "disposing" of $150 on a cute trash receptacle for your home or home/office you will have to place your name on a pre-order list at ThinkGeek, as the initial batch of Japanese imported Star Wars R2-D2 Trashcans were cleaned out in a short period of time. Having this gadget around the home should prove helpful in encouraging junior members of the household in their practice of proper waste disposal habits. 'This stylish trash receptacle is imported from Japan and is an incredibly detailed replica of R2-D2. Step on R2's center "foot" and his dome swings wide to collect your expired TPS reports and leftover wookie dung.'

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February 26, 2007

Doppio Art Glass Ceiling Lights

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The new Doppio Art Glass ceiling lights from Besa Lighting feature Opal glass diffusers with illuminated decorative glass trim and are available in 18 and 15 in. diameters. 'The art glass trim also fits near-flush to the ceiling, completely hiding the metal pan fixture. The diffuser and trim are secured to the pan with a "twist-and-lock bayonet" action, which also makes lamp changing easy. The luminaires are available in 18 inch and 15 inch diameters. Lamp options include 60 watt A19 incandescent and a variety of compact fluorescent configurations.'

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February 12, 2007

Blackout Buddy: Emergency Radio and Led Flashlight

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The Blackout Buddy FR100 Emergency Radio and Flashlight appears intended to alert you in the event of a power outage when it would be prudent to secure sensitive equipment from any possible surges in electricity once power is resumed. 'Designed to stay plugged into the wall for continuous charging and to be ready for any emergency, the Blackout Buddy's built-in LED light and AM/FM radio automatically turn on when the electricity goes out. The rechargeable battery provides enough power for hours of emergency AM/FM radio and light operation: 12-16 hours of LED light use, or 4-8 hours of radio use. The Blackout Buddy also serves as a convenient and functional everyday plug-in radio and light for any room in the home or office.'

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January 2, 2007

The Pizza Maker Oven: Home Pizza Maker

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You do not need a Home Pizza Maker Oven if you desire to bake your own adaptations of the popular Italian open-faced baked pie. However, if you have reason to acquire a dedicated pizza maker, the stone based Pizza Maker Oven can have your meal prepared in five minutes. The primary advantage of owing such a gadget would be the control to determine just what goes inside your pizza thereby excluding unhealthy additives which may be included in home-delivered pies.

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December 1, 2006

Wave Fireplace: Contemporary Designer Fireplace

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The Wave Fireplace is but one of the several designer fireplaces which though priced above the $1000 range, affords the average middle income householder an opportunity to add a level of sophistication to their living room decor. 'The Wave fire surround is crisp and elegant, soft and gentle and can create many different moods. The jambs and entablature break front have a wave motif in their styling with the column fronts curving to their inner edge moulding with a smooth half-ellipse profile. The surround has inlaid contoured panels that step in from the entablature to the back-panel repeating the wave curve. The hearth and back-panel shown here are from the Whitestone wave set and the fire is a Standard Inset gas fire with Gothic fret.'

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November 30, 2006

Signal Your Location With A Home Locator Switch

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Pass & Seymour have introduced the new Home Locator Switch which can be activated to indicate the location of your home to visitors unsure of the precise location. ‘The Home Locator combines security with convenience. Party guests, delivery people and first-time visitors can easily spot a house when the Switch is activated," said Maria Del Amo-Lombardo, product manager for P&S. "It also works like a regular light switch and can be used every day. A paddle switch allows residents to manually turn a porch or garage light on and off. A push button switch below the paddle activates the Home Locator, turning the light on and off automatically and continuously.’

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November 2, 2006

Philips Wake-up Lamp: Light Simulates Sun [in your bedroom]

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If you experience a problem with the annoying ring of an alarm clock on mornings, you may be relieved to learn of a less disruptive alternative which takes the form of a lamp. Phillips (Royal Philips Electronics) has designed a wake-up lamp which they claim to be medically proven that "Emits light that gradually increases to the intensity you have selected, simulating the rising sun in your bedroom thus gently preparing your body to wake up". As you are supposed to be in bed with the lamp close by, the light should fall on your eyes and send a message to your brain to reduce the production of melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone. The Wake-up light should therefore eliminate the uncomfortable experience of being jolted out of your slumber by an on-time alarm clock.

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October 23, 2006

Review: Westinghouse DPF-0561 - PC Mag

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A review of the Westinghouse DPF-0561 digital photo frame has been posted over at PC Magazine. 'With a 5.6-inch LCD screen, the DPF-0561 can display standard JPEG pictures and AVI video files. It comes with three interchangeable frames; mahogany, brushed aluminum, and black. The compact display measures 4.2 by 6.4 by 1.1 inches (HWD) and weighs just under a pound. Controls to access the menu, navigate to the next or previous photo, and adjust brightness are located on the top of the frame. The Play button lets you select menu options and zoom in on photos. The frame supports multiple memory card formats, including SecureDigital, MultiMedia, xD, Memory Stick, and CompactFlash. I tested the frame with all of these formats and had no problems.'

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October 16, 2006

Review: Lexmark X5470 All-in-One - Trusted Reviews

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Simon Williams has posted a review of the affordable Lexmark X5470 "All-in-One" machine over at Trusted Reviews. 'Inkjet all-in-one machines are definitely beginning to take over from inkjet printers as the main consumer printing device. For very little more money, you have all the extra functionality of scanning and copying. Lexmark has a range of all-in-ones to suit all prices and the X5470 sits above its entry-level devices and offers faxing as well as photo printing.

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October 13, 2006

Scroll Pan: Handy Frying Pan Concept

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The Scroll Pan [roll-up frying pan] may just be a concept of designer Sam Hextall at this time but there is definite potential for such a "flexible" product as long as the issue of "runoff" is addressed. 'The Scroll Pan is a product which radically changes the way we perceive the regular frying pan. It folds and rolls and addresses the serious issue of storage. Great for cooking omelettes, bacon, steak etc the Scroll Pan introduces more fun to frying. Folding your omelette, for example, has never been easier.

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October 4, 2006

Monster Cable Home Theater and Lighting Controller 300 - Universal remote control

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Conquering the learning curve of the Monster Home Theater and Lighting Controller 300 should be relatively easy since accompanying desktop software allows installation of Monster software on your Internet-connected Windows PC or Mac. 'Both of Monster's 2006 universal remotes feature color screens, but the Monster Home Theater Controller 100 ($350) is IR only, while the step-up Monster Home Theater and Lighting Controller 300 ($600) comes with both IR (infrared) and RF (radio frequency) capabilities, the latter being useful for components hidden behind cabinets or even in other rooms. The Monster 300 is also able to control lights in your home using the optional IlluminEssence lighting modules, which work on the Z-Wave wireless technology standard. Because of its RF and multiroom capabilities, the Home Theater and Lighting Controller 300 most closely resembles--in terms of features, anyway--the much less expensive Logitech Harmony 890.'

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