Review

Remote, Programmatic Home Automation at its Best – the Belkin WeMo

by Michael Sheehan on May 17, 2013

in Application, Consumer Electronics, Gadgets, General, Hardware, Opinion, Review, Software

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Home Automation and Remote Controls are cool. Really cool. Think back to the days of The Clapper (which you can still buy, by the way). Clap on, clap off. We have come a long way though. Now we have Internet-connected gadgets, gizmos, appliances and devices, hopefully all designed to make our lives easier, safer or simply better. The Belkin WeMo is a perfect example of how this Home Automation technology has evolved to become mobile and programmatic.

Belkin WeMo Switch

Recently I hooked up a Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion Detector in my home. Before I go into the details of that process, I have to say that I’m a guy who hated when I saw a VCR (remember those?) with a blinking clock. I’m all about programming and using technology ahead of time or setting it up to make what you are currently doing better. I have placed wireless remotes for lamps around the house. I obviously set up shows to record on my DVR. I even automate a little bit of my social media sharing (not much, mind you). There are tasks that you can automate that can save you a few minutes during your hectic day here and there. That is what automation (and remote controls) are all about. And with all of this different technology, it allows us to be a bit more lazy (in a good way, hopefully).

Belkin WeMo Motion & iPhone

Let’s start with what the WeMo is. It’s a device that you connect to your home WiFi network and to an electrical device that you want to control whether it is on or off. Once you set up your connection (which I will go into later), you use your mobile phone with the WeMo app, to turn on or off that electrical device. Let’s say you have a lamp connected to the WeMo plug, from another room or across the globe, once you have everything connected, you can turn that lamp on or off at will. Pretty handy, right?

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Using the Sun to Power your Gadgets & Light the Way – WAKAWAKA POWER

by Michael Sheehan on May 15, 2013

in Cellular, Consumer Electronics, Gadgets, General, Hardware, Mobile, Opinion, Review

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If you look up into the sky, assuming it’s sunny and daytime, you will see a vast energy source that is incredibly untapped – the sun. Solar power technologies have been evolving a break-neck speeds and the size and costs have been reduced dramatically to the point where you can throw a solar panel, charger and battery into your backpack and never worry about plugging your smartphone or tablet into the wall again. The WakaWaka Power, is no exception. This small device, in my opinion, is critical to have for camping trips or in your emergency kit or just quietly charging in a sunny windows somewhere.

WakaWaka Power - Lights on

WakaWaka Power – Lights on

I actually really like this little “gadget helper” for a variety of reasons. Let’s start with the name, “WakaWaka” which means “shine bright” in Swahili. WakaWaka is created by Off-Grid Solutions (OGS) which is a company that develops and manufactures solar-based portable charging and lighting solutions. They got their start via a Kickstarter.com initiative (which raised over $419,000 – 838% over their initial $50,000 funding request) and are now a global brand. In fact, in 2012 they made it their mission to deliver 1 million WakaWaka’s worldwide as part of a pledge to the Clinton Global Initiative.

WakaWaka Power - packaging

WakaWaka Power – packaging

But OGS and WakaWaka haven’t stopped there. For every WakaWaka Power charger that they sell, they are donating $10 to the WakaWaka Foundation which has been set up to finance entrepreneurial education, micro-loans to women energy entrepreneurs and also subsidies for poor countries like Haiti, Nepal, Nigeria, India and others. One of their goals is to replace dangerous, expensive and polluting kerosene lamps with their solar-powered solutions. You can read more about their mission here. With initiatives and dreams like this, what is there NOT to like?!

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Comfortable, No-Frills, Good Performing, Family SUV – 2013 GMC Acadia Review

by Michael Sheehan on April 26, 2013

in Auto, General, Opinion, Review, Video

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The 2013 GMC Acadia is an SUV turned crossover (I still think of it as an SUV) which I believe is a bit of a sleeper. Probably the most aggressive features of it is the bold front grill with the GMC logo on it. It’s strong, as if to say, get out of my way, I’m a GMC and I’m coming through here. But the rest of the vehicle is pretty nondescript. There are no super innovative design or technology features that come out and clobber you right over the head quite the way the GMC emblem grill does. It is, in all aspects, your run of the mill SUV. Read on for my 2013 GMC Acadia Review.

2013 GMC Acadia Front Grill

2013 GMC Acadia Front Grill

I call it the way I see it…an SUV, despite what is stated on the GMC description. It’s roomy, holds plenty of cargo, and the one that I test drove for 10 days, seats 7 quite comfortably, although we only had 5 people and one small dog and lots of luggage. But it was perfect for us. For the size and the power (boasting 288 horsepower from the 3.6 liter V6), coupled with the packaged features in the SLT-1 trimline, it was a pleasure to drive. We set off from San Francisco on a road trip down to Los Angeles, with the cabin packed full of luggage and food. The Acadia is, in my opinion, perfectly crafted for that purpose. The one I tested did have a towing package (capable of pulling 5200 lbs), an Entertainment system and dual moonroofs. There was plenty of intuitive technology within the cabin and the Acadia did not feel heavy or sluggish on the road. In fact, I was actually surprised at the gas mileage, rated at 17 City and 24 Highway. We averaged 18.8 MPG in our mixed driving experience.

2013 GMC Acadia Side View

2013 GMC Acadia Side View

The leather seating was comfortable and there was plenty of leg room in the middle row (which were 2 separated captains chairs – perfect to keep kids separated). The rear bench row seats 3, although it is probably better for 2. We opted to fold down part of the rear bench to allow for luggage to be piled in. I liked the fact that the Acadia rides high, more like an SUV (as I said) and less like a crossover (which I have found to be somewhat in between a sedan and an SUV). Yes, you probably would get better mileage in a lighter crossover, but driving the Acadia inspired some confidence that you could go off road or camping quite easily. The version that I test drove was a FWD. There is an AWD version that probably would be better for more rugged experiences.

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Wii U – Will U? I Will! Why I like the Nintendo Wii U

by Michael Sheehan on April 15, 2013

in Consumer Electronics, Family, Gadgets, General, Hardware, Opinion, Review

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I’m not a hard core gamer. I do have an Xbox (original & 360), a PS3 and the original Wii. Now I have the Nintendo Wii U. I’m more of a social family gamer, that is to say, I only game with my kids (or occasionally when I have a free moment at night and then it is FPS and car racing games). But, for the most part, my game consoles are a bit dusty.

Recently, Nintendo came out with the Wii U, and I, not being a hard core gamer, thought that it was brilliant. When I first tried the original Wii, I knew that it would be powerful and literally, a game-changer. It got you out of your sofa and jumping around the room. Nintendo seemed to be the first that understood that it was important to do more than just move your thumbs. Active participation in a game was different. It was fun. It was engaging. And it was for the entire family. And it was new.

Nintendo WiiU console

Nintendo WiiU console

Other major platforms followed the lead of getting people out of their chairs. And, alas, the poor original Wii was a bit left behind. The other platforms were more powerful, had more games, supported HD formats and probably had more marketing dollars pushing them forward. And then the Wii U was announced. And I thought that once again, Nintendo was pushing the envelope by making a dual screened device. (Yes, I know there is a similar systems by Sony…but I haven’t had hands on with the Vita so I won’t be doing that comparison.)

HTD Girls at Wii U Launch Event

HTD Girls at Wii U Launch Event

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The Front of the Line Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood

April 8, 2013

Hollywood is a magical place. It has a 24-hour buzz of excitement, creativity and activity. Most people never get to really understand it unless you “work in the industry.” It’s the place where actors make it (or don’t), where writing comes to life on the screen and where people flock from around the world to [...]

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The Jabra Speak 510 Bluetooth & USB Connected Speakerphone Truly Speaks Great for Itself

March 28, 2013
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As workforces become more distributed to satellite offices, home offices, client locations and even roaming within an organization, technology needs to be adaptable to any scenario. Mobile devices like laptops, smartphones and tablets have untethered our dependence on corded locations, meaning that the worker (or parent) on the go often is not always at the [...]

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Hitting the Bull’s Eye – Review of the 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye Compact Sports Sedan

March 8, 2013
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When I test drove the 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye, I turned a few heads. In fact, in a parking lot, I answered a bunch of questions about this new vehicle from Dodge. While compact in size, it was roomy in performance. This isn’t the first time the Dart has spun its wheels around the block. [...]

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Tired of Coordinating Arrival Times or Notifying If You’ll Be Early or Late? Use Twist! App Walkthrough & CEO Interview

January 31, 2013
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As a parent in a busy family of 5 with 3 kid schedules to coordinate, activities galore and timing managed literally down to the minute, I have often felt a bit overwhelmed trying to let everyone know when I would arrive for a pickup or where I was en route to a variety of destinations. [...]

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