Slick security cam
THERE are lots of home-security cameras on the market, and while I haven't tested many, the Arlo from Netgear must be the easiest to set up and get running.
The cameras are battery-powered, making them wireless and ready to hang anywhere or even rest on a desktop or shelf. If you choose to hang them, they have a really strong magnetic system that attaches to brackets you screw into your wall.
A battery-level indicator lets you know when they need to be replaced, which should be anywhere from four to six months.
The cameras are motion-activated, have 720-p resolution, work in near-darkness, have 130-degree view and can be set up within an app to record for specific intervals.
The Netgear Arlo hub must be connected to your home Internet and each camera connected wirelessly to the hub. The cameras have about a 90-metre line of sight from the hub.
Adjust the camera's motion-detection sensitivity and configure the Arlo app to send email alerts and push notifications when motion is detected. From your smartphone, tablet or computer you can log into your account to view the captured video.
There are several service options for storing and viewing your saved recordings.
-- Up to five cameras with seven days of content; viewing and storage are free.
-- For $10 a month, you can save your videos from up to 10 cameras for up to 30 days.
-- For $15 per month, you can have up to 15 cameras and store 60 days worth of video.
If I made this sound simple, it is. From the time you open the box to the time everything is up and running is less then an hour -- and that's with reading the instructions, downloading the free app and hanging the cameras.
Each camera measures 2.8 by 1.6 by 2.5-inches and just 0.25 pounds.
Visit arlo.com, with $349.99 for a two-camera kit, which includes a smart home base station; other kits and combinations are available. Single cameras are available for $99 each.
Clear, humidify the air
Brookstone's Pure-Ion bedroom air cleaner is both an air-purification machine and a humidifier, designed to create a healthy environment, especially during sleeping hours.
While it might sound like a big, complex machine, it really isn't with its 12-by-15-by 18-inch size. You'd be amazed at how quiet it is on the low settings.
There isn't much to the setup past adding 2.6 gallons of water into two individual tanks and then pressing a few buttons.
What I really like is the reusable stainless-steel filter system that can be cleaned in a dishwasher. A light will indicate when the filter needs cleaning.
It plugs into a standard AC outlet and can run each system independent or both continuously. There is also a built-in timer for time periods of two to 12 hours.
The humidifier releases a cool mist to help make rooms more comfortable during dry times of the year. It has three different settings, and the lowest can last up to six days before a water refill is needed.
The air-purification system brings in air and removes some of the common airborne pollutants including pollen, pet dander, smoke, dust mites, airborne bacteria and airborne mold, according to the Brookstone website.
Visit brookstone.com; $349.99
Portable charge option
The iBattz Mojo Battstation Optimus 20400 is a portable battery like no other, since it has a 20,400-mAh high-capacity battery of power inside.
Smartphones and tablets can be charged simultaneously with the pair of USB ports (2.1A and 1A).
The battery charges up in 16 hours via USB and has a 500-battery life cycle. It comes with several charging cables or you can use the one that came with the device needing charging. A travel pouch is also included.
The outside of the battery is a non-slip surface, and the battery measures 5.51 by 2.8 by .87 inches and weighs 14.11 ounces.
Visit ibattz.com; $129
Whoosh the dirt away
Just Whoosh! your LCD computer, smartphone or tablet screen to rid it of all the built-up dirt, germs and fingerprints on the outside of the device.
The liquid is an all-natural, non-toxic spray for all your LCD screens and monitors that build up dirt and germs faster then you want to know.
Just spray it on and wipe it away with the included cloth to kill bacteria and then apply an ultra-thin, invisible film to the screen. This will keep it clean from germs and fingerprints until a new layer of Whoosh! is needed.
Be careful not to spray into ports or openings since your device most likely is not waterproof.
Visit whooshscreenshine.com; available in sizes starting at three ounces for $6.
-- Tribune Media
