Poncho: Let this cute cat be your weatherman [Review]
Overview
In the world of weather apps, there are many to choose from. Many present you with every measurement that you could want and then some. There are also many that give you a minimum information for a quick reference. Poncho leans more towards the minimal side of the spectrum, but it’s how the information is presented that makes this app different.
Developer: Poncho Inc
Cost: Free
Review
Poncho was first developed as text and email-based weather service, but quickly realized they needed to develop an app since people were using it as an alarm of sorts. It first launched on iOS and became available as a beta application for Android during Google I/O. So what makes this one cool app? Let’s find out.
Poncho
First, Poncho is a cat weatherman. Yes, a cute little cat that will deliver your weather updates when you want them. He (not sure of the cat’s gender) allows you to set up what time you want the weather delivered to you in the morning, afternoon and once a day on the weekends. I have encountered one hiccup, though I haven’t received an afternoon one yet, not sure why.
There are a few different settings for your weather report. They include pollen count, barometer, and wind speed. There are some more neat little features like “Hair”, which lets you know if the weather will mess up your hair. Alternate side parking (which is only available in New York City currently) shows you where available parking is, and information on your public transit (if you’re in one of the supported cities). All these settings can be turned off if you wish.
Poncho then takes all your settings and creates a report for you which is delivered at the times you wish. You may also pull this report at any time by simply going in the app. He always has some silly Gif or picture with something clever. It also has the current temp, hourly forecast, five-day forecast, and anything else that you have turned on in your settings.
It also is packing a couple extra features. It comes with a built-in alarm clock that you can
Yes, that’s my referral code. Feel free to use it, wink wink.
set up for as many days of the week as you wish. They also have a free stuff section. That’s right, free. They offer sunglasses, water bottle, and a backpack. All you have to do is refer people. Five people get you the sunglasses, ten gets you the water bottle and fifteen lands you the backpack.
Conclusion
This app isn’t super loaded with tons of weather information, but it does give you a good overview of the day, in a cute way. One thing I think they are missing out on is a widget. This cat is too cute not to be able to have him on your screen giving you weather, so I think they do add that.
I also need to mention that it’s in open beta for now so you will need to opt in to get the app. I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention you can also use Poncho in Facebook Messenger just by giving him your town name or zip code. It’s fun, it’s free, and you get the chance to get free stuff so you have nothing to lose.
Join the Beta for Ponch
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Vimtag P1 Smart Cloud IP Camera: Step up your security and have peace of mind (Review)
Everyone is looking for more and more security in today’s world and home security is a big one. Lucky for us, we can get security cameras for our homes much cheaper than they once were, and they are much easier to install. Vimtag has quite a few options when it comes to IP Cloud cameras that can suit your needs. Today, we have Vimtag’s $130 P1 Smart Cloud IP Camera.
There are so many different areas this camera can be used for besides the obvious security. For example, baby monitoring. I can tell you from recent experience, shopping for a regular baby monitor can be expensive and the quality of the feed isn’t always great. But with the P1 Camera, you can get a quality feed plus once your baby doesn’t need a monitor it can be used for other things.
Set Up
Getting the Vimtag P1 setup is a simple process that it can’t really even be classified as a process. Plug in your new shiny camera and let it do its calibration. Note: If you are using Ethernet, there is an adapter that you need to plug in that comes in the box. You can set up the camera through either the app or the website; I chose the app. Once you’ve opened the app, you must create a username and password then log in.
After you’ve logged in, you are taken to what I call the hub. This is where all your Vimtag devices live. You click the add device button and a QR Code Scanner pops up. Scan the code on the bottom of your camera. Once that is complete, you will be given a QR Code on your phone to scan with the camera, and then wham bam thank you, ma’am, your camera is ready to rock and roll.
Review
I have played with lots of different kinds of tech devices over the years, and I can honestly say that this is one of the simplest products I have seen. Set up is a breeze and just basic monitoring is easy; of course, there are many setting for advanced monitoring. I have to make one tiny comment about the operation of the camera. While it is true that operation is simple, it’s not obvious how to make the camera move around. I went to the monitoring website to look for extra settings, and I scrolled over the feed while it was playing. I noticed arrows at each edge. That’s how I discovered how to maneuver the camera up, down, and a complete 360 degrees, which is awesome. I believe they should include that in the pamphlet that comes with it since some may not discover it on their own.
Let’s start off by discussing the camera feed. We all have seen convenience store videos where the video is choppy and grainy. It’s hard to make anything out. What’s even crazier is you know they spent a ton of money for the equipment and installation. The P1’s video is clear and has the ability to zoom in 4 times. The audio is equally clear, and it has the added feature to talk from the app or website through the camera to whoever is in the room.
There are a ton of settings that you can use to configure each camera. In fact, there are so 
many that I won’t be able to cover them all, but I will hit a few highlights. One big feature I like is being able to schedule recording. You can set up to four schedules for as long as you want and whatever days you want, or you can simply choose to record 24/7. For that, you will need extra storage which is discussed later.
Motion detection is one of my favorite features this device has. You have quite a few options when it comes to using this one. A quick snapshot can be taken and stored, or you can record what is happening when the camera detects motion. Alerts can also be set up so that you get a notification on your computer or phone when something trips the sensor. This is great to have when away from your house on vacation or just at the store. Make sure you use the notifications only when you’re away because if your camera is in a high traffic area, your phone will be going off every few seconds when people move.
The last thing is mounting your camera. It comes with a kit that allows you to mount it if you choose to do so. You can mount it with two simple screws which will give you free range of motion to record with. If you choose to mount your camera upside down, you go into the settings under Others and toggle the flip switch, or your feed will be upside down.
Other Features
- Multi User Support
- Night Vision
- 360 degree audio pickup
- SD Card support
S1 Cloud Box
I said we would discuss storage later and here it is…the bonus review. If you have one camera that you are only using for minimal recording or perhaps only doing snapshots of motion, then you probably don’t need extra storage as it will just save to your phone or an SD card in the camera itself. But if you are using the camera for a business or are really hardcore about your security, then you may want extra storage. That’s where the S1 Cloud Box comes into play. The S1 comes with 1TB of storage for $150 so you can record 24/7.
The S1 can handle four feeds at one time which means you can store for up to 60 days. You can retrieve the data from the box via the internet whenever you want. So make sure this item is tucked away out of site so any thieves can’t find it.
Setting this device up is just as simple as the camera, if not more simple. After you plug in the device and connect it to your router, you go into the Settings menu in the app and navigate to storage. Click the QR Code button and scan it with your phone, and just like that, it’s ready to go.
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Conclusion
The need for security is definitely much higher than it use to be. We don’t live in a Leave it to Beaver society where you can leave your doors unlocked and be fine. You need something to monitor your house while you’re gone. But if you’re not really worried about that, there are still other uses such as monitoring elderly loved ones or even keeping up with your dog while you’re away. No matter your reason, the Vimtag P1 Smart Cloud IP Camera and S1 Cloud Box are fantastic options for you.
*As of June 2 the P1 Smart Cloud IP Camera is on sale for $109.95*
- Vimtag Website
- Buy Vimtag P1 Smart Cloud IP Camera
- Buy S1 Cloud Box
- Download the app in the Play Store
[Review] Charge six devices at once with Choetech
Yeah that’s right, a sextuplet of devices. The Choetech multi-port USB charger has quickly become one of my most useful gadgets. It’s annoying to keep track of each devices’ individual cable and charger. While I haven’t been able to cut down on the amount of cables I have, I can now use the Choetech charger for most of my power needs.
Features
- Input: AC100-240V
- Total Maximum Output: 5V/10A
- Charging Port Output: 5V/10A (max)
- Dimension: 88.4 x 29 x 71.5mm / 3.4 x 1 x 2.8 inches
- Weight: 158g
Only two of the USB ports are USB 3.0; the rest are USB 2.0. Similar to the VoltIQ car charger I previously reviewed, the Choetech has an “auto detect” technology, which means that it automatically identifies the device you plug in and delivers the fastest possible charge for it. There’s also a circuit protection system, which is really neat. It shuts down in the case of overvoltage, overcurrent, overheating or short circuits. The charger comes with a 12-month warranty.
Oh, and did I mention that the two USB 3.0 ports are certified as Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0? I’ve used it for a while now and I haven’t come across any problems yet. I don’t have any phones that have quick charge technology, so I couldn’t test how fast it was.
The charger itself has a slim profile, and it’s smooth to the touch with a matte black plastic that almost feels like velvet rubber. With the amount of portable battery packs I’ve been sent to review, I tried to set up a “daisy chain” where I plugged Battery A into the charger, Battery B into Battery A, and both Battery C and my phone into the charger.
I didn’t test how long they were all able to charge because I was afraid of all that electrical power collapsing into a black hole, but suffice it to say that I think it would work. Also, while charging devices the Choetech does get slightly warm, but not so warm that you would start to worry.
Conclusion
I definitely recommend the Choetech charger for any person with a bunch of USB-powered gadgets. It works as great (and sometimes better) than the individual chargers that are sent with each device. You can buy the Choetech 6-port charger for about $20 on Amazon.
Scientists want to perfect humanity with synthetic DNA
Following a controversial top-secret meeting last month, a group of scientists have announced that they’re working on synthesizing human genes from scratch. The project, currently titled HGP-Write, has the stated aim of reducing the cost of gene synthesis to “address a number of human health challenges.” As the group explains, that includes growing replacement organs, engineering cancer resistance and building new vaccinations using human cells. But in order for all of that to happen, the scientists may have to also work on developing a blueprint for what a perfect human would look like.
In some ways, the concept is just an extension of current gene editing (CRISPR) techniques that are proving their worth by saving lives. CRISPR has already been used to save the life of a one-year-old girl with a terminal case of drug-resistant leukemia. Other initiatives using the system involve curing hemophilia and HIV, although the latter has proven capable of fighting back against attempts to kill it. This new project, meanwhile, will devote time and resources to examining the ethics and economics of how far we should go with gene editing.
HGP-Write is being led by DNA pioneer George Church, a Harvard biologist who is already working on various projects to tweak humanity. In a profile, Stat revealed that the scientist published a paper in 2014 pushing “de novo synthesis,” the concept of creating perfect genes from scratch. In early 2015, he used CRISPR to implant wooly mammoth DNA into a living Asian elephant as the first step toward bringing extinct animals back from the dead. Which, when you write it down like that, makes him sound like a less plausible version of John Hammond, the fictional creator of Jurassic Park.
Via: Stat
Source: Science
Target has an in-store space for explaining the smart home
Last year Target unveiled its Internet of Things “Open House” experiment in San Francisco. The goal was to create a shopping experience that would help customers figure out how connected devices work with each other. In the confusing and fragmented world of IoT, the retailer carved out a little corner of knowledge. Now it’s moving past the testing phase and opening a “connected living experience” in a suburban Minneapolis store.
The Minneapolis setup won’t be as elaborate as Open House in San Francisco with its touchscreen tables. Instead it will have large displays above the products that explain how a gadget interacts with other devices. Target will also make sure the staff is up to speed.
But it will still be more than just a fancy display. Scott Nygaard, Target senior vice president of hardline told Engadget everyone in the department will be ready. “All of them will have special training, and there will be dedicated staff there at all times.”
The Ridgedale store will be the first in what could be a major change to how the retail chain sells electronics. Like Google, Apple and Amazon, Target sees the connected home as one the next big things in tech. But the company has found that its shoppers are confused not only about how these devices work together, but where they’re actually kept in the store. Would a smart thermostat be in the electronics or home section?
Putting all the devices together in one spot and creating scenarios that emphasize how a smart light and a connected garage work together not only highlights what’s possible, it helps sell stuff. “When we have working displays in-store we see a significant sales increase,” Nygaard said. “It shows what the experience is like. That’s where we really see the benefit.”
Target plans on bringing its connected experience to other stores to see how shoppers react. Cupertino, California, and Tribeca in New York City are the next two locations, according to Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Casey Carl. After that? “We want to become the go-to resource that’s credible in this space,” Carl said.
Now TiVo Bolt owners can stream TV anywhere
When I reviewed the TiVo Bolt last year I didn’t mind its odd design as much as I missed some features it lacked compared to the older Roamio DVR. Now the recently-acquired company is fixing that with a software update (the full list of changes is here) it’s rolling out that lets owners stream recordings or live TV on even when they’re away from home, and also download shows recorded from protected premium channels (like HBO or Showtime, usually) to a mobile device for offline viewing.
The choice between a Bolt and a Roamio Pro is still a tough one, especially now that the older box with more tuners (6) and storage (3TB) has added those SkipMode commercial skipping and QuickMode fast watching features that debuted on the Bolt. At least now, opting for the newer model doesn’t mean missing out on any Slingbox-like placeshifting.
Source: TiVo Blog, TiVo Support
ASUS’ Zenbo proves our robot butler dreams remain just that
Another robot wants to join your family. Announced earlier this week, ASUS’ Zenbo is aimed at providing “assistance, entertainment and companionship.” Like numerous home robots that have (literally) rolled out before Zenbo, it involves voice-activated commands, cameras, an internet connection and a touchscreen. It can’t wash your clothes or clear the table and you still need separate robots to vacuum your house, or get you from A to B. ASUS says Zenbo can help with cooking, but that just means it can read out recipes. It’s not chopping onions for you — it doesn’t even have arms. Let’s take a look at the promo video.
In the world of ASUS’ TV ad, WiFi connections are strong and acting skills are weak. We’re shown how Zenbo can detect faces and take photos and videos through voice commands. It will also respond to questions. It gives reminders for medication or upcoming events, has built-in speakers for streaming music, and can even connect with smart home devices like air conditioners, lighting, TVs and connected door locks. And yet, smartphones and tablets can already do all of that. I have Siri on my iPhone, I can play music on it, I can use apps to control my smart devices and it even has an alarm and calendar.
What differentiates the robot from your smartphone is its ability to move around either independently or through smartphone controls, like remote home monitoring. According to the company, Zenbo will learn and adapt to how you use it with with proactive artificial intelligence. As it lives alongside you, it’ll get better at identifying objects and people on its cameras, as well as recognize speech commands. ASUS says machine learning and cloud computing will help improve the robot’s functionality; Zenbo will be connected to a hive mind of all the other robots. It’s still so very far away from the robotic butler we’re still waiting for: Machines are getting smarter, but robotics are hard. There’s no Rosie, no C3P0, no Kryten. Heck, there’s not even a Bender. They’re all still many years away.
Here in the present, the world isn’t as perfect as the ASUS family vignette. The on-stage debut of Zenbo (and three subsequent demonstrations I saw over this past week) showed that manipulating a robot can be just as frustrating as working with pets and children. Sometimes Zenbo didn’t go where it was told, or it didn’t hear the host’s simple commands (despite them being repeated multiple times). On other occasions, Zenbo failed to pick up on camera gestures, or it simply stopped and did nothing. Yes, this was an early model. And yes, the company will continue to refine its behavior and sensitivity, but as it stands, it doesn’t have enough pros to outweigh the cons.
It’s not fair to single out ASUS’ Zenbo bot, although the promotional ad was particularly awful. I’ve already written about how we have to lower our expectations about what robots are capable of at this point in time. Indeed, the same criticism can be leveled at most home robots, some of which are already on sale. Softbank’s Pepper could also be described as a glorified tablet on wheels. Its gestures and movements are adorable and endearing, but its speech recognition is far from perfect and there’s still no killer app, other than the romantic notion of having a robot in your home.
There are still so many technical challenges facing robots, with researchers and companies chipping away at challenges related to movement, motor control and object detection, among other things. Sci-fi films and television shows have set our expectations very high, so it’s no surprise that current home robots are a bit of a letdown. ASUS’ first bot is at least “reasonably” priced at $599, but the reasons for buying one aren’t strong enough — yet.
Computex 2016: It’s a wrap!
Just like that, Computex 2016 has come to an end. As in previous years, the show kicked off with ASUS’ big keynote presentation, but this time it wasn’t just laptops, tablets and smartphones — the company also unveiled its first home robot, Zenbo. We met up with Chairman Jonney Shih who gave us an exclusive demo of this $599 machine, so do check out our interview wit him. We also saw Intel launch its first 10-core desktop processor geared towards hardcore gamers, followed by yet another exclusive interview — this time with the company’s new consumer head, Navin Shenoy.
The rest of the show gave us a lot of opportunities to play around in virtual reality. HTC was there with several cool Vive demos; MSI showed off its Backpack PC; AMD announced its $199 Radeon RX480 graphics card to lower the entry barrier for VR; and even Microsoft is opening up its Windows Holographic platform to embrace the virtual world. Find all that and more in the video above.
Avegant’s wearable cinema gets more game-friendly features
Avegant’s wearable cinema is getting a software update that makes it an even more tempting purchase, especially for gamers. The new firmware adds plug-and-play 3D support, enabling you to enjoy 3D content on the PlayStation 4. In addition, the gear now works with any PC game that’s compatible with NVIDIA’s 3D Vision, and all units now get head tracking, which you can activate by holding the bottom left button in video mode. As Polygon explains, it’s this latter feature that has the most potential, since users can control their PC’s mouse pointer with their head.
It’s not a full-fat virtual reality device like the Rift or Vive, but the addition of head tracking does make it possible to play games with similar immersion. For instance, Polygon used the feature to play both Overwatch and Doom and said that while it took time to get used to, it does make you more precise. The update is available in both the iOS and Android apps and should be fairly easy to get your hardware ready for a good weekend of gaming.
Source: Kickstarter
Walmart is testing grocery deliveries with Uber and Lyft
Online grocery deliveries are commonplace in Europe, but America’s size makes it difficult for even the largest firms to offer it nationwide. That’s why Walmart is teaming up with Uber and Lyft to test a delivery service for online shoppers. All a user has to do is order their usual groceries online and a Walmart employee will gather all of it together. When ready, an Uber or Lyft will be called and dispatched to your home with a trunk full of pizza rolls, toothpaste and Kleenex.
So far, this limited trial is kicking off with Uber in Denver and, according to Business Insider, Lyft in Phoenix. Rather than paying the driver directly, Walmart shoppers will be charged between $7-10 per delivery. The company is also testing a similar service with Deliv, out of its Sam’s Club stores in Miami. Grocery deliveries are becoming a big deal, with firms like Target and Amazon hoping to elbow-out more established players in the market. The fact that Walmart is leveraging Uber and other ride-sharing companies is, in a way, a tacit indictment of its failure to get this going with this soon enough.
Via: Business Insider
Source: Walmart
AIVAnet 