Drug-infused 3D-printed dentures promise to bite back against infections

Thanks to researchers from the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine, dentures might be about to get a whole lot smarter.

Around two-thirds of the U.S. population who wear dentures suffer from regular mouth infections, with symptoms including redness, inflammation, and swelling. Researchers from the University at Buffalo think they have come up with an innovative solution, however — and it can be applied to a range of prostheses and clinical devices.

Using 3D printing, they developed special dentures containing microscopic capsules that are able to carry out a controlled release of antifungal medication. These drugs are diffused to the wearer through a single porous layer. Unlike current denture disinfection treatments, this approach can be carried out while the dentures are being worn.

“3D printing is revolutionizing manufacturing and there has been tremendous progress in various approaches including high resolution, rapid printing techniques, as well as broad range of printable materials — including polymers and metals,” Praveen Arany, assistant professor in the Department of Oral Biology, told Digital Trends. “This project has effectively repurposed routine prosthetic material, methyl methacrylate, for 3D printing. This material is standardly used for making clinical prosthetics, including dentures and artificial joints, that are processed in a lab that involves several laborious and costly steps. The new method described in this work effectively bypasses the need for lab fabrication and can be potentially done in the clinic more rapidly and in a cost-effective manner.”

The researchers on the project think their approach would be useful for creating smart dentures for elderly and disabled patients who are unable to easily clean their own mouthpieces. However, this isn’t just of interest to older folks. Arany said that the same approach could be used to create mouth guards and retainers, bone plates and splints, joint prostheses, and valves and stents that can also release a range of drugs or biological agents for therapy. This might include scenarios such as pain relief, drugs to prevent organ rejection or scarring, and more.

“In followup work, we have been able to address the mechanical strength issue and can now fabricate clinically acceptable prosthesis with properties comparable to routinely manufactured prosthesis,” Arany continued. “Ongoing work is adding significant novel functionalities to enable ‘smart’ — sense and respond — attributes.”

A paper describing the work was recently published in the journal Materials Today Communications.

Editors’ Recommendations

• A ’bionic’ larynx sounds far more natural than regular artificial voice boxes
• 14 major milestones along the brief history of 3D printing
• Inside Cellink, the Swedish company building 3D printers for living tissue
• Hate needles? These microscopic ones painlessly dissolve drugs in your skin
• Vision-improving nanoparticle eyedrops could end the need for glasses

Acton BLINK QU4TRO review

Research Center:

Acton BLINK QU4TRO

Nearly two years ago, a Californian startup named Acton launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a four-wheel-drive skateboard. Now, that board is finally here. It’s called the QU4TRO (henceforth referred to simply as “Quatro”), and we rode it around Portland for a few weeks to see how it stacks up against some of the bigger names in the electric longboard space.

Standout features and specs

On paper, the Quatro is a beast. This monstrosity of a skateboard carries four hub motors (one in each wheel) that collectively provide 2,000 watts of power, and propel the board along at speeds up to 23 miles per hour. It also has insane amounts of torque, and can boost riders weighing up to 280 pounds over hills with a 30-percent grade. Think San Francisco steep.

On top of that, it’s also equipped with a massive battery that fills up the majority of the board’s 39-inch deck, and provides over 22 miles of range on a single charge. To hold all that battery, the board is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, and feels extremely sturdy as a result.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

You’ll also notice a handful of little flourishes that don’t come standard on most electric longboards — things like lights around all four sides, and an innovative suspension system built into the trucks. It’s easily one of the most feature-packed eboards we’ve ever stood on.

A thrilling, polished ride

The Quatro’s burly four-wheel drive system and outrageous amounts of speed and torque are arguably the board’s biggest selling points, but they’re really just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that gives the Quatro an extremely polished underfoot feel.

The Quatro is easily one of the most feature-packed eboards we’ve ever stood on.

First and foremost, there’s the motors. Unlike some other boards on the market, the Quatro sports a set of hub motors, meaning the motors live inside the wheel and don’t need to be attached via a belt or chain. This essentially means that the Quatro’s wheels roll with less resistance when they’re unpowered, allowing you to coast freely when you let off the throttle, and also push the board manually if necessary. Unfortunately, the Quatro’s massive weight (24 pounds) means it’s a bit of a chore to push even with the low-friction drive mechanism, but to be fair, the board has such a ridiculously long range that you’ll rarely need to kick it manually.

In addition to the board’s fantastic coasting abilities, the Quatro’s throttle is exquisitely well-tuned. Both acceleration and deceleration are incredibly smooth, and actuated in a gradual manner that doesn’t throw you off balance — even if you’re quick and heavy on the throttle. It’s definitely still possible to accelerate or decelerate too hard and send yourself flying onto the pavement (especially in “Pro” mode), but Acton’s throttle and brakes are far less touchy compared to most other eboards we’ve ridden.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Acton also equipped the Quatro with something we’ve never seen before on a longboard: a set of shock-absorbing trucks. Most trucks are simply a swiveling crossbar that attaches the wheels to the deck and allow you to turn by leaning — but Acton’s “Tension Suspension” trucks take things to a whole new level, and incorporate a clever C-shaped spring that allow the deck to travel up and down a few centimeters. This ingenious design element helps the board absorb small bumps in the road, and ultimately makes for a smoother riding experience. Without this suspension, riding this all-metal board would probably be quite jarring — but thanks to the shocks, it’s like riding on a cloud.

A cumbersome commuter

Despite the fact that this board is undoubtedly one of the most powerful and enjoyable boards we’ve ever set foot on, it’s also not the most convenient commuter vehicle. Here’s why:

First and foremost, it’s massive. Quatro is a leviathan of a longboard, so if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to carry it, be prepared for a bit of an arm workout. Without any handles or anything to hold onto, it’s a pain in the ass to lug around — especially in the tight confines of a bus or train. The upside? It’s also so long that you can just lift up the front and drag it behind you like a roller suitcase.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Second, the board isn’t exactly the easiest to whip around. With a long wheelbase, a heavy body, and no kicktail, the Quatro isn’t great at taking tight turns or making quick directional changes. If your route is predictably straight and clear, you’ll be fine. But if you regularly encounter obstacles and tight turns, you might want to find something that’s easier to throw around with your feet.

On the plus side, the headlights, tail lights, and running lights make you more visible at night, and allow you to ride in the street more safely.

Our Take

There’s a lot to like about the Quatro. It’s fast as hell, has insane battery life, and offers one of the smoothest, most exhilarating riding experiences you can get from an electric longboard right now. The only real downside is the Quatro’s lack of maneuverability in tight spaces, and lack of portability when you’re not riding.

Take it out on a curvy road for a few minutes and you’ll fall in love.

Think of it like a sports car. It might not be the most practical thing to drive to work every day, but if you ever start to doubt your purchase, just take it out on a curvy road for a few minutes and you’ll fall in love all over again.

Are there better alternatives?

The electric longboard space is extremely competitive right now, so prospective buyers have a ton of options.

Alternatives

Boosted 2 Dual+

$1199.99

Halo Board 2

$997.00

Onewheel+

$1499.00

Onewheel+ XR

$1799.00

Compared to Acton’s Quatro, the Boosted 2 Dual+ offers a comparable level of power, and also boasts an extremely polished riding experience. Unfortunately, it’s also belt-driven, doesn’t enjoy the same coasting abilities that the Quatro does, and has a maximum range that pales in comparison — just 12 miles compared to Acton’s 22.

Another one to consider is the Haloboard Carbon Edition. It’s smaller and lighter than the Quatro, and therefore more commuter-friendly — but doesn’t have four-wheel drive, headlights, or 22 miles of range. On the upside, it does have hub motors and plenty of power, so it offers a pretty excellent riding experience. It’s also quite a bit cheaper.

And of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the Onewheel+ and newly-released Onewheel+ XR. While technically not skateboards, both vehicles offer a supremely smooth ride and sell for a similar price. Neither can compare when it comes to range, though. The new XR boasts a range of up to 16 miles, while the Onewheel+ can only travel 8 miles on a single charge. That said, Onewheels are arguably more maneuverable, portable, and commuter-friendly than the Quatro. They can also handle far more terrain.

How long will it last?

The Quatro’s lifespan likely depends on how hard and how often you ride. The aluminum body will probably last for ages, but the lithium battery, hub motors, and urethane wheels will likely wear out after a few years — especially if you ride every day.

The aluminum body will probably last for ages.

The first thing to kick the bucket will undoubtedly be the urethane “shells” that shroud the board’s hub motors and serve as your wheels. When these shells wear out, you’ll have to replace them to ensure the board rides properly. Unfortunately, shell replacements aren’t currently available for the Quatro’s 88mm wheels and we don’t know how much they’ll cost — but based on the price of shells for Acton’s other boards, we’re fairly certain they won’t be cheap.

Our best guess is that this board can probably survive three to six years of abuse before it craps out, and you can expect to pay at least $200 for new wheels after the first year or two.

Should you buy it?

If all you’re after is an exhilarating ride, then yes. Add this monster to your shopping cart without hesitation. The Quatro is practically guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping, and get you from A to B in record time.

If you want something more practical that you can use as an urban commuting vehicle, then we’d recommend looking into something smaller, lighter, and more maneuverable.

Samsung Galaxy S9 LED Cover Review

Something a little more functional than your average case.

Lots of people take their phone out of the box the day they buy it and put it directly in a case. Not everyone thinks about covering the screen, mostly because folio covers tend to take away the benefits of always-on features like those found in the Galaxy S9. Samsung’s own LED case tries to solve this by giving you a simple LED panel on the folio part of the case to deliver bits of information you would normally have on the display.

This isn’t the first time Samsung has made an attempt at an LED folio, but the Galaxy S9 version is the first time this design has ever really been worth using.

See at Amazon

Instead of using the light from the display to show you information, the Galaxy S9 LED case has its own LEDs built in to the folio. As soon as you snap the phone into the case, these LEDs light up a small part of the cover and show you the time. This same space lights up every time you close the case, revealing the same information. You can also tap the power button on the phone while the cover is closed and the LEDs will light up to show you a couple of different things.

When it is not showing you the time, the LED case offers some animations for a few different kinds of notifications. Charging the phone will reveal a lit up battery, you’ll see a ringing phone when there’s an incoming call, and a simple alarm clock appears when an alarm goes off on your phone.

All of these things are designed to make part of a notification visible to you at a glance, so you can decide if it is worth opening the cover to see the full notification. In this updated version of the case, Samsung offers some small color customization, instead of the default white used for everything out of the box. The white is easily the most visible though, so it’s what I stick with.

The most useful thing the LED part of this case offers is interactive buttons for media controls. When playing music, you’ll see skip and pause buttons on the front of the case, and you can actually touch these areas to interact with your music. If your phone is sitting on your desk, a simple tap will give you basic controls, which is great. You don’t get things like track titles or time remaining on a song due to the limitations of the display, but just having the panel be touch sensitive makes a big difference. In fact, it’s one of the only times this part of the case responds to touch input, which is a shame. It would be super nice if I could touch the panel to wake it up, instead of needing to close the lid or press the power button.

The LED things are great, but this is also a decent case and folio. The folio section has a small slit for basic wallet functionality, and the case hugs the phone well and covers all of the important parts. This case comes in the three base colors the phone comes in, so you can get the color that matches your phone or mix it up a little. Unfortunately, there aren’t any mixed colors or patterns like Samsung did with its Hyperknit case, which would have been really cool.

If you want something a little more functional than your average case, you’re going to pay for it. Samsung offers this case for $50, which is far from cheap when you consider the cost of the other cases you can get for this phone. When you consider the value of accessing information from your phone without having to pick it up or open a cover, that functionality is worth it to a lot of people.

See at Amazon

Huge in Brazil, but will it play in Peoria? [#acpodcast]

With Daniel Bader on a secret mission, Russell Holly steps in as guest host to chat about the week’s news with Andrew Martonik and Jerry Hildenbrand. Motorola has sold over 70 million Moto G devices since 2013, and their phones are omnipresent in Brazil. Now they’re looking to expand their growth around the globe.

The fun doesn’t stop there! Development of eSIM technology has been halted because Verizon and AT&T can’t get along. Amazon has announced the Echo Dot Kids Edition, and they want to deliver packages into the trunk of your car. Google is keeping pretty quiet about sales figures for Pixel 2, but it’s clear their hardware focus is bigger than ever. Six months in, Google Lens is still lackluster but showing signs of improvement. The massive redesign of Gmail is now live, and Google Tasks has a dedicated app for Android and iOS.

In a final slurp of alphanumeric soup, LG G7 ThinQ is getter even closer to being real thanks to some new renders — and One Plus 6 will be announced on May 16 in London. Join us!

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Show Notes and Links:

• Motorola is a big deal in Brazil, and it’s not a fluke
• Motorola’s new President sparked huge success, but growth now turns global
• Motorola has sold over 70 million Moto Gs since 2013
• Development of eSIM tech halted thanks to legal feud with Verizon and AT&T
• Amazon just announced the new Echo Dot Kids Edition
• 6 months after Pixel 2 launch, Google has nothing to say of its success — but hardware focus is bigger than ever
• Six months later, Google Lens still isn’t great
• Gmail’s massive redesign is now live: Here’s a look at the new features
• Google Tasks: Everything you need to know
• LG G7 ThinQ shown off again in best renders to-date
• The LG G7 will have an extra-tall 6.1-inch display that gets really bright
• LG reports record Q1 2018 profits despite struggling smartphone business
• Pete Lau says the OnePlus 6 will come with a glass back and ‘premium hand-feel’
• OnePlus 6 will be announced on May 16 in London

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Essential Phone expands to the UK, France, and Japan

You can also buy the phone from Essential.com in Canada.

It’s been almost a year since the Essential Phone was first revealed last May, and during that time, we’ve seen countless software updates that have continually made the phone better and better. Now, Essential is bringing the phone and all of its accessories to France, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

The Essential Phone has only been available in the United States and Canada, so this expanded release is great to see. It’ll cost the equivalent of its current pricing in the U.S. ($499 for Black Moon/Pure White and $599 for Stellar Gray) and customers in these countries will “bear any shipping, duties or tax costs.”

Additionally, customers in Canada now have the option of buying the phone unlocked through Essential’s website instead of having to go through Telus.

In addition to the Essential Phone itself, folks in Canada, France, Japan, and the UK can also head to Essential.com to purchase the 360 Camera, Earphones HD, official fast charger, and other available accessories.

See at Essential

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Today’s best deals you won’t want to miss

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

Today you can get big discounts on Bluetooth sound bars, noise-cancelling headphones, Google DayDream VR, and more! Don’t pass these up.

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These Products and Services Work with Google Home

Which products and services work with Google Home?

Google first introduced Google Home to the world back in May at Google I/O 2016, later revealing the final product alongside the Pixel in October. From everything we’ve seen, Google Home seems primed to eventually link up with any smart device in your home and allow you to control everything with just the sound of your voice.

Google has announced which products and services will be supported at launch, but there’s sure to be plenty more to come in the future. Continue to check back to this article in the coming months, as we’ll surely be updating this list as more products and services are added. We’ve broken things down into two categories — home automation products and supported services.

Home automation:

• Chromecast
• Nest
• SmartThings
• Phillips Hue
• LIFX Smart Lights
• TP-Link Smart Home
• Vivint Home Security
• Rachio Sprinklers
• Logitech Harmony
• Geeni Connected Tech
• August Smart Locks
• iHome Control
• Hive Home Automation
• Honeywell
• NuBryte Smart Home Automation
• Smartika
• AWAIR Air Filtration
• Deako Smart Switches
• Nanoleaf Aurora Light Panels
• LG SmartThinQ
• Smarter iKettle and Smarter Coffee

Supported services

• Spotify
• Pandora
• Google Play Music
• TuneIn Radio
• iHeartRadio
• YouTube
• Netflix
• HBO NOW
• CBS All Access
• IFTTT

Home automation

Chromecast

It should come as little surprise that Google Home works with Chromecast. Google hit it out of the park with their compact, Wi-Fi enabled dongles for video or audio that you simply hook up to your TV or stereo and allow you to stream media straight from your phone, tablet, or laptop.

Google Home takes things to the next level by allowing you cast video and audio from its supported services using only your voice. As if Chromecast wasn’t convenient enough already. I can think of many scenarios where I might want to pull up something from YouTube or change a playlist while I’m busy in the kitchen or otherwise preoccupied. Currently only YouTube is supported for video, but expect more services to be added — Netflix, Hulu and the like — as time goes on. We’ve linked to the 2015 model below, which remains a fantastic value at only $35… but it only displays at 1080p. If you’re interested in some higher definition, Google is set to start shipping a new Chromecast for 2016 — the Chromecast Ultra — which costs twice as much but supports 4K video.

See at Google

Chromecast-enabled TVs and Speakers

If you’re looking to upgrade your home theatre setup and would like streamline things with less dongles, there’s a growling selection of Smart TVs with Chromecast built right, with 4K sets available from the following brands:

• Vizio
• Sharp
• Toshiba
• Sony
• Philips

For streaming audio, the biggest gap currently is a lack of support for Sonos. There doesn’t appear to be any timetable for adding Sonos into the Google Home ecosystem which is frustrating for anyone who’s invested in — or looking to start building out — a Sonos system throughout their home.

But you still have options. Nine brands currently offer Chromecast-enabled speakers, soundbars and subwoofers:

• Vizio
• Sony
• LG
• Philips
• B&O Play
• Grundig
• Polk
• Bang & Olufsen
• Raumfeld

Nest

Nest is one of the best known manufacturers of smart home automation products, which include self-learning, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats, smoke detectors and security cameras.

With Google Home and a Nest thermostat, you’ll be able to effortlessly control the temperature of your home using only your voice. Nest also works well with other smart products, such as lights, doorbells, and smart locks.

See at Amazon

SmartThings

Samsung’s SmartThings is a very capable and customizable home automation system that features five different smart sensors for home monitoring, all linked together wirelessly via the Hub. The SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit comes with a Hub, two Multipurpose Sensors, a Motion Sensor and an Outlet. You can configure them however you like in your home, then get instant notifications if anything is out of the normal. You can also buy additional sensors, including an Arrival Sensor and a Water Leak Sensor.

SmartThings is incredibly versatile as it is, but we’re super excited to see what integration with Google Home will look like.

See at Amazon

Phillips Hue

Phillips is one of the leading manufacturers of wireless LED smart bulbs. The Phillips Hue lineup features a multitude of different lighting options for around your home, which must be configured through the Phillips Hue Bridge via. You’re able to connect up to 50 lights to one Bridge and then configure and control them in so many different ways.

We should expect Google Home to work just as well with Phillips Hue lights as it does with Apple Home Kit, meaning you’ll be able to set and adjust your Phillips Hue lights throughout your house without leaving the couch, or easily turn off all the lights when you’re leaving the house or it’s time for bed.

See at Amazon

LIFX Smart Lights

LIFX offers their third generation of smart bulbs for both indoors and outdoors. Both offer 1100 lumens of brightness, with options to customize the look with 16 million colors and 1000 shades of warm to cool whites.

A single bulb starts at $59.99, but if you’re planning to do up your home with LIFX bulbs, you’re definitely better off buying in bulk. You save $66 by getting the Master Pack, which comes with six bulbs.

See at LIFX

TP-Link Smart Home

TP-Link offers a line of smart plugs and switches that allow you to convert the lamps and appliances you already own into smart devices you can automate to power on or control with your voice.

Their newest smart plug, the Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini, is their most compact option yet, leaving the second outlet free.

See at Amazon

Wink hub automation

Wink’s latest smart home hub, the Wink Hub 2, works with products from Z-Wave and Zigbee, offering a wide range of home automation options.

If you’ve built your home automation around a Wink Hub, you can control all your Wink-compatible lighting products (lightbulbs, switches, dimmers, and outlets) and thermostats using Google Assistant on Google home. It’s all integrated right into the Google Home app, letting you group lights in specific rooms and control everything using only your voice and Google Assistant.

See at Wink

Vivint Home Security / Google Home security cameras

Vivint offers complete home automation and security packages for those who don’t want to piece their home automation together one component at a time. The system features a main control panel that moderates communication between you and all your home automation devices, including lights, security cameras, thermostats, and smart locks. The main console features a touch-screen dashboard and two-way talk to Vivint Smart Home security monitoring teams.

Beginning in April, Vivint will integrate with Google Home allowing you full control over your smart home security and devices around your home using only your voice. If you’re interested, you’ll need to call Vivint to inquire about pricing and set up an installation appointment.

Learn More

Rachio Sprinklers

If your home has an automated sprinkler system, Rachio wants to save you money on your water bill by optimizing your sprinkler system to only turn on when it needs to. They offer a Wi-Fi-connected controller for your sprinkler system which checks the local forecast and will adjust schedules based on past, present, and future weather, and will also make intelligent seasonal adjustments as needed.

With the new Google Assistant integration, you will be able to control your sprinkler system using only your voice to turn the water on or off, and also update your schedule as needed.

Learn More

Logitech Harmony

Logitech continues to dominate the smart remote sector, with its Harmony Elite remote and hub package allowing you to connect and control more devices than ever from the couch.

With the latest integration with Google Assistant, you can do even more without even picking up the remote at all!

Learn More

Geeni Connected Tech

Geeni Offers intuitive solutions for your smart home automation goals. Their products range from security cameras, lighting, as well as smart plugs and power strips. Everything is controlled in the Geeni app, but now with integration with Google Assistant, you also have the option to control things with your voice, too.

See at MyGeeni

August Smart Locks

August offers elegant smart locks to help keep your home secure. You’re able to remotely control your front door from anywhere using the August Connect app.

With the new integration with Google Assistant, you’ll be able to ask Google to confirm whether your front door is unlocked when you’re expecting company, and lock the doors when you’re headed to bed. Both the first and second generations of August Smart Locks are compatible with Google Assistant, though you’ll also need a August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge to get everything connected.

See at Amazon

iHome Control

iHome has been a popular name in home speakers and alarm clocks that connect to your smartphone, so it should come as little surprise that the company has also gotten into the smart home sector.

They feature a line of smart home accessories that work with Google Assistant, including the SmartMonitor, which offers 24/7 home monitoring using built-in sensors for motion, temperature, light, sound, and humidity.

They also offer three different smart plug models, with the iSP8 model including a handy RF remote control with programmable buttons that allow you to control individual or grouped plugs without opening your phone. It’s a great option for guests or younger kids in the home.

Learn more

Hive Home Automation

Hive offers a full suite of home automation products which allow you to set up smart automation for comfort and security. The products they offer include a home hub, smart thermostat, motion sensors, smart plugs, and smart bulbs. You’re able to control everything using Google Assistant by creating some commands using IFTTT.

Hive offers their products via a monthly subscription service — the standard package is available for $29.99 a month and includes a Hive Hub, two Hive Active Plugs, four Hive Active Lights, two Window or Door Sensors, one Motion Sensor, and the Hive Active Thermostat. It’s a bit of a different model for smart home automation, but might be appealing to renters or folks not ready to fully invest in owning home automation products just yet

Learn more

Honeywell

Honeywell offers a wide range of home automation solutions for around your home that are built into its Tuxedo Touch Home Security and Automation Controller. Honeywell’s products use Z-Wave and are fully compatible with Google Home.

If you’re looking to connect your Z-Wave-enabled thermostat, smart bulbs, smart locks, and other smart home products together via a single home hub, with mobile integration that allows you to control everything remotely from your smartphone, Honeywell offers a compelling

Read more about the Honeywell Home Automation system here, then visit the Honeywell website to find a dealer location near you.

Learn More

NuBryte Smart Home Automation

NuBryte offers a smart home automation solution that’s pretty comprehensive and customizable. The system is built around the NuBryte Touchpoint Smart Console, which NuBryte recommends putting one in each of the main rooms of your home.

Each console replaces the light switch in the room (available in single and double switch models) and includes built-in camera for motion detection, touch-free controls for your lighting, a built-in intercom for room-to-room communication and whole home broadcasting when it’s time for dinner, along with a home hub for integrating other smart home sensors and integrations. Full integration with Google Home means you’ll be able to control things in a room without a console by using your voice.

NuBryte is coming out with their own line of complementary smart switches as well, which are expected to launch this summer.

Learn More

Smartika

Smartika is a Canadian company that offers rather stylish home automation products for lighting your home which are fully compatible with Google Home as well as Amazon Alexa and IFTTT.

Everything is controlled via the Smartika Hub, which lets you create groups and scenes by programming automated functions. The Hub also lets you connect to the Smartika mobile app, which lets you easily interconnect and control all your Smartika products.

Beyond the Hub, Smartika offers five different lighting fixtures, which range from $135 for a recessed ceiling lights to $500 for a full tracklight setup with four adjustable lights — perfect for a kitchen renovation.

Installation is available for those living in Quebec and Ontario, otherwise you’re left to install things on your own via the included installation and user manual.

Learn More

AWAIR Air Filtration

According to AWAIR, the air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than outside, and that can end up aggravating allergies or asthma, affecting your concentration or sleep quality, and much more.

To combat this, AWAIR has developed a line of smart products that monitor the air quality in your home. Each device monitors five aspects that determine air quality — temperature, humidity, CO2, airborne chemicals, and dust. AWAIR monitors all these factors and churns out a quick guide that gives you a good idea of how clean the air is in your home at a glance and will also send tips to your smartphone offering tips and suggestions. The AWAIR Glow is arguably the coolest device AWAIR sells — it plugs right into an outlet and can be set up to turn on an appliance such as a dehumidifier or air filtration system at a specific time or when levels get a bit high. Once connected to Google Home, you’re also able to use the AWAIR Glow to control whichever device you have plugged in using just your voice.

The Glow starts at around $109, but AWAIR also sells standalone sensor units available with a clever LED display built into the front that start at around $179.

Learn More

Deako Smart Switches

Deako offers a selection of smart switches and dimmers for upgrading your home’s lighting to something that can be controlled via a smartphone app or using Google Assistant.

The hardware itself is well designed and sold in a starter pack that includes five smart switches along with a Bluetooth to Wi-Fi Bridge which is required for connecting the system to Google Assistant. The starter kit sells for $300, while individual switches are sold for $55 and dimmers are sold for $80. Each switch or dimmer is touch activated with three scenes that you can customize in the Deako app. The Deako switches are extremely customizable and should work with nearly any home setup.

Learn more

Nanoleaf Aurora

Most of the smart home products we’ve featured are practical solutions, but the Nanoleaf Aurora? This is just downright cool.

Aurora consists of modular panels that you can connect together into whatever shape your heart desires. Russell Holly dove in with a full review but in short these are futuristic triangle panels of light which you can arrange into fantastic shapes and then control via your smartphone. Nanoleaf Aurora is now compatible with Google Assistant meaning you’ll be able to control these rad lights with your voice.

The Rhythm Starter Kit sells for $229 and comes with nine light panels along with the Rhythm module that allows the light panels to respond to your music, putting on a pretty epic personal light show. 15- and 30-panel kits are also available.

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LG SmartThinQ

If it’s time to replace some of your appliances around your home, and you’re looking to invest in creating a smart home with appliances that you can control with your voice — we’re talking fridges, dishwashers, air conditioners, and your washer and dryer combo — you should consider getting some LG appliances with SmartThinQ technology. SmartThinQ is LG’s smart home app for controlling its latest connected appliances, and it also integrates well with Google Home.

Simply link your LG SmartThinQ account to your Google Home account and you’ll be able to check on the time remaining on your laundry load, make sure you remembered to turn off the stove, or control your LG air conditioner using just your voice.

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Smarter iKettle and Smarter Coffee

If you’re a Star Trek fan that wants to live in a world where you simply tell your “computer” to brew you a cup of “tea, Earl Grey, hot”, the folks at Smarter have made that nerd dream just a bit closer to reality with the latest generation of smart kettles and coffee makers.

The iKettle is a connected kettle you can control with your phone, set it to start boiling water when you wake up, or have the kettle ready for you when you arrive home after work. The Smarter Coffee Maker is the coffee lovers best friend. You’ll be able to load it up with your favorite coffee beans and then have coffee brewed on demand with just a few taps of your phone.

With added support for Google Assistant, you’ll be able to control these devices using just your voice — and the functionality extends further than just turning on the kettle or brewing a cup of coffee. You’ll be able to set a specific temperature for the kettle or change the strength of your coffee brew using just your voice and Google Assistant.

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Many, many more.

Google Assistant supports over 1,500 home automation products. Be sure to do some research if you want to design your smart home.

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Supported services

Spotify

Over 100 million people use Spotify for all their music streaming needs. Of those, 40 million are paid subscribers. The point here is that Spotify is massively popular and if you aren’t already using it, you probably know a bunch of people who do.

With Google Home, simply say “OK Google”, followed by your favourite artist, album, song, or playlist, and your music will almost instantly start playing through the Google Home speaker. This is absolutely perfect for playing music in the kitchen when your hands are too messy to be handling a phone, or for setting the right mood for a party or intimate evening. We’re also eager to see how smooth it is to use Google Home to cast your Spotify music to your Chromecast Audio-enabled speakers for an even better audio experience.

Pandora

Pandora is a fantastic music recommendation platform which is used by over 200 million people in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. It’s a customizable internet radio streaming service that allows you to curate your own streams using algorithms that recommends new music it knows you’ll love based on your musical tastes and how you’ve rated other music.

With Google Home, you’ll be able to throw on your favorite Pandora station using just your voice. In its current iteration, Google Assistant is unable to identify songs like Shazam or other apps of that sort, but we’d hope to see your Google Assistant give you the information about a song you’ve just discovered on Pandora, just by asking “what song is playing?” as well as an option to rate songs and skip if necessary.

Google Play Music

Kind of a no brainer, but Google Home will obviously play well with Google Play Music. And that’s great news, since Google has slowly build its core music app to encompass a full-fledged streaming service featuring 35 million songs available on-demand (with a subscription) along with mood- and activity-based stations (you may have known it as Songza), along with being a great option for podcasts. A natural fit with Google Home, you’ll definitely want to get a Google Play Music subscription if you don’t already have one.

TuneIn

Believe it or not, but some people actually prefer to listen to the radio. TuneIn is absolutely the go-to app for accessing online radio, music, and talk stations. Even with the free version, you get access to over 100,000 radio stations from around the world, along with over five million podcasts as well. If you decide to upgrade to the premium subscription, you’ll also get access to live NFL and MLB play-by-play, along with a large library of audiobooks.

It will be really interesting to see how third-party streaming services such as TuneIn are integrated into the Google Home experience via the Google Assistant, whether you’ll be able to make a broad request (“Play a top-40 radio station from the UK in TuneIn”) or stick to more specific requests based on your app usage (“Play my favorite local radio station in TuneIn”).

iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio is another great option for those that prefer to listen to the radio instead of newer streaming services. iHeartRadio is a free, ad-supported radio platform that connects users with over 850 radio stations from across the United States and Canada. The service also includes thousands of podcasts if you don’t want to strictly listen to music.

You can use your voice to play your favorite stations, skip songs, and control volume. Be sure to give iHeartRadio a try!

YouTube

YouTube is another obvious starting point for Google to incorporating video search and playback controls with Google Home. With so much content available on YouTube and natural alignment within Google’s existing ecosystem (hello, Chromecast), it offers the best experience when using Google Assistant.

YouTube is also the world’s largest music streaming service, becoming such a primary destination for lovers of music that they came out with the YouTube Music app. A subscription to YouTube Red is required.

The YouTube Music app isn’t available for everyone just yet, but it too is listed as being compatible with Google Home. The Pixel’s Google Assistant frequently completes music requests using YouTube, so we’d imagine it to be just as smooth an experience with Google Home. There’s also the YouTube TV service, which is not widely available in the U.S. let alone elsewhere in the world, that is also compatible with Google Assistant.

Netflix

Some days you just want to lounge on the couch and watch Netflix for hours. Other days you can’t even be bothered to find the remote. Fortunately, you can use Google Home to cast your favorite Netflix show or movie to your Chromecast-enabled TV. All you need to do is say something like “Play Arrested Development on Netflix”. If you have multiple Google Homes in your house, you may need to specify by adding “Play Arrested Development on Netflix on Living Room TV.”

You will need a Netflix subscription to access the content, and you will also need to link your Netflix account in the Google Home app.

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HBO NOW

Game of Thrones fans, did you know that you can settle in to watch your favorite show using just your voice? The HBO NOW app was already Chromecast-compatible, and the app recently joined the growing list of video apps compatible with Google Assistant.

All you need to do is ask Google Assistant to play your favorite HBO show, and it will intelligently find the show using the app. You will need an HBO NOW subscription of course, but with so much great content on HBO, why wouldn’t you have one, right?

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CBS All Access

CBS All Access is another recent service that added Google Assistant support. CBS All Access features all the content from CBS’s stable of popular shows including The Big Bang Theory, Survivor, and Star Trek: Discovery.

All you have to do is say “OK Google, play Star Trek: Discovery in the Living Room” and away you go. I mean, let’s be real here — it’s only fitting that you’re able to use a voice-activated computer to stream the latest Star Trek series to your Chromecast-enabled TV. Welcome to the future!

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IFTTT

IFTTT is a free web service that lets you create chains of conditional commands, called “recipes,” to automate processes between apps and smart home devices. IFTTT is an abbreviation of “If This Then That”, and that’s exactly how the recipes function. For example, say you’re concerned about your teenager getting into the liquor cabinet when you’re away. If you have a SmartThings Multipurpose Sensor on the liquor cabinet door, you can create an IFTTT recipe that goes “if the liquor cabinet door is opened, call my phone,” so you’ll know instantly if something’s up.

IFTTT is compatible with a ridiculous number of IoT devices, applications, and online services — including Google’s OnHub router — and is something you should definitely check out with or without Google Home.

Check out IFTTT recipes created for Google Assistant

What do you think?

Are there any services or products you’re hoping to connect and control via Google Home? Let us know in the comments!

Update April 2018: Added a section on iHeartRadio.

Google Hardware

• Google Wifi review
• Google Home review
• Chromecast Ultra: all you need to know
• Which Chromecast should you buy?

Google Wifi: Google
Amazon
Google Home: Google
Best Buy
Chromecast Ultra: Google
Best Buy

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, playing, and listening to this week

How we’re spending our leisure time.

Everyone has a bit of quiet downtime once in a while. Whether you’re sitting quietly at home or trying to relax on a plane or just giving your busy mind and hands a break, it’s important to relax.

A good way to do that is to read a book, listen to some music or watch a movie or show. See what’s caught our attention for the week of April 27th.

Ara Wagoner

I’m a bit of a musical nerd, but the recent years of live TV musicals have had a somewhat spotty record. That’s why I wasn’t even really planning to watch Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert when NBC aired it Easter Sunday. But being home with my parents, we switched it on while eating dinner, and then I was too enraptured to turn away once dessert was done. The cast album came out the following Friday, and it’s been hard to keep out of my playlist or my head ever since. From John Legend’s loveliness to the deep, rich darkness from Norm Lewis to heavy-metal royalty Alice Cooper’s cameo as King Herod, the album is a knockout, as raw and full of rambunctious energy as the live performance it was taken from.

Jesus Christ Superstar on Spotify

Jesus Christ Superstar on Google Play

Marc Lagace

So in April, Netflix Canada dropped a whole ton of Monty Python onto my favorite streaming service, so I’ve been revisiting some of my favorites from the iconic comedy troupe. There’s something like nine or more Monty Python titles available now for Netflix in Canada and the UK, an include their movies, the TV show Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and some other documentaries and anthologies of their best stuff.

Of course I started with Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which I just assume everyone has watched at this point, but I’m always surprised to find my age who have never seen it. It still holds up today despite how old it is, and it remains one of the most quotable movies OF ALL TIME.

Russell Holly

Avengers: Infinity War dropped Thursday night, which meant all of my free time went to watching every single Marvel Cinematic Universe movie leading up to this epic theatrical release. So I’m not so much watching one thing as I am watching all of the things.

The proper order, for the uninitiated: Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Thor: Ragnarok. Yeah, technically Black Panther comes before Infinity War, but it’s not out yet so there’s no way to watch it legally.

Hashtag Worth It.

Tom Westrick

This week, I started playing the Eldewrito mod for Halo: Online. Halo: Online was only available in Russia, that was shut down back in 2016. This mod not only gets rid of the region lock, but also brings back the Halo 3 armorset, adds newer versions of weapons and vehicles, and overall makes for a unique but faithful game experience. It’s only available on PC because it involves modding, but it fully supports both the Xbox One and Xbox 360 controllers. As much as I like the faster pace of the newer Halo games, it’s nice to party like it’s 2008 with the classic gameplay.

Elsewhere, I also picked up EveryDayCook by Alton Brown. I’m going to try some of the recipes, but the book was worth it for the entertainment value.

Your turn

What are YOU reading, watching, or listening to this week? Let us know in the comments!

Update, April 27th, 2018: This is a weekly series where we tell you what we’re into, so check back every Friday or Saturday!

Apple’s rumored AR headset may pack 8K displays and VR support

Those rumors of Apple making an augmented reality headset just got a little more concrete. A CNET source claimed that the stand-alone device (codenamed T288) would also support virtual reality, and would have an 8K display for each eye. For reference, even the HTC Vive Pro is limited to ‘just’ 1,440 x 1,600 per eye. If this is accurate, Apple could effectively eliminate the screen door effect you often get with current VR, where the proximity of the display lets you see the gaps between pixels. The improved realism might also help fend off motion sickness for some wearers.

The headset’s companion box will reportedly use custom processors in “similar” to those rumored to launch in Macs around the same 2020 time frame. While we’d take that with a grain of salt, it makes sense. A stand-alone AR/VR headset needs enough graphical prowess to handle two high-resolution displays without flinching, but it would be impractical to use PC-style hardware (such as a dedicated video card) — especially if Apple has any hopes of making this portable. Intel’s existing low-power CPUs don’t come close to meeting the needs of two 8K screens.

Apple would use WiGig to transmit data between the headset and box, similar to HTC’s wireless adapter. Not surprisingly, the aim is to eliminate the cords that get in the way of many current AR and VR experiences.

There’s no certainty that the features will remain as they are with the 2020 launch, assuming Apple doesn’t cancel it. The company has declined to comment on rumors so far. It’s no secret that Apple is very interested in augmented reality, though, and it has spent recent years acquiring companies involved in everything from mixed reality headsets to smart glasses. Apple clearly wants to get into AR and VR hardware, and its best shot at competing against HTC, Oculus and other rivals is to build a device that puts current offerings to shame.

Source: CNET

A horror director brings slasher films to VR with ‘Campfire Creepers’

Alexandre Aja, the visionary director behind High Tension, is used to dabbling with new filmmaking technology. With 2010’s Piranha 3D, he delivered one of the first post-converted 3D films (meaning it was shot with normal 2D cameras) that actually looked great. (It’s also a ton of fun, to boot.) Now he’s diving into virtual reality with Campfire Creepers, a horror series that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last week. It’s a co-production between Oculus, Future Lighthouse and Dark Corner, and you can check it out today on Dark Corner’s Gear VR and Oculus apps.

With Campfire Creepers, Aja and his co-creators, Casey Cooper Johnson and Martin Andersen, are aiming to recreate the thrills of horror anthologies like Creepshow and Tales from the Crypt. And since it centers on a group of young kids telling stories in the middle of the woods, it also evokes the classic Nickelodeon series, Are You Afraid of the Dark? Except, of course, it’s a lot more violent.

In an interview with Engadget, Aja says he was excited to experiment with horror in VR, since it allowed him to break free of cinematic conventions. At the same time, he was intrigued by the possibilities of using classic horror tropes in 360-degree video.

“I think a lot of filmmakers were thinking about VR before it really existed. We were more waiting for it to be real,” Aja said. “[Kathryn Bigelow’s] Strange Days, it’s the best use of VR… just the way it’s shot [in first-person], the experience of running around in the beginning, and jumping from a window. I’ve always been very interested in all kinds of immersive storytelling.”

The two episodes of Campfire Creepers, The Skull of Sam and Midnight March, are each very distinct experiences. In the first, you step into the shoes of a camp counselor who’s been captured by a psychopath (played by Robert Englund). Eventually, you find yourself buried neck-deep in a forest, surrounded by the rotting skulls of other victims. It’s a purely claustrophobic experience, one heightened by the fact that you’re wearing a VR headset. You’re forced to watch a friend get killed right in front of you by an army of carnivorous ants. And you can take a wild guess how things end up for you.

The second episode is more of a classic campfire tale, one where a bullied child transforms into something monstrous. Scope-wise, it’s almost the complete opposite of Skull of Sam. Instead of feeling trapped in a single space, we follow kids running through a huge forest, where there doom could be hiding behind any tree. At one point, the camera sits still while the monster stalks his prey all around you. It’s a perfect VR moment, thanks to the immersion of 360-degree video and positional surround sound.

“What I realized making Piranha was the technology was not the key to 3D immersion, it was really the storytelling,” Aja said. “And then if the technology is there, it just opens that experience.”

Click here to read all the news from Tribeca Film Festival 2018!