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Garmin has been making great smartwatches for nearly a decade, but we all know which brands get the most attention, Apple and Samsung. Both brands have their strengths (ahem—and weaknesses). That said, they can’t compete with the staggering list of onboard features Garmin brings to the table. Garmin watches embrace a niche market with offerings like a more sophisticated GPS, diving apps, and well-known durability.
Reolink drops the price of Argus PT 2K, its pan & tilt solar-powered Wi-Fi enabled smart home camera, to $129.99
This article is sponsored by Reolink
If you’ve been “surveilling” all the Black Friday deals in tech and smart home then you may already be aware that Reolink has just lowered the price of its Argus PT 2K, the solar-powered edition of its outdoor security camera line. The Argus offers many of the same features of its counterparts but does so without the entanglement of a single wire entering your home. Your house, it could be said, will be overseen by the sun, as it maintains a constant vigil overhead, charging your device before it settles in for the night. The solar panel, connected to the camera by a four-meter cable, can withstand extreme weather conditions, including sun, wind, rain, and snow, as can the camera itself, in a case that is both stylish and solidly built.
Urbanista Los Angeles review: Essentially infinite playtime
Solar panels are great, but the design could use some work
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There’s been a growing trend of eliminating wires in recent years, but since most gadgets house rechargeable batteries, it’s been difficult to completely get rid of them. Wireless charging is picking up pace but it’s not as practical a solution, especially when we consider a category like headphones. What if there was another way around it, though? That’s the epiphany that probably led to the creation of the Los Angeles headphones by Swedish audio company Urbanista. These headphones integrate the company’s “Powefoyle” solar cells in the headband so that they can generate energy from light, be it from the sun or artificial lighting. The claim: virtually infinite playtime.
These headphones could finally deliver on the dream of endless solar charging
With a built-in solar charger, the company hopes you'll never run out of juice
Although some of us still mourn the loss of 3.5mm jacks, the truth is that wireless headphones and earbuds offer a whole lot more convenience. Without a cable, the days of having buds ripped from your ears as you innocently pass by a door handle are long gone. Of course, wireless audio introduces another gadget you have to keep charged up, and that can be a pretty frustrating experience. Urbanista's new ANC-equipped headset looks to ensure you never lose out on your favorite tunes again, all through the power of solar.
External battery packs come in all shapes and sizes, but there's something about a solar panel that makes me want one more. I conjure up images of a battery that never dies and never needs to be charged, that can get me through a power outage after a summer hurricane with an overabundance of energy.
In reality, ZeroLemon's Solar Juice power banks might reach a full charge after several days of optimal sunlight. Fortunately, they're good external batteries in other ways. They're water, dust, and shock resistant. They come with two USB ports. They also offer a flashlight. Then there is the generous capacity.ZeroLemon makes many sizes, but today you can get the company's 20,000mAh battery for $19.98 on Amazon. You just have to enter the coupon code Z36GZOGN at checkout to drop the price down from $47.88.
Like you, I love external battery packs. I especially like ones that don't require you to plug them into the wall. Okay, ZeroLemon's SolarJuice backup chargers aren't quite there yet—you could easily spend a weekend getting enough power from the sun to recharge your phone once. But boy, there's something about having the option that sure feels awesome. And I live in a part of the country that's not unfamiliar with losing electricity for days due to hurricanes, so there's that.Right now Newegg is offering a deal on the 20,000mAh solar-powered battery from ZeroLemon. From now until December 12th, you can get the power bank for just .99. That's about as much as you would usually spend on a SolarJuice battery with half the capacity and $20 less than what you would currently pay on Amazon.This battery comes with two USB ports with a total output of 3A. 2.1A provides fast charging for devices that can handle it, and 1A provides slower current for those that don't. Four LED lights let you know how much charge you have remaining, and a flashlight is available in case you do end up using this thing when the power's out. Shipping is estimated at 8-15 days though, so don't order one if you foresee yourself in a situation where you will need it sometime soon.Source: Newegg
An external battery pack can provide some peace of mind, but what happens if the power's out long enough to drain it down? Or what if everyone requires more juice on the next camping trip than you plan for? What charges the chargers?
Smartphones are awesome, but with a few notable exceptions, it seems their awesomeness is inversely correlated with their battery life. The more powerful a phone is, the faster it dies. Want a beautiful 1080p screen stretched across just five inches of slate? Most of the battery will go towards pushing those pixels. But there's a technology out there that could theoretically free us from the tedious cycle of constant recharging. Chinese electrics company TCL Communication, who owns Alcatel, is working with French company SunPartner to integrate Wysips Crystal technology into smartphone screens. This ultra-thin transparent film draws power from both natural and artificial light. It offers the convenience and renewability of solar panels without the tacky appearance.
[CES 2012] PowerSkin Releasing Two Solar-Powered Chargers In February: The SolarCharge And KeyCharge
If there's one thing we're all fond of here at AP, it's power on-the-go. Portable chargers, extended batteries -- whatever it takes to keep our gear charged up. There's one issue with all of these options, though: they also have to be charged. Granted, once a portable charger is all juiced up it usually lasts for a while, but wouldn't it be nice to have something that practically juices itself? Enter PowerSkin's upcoming line of solar chargers.