Jasco has expanded its Enbrighten line with a new addition: the Eternity Lights. These Wi-Fi-enabled smart outdoor lights are designed to remain installed year-round, providing customizable lighting solutions that reflect personal style and preference.
Permanent, Customizable Outdoor Lighting
Eternity Lights are engineered to withstand all weather conditions, with an operational temperature range from -4°F to 131°F. They meet ETL safety certification and National Electrical Code requirements, ensuring durability and safety for outdoor use. Each set is backed by a lifetime guarantee, affirming their long-lasting quality.
Versatile and Energy-Efficient Lighting
These lights feature advanced RGBWIC LEDs that deliver vibrant, true-color illumination and are available in two color options—black and white—to match any outdoor decor. The LEDs are dimmable, allowing users to adjust the lighting to suit any occasion or mood. CEO Cameron Trice highlighted that the lights are designed to offer a range of white light tones—from cooler daylight to warm ambient hues—alongside an extensive palette of colors for special occasions.
Smart Home Integration
Eternity Lights are compatible with voice assistants like Alexa and Google, enabling users to control the lights through voice commands. This integration allows for setting schedules, adjusting colors, and activating presets with ease, enhancing the usability of the lights for everyday convenience.
Easy Installation and Customization
The product comes in kits that include either 50 feet with 36 LEDs or 100 feet with 76 LEDs. These kits feature patent-pending mounting brackets for permanent installation and are equipped with all necessary installation materials, such as screws, cord clips, tape, and extension cables. Designed for DIY setup, the lights can be easily installed and customized in layout to fit various outdoor spaces.
Interactive App Control
With the Enbrighten app, users can access millions of colors, explore dynamic modes and effects, and create custom scenes. The app makes it simple to switch lighting settings from everyday accent lighting to vibrant displays for parties and holidays.
Availability and Charitable Contribution
Eternity Lights are now available for purchase on Enbrightenme.com and Amazon, priced at $159.99 for the 50-foot kit and $249.99 for the 100-foot kit. Jasco continues its commitment to social responsibility by donating 50% of net profits from the sales of Enbrighten products to charities supporting humanitarian causes.
Formovie Technology has unveiled the Xming Episode One, a new contender in the affordable display technology market. Priced at just $/€299, this 1080P resolution projector integrates Google TV and offers native Netflix support, simplifying home entertainment.
Reliable and Convenient with 1080P Resolution
The Xming Episode One provides a clear and vivid viewing experience suitable for small to medium-sized rooms. Featuring a throw ratio of 1.2±0.1:1, it projects images ranging from 40 to 120 inches. Enhanced with auto keystone correction and autofocus, it maintains image integrity in various setups. The projector delivers a brightness of 150 CIVA Lumens with a color gamut of NTSC 38%, ensuring vibrant and accurate colors.
Seamless Streaming with Google TV and Netflix
This projector is distinguishable by its built-in Google Assistant and Google Play access. The native Netflix support facilitates direct streaming of your favourite shows, while Chromecast allows effortless content casting from personal devices. Operationally efficient, it consumes 65W of power under operation and less than 0.5W in standby mode.
Lightweight and Portable for Easy Transport and Setup
Weighing only 1.2 kg (2.8 lbs) and measuring 6.9 x 4.8 x 5.6 inches, Xming Episode One is designed for easy mobility without sacrificing performance. The fully enclosed optical system not only enhances image quality but also minimizes noise and overheating, which is ideal for quiet and environmentally conscious settings.
Seamless Connectivity Features with Crystal Clear Audio
Equipped with HDMI 2.1 with ARC and multiple ports including USB2.0, the projector easily connects to various devices. Audio quality is upheld with two 3W speakers supporting Dolby Audio, ensuring clear sound to accompany the high-quality visuals. The projector supports dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0, enhancing its streaming capabilities.
More Product Specifications
Total power consumption stands at 65W, with standby consumption below 0.5W.
Runs on Google TV operating system, offering a seamless interface with Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 5 connectivity.
Dual 3W full-frequency speakers provide an immersive audio experience compatible with Dolby standards.
A peaceful viewing environment is assured with a noise level of ≤30dB from a distance of one meter.
Price and Availability
Starting from May 14, 2024, the Xming Episode One can be pre-ordered for $229 or €229 using the discount code EPPRE on Formovie’s official website. The full release is scheduled for June 14, 2024. Early subscribers to Formovie’s website can win a free projector and a bonus projector stand.
Google Photos, a product that has seemingly always leveraged AI to enhance user experience, is receiving a significant upgrade with the introduction of Gemini, Google’s most advanced AI model. The new feature, Ask Photos, is set to roll out in the coming months, making it easier to search for specific memories and retrieve information from your gallery.
Find Content More Intuitively
With over 6 billion photos uploaded daily to Google Photos, finding a specific image can often involve extensive scrolling. Ask Photos allows users to search naturally, such as asking, “Show me the best photo from each national park I’ve visited.” This feature simplifies finding what you need without endless scrolling.
Ask Questions, Get Helpful Answers
Photos often capture memories or important details that can be forgotten over time. Ask Photos helps uncover this information with queries like, “Where did we camp last year?” or “When do my vouchers expire?” Utilizing Gemini’s multimodal capabilities, Ask Photos understands the context and subject of your photos to provide detailed answers. For example, you might ask, “What themes have we had for Lena’s birthday parties?” and receive a response that considers background decorations and birthday cake themes.
Assistance Beyond Search
Gemini models also enhance task management in Google Photos. After a long trip, Ask Photos can help you create a highlight reel by suggesting the best pictures and even writing personalized captions for social media. Simply ask, and the feature assists in curating your memories.
How Ask Photos Works
Understanding Your Question: Ask Photos interprets your query and initiates a search, identifying relevant keywords and natural language concepts.
Crafting the Response: It then analyzes the search results, using Gemini’s multimodal capabilities to understand photo content and text within images, to provide a helpful response.
Ensuring Safety and Remembering Corrections: While Ask Photos is experimental and may not always be accurate, it incorporates multiple safeguards and AI models to ensure safe and appropriate responses. It can also remember corrections and additional information for future queries.
Privacy Protection
Google emphasizes privacy in Google Photos, ensuring personal data is never used for ads. Conversations and data in Ask Photos are not reviewed by humans except in rare cases to address abuse or harm. Personal data is not used to train other AI products outside Google Photos. All data is protected with industry-leading security measures.
Try Ask Photos Soon
Ask Photos is an experimental feature rolling out soon, with more capabilities to be added over time. Google invites users to try it and provide feedback, aiding in the continued improvement of this innovative tool and shaping the future of Google Photos.
The latest advancements in AI are redefining the capabilities of smartphones. With Google AI at the core of Android’s operating system, users can now interact with their devices in groundbreaking ways. Google has announced several updates that will enhance the user experience on Android devices, leveraging the power of AI.
Circle to Search Now Helps Students with Homework
Circle to Search, integrated directly into the user interface, allows users to search anything on their phone with a simple gesture, without interrupting their current activity. Since its debut at Samsung Unpacked, the feature has expanded to include full-screen translation and is now available on more Pixel and Samsung devices.
Starting today, Circle to Search can assist students with their homework. By circling a prompt, students receive step-by-step instructions to solve various physics and math word problems directly on their devices. Later this year, the feature will support more complex problems involving symbolic formulas, diagrams, and graphs, thanks to the enhancements from Google’s LearnLM effort.
Currently, Circle to Search is available on over 100 million devices, with plans to double that number by the end of the year.
Enhanced Contextual Assistance with Gemini
Gemini, a new kind of assistant on Android, uses generative AI to boost creativity and productivity. The assistant is becoming even better at understanding the context of what’s on your screen and which app you’re using. Soon, users will be able to overlay Gemini on any app to utilize its features more seamlessly. For example, users can drag and drop generated images into Gmail or Google Messages, or ask specific questions about YouTube videos. Gemini Advanced users will also have the option to quickly get answers from PDFs without scrolling through multiple pages.
This update will roll out to hundreds of millions of devices over the next few months, with continuous improvements to provide dynamic suggestions based on screen content.
Introducing Gemini Nano with Multimodality
Android is the first mobile operating system to include a built-in, on-device foundation model. Gemini Nano will debut later this year on Pixel devices, bringing multimodal capabilities that allow phones to understand text, sights, sounds, and spoken language.
Enhanced Descriptions with TalkBack
Gemini Nano’s multimodal capabilities will soon enhance TalkBack, providing richer descriptions for people who are blind or have low vision. This update will offer detailed descriptions of images, whether it’s a photo from family or friends or the details of clothes while shopping online. These descriptions are processed on-device, ensuring speed and functionality even without a network connection.
Real-Time Scam Alerts During Calls
In response to the alarming rise in fraud, Google is testing a new feature that uses Gemini Nano to detect scam patterns during phone calls. Users will receive real-time alerts if suspicious conversation patterns are detected, such as urgent requests for money transfers or personal information. This feature processes data on-device to maintain privacy and will be available later this year.
More AI Innovations Coming to Android
Google continues to integrate AI into every aspect of the Android experience. Developers can explore the latest AI models and tools, such as Gemini Nano and Gemini in Android Studio, by visiting the Android Developers blog. More updates on Android 15 and other ecosystem advancements are expected on May 15.
SteelSeries, a renowned player in esports and gaming peripherals, has expanded its award-winning Arctis Nova line with the introduction of the Arctis Nova 5 series headsets and the Nova 5 Companion App.
This launch marks a significant advancement in gaming audio technology, offering gamers an unparalleled audio experience across multiple platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile.
Literal Game-Changing Audio Innovation
The Arctis Nova 5 series introduces over 100 game-specific audio presets through the Nova 5 Companion App. These presets have been meticulously crafted by audio engineers, esports professionals, and game developers to provide a competitive edge in popular games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Minecraft. The app allows gamers to switch audio profiles in real-time without leaving their game, ensuring they can hear what others don’t.
Premium Features at an Accessible Price
SteelSeries aims to deliver “affordable luxury” with the Arctis Nova 5, priced at $129.99. Key features include:
Neodymium Magnetic Drivers: Offering an ultra-detailed soundscape with crystal-clear highs, pinpoint mids, and deep bass.
Quick-Switch Wireless: Seamlessly switch between high-speed 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.3 with a tap, ensuring continuous connectivity for calls and gaming.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: A compact USB-C dongle allows easy swapping between systems like Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC, and mobile devices.
ClearCast 2.X Mic: Featuring 32KHz/16Bit audio for clear communication and AI-powered noise cancellation on PC.
Long-Lasting Battery and Superior Sound
The Arctis Nova 5 boasts an extraordinary 60+ hour battery life, capable of providing 8 hours of use each day for a full week on a single charge. Fast charging via USB-C delivers an additional 6 hours of playtime with just 15 minutes of charging. The headset also features the Sonar Audio Software Suite, a pro-grade parametric EQ designed to enhance sound control across games, team chat, and the microphone.
Availability
The Arctis Nova 5 series is available at SteelSeries.com and select retailers worldwide at the following MSRP:
Arctis Nova 5/5X/5P Wireless: NA $129.99 | EMEA €139.99 | APAC $139.99
For more details and to download the SteelSeries Sonar Audio Suite for free, visit SteelSeries Sonar.
Dangbei is set to revolutionize home entertainment with the launch of its flagship model, the Dangbei Mars Pro 2. This groundbreaking device is the world’s first Google TV 4K laser projector with a built-in, licensed Netflix app. Combining ultra-bright 4K laser projection with Google TV and Netflix, the Mars Pro 2 transforms any space into a movie theater, gaming arena, or sports bar.
The Brightest Projector from Dangbei
The Dangbei Mars Pro 2 boasts 2450 ISO lumens, powered by a laser light source, making it Dangbei’s brightest projector to date. This ensures vibrant visuals, day or night, for years to come. The 4K UHD picture with HDR10+ support offers a theater-quality experience, enhanced by ALPD® technology for speckle-free and color fringing-free visuals.
Netflix and More at Your Fingertips
The Mars Pro 2 simplifies streaming with its pre-installed, licensed Netflix app, ensuring smooth, stutter-free playback. Google TV’s intuitive interface allows users to manage watchlists, profiles, and get personalized recommendations from a wide range of streaming services, including Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+.
Big Picture, Big Sound
Despite its compact size, the Mars Pro 2 can project images up to 200 inches—more than 2.5 times larger than a 75-inch TV. The device features powerful sound with dual 12W built-in speakers, a 600ml sound chamber, Dolby Audio, and DTS:X support, creating an immersive cinematic soundscape.
Smarter Image Optimization
The Mars Pro 2 debuts Dangbei’s InstanPro AI Image Setup technology, leveraging dToF, CMOS, and AI algorithms for enhanced functionalities. This includes faster autofocus, auto keystone, screen fit, obstacle avoidance, eye protection, and AI brightness control, all designed for a perfect viewing experience.
Unleash Endless Entertainment
The Mars Pro 2 is a one-stop shop for entertainment, featuring a dedicated game mode with low latency, 4K 60Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1, and WiFi 6 for seamless gameplay. MEMC technology smooths out fast-action scenes for sporting events, and the projector also supports 3D capabilities, including Blu-ray. Its whisper-quiet operation, under 24 dB, ensures uninterrupted enjoyment.
Pricing and Availability
The Dangbei Mars Pro 2 will officially release on May 28th, available on both the official Dangbei website and Amazon US and UK at a price of $1,899/£1,899.
To celebrate the launch, Dangbei is offering a special discount of $400/£300, with an additional £50 off for UK customers using promo code MARSPRO2, reducing the price to $1,499/£1,549. US customers can also claim a free gimbal stand (valued at $139) with their purchase by subscribing to the Dangbei newsletter prior to the launch.
T-Mobile on Tuesday announced that the latest generation of its REVVL smartphones, the REVVL 7 5G and REVVL 7 PRO 5G, will be available exclusively to T-Mobile, T-Mobile for Business, and Metro by T-Mobile customers starting Thursday, May 23. These new devices are packed with features typically found in high-end 5G smartphones and will be offered for free under specific plans, adding significant value for customers.
REVVL 7 Series Highlights
The REVVL 7 series brings excellent mid-range performance and features without the hefty price tag. Key highlights include:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Processor: For improved photo quality and overall performance.
High-Quality Cameras: Ensuring great photos and videos.
Super-Fast Charging: Keeping you powered up throughout the day.
These features make the REVVL 7 series a strong contender for consumers looking for a powerful 5G smartphone at an affordable price.
Special Offers for T-Mobile Customers
T-Mobile customers, including businesses, can take advantage of the following offers to get the new REVVL 7 series:
REVVL 7 5G: Free when adding a line or trading in a phone (even broken) on most plans (via 24 monthly bill credits, plus tax).
REVVL 7 PRO 5G: Free when adding a line, or for just $50 when trading in a phone (even broken) on most plans (via 24 monthly bill credits, plus tax). Also free when adding a line or trading in on Go5G Business Plus and Business Unlimited Select plans.
Metro by T-Mobile is offering the REVVL 7 5G free for new customers who sign up for the new Metro Flex plan. The REVVL 7 series at Metro comes with a lifetime limited warranty, zero activation fees, and a free charger, all part of the “Nada Yada Yada” experience, which promises no hidden fees or surprises. With Metro Flex, customers can get a new REVVL every year with the best offers.
Extra Value for T-Mobile and Business Customers
Customers on T-Mobile’s Go5G plans can enjoy a variety of perks, including:
Streaming Services: Apple TV+, Hulu, and Netflix on Us.
T-Mobile Tuesdays: Exclusive deals and freebies every week.
Business customers also benefit from premium travel perks, including free in-flight Wi-Fi and high-speed data abroad, plus unlimited mobile hotspot data and other business-friendly features like Microsoft 365 on Us and Scam Shield Premium.
How to Get the New REVVL 7 Series
T-Mobile customers can pick up the new REVVL 7 series for free under the specified offers, or purchase the REVVL 7 PRO 5G for $10.41/month ($0 down, FRP: $249.99) and the REVVL 7 5G for $8.33/month ($0 down, FRP: $199.99).
Additionally, Deutsche Telekom will launch these devices as T Phone 2 and T Phone 2 Pro starting May 23 in ten European markets.
The frustration of being undervalued as a loyal customer in the prepaid wireless market is ending. Metro by T-Mobile is addressing this issue head-on with the introduction of Metro Flex, a new plan that ensures all customers, new and old, receive the best deals on smartphones.
What is Metro Flex?
Metro Flex puts customers in control, offering flexibility and great deals on new phones. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
Switch and Sign Up: Join Metro and sign up for a Metro Flex plan.
Get a Free 5G Phone: Receive a free 5G phone upon joining.
Trade-In Options: Every 1, 2, or 3 years, trade in your old phone (in working condition) and choose from the same deals available to new customers on select devices. The longer you stay, the more options you have.
Just bring your current number and ID to get started. Plans begin at $50/month with AutoPay ($55 initially and $50 after signing up for AutoPay). This plan ensures you get the same great deals on new phones as new customers.
Benefits of Metro Flex
Metro Flex is an upgraded version of Metro’s previous plans, providing access to America’s largest 5G network with unlimited talk, text, and 5G smartphone data. Additional benefits include:
Unlimited Texts: Text to 210+ countries and destinations.
Amazon Prime: Included with Metro Flex Plus, offering shopping, savings, and entertainment benefits worth $14.99/month.
Scam Shield: Protects against unwanted calls and scams.
Google One: 100GB of cloud storage.
T-Mobile Tuesdays: Access to free stuff and deals every week through the T Life app.
Metro Flex ensures there are no contracts, no credit checks, and no surprises, providing a seamless and value-packed wireless experience.
The new Metro Flex plan is a big win for prepaid customers, offering fairness and value to both new and existing users. With options to trade in phones regularly and enjoy numerous perks, Metro Flex should redefine customer satisfaction in the prepaid wireless market.
Customer satisfaction with wireless service overall climbs 3% to a score of 76 (out of 100), according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Wireless Phone Service and Cell Phone Study 2023-2024.
Mobile network operators (MNOs) and full-service mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) improve 3% to 76 each, while value MVNOs increase their lead over the other wireless categories after rising 4% to an ACSI score of 80. Customer satisfaction with cell phones jumps 3% to 81.
5G Phones and Manufacturers
Samsung catches Apple in cell phone manufacturer lead, takes top spot among 5G phones with the highest overall customer satisfaction at 82.
Motorola moves up 3% to meet Google at 77 after the latter dips 1% year over year. Majority of 5G customers express higher satisfaction with both Samsung and Motorola.
Mobile Network Operators
AT&T maintains a lead over other MNOs with a surge of 4% to an ACSI score of 78. T-Mobile is a close second, up 4% to 77, whereas U.S. Cellular and Verizon share the bottom at 74. Verizon faces customer loss in multiple quarters.
AT&T earns top marks for call quality and network capability, outperforming other MNOs.
Value Mobile Virtual Network Operators
Consumer Cellular leads in customer satisfaction among value MVNOs, followed by Mint Mobile, Tracfone, and Straight Talk.
All aspects of the customer experience for value MVNOs show notable improvements, including call quality, call reliability, network coverage, and data speed.
Full-Service Mobile Virtual Network Operators
Spectrum Mobile moves to the top of the full-service MVNO category after soaring 5% to an ACSI score of 79. Xfinity Mobile is next at 78.
Certain aspects of the full-service MVNO customer experience decline despite overall quality and value improvements.
Study Method and Participants
The ACSI Wireless Phone Service and Cell Phone Study 2023-2024 is based on interviews with 12,414 customers, chosen at random and contacted via email between April 2023 and March 2024.
If you’d like to learn more about the study, you can download it and follow the ACSI on LinkedIn and Twitter for more updates.
Anker is known for offering high-quality batteries at great prices. The company initially gained recognition for its portable power banks and phone cables. However, for those requiring more power than what a small, wallet-sized pack can provide, Anker has expanded its range to include larger options, like the Anker SOLIX C800 Plus Power Station.
I’ve had the opportunity to test this fantastic new rugged power bank from Anker for a few weeks. If you’re a camper, doomsday prepper, or RV owner, this product could be a worthwhile investment.
Design
If you took a small Yeti cooler and stuffed if full of lithium iron phosphate battery cells, you would be close to having the basics behind the Anker SOLIX C800 Plus. This tank of a power station is still small enough to throw into a teardrop camper or the back of your vehicle with relative ease.
The front looks very similar C1000. You have an LCD display for charging visibility, battery life estimation, and which ports are active. Above the screen is the tried and true LED light strip capable of being a nice night light, work light, or SOS beacon.
You have 10 total outlets for charging with the Anker SOLIX C800 Plus. This include sfive AC home jacks, car socket, two USB-A, and two USB-C ports rounding out the outputs. This should make the power station perfect to the average camper, doomsday prepper, or full-time RV life.
But let’s shed some light on the star of the new C800 Plus Power Station. Under the trap door found on the top are two LED torches that double as flashlights. There is also an extendable pole with a screw mount like the ones found on camera tripods. This allows for you to mount the torches magnetically on the pole once you set up camp.
Performance
I’ve come away from my time with the Anker SOLIX C800 Plus extremely impressed. Yes, it’s pretty bland addition of the power output category for Anker power stations. It has the same lithium iron phosphate internals, smart power delivery, and exceptional mobile app. Add in the charger via AC or solar inputs and you have another average member of the other models.
Where it pulls away is the originality of the torch system. Let’s start with at camp. Having the extension pole with a single LED lamp attached makes for a great way to add illumination to your spot in the wilderness. Set this up inside a net entrance or right outside of the doorway makes a great way to give you that slight extra lighting to get around your anchor lines and other toe-stumping objects.
Lastly, having an extra one to take with you or in tandem with a buddy while away from camp is just as valuable. I immediately thought of how I can’t wait to use this to and from the shower house out some of our favorite campgrounds. Many times these structures are a long walk, and often uphill, from where you’ve thrown down the tent.
With one of these it’s a positive, but with two it really expands the options with the Anker SOLIX C800 Plus. You now have a stationary lamp and two portable flashlights simply built into the power station. And the fact that you don’t ever have to worry about a cable is another nice touch. These torches wirelessly charge while in the storage compartment via pogo pins.
Battery
The Anker SOLIX C800 Plus features a 768Wh lithium iron phosphate battery bank. The cells are capable of a peak output of 1600W when really pushed but levels out at an average of 1200W. This is capable of running most high output appliances, even like hair dryers, microwaves, and toasters.
I’ve thrown this at most of the things around the house with no issues. I’ve been able to recharge my iPad around 20 times, run my desktop for around four hours, and the Nebula Capsule 3 for around eight hours (yes, the Nebula fits the torch extension). In the kitchen, I’ve run all my small to medium appliances. This includes the toaster over, toaster, and coffee maker.
When you need to add power bank to the Anker SOLIX C800 Plus, you have two options that can accomplish this in under three hours. The AC wall charger, you can top off the C800 Plus in around 58 minutes. This is fantastic to have the ability to quickly add a full tank back to the station while traveling.
When totally off the grid, you can us the Anker solar connection and optional panels to get a recharge in around 2.5 hours. Adding this to the C800 Plus makes it a fully packed option for all your adventures. Even extended on the road from camp to camp the solar option is capable addition for around $250 for the 100W panel and another $550 for the 200W panel if bundled with the C800 Plus at purchase.
Pinnacle Selection represents our highest honor, one reserved for products that stand out in design, performance, and overall value.
Products earning this distinction exemplify excellence across the board, delivering an experience that truly rises above the rest.
When you see the badge, you’re looking at the best of what’s available in its category.
Conclusion
The Anker SOLIX C800 Plus adds what seems to be a novel idea to the existing Anker SOLIX lineup. Once you dive into the true use of the portable torches, you find that they add safety and functionality to any campsite. Add all the fundamental power station options to charge devices and it’s the powerhouse you may need the next time you get adventurous.
You can purchase the Anker SOLIX C800 Plus from either Anker direct or their primary retail partner Amazon. We have links for both below. If you are an avid camper or travel consistently in an RV, this is something you probably need to add to your kit the next time you hit the road. Anker currently has the much better deal of $50 off at just $600.
