The holiday gift-giving frenzy might be over, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get a little something for yourself…or send out hints for others. I’ve identified three new electronic gadgets that I think you might like: a clever vacuum, a video camera, and a camera drone.
Deebot Ozmo 930 from Ecovacs Robotics
Robot vacuums are handy cleaners, but if only they could also mop floors. Well, the Deebot Ozmo 930 can do just that. Ecovacs Robotics, which makes the Ozmo 930, says its vacuum not only removes dry dirt particles, it can also wash floors with a wet mopping solution – automatically.
This vacuum is intelligent enough to create digital maps of your home as it cleans. Its first couple of go-arounds will take some time as it gets to know your place. But after that, it knows just where to go. And, with the Ozmo’s companion smartphone app, you can easily block off areas you’d rather not have the robot clean. You can also designate floor sections as cleaning priorities. It’s easy to set up a scheduled cleaning routine, too.
The Ozmo 930 has the smarts to switch between mopping and vacuum modes. If the robot finds itself rolling over hardwood, linoleum, or tile, it engages its mopping system. When it encounters carpeting, it flips over to dry vacuum mode. And, if the Ozmo finds it has something to report, the robot will announce it with its voice in real time. It also responds to voice commands delivered through all Amazon Echo devices.
Ecovacs says the Ozmo 930 boosts its suction while vacuuming carpets and lowers vacuum power for cleaning bare flooring. Once it’s done vacuuming, the brainy robot will then mop hard floor areas. The vacuum uses an infrared anti-collision sensor and a bumper rail and is fully auto-charging. With the tool’s time-scheduling function, you can set a regular runtime to keep your home as clean as you want it to be.
D-Link DCS-8000LH Video Security Camera
Among the many video security cameras on the market, I’m highlighting the DCS-8000LH because it has all the features you’d want, including wireless operation, 720p resolution, night vision, motion and sound detection, and a microphone. All for just 60 bucks. The camera is only 1.38 x 1.50 x 3.62 inches in size, plus it’s made by D-Link, a highly reputable brand.
The camera’s WiFi is 2.4 GHz 802.11n/g with WPA/WPA2 encryption. You do have to power the device with the included 100 to 240V power adapter that puts out 5V DC at 4W maximum via the Micro USB port on the camera’s back side.
Camera Drone – The AirSelfie
A tiny flying camera takes a different sort of selfie. The AirSelfie is a pocket-sized flying camera that’s connected to your smartphone, with the ability to reach out to 20 meters. It’s being marketed as a kind of extended selfie stick, but I’m wondering if there aren’t lots of other applications for the AirSelfie. It is limited to three minutes flying time, but you can do a lot in three minutes.
There are actually a remarkably large number of “selfie drone” manufacturers out there now. Size, airtime, and operating range are the three most important specs for these devices – and these specs vary greatly from device to device. Operating time can be more than 10 minutes and range over 100 meters.
With the rather odd price of $339.25, the AirSelfie shines in its small size, solid construction, and integration. It’s made with an anodized aluminum frame, so it’s pretty rugged. Its four ‘turbo fan’ propellers are powered by brushless motors and it has a 5MP HD video camera. At just 0.11lb, the 3.7 x 2.6 x 0.4-inch drone provides 2.4G WiFi, a gyro, a sonar altitude sensor, a barometer, and a geomagnetic sensor. It also carries along a 4Gb MicroSD memory card and a 240mAh battery. You can use an ioS or Android app on your smartpone to control the flying camera. The device’s cover, available for most popular smartphones, holds your phone and acts as a charger, powering up the flying camera in 30 minutes from a power bank capable of 20 charges.
These are some of the electronic products that piqued my interest during the holiday shopping season. What do you think?
