Kwikset, manufacturer of residential doors and door hardware, has introduced a biometric keyless entry system for the home called the SmartScan.

Smartscan basically uses your thumbprint to gain access, with Grade-1 security and thus eliminating the need for any keys. A stand alone system without any hardwiring, it features 3 levels of controlled access and backup key usage. The battery that operates the deadbolt has a life of about one year (based on 20 accesses per day).

Operating the system is as simple as swiping a valid fingerprint across its sensor and SmartScan then reads the fingerprint patterns. It is programmable up to 50 fingerprints and has a special time lock out feature that allow three levels of access options. What this means is that 24/7 continual access can be granted to different family members, temporary access for house sitters/ contractors and restricted timed access for babysitters or housekeepers. Those parents keeping a tab on their kids would love this one as those teens won’t be able to sneak back into the house anymore (if they’ve passed their curfew) without someone letting them in. You can also stop the potential worry of losing your keys and a stranger having access to your house.

Pricing and release dates are not available yet but this represents what we’ll likely see within next generation homes.

Product page [Kwikset]

We’re not that far into the new year and a few of us are still trying to keep some of those New Year’s resolutions, specifically the one that talks about losing weight.

And, arguably, one of the best things you can do to help you lose that roll you’ve built up by spending hours and hours squatting in front of your monitor is to drink more water. 8 glasses a day, so they say.

If you’re like me, that seems like an awful lot of water especially when you hate to drink it as much as I do. I have a hard time knowing when I’ve had enough for the day but now I’ve found some help.

The HydraCoach incorporates a LCD screen to help you keep track of your hydration goals throughout the day. HydraCoach will track how much water you’ve had, plus paces out the servings throughout the day so you don’t try to slug all 8 glasses down in 5 minutes just to meet your goal.

While I think that HydraCoach might come in handy, I’m not sure I’m willing to cough up the $30 necessary to get my water needs handed to me by a glorified sippy cup. I think I’ll just stick to slugging down all 8 glasses in 5 minutes.

Product Page [HydraCoach] via [CrunchGear]

When DirecTV announced that they would be adding 100 new HD channels to their programming line-up this year I nearly jumped out of my seat. Having just purchased my first HDTV I’m pretty psyched about any new little tidbit of programming that I can get. The Discovery Channel is nice, but I need a little more variety.

However, an explosion at the Sea Launch platform may delay these new channels coming to a DirecTV dish near you.

The explosion did not involve the launch of a DirecTV satellite and, thankfully, no one seems to have been hurt in the explosion. However, DirecTV 11, one of the new satellites slated to offer these new HD channels, is scheduled to launch from this same platform this summer.

DirecTV 10, the second satellite, is slated for a land launch and should not be affected by the explosion. It remains to be seen if there will be a delay in launching DirecTV11.

There is another incident on record at this platform in March of 2000 with a successful launch following in July 2000. Hopefully, the repairs and review of the launcher will be done in time for the scheduled launch.

Read [DBSTalk]

SmartShopper is a device that allows you to say the name of a grocery item, electronically record it and when you are done, print it out from memory on an embedded thermal paper roll. It was recently awarded the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show’s Design and Engineering award and named one of the top ten new products at the show,

Founded by Richard Brundisi and Gregory Vittardi, the SmartShopper has a built in LCD screen and is smart enough to categorize all items of the same type e.g. lists can be categorized by frozen foods, produce, toiletries etc. Its memory is jam packed with over 2500 grocery item types and users can add their own items and brands if they are not already there.

Another useful and unique feature that the SmartShopper is the “errand list”, a way to record and say the names of errands and to-dos needed at any time. The errand list can then be printed with the grocery list.

Run with 4 AA batteries, the SmartShopper retails for $149.99 and can be purchased from their website.

Detailed Technical Specs:

* Thermal Printer
The unit uses a built-in thermal printer which does not require any ink cartridges! The unit comes with three thermal paper rolls and replacements are readily available.

* LCD Screen
The large LCD Screen shows the items that have already been input into the unit in alphabetical order. The on-screen list is easy to read, with a 9 point font size.

* Batteries
The unit operates on 4 standard AA batteries. These are easy to replace when necessary, accessed by an easy opening door on the back of the unit.

* Size of Device
The SmartShopper unit is a compact 7 1/2″ x 4″ and is only 1 1/4″ thick.

* Materials
The unit is made out of a durable, hard plastic with a brushed aluminum front. This brushed look will make a great impression in any kitchen!

* Mounting the Device
The SmartShopper can be kept in three different locations in the kitchen. It comes with a strong magnet which allows adherence to the refrigerator. It can also easily be wall mounted, or simply kept out on the counter.

* Voice Recognition
The SmartShopper employs the power of Nuance’s Vocon 3200 engine. This speaker-independent voice recognition system makes it easy for any member of the family to use the device.

* Database
The unit recognizes nearly 2,500 items sold in your local grocery store in english. You can also add your own additional items to the database of your unit!

Product Page [SmartShopper]

It seems that powerline networking is still in business. Linksys (Cisco) recently showcased their new powerline products at CES 2007 with a strong indication that they were not about to write it off (yet). With the HomePlug AV standard and the UPA Plugtested logo being released and implemented, many traditional networking vendors believe there is a market for it in specific market niches.



The powerline networking concept, as the name suggest, uses your home’s powerlines to deliver data, high speed digital audio, video with speeds up to 200 Mbps, guaranteed bandwidth reservation and high reliability (using TDMA/ CSMA/ QOS).

Powerline networking came up at a time where wireless networking was not a commonplace and was considered the cheaper way to network without the necessary extended installations.

However, the lack of interoperability may stunt the powerline growth. Consumers have to realize that not all powerline products are compatible as they are based on different standards (HomePlug AV , UPA, HomePlug 1.0 to name some). Powerline networks are heavily dependent on the electrical wiring of the building, how it is installed and the environment, factors of which may degrade the data signal. Saying that, there may still be a viable market for it in places where WiFi can’t be used e.g. in buildings where there is an abundance of concrete or metal.

I used powerline networking years ago and while it proved useful, it had a certain amount of random instability. Doing further tests, I narrowed it down to the state of my house wiring and how old it was. The wear and tear of the wires and the lack of insulation in the wires degraded the data signals. The power cables essentially become antennas, absorbing electrical noise in the wires. Also, with AC powerlines, my network worked well when there wasn’t any other activity on the same line e.g. like turning the blender or turning light switches on and off. That was how it was years ago and it is claimed to be solved in the currently released HomeAV and UPA specification.

What is currently out on the market is impressive, but the price tag and lack of flexibility may deter most home users from utilizing the technology, compared to its WiFi counterparts.

New Powerline networking offerings from the big players in home networking market include:

Linksys PLK200 Adapter kit, starting at $120 (pictured above)
D-Link DHP-301 Adapter, retailing at $220
Zyxel NBG-318 Router, price TBD

Press Release [UPA Plugtested logo]
Press Release [HomePlug Powerline Alliance]
Picture Source [Howstuffworks]