Home Automation

Don’t you just wish sometimes that the water you drink straight from the tap has been irradiated with nuclear waste so that you can grow an additional limb to help out with the house chores? The Third Hand Adjustable Parts Holder saves you all that biological headache.

The Third Hand Adjustable Parts Holder might not be quite as incredible as having an actual third hand, but it’s still very useful and always ready to assist. Two adjustable arms with alligator clip jaws hold parts in place and the magnifying lens is perfect for getting a detailed view of your work area. Great for holding circuitboards when performing soldering or doing precision repairs or assembly.

The Third Hard will retail for $6.99 a pop.

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As much as I can’t stand that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show, I wouldn’t mind if Ty and his buddies came to my house and whipped it into shape with a few sledgehammers and new furniture.

There is one thing that I never see the Extreme Makeover team do: connect all electronic devices in the household together, seamlessly. In other words, all the electronic devices (TV, PC, etc.) are all wired or shared together seamlessly in a true Digital Home Makeover.

It appears that Microsoft wants to fill that homeowner’s need with the launching of their Digital Home Makeover Contest. To enter, you have to make a video of yourself creatively explaining why you need a Digital Home Makeover.

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LG Electronics has just rolled out a new home appliance, notably the SteamWasher with Allergiene cycle, touting it to be the first washing machine that has been given certification for being asthma & allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Apparently, LG hopes that this new home appliance will be able to do its part when it comes to helping out consumers and patients with asthma and allergic diseases. Sounds pretty nifty to me, but is it really that effective as claimed? Only real-world use of it will tell with time,but for the moment let us check out additional details concerning this LG offering after the jump.

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If you happen to be one of those folk who find it difficult to park your car in the garage without nicking the paint job, then the Garage Parking Signal is just the thing for you.

Step-by-step bright lights let you know when to stop safely, preventing accidents and making this reliable garage parking system a must-buy for owners of larger vehicles such as a mini van, MPV or large estate car. Order your Garage Parking Sensor today and park safely and confidently every time.

Installation is a snap, but do take note that should you choose to power it via batteries, do perform checks from time to time to make sure that there is enough power left. The Garage Parking Signal at £14.95 surely is a bargain.

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Ladies, let’s just say with Super Bowl right around the corner, your man isn’t likely to help you out with bulb replacements anytime soon. Thankfully, we have the Ultimate Bulb Changer from FirstStreetOnline.

This motorized light bulb changing system helps to replace hard to reach light bulbs both indoors and outdoors. It features a telescoping handle and articulating head, as well as a powered vacuum that holds bulbs securely. It is 7 ft. long fully extended and comes with a detachable remote control.

$79.95 or some endless nagging to get the job done? You decide.

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Today, I found out that someone took something from my dreams and made it into reality. You see, I always hoped to have a bathtub that is completely automated. I suppose it is kind of a pathetic dream that I have, but Bath-O-Matic has made it a reality.

If I want the temperature of the water to be a certain amount of degrees, I can have it without having to fiddle around with Hot and Cold knobs. Also, I can start the water and leave the room without ever worrying about overflow.

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Just because pet lovers travel a lot, doesn’t mean they have to inconvience neighbors or put their pets in a kennel so they don’t die of starvation. With iSeePet360, travelers who have pets can now feed and water their canine or feline loved ones with the power of the internet through remote desktop or some other remote internet application.

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I had a chance to meet with the nice people from Actiontec, who showed me their latest device, the zControl.

The zControl is a “home management system” that allows you to control devices in your home such as the lights, powered shades, garage doors, even your thermostat!

Actiontec showed me the menu, and it is a control panel that allows you click your devices on and off. Not only that, there were settings that can do an all-off, all-on, or whatever you wish. For example, if you want the lights dimmed for a more romantic or relaxed setting, just set it up and click it into being.

Not only can you control your home devices from your computer, but you can control them from any computer. All you need is an Internet connection, and you can even monitor your home via (non-included) IP cameras. In fact, I am told that you can even use your cell phone as a controller. That will come in handy when you get home, and turn your lights on with your cell.

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