iRobot ConnectR combines the latest Internet communications with robot technology, providing you with a virtual opportunity to visit with loved ones, relatives and pets anytime you wish – seeing, hearing and interacting with them in their home as if you were there in person.

ConnectR enables real-time virtual visits over the Internet. Equipped with high-quality audio and a video camera, the robot is located on-site in the home of the “host” party. Using a computer keyboard, mouse or joystick, the remote (“visiting”) party can drive the robot around and interact with those on-site, virtually participating in activities at home or wherever the device is located (for example, in the home of your grandchildren). The on-site host party can also direct the robot’s movements with a remote control.

The user-friendly interface lets you connect to and control the robot from any Windows XP-enabled PC. Using a computer keyboard, mouse or joystick, you can drive ConnectR around in any direction to see, hear and interact with whomever you want. The people at home can also use the included remote control to “call” out and connect to you while you are away so that you are always in the loop.

I can’t wait to get mine!

ConnectR Pilot Program
A very limited number of ConnectR robots will be available in 2008 directly from iRobot as part of a special Pilot Program. Due to the overwhelming response we have received, we are currently at maximum capacity for the Pilot Program. If you are interested in receiving regular updates about ConnectR, visit iRobot to sign up.

iRobot Value Pack Offer: Buy a Scooba and Roomba and get a Dirt Dog Free! Expires 12.31.08

So what does this mean for you? If you have:

Antenna on Analog TV: you currently get free broadcast television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners.  You do not subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company service provider. You can upgrade to DTV by following one of three steps by February 17, 2009:

• Purchase a DTV converter box
• Purchase a digital TV set
• Subscribe to a cable, satellite or a telephone company service provider

Antenna on Digital TV: you currently have a TV with a digital tuner and are able to receive digital signals broadcast by television stations. You continue to receive your free programming with no monthly fees.

Cable Television and Satellite Service: you currently have a television in your home that is connected to a satellite, cable or telephone company television service. You should not be affected by the transition.

If you need to purchase a DTV converter box, there are many different brands available. You can also take advantage of the coupon available to everyone who needs to purchase a DTV converter box. Visit the TV Converter Box coupon website to order yours! This coupon is worth $40 that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes for US households.

Other resources for DTV transition information:

• The Digital TV Transition 
• TV Converter Box Coupons
• DTV Answers

Save the date! Get ready for February 17, 2009!

My Dad recently complained to me about the high level of dust inside my parents home. Although he vacuums regularly and dusts, it didn’t seem to solve the problem.

Ionic Breeze Quadra to the rescue! I had used Ionic Breeze air purifiers for many years and suggested that my Dad get one too. So I purchased an Ionic Breeze and set it up in my parent’s living room. I showed Dad how to use it and that was it. He was really skeptical, especially since when the Ionic Breeze was ON, he could not hear a sound from it.

I returned for a visit a week later and showed Dad how to clean the collection blades. I pulled out the Ionic Breeze collection blades and they were so gross! The dust was thick on the collection blades. My Dad was shocked that so much stuff was floating around in the indoor air.

He definitely feels a difference in the home. Not as much stuff in the air, it seems cleaner. My parents are very happy with their Ionic Breeze Quadra and Dad cleans it regularly because of so many particles in the air. I like it too because when I visit, I can breathe a little easier.

Sharper Image usually has great sales and deals on Ionic Breeze air purifiers. Take advantage.

Here are 8 important reasons why the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze QUADRA Silent Air Purifier is a great choice for your home:

Effective Air Cleaning. Proven to effectively reduce airborne allergens and irritants such as pollen, dust mite allergen, tobacco smoke and dander.

Odor Neutralizing. Replace cooking, bathroom or pet odors with air that smells fresh and clean.

Continuous 24/7 Cleaning. All air cleaners should run 24/7 — but noise and high energy costs make that impractical with typical HEPA machines.

No Replacement Filters. Never buy a disposable filter again — save $100s! Airborne contaminants are trapped on stainless steel collection blades that slide out for easy cleaning. In its updated configuration, two inert driver blades are positioned between the three charged collectors; this improves the particle capture rate over previous models.

Low Energy Costs. Very low wattage saves $100s compared to power-hungry HEPA machines. QUADRA runs on no more than 10 watts; operating costs are only about $10 a year.

Low Maintenance. Simply plug in, push a button and forget it. Every week or so, slide out the collectors and wipe clean.

Attractive Design. Graceful towers fit unobtrusively in any room.

Silent Circulation. Air circulates with no fan, no motor and no noise. Breathe cleaner air as you sleep in peace, enjoy music, watch a movie or share a quiet conversation.

However, most of the reviews from customers who purchased the Tao Digital Keychain frame gave a lot of warnings. Glad I did my research. Sometimes I ignore the reviews but there were just too many to ignore. The reviews ranged from the chain breaking, the Tao can’t hold a battery charge, buttons falling off, dim display, and more!

It’s adorable and clever, but may not be ready for primetime. If you consider buying one, do your research and read the reviews first before you make your decision. As of this writing, Amazon had the TAO Digital Key Chain frame on sale for $19.99! A super deal.

SmartHomeGadgets will keep you posted on whether TAO works out the kinks!

The X10 Mini Controller is easy to setup!

• Plug the power cord into any wall outlet (make sure it works).
• Set the slide switch on the top of the Mini Controller for the Modules you want it to control (unit codes 1 through 4 or 5 through 8).
• Using a small screwdriver, choose one of the 16 letters on the Mini Controller’s House code dial.

All X10 modules have a similar red House code dial. The Mini Controller and all the modules it controls need to be set to the same House code letter.

How to Use the X10 Mini-Controller

Turn a Light or Appliance On
Press and release the TOP of one of the 4 number keys for the unit code of one of your control modules.

To turn all lights on (i.e. all lamps connected to Lamp Modules or Wall Switch Modules set to the same House code), press the TOP of the All Lights On/All Units Off key. This key does not affect Appliance Modules.

Turn a Light or Appliance Off
Press and release the BOTTOM of one of the 4 number keys to turn a specific Unit code off. To turn off all modules, including Appliance Modules, press the bottom of the All Lights On/All Units Off key.

Dim or Brighten lights
Press and release the TOP of the number key for the Lamp or Wall Switch Module you want to Dim or Brighten (Appliance Modules cannot dim or brighten). Then, press the TOP of the Dim/Bright key to Brighten or the BOTTOM of the Dim/Bright key to Dim. Hold the key until the desired light level is reached.

The X10 Mini Controller is a nifty X10 gadget for about $15.99.

Designed to accommodate a small dog, the Pet Loo Yard is the perfect size for an apartment, office, or boat. The Pet Loo Yard is a clever way to housebreak your younger dog.

Pet Loo is hygienic and environmentally friendly. Synthetic grass covers the surface and the urine drains in a container below. You can easily scoop up the solid waste.

You are probably wondering by now if the Pet Loo Yard smells! Yikes! The Synthetic Grass is resistant to smells, due to the non-absorbent materials. A slanted ramp under the grass contains grooves that direct drainage of the urine into the removable tray in the bottom of the unit. The grass lifts off for easy cleaning.

The Pet Loo Yard will help ensure your peace of mind on those extended stays out of the home.

Get the Pet Loo Yard at SmartHome – $259.99.

Or you can protect yourself, your family, and most important, your STUFF! with the Smart Autocloser. The Smart Autocloser ensures that your garage door will be closed, even if you left it open!

Here’s how it works. The Autocloser – Garage Door Timed Closer uses the latest micro-controller technology, infrared light sensors and advanced software algorithms to deliver a safe and reliable product. It installs safely onto most garage door openers in minutes! You even get a disable button in case you really do want to keep the garage door open.

The Smart Autocloser senses that the garage door has been open for a set period of time (you select: 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes) the garage door will close automatically. The automatic closer does this by connecting to the terminals on the garage door opener wall button, thus simulating the press of a button.

You can install the Autocloser in about 20 minutes using most basic hand tools (like a drill, screwdriver, adjustable wrench, and a wire cutter/stripper). You can download an installation manual complete with detailed installation procedures and operation information.

How much would you pay for peace of mind? Protect yourself and your home with a Smart Autocloser for just $69.99. Not bad for a little peace of mind!

Don’t forget to close the garage door!

Besides offering a Grade 1 Security Deadbolt, Smartkey offers you the ability to rekey your Smartkey locks anytime you want – as often as you like. No locksmith required (yeah!) How many times have you loaned out a house key that was never returned? How many times have one of your kids or yourself lost a key? Where are your house keys? You never know. Re-keying a lock provides an extra security measure for you and your family.

Kwikset came up with a new side locking bar technology that replaces your traditional pin and tumbler lock. Now, let’s review why Smartkey is so cool:

• Prohibits lock bumping (lock bumping? what the heck is that? An attack on traditional door lock cylinders!)
• Pick resistant (lock picking has gone on since the beginning of locks.)
• Change your key as often as you like (locksmiths get expensive!)

If you are concerned about having the best looking deadbolt lock on the block, put your worries aside because Kwikset thought of everything. The Smartkey makes three fashionable statements in Deadbolts, Knobs, and Levers. Each comes in a variety of finishes.

With Smartkey, you will find it very easy to rekey your own lock. Here goes:

1. Insert current functioning key.
2. Turn 1/4 clockwise.
3. Insert learning tool.
4. Remove existing key.
5. Insert new key. Turn 1/4 counter clockwise and remove new key.

One key (no pun intended) thing to remember is that you must have the current functioning key in order to rekey the lock. If not, you’ll have to go through a lot of trouble to remove the lock from the door, and remove the cylinder from the lock.

Smartkey dead bolts, lever locks, and knob locks will set you back about $30 and handleset locks about $120. Additional keys cost about $1.70; rekey sets from KwikSet include six keys for about $10.

Don’t lose your house key.

Check out Smartkey and the entire Smart series at Kwikset. Or step right this way to view the cool Smartkey lock designs.

The PictureBook Pocket Digital Photo Album stores up to 500 files in the 64 MB on-board memory. It features an automatic slide show and is compatible with most memory card. You will need a rechargeable battery too!

Now you can showoff your family photos everywhere you go with the PictureBook Pocket Digital Photo Album.

Think about it. Let’s say you spend a couple of hours each week cutting the lawn. Fast forward one year and you are down 104 hours of your life spent cutting the grass. There are better things to do!

Lawnbott not only saves you time, but emits zero pollution and zero emissions. I haven’t even mentioned the money you’ll save on gas and oil that you currently spend on your “old fashioned” lawnmower. If you use a 5.5 HP gas powered grass mower, over a year you are spending about $112. on gas alone, especially with the high prices of gas these days! $3.00 per gallon is not cheap.

Let’s add a few more things to the laundry list of lawn mowing. How about the yard waste pickup service and the expense of that old fashioned lawn mower? Well, you get the picture! Not only does it cost you money, but your own precious time.

Lawnbott can pay for itself within a couple of years, give or take a few weeks. And this robot can easily maintain a three quarter acre lawn and navigate slopes up to 27 degrees. Can you do that consistently over the long haul?

How Does Lawnbott Work?

This robot lawn mower works automatically (duh, it’s a robot), through its intelligent computer and a perimeter cable. Lawnbott can move freely within an enclosed area, detecting the faint signal transmitted by the perimeter cable located on the ground, defining the areas to be mowed; it can also work without a perimeter cable as working area is enclosed by a fence or small border at least 4 inches tall.

When Lawn Bott begins its work cycle, it leaves its docking station and starts mowing your yard in a random direction. It will mow in a straight line until it bumps into an obstacle, such as a tree or flower pot, or until it runs over its perimeter cable, then it stops, backs up, turns and takes off again. LawnBott has a smart spiral function where if the computer senses thicker or taller grass, it will begin to spiral outward from that area to even out the grass height. This added feature helps to eliminate any missed areas.

When the batteries start running low, or at the end of its cutting cycle, the mower will search out the perimeter cable and follow it back to its docking station to recharge. After charging, it heads back out on its own!

That’s not all. An on-board alarm system sound when an unauthorized user picks up the Lawnbott – that will teach your nosey neighbors!

The most valuable thing Lawnbott gives you is one less thing to worry about.