This Device Will House Sit for You

Annie D'Souza
Nov 23, 2014

Bye-bye nanny cams. Point, designed by Form Devices in San Francisco, is a new kind of smart tech that incorporates things we’ve seen before (smoke detector, air quality monitor, etc.) but they’re doing it with home security in mind. Point pays attention to sounds, air quality, people coming and going and other signals in a subtle way so that your home still feels homey and not like a high-security facility. It’s like spying without really spying.

By integrating with a mobile app and wireless capability, Point can tell you all sorts of things about what’s happening when you’re not at home. While you’re away, it can alert you if your babysitter is smoking, for example, or if your cousin is having a huge party in your living room while she’s house sitting for you. It sounds an alarm if a window breaks or if it senses a fire. And it can let you know if there’s a risk of mold by keeping an eye on humidity and air quality levels as well.

You customize your own device to do what you need it to do, since every home is different. With more and more Airbnb hosts out there, Point would be a non-invasive way to host guests and (sort of) know what’s going on at your place. You can set the device up to notify you if the noise levels are too loud after 11 p.m., and it’ll even glow as a reminder for guests to keep it down. It can even let you know if someone moves the Point device around.

Point has already been successfully funded on Kickstarter, but you can still back the project until December 4. For $79, you’ll have your own Point device for a single room or studio apartment — and for $299, you can receive three devices to cover more square footage.

How do you think this will compare to other similar devices like Nest and Lyric? Let us know in the comments!

50 Gadgets and Gizmos for All of Your Tech-Obsessed Loved Ones

Unlike Ariel, true techies can never have enough gadgets and gizmos, whozits and whatzits galore. It's like an itch we just have to scratch. Technology continues to surprise us with new and innovative devices that help us live our best life — or just have fun. Looking to turn your home into a smart home? Trying to find the perfect gadget the entire family can benefit from? Need something cool to surprise your kids with that will keep them busy for hours? Well, stop looking! There's sure to be something right here for everyone on your list (including yourself). Check out these techie-loved products to charge up your gift-giving this holiday season.

Lenovo Smart Clock with Google Assistant ($80): Go beyond the traditional alarm clock with this Google assisted smart clock. Control the lights in your home, see the weather, check your calendar and get traffic updates before you leave your bed.

LifeFuels ($179): Get the nutrients you need when you need them with this smart water bottle. Inside the bottle are three pods that dispense vitamins and nutrients throughout the day with the touch of a button or swipe in the app.

Nintendo Switch ($300): Gaming is for all ages and the Nintendo Switch is a great system for hours of family fun.

VTech KidiBuzz G2 ($90): Your little doesn't have to play on your phone anymore, they can play 40+ learning games, listen to music and take photos on this interactive kid-friendly device.

Stash Portable Battery Bank ($30): Don't let the activities of the day drain you. Stay charged with this stylish portable battery bank.

Cinemood ($400): Experience movie magic wherever you go with Cinemood, a portable smart mini-projector. Tiny but mighty, this projector is kid-friendly and an investment in nights of family fun. It's also on Mariah Carey's must-have list so obviously, we must-have, too.

Echo Dot Kids Edition ($70): Designed with kids in mind, children can ask Alexa to call Grandma, tell them a story, play music and other kid-friendly actions.

Lockly Secure Pro ($299-$329): Upgrade your home security with this smart lock. Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa, this lock can be operated by voice, mobile app, access code, fingerprint, or traditional key.

PlayShifu Orboot ($50): Make screen time educational with one of Shifu's interactive toys that mix education and entertainment together like this one that teaches children about different countries and cultures around the world.

Acu Palm ($85): After typing, texting and holding things all day, your hands could use a little TLC. Acu Palm offers a heated compression massage that ranges from your fingers to your wrist to help your hands recover after working them to the bone.

House of Marley Exodus Anc ($250): These eco-friendly noise cancelling headphones carry a 28-hour battery life with active noise cancellation and 80 hours without. You'll be able to enjoy hours of music and entertainment without having to charge.

Luigi's Mansion 3 ($60): Kids will have fun zapping ghosts and beef up their problem-solving skills in the process.

Singing Machine Official Carpool Karaoke ($60): Turn road trips into concert tours with carpool karaoke.

Polaroid Mint Pocket Printer W/ Zink Zero Ink Technology & Built-In Bluetooth ($140): One of the biggest problems with some instant cameras is that the picture never comes out exactly the way you planned. With Polaroid's pocket printer, you can get instant prints of your fave photos from your cell phone; problem solved.

Scuf Vantage 2 ($170): Create your own unique gaming experience by using this fully customizable controller. The Vantage 2 can not only be customized visually by choosing one of the 60 designs available, but you can customize the weight, thumbstick sensitivity, and more.

Moodo Smart Home Fragrance Diffuser Bundle ($100): Load up four scents at a time to mix and match the aroma you need, when you need it, for your bedroom, living room, or office.

Boolean Box ($170): Watch as your child builds their very own computer.

Bluetooth Shower Speaker ($30): Shower karaoke anyone?

Tanoshi 2-in-1 Kids Computer ($190): This child's laptop/tablet combo comes with preloaded educational games and apps and parental controls so kids can have fun and parents don't have to worry about their cyber safety.

LED Fitness Data Smart Rope ($80): Track your jump count, calories burned and workout times with this smart rope. Stay motivated with training sessions and compete with your friends to stay motivated.

Pictionary Air ($20): Game night just got elevated. Pictionary Air is classic game with a tech upgrade. Draw in the air and see it on the TV, your phone, or both.

Indy($85): Zone out in these water-resistant earbuds by Skull Candy that are great for music and calls.

Schatzii Smart Cloth 10pk ($50): May your picture always be pristine with these smart cloths. You can use them on your glasses too.

C by GE Full Color Bulbs ($30): Make daily chores and homework fun by scheduling each with a different color using these smart light bulbs.

Disney Frozen 2 Coding Kit ($80): Use your child's love for Disney to get them started with coding.

Universal Grip Band Metallic Rose Gold ($15): Tired of your phone falling on your face? Use this multi-functional phone grip & stand. It's easy to apply and doesn't leave a sticky residue.

UBTECH JIMU Robot Mythical Series: Firebot Kit ($130): Your little builder will love spending hours building their own robot.

Network Case ($28): Use MyTagalongs' signature pink pouch to keep your chords in one place.

Adjustable Neck Smartphone Mount ($12): Go hands free while catching up on all your latest shows with this phone mount.

Wally Dual USB Wall Charger + Standard AC Outlet ($40): We all know the struggle of too many devices and not enough outlets. Charge all your devices at once with this dual wall charger that comes with two USB ports so you don't have to play the switching game anymore.

Legacybox ($60 and up): Transfer retro to digital with Legacybox. Send in your VHS tapes, film reels and photo prints, and have them digitized for a sentimental gift you can share with the whole family.

Upright GO 2 Posture Trainer ($100): This wearable reminder will train you to have better posture in no time.

GE Lighting 93100352 LED + Speaker ($43): Make your home sing with GE's bluetooth enabled smart bulbs with built in speakers.

Jammy Guitar + Detachable Frame ($450): Rock out wherever you happen to be with this digital guitar.

Lovebox Messenger ($100): Send a digital love note to your S.O. through an app and they display in this beech wood box. Watch your loved one light up when they receive a new message alert.

Hot Wheels id Smart Track Kit ($180): This ain't the same Hot Wheels you once knew. With the smart track, you can build, race, and beat in-app challenges. You can also build and beat more than 20 layout designs with 16 assorted track pieces.

InstaShiatsu Foot Massager with Air Compression & Heat ($200): Your piggies will get a kick out of this foot massager.

Tovala Gen 2 Smart Steam WiFi Countertop Oven ($300): The scan-to-cook technology on this countertop oven not only saves time but takes a lot of guess work out of cooking.

Tap Strap 2 Wearable Keyboard ($200): Control your smart devices with this single-handed all in one wearable keyboard.

Pocketalk ($300): Communicate with anyone with this two-way translator, great for everyday use and travel.

WS1 Immersive Wearable Speaker ($300): This wireless speaker rests on top of your shoulders and packs the same vibrations and full sounds of other bluetooth speakers to make you feel like you're actually inside the movie or front row at the concert.

Smoko Boba Tea AirPods Case ($15): Store your AirPods in a compact reminder of your fave drinks.

Wynd Plus Smart Portable Personal Air Purifier ($200): This compact purifier is great for night stands, desks or your suitcase to carry with you wherever you travel.

Arlo Video Doorbell ($149): Keep track of who comes and goes at your front door with this video doorbell that notifies you when motion is detected in front and receive a call when your doorbell is pressed. You can also keep watch over all of those Amazon packages that are left on your porch during the day.

Sony Digital Paper ($448): Go paperless by taking notes on this low glare screen with a texture that feels just like real paper.

Retractable Stay Positive Charging Cord ($30): Cute keychain + charging cord = winning.

Courant Catch 2 ($80): Charge all your devices at once with this multi-device wireless charging pad.

Adonit Note+ ($70): An alternative to the Apple pen, the Adonit Note+ allows for up to 10 hours of continuous note-taking or artistry along with programmable short cuts.

Sunpak Ultimate Vlogging Kit ($150): For the friend who has always wanted to start a vlog, gift them with a quality filming setup.

Side Trak ($300): Busy bees will appreciate this attachable portable dual screen that works with your laptop.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Your Weekly Tarot Reading Is Officially In For February 11!

Ready to ditch the overwhelm and step into your power? This week's tarot reading is packed with good vibes, from tapping into your intuition to manifesting some serious abundance. Plus, we're talking self-worth, community connection, and remembering that you are the queen (or king!) of your own life. Let's dive into your weekly tarot reading and make some magic happen!

Scroll to see your weekly tarot reading for February 11!

Frances Naudé

Queen of Swords

This week's reading emphasizes intuitive action and prioritizing what truly matters. The Queen of Swords encourages us to lead from an intuitive space, especially amidst a potentially busy week. It's about identifying "glass balls" (high-priority items) versus "plastic balls" (less urgent tasks) and acting accordingly. Don't get distracted by the busyness, but rather make aligned decisions based on your highest self. This is a time for action, but not forced action. Start moving forward, even if it's just one step.

Frances Naudé

Four of Cups

The Four of Cups advises us to expand our perspective. While focusing is important, we shouldn't get so hyper-focused that we miss other opportunities or solutions. If things aren't flowing, take a step back and consider if there's a different approach. Are you pushing for something ego-driven, or is it truly aligned with your desires? This week calls for revisiting those manifestation questions: What do you want your life to look like, and how do you want it to feel? Remember, you are the leader of your own life, and you don't need to explain your choices to anyone.

Frances Naudé

Three of Pentacles

The Three of Pentacles focuses on self-worth and community. It's a reminder that every role you play is valuable and important. Whether you're a parent, a worker, or anything in between, give yourself grace and appreciate your contributions. Avoid comparing yourself to others, as everyone's journey is unique. Also, nurture your connections with others this week. Reach out to friends, family, or your community for support and connection.

Frances Naudé

Queen of Pentacles

Finally, the Queen of Pentacles highlights abundance, particularly financial abundance. Believe that you are worthy of abundance, and practice mantras like "I am abundant" and "Abundance flows to me with effortless ease." If you've been having ideas, explore them further, as they may be the key to financial abundance. Ensure that your energy exchange matches your compensation. Be open to receiving abundance in all its forms, whether it's money, time, help, or energy. Where are you feeling lacking? Flip that on its head and focus on what you are ready to receive. This week is about believing in your ability to create and receive abundance. Finally, this week is a good time to soften where we can, leaning into nurturing ourselves and others, love, sensuality, joy, art and beauty.

Watch Your Entire Weekly Tarot Reading Here!

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11 Cleaning Gadgets to Make 2019 Your Tidiest Year Yet

Keeping your home nice and tidy is always high up there on the list of New Year’s resolutions. But just because you’re motivated and ready to make this year your tidiest yet, it can still be a struggle to get to the hard-to-reach places and conjure up the energy to clean after a long day of work. You won’t have to worry ever again with these near-magical cleaning gadgets you’ll wish you had gotten ages ago.

Awair

What if you could know what’s in the air around you? Awair tracks the elements that will have an impact on your health and how you feel, including temperature and humidity, and connects with your other appliances on a smart network for convenience. It even promises that you’ll sleep better too!

Joseph Joseph Totem Intelligent Waste System

Get ready for a new kind of waste management, one that outsmarts the rest. This trash bin’s compact design allows for it to take up the same space as a regular kitchen bin, but it comes with a removable divider to encourage and organize recycling different materials. Plus, it features a removable inner lining and breather vents to make taking out the trash a cinch.

Mocoro Robotic Fur Ball Vacuum Cleaner

Believe it or not, this adorably colorful furball is actually a robotic vacuum. All you have to do is clean the cover, sit back, and watch the fluffy ball do all the work. Its internal timer starts up every 15 minutes, ensuring your wood and vinyl floors are as spotless as they can be.

Okki Nokki Record Cleaning Machine

If you’re a fan of vinyl, you know how important it is to keep your records clean to maintain their best sound. This cool running turntable vacuums forward and backward for deep cleaning while its quiet motor gives you peace of mind.

CleanWave Portable Sanitizing Wand

This sanitizer and sterilizer in one kills up to 99.9 percent of germs and allergens that surround you — and it does it without using any chemicals or irritants. Plus, its compact design makes it easy to take with you from home to work, or even on your travels.

Dyson V6 Cordless Vacuum

The versatile motorized, cordless tool can be used on all floor types, which makes the stressful act of cleaning way less stressful. Even better? Its detachable wand helps you get all those hard-to-reach places. No more allergen-filled dusty corners!

iRobot Braava Jet 240 Robot Mop

This compact robotic floor mop self-navigates to clean your floor using microfiber cloths or your preferred brand of disposable cloths. You won’t have to worry about the noise a vacuum makes, because this baby operates at “whisper-quiet.” And did we mention it runs up to three hours on a single charge?

Verilux CleanWave Sanitizing Portable Vacuum

Here’s a vacuum that not only clears the mess but also helps to reduce germs, deodorize, and sanitize. It relies on safe UV-C light to sanitize surfaces without the worry of harmful chemicals and other difficult-to-clean liquids.

OXO Good Grips Electronics Cleaning Brush

This home essential gently sweeps away dust with soft bristles while its silicone wiper grabs dirt from even the hard-to-reach places. Use on your keyboard, computer monitor, camera lens, or cell phone for the best clean tech you’ve ever had.

Winbot W730 Window Cleaning Robot

With the touch of a button, the robot, which comes with two pads and a squeegee, automatically cleans both framed and frameless windows effortlessly.

Winix FresHome Model P300 True HEPA Air Cleaner With PlasmaWave

This unique air purifier features three-stage air cleaning that includes an activated carbon pre-filter, HEPA filtration, and PlasmaWave technology. These three stages work to capture offensive household odors, 99.9 percent of airborne pollutants and allergens, and even neutralize bacteria in the air without producing a harmful ozone.
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When Does Easter Candy Come Out?

The countdown to Easter has (somehow) already begun, and aside from cute pastel-colored outfits, lavish Easter dinners (or brunches!), and adorable bunny decorations, my personal favorite part about the holiday is indeed all the Easter candy.

Though grocery store aisles are currently packed with Valentine’s Day treats, it won’t be long before everyone’s gearing up for Easter. Since you obviously want to stuff your friend’s and family’sEaster baskets with the best candies around, we’ve got the scoop on when Easter candy will hit shelves this year!

When does Easter candy come out? Read on for the answer, plus some of my favorite sweets you need to try this year.

When does Easter candy come out?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

Good news for Easter candy fans: you can find a good selection on shelves right now. That’s right – popular Easter candy brands like Peeps and Cadbury notoriously release their seasonal goodies as early as January!

Things really ramp up after Valentine’s Day is all said and done, so you’ll start to see a wider selection post-February 14.

What are the most popular Easter candies?

Amazon

Per a study conducted by DoorDash last year, the “most popular” Easter candies include Reese’s Eggs, Cadbury Creme Eggs, Starburst Jelly Beans, Hershey’s Kisses, Lindt Milk Chocolate Bunnies, and Peeps, among others.

Where can I buy Easter candy?

Polina Zimmerman / PEXELS

You can buy Easter candy at most big grocery stores like Target, Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, and Kroger, plus drug stores like CVS and Walgreens. Trader Joe's and Dollar General also sell some yummy Easter treats every year!

What is the #1selling candy at Easter?

Amazon

Per the same DoorDash study, Reese’s Eggs are the #1 selling candy at Easter – and I must agree! Aside from Cadbury Mini Eggs (the ones coated with a delicious candy shell) and Lindt bunnies (can you tell I'm a chocolate fiend?), Reese’s Eggs are my go-to Easter treat.

When does Easter candy go on sale?

Pavel Danilyuk / PEXELS

The day after Easter is typically when Easter candy goes on sale and you can buy it for a discounted price. This year, Easter falls on April 20, so you can expect Easter candy at your local grocery store to drop in price on April 21!

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4 Easy Ways To Become A More "Satisfied" Person In Your Day-To-Day Life

Do you feel like you've mastered your Sunday to-do list and want to try your hand at living your best life, for real? Good because we're on the same page — and we've been thinking about what that looks like. Is it uninterrupted moments where you get to read historical fiction or swatch the best foundations for your complexion? What about the bliss you feel when munching on a tasty snack from Trader Joe's?

While it's easy to share our opinions, we thought it'd be more rewarding to give you science-backed tips for what'll make you feel satisfied each day. Ready for all the details?

Keep scrolling for all the ways you can become a more satisfied person everyday!

How many people are satisfied with life?

Kelly Mcglone

We have bleak news to share: only 44% of people in the U.S. are happy with their lives (via Gallup). That's less than half of the people we may pass during our Starbucks and T.J. Maxx runs! What gives? According to the same study, everything from economic statuses to religion seem to play a factor in daily satisfaction.

If you ask us, it doesn't take rocket science to know people who are able to afford their bills may not be as stressed as someone who has to choose between putting gas in their car or getting something to eat. Still, there have to be some easy ways to be satisfied in your day-to-day life, right?

Here are some simple tips you can try ASAP!

Scarlette Alexandra De Gregorio

1. Focus on reducing your stress

We often talk about the impact stress and burnout can have on us, but that doesn't mean everyone is taking steps to eliminate what causes them. Another Gallup study revealed 49% of people are experiencing raised cortisol levels which is much higher than it's been in prior years. You may be thinking that your job or relationship are the sources of your stress, but we'll never flat out tell you to give up on them.

Our suggestions are to:

  1. Take stock of how you feel about your job, relationship, finances, etc.,
  2. Ask yourself what you need to thrive in different areas of your life.
  3. See how you can create boundaries that lessen the chance you'll over-extend yourself in life.

Aditi Gorasia

2. Breakup with "doom scrolling"

We saw you try to skip over this section as soon as you saw "doom scrolling," but we need you to pay attention. It's not doing you any good and this is coming from people who are chronically online for a living. A Media Consumption Trend Report shows that the average person spends at least 6 hours everyday looking at "some type of media." The most popular platforms are Facebook and YouTube which doesn't surprise us!

Based on other findings in the study, there's a huge indicator that do this contributes to "poorer" mental health and you don't need that! We know you want to be as informed as possible, but don't let FOMO keep you chained to negative posts and articles all day.

Grace McCuistion

3. Look at the bright side of things

Does life feel bright right now? Probably not, but that doesn't mean you deserve to live in a cycle of stress, anxiety, and depression. We're not shy about our own mental health struggles, but we're also unafraid to talk about how adopting a gratitude practice helps us get through our days.

We're not saying this will magically eliminate bad moments, but it will ground you when you start asking yourself "what if" questions.

Cora Pursley

4. Understand you're not meant to be a one-person island

We think individualism is beautiful, but not at the expense of shutting everyone out because you think you can do everything by yourself. None of us are meant to be alone 24/7, but there's been a growing loneliness epidemic that's swept through the U.S.

In 2023, a study by U.S Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy pointed out that there was a 5 hour decrease in household family interactions along with spending less time with friends per month. It was also discovered that the less time we spend with others impacted our health worse than "smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day."

If you're thinking, "I just can't trust anyone," we want you to know we understand you've been hurt by people you were once vulnerable with. But, it's impossible to do everything in life by yourself even if you think you've been doing a great job so far. Not only does your health depend on opening your heart to others again, so does you overall satisfaction with life!

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