STACK #194 Dec 2020

FEATURE LIFE TECH

What is it? Lenovo Smart Clock Essential What‘s the crack? A brilliant trojan horse to help convert the Luddite to the joys of a smart

Buying tips

1 If your recipient already has a fledgling smart setup, make sure that your gift is compatible with their ecosystem. 2 When going the smart bulb route, ensure that you nail the right fitment, be it bayonet cap (aka B22) or screw (E27). 3 Consider your giftee’s situation – a smart outside spotlight probably isn’t the best choice for somebody who lives in a flat. What is it? Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip What‘s the crack? Subtle lighting behind your TV can be good for your eyes, be it gentle white light or any of a massive array of colours. This latest tech from Philips has been specially designed to fit to the back of most modern TVs, and it’s available in 55”, 65” and 75” sizes. Plus, hook it into a Hue Play HDMI Sync Box via Hue Bridge and get into wild surround lighting synced with your content. Who would it suit? It’s the perfect gift for somebody with a big screen who likes big spectacle with their viewing.

home, this looks like a fairly standard clock at first glance, but its feature set runs deep. Useable as a Google hub, you can ask

it everything from the time to what the weather is outside and, of course, use it as a helpful audio player or alarm clock by the bedside. It even has a handy nightlight built in! Who would it suit? That person in your life who is time conscious, but doesn’t feel the need for innumerable bells and whistles.

What is it? Google Chromecast with Google TV What‘s the crack? With so many ways of

enjoying entertainment, including live TV and streaming services, it seems that much of your playtime can be spent swapping between various apps looking for stuff. This powerful device brings it all together on one home screen, with program search (even via voice), personalised viewing suggestions and speedy streaming – with 4K and HDR support, too. Who would it suit? Anybody who could benefit from some TV viewing time-saving will find this fabulous little device a godsend.

What is it? Eve Cam Indoor Security Camera

What‘s the crack? Security is important, yet some will go cheap on a camera and not consider another security angle, that of their data. The Eve Cam is designed exclusively for Apple Homekit Secure Video, so you know that data will be safely encrypted in your iCloud. Receive notifications of any detected movement, but feel secure knowing that it can be turned off while at home. Who would it suit? That Apple acolyte in your life who could possibly do with a bit more security consciousness.

Stocking Filler One for the budding Keith Moon’s of the world, this is a great place to start a drumming career – your very own battery operated electronic drumsticks. These have built-in rhythms and speakers and you can play tom- toms, cymbals or the snare along to a beat! Rock and roll!

Christmas Cracker: During Christmas in Greece, mischievous goblins known as the Kallikantzaroi are said to appear from the end of December to early January from beneath the ground where they have spent the year sawing the World Tree so that it will fall, along with the Earth. Like Stripe and co. from Gremlins , they seek to wreak havoc throughout the house when they come down the chimney overnight.

57