Today I want to take some time to give a little love to outdoor gadgets. We often talk about smart technology inside the home but if you’re like me, you spend a lot of time outdoors in the Summer. Of course, you could drag pricey speakers out to the pool or prop up your favorite flat-screen TV in the garden. However, gadgets and gear made for indoor play should really stay indoors. Otherwise, those burgers won’t be the only thing to get burned. There are many smart home gadgets that can not only bring some life into your party but are also actually made for outdoor use.
Lynx SmartGrill
Use your app and have the grill turn on or off from your smart phone. Then you pick a recipe from their database or enter your own recipe and the SmartGrill will turn on the heat and heat it to the perfect temperature based on the degree of cook that you choose. Then the SmartGrill walks you through the entire cooking process, learning your preferences as it goes. Available in 30-, 36- and 42-inch sizes. The best part is you can have the grill shut off remotely if you are entertaining and not able to constantly watch the food. I am personally very accomplished at burning barbeque. Lynx
MiPow PlayBulb Garden Outdoor Lighting
Once the late afternoon hits on the 4th of July I leave the beach or trail and go sit on my deck in my back yard. I am very lucky to live a 3-minute walk from Incline Beach, so I have all my friends come and have dessert and cocktails at my place before we walk to the beach fireworks. I am very excited to premiere these new outdoor lights this year! The MiPow PlayBulb Outdoor lights are colorful fun fixtures remind me of the Philips hue system for your garden. The smart bulb can highlight flowers, shrubs and any other outdoor element. It can even deliver a dramatic flair to that space in the dark, by adding a bit of color into the equation. You can control the system through an app, and they come with water protection (sprinklers and kiddie pools) and a built-in light sensor for turning on only when it is dark. These lights are solar powered, so it is green and saves you money! MiPow
Denon Heos 1 & Go Pack
If you’re going to relax or entertain, you’re going to need good sounding music. The HEOS 1 is Denon’s latest wireless speaker option—and it’s ready to party alone or you can use two as a stereo pair. The speaker has dual-band Wifi and it is state of the art. Crank it up from any device via the HEOS app and its humidity-resistant for even your sweatiest party. Add a rechargeable battery for up to 6 hours on the go, and a splashguard for poolside playtime. Denon
Solar Cooler
If you’re in Truckee or Tahoe for the summer chances are you will be at a beach barbeque at some point. The thing I hate about coolers is finding my food floating in a warm puddle of melted ice. That is why I recommend the Solar Cooler. This device promises to keep everything cool for up to 24 hours, and it’s solar powered! Just charge up the solar panels on top of the cooler, stuff the 38-quart space with your favorite snacks and beverages and enjoy! In my advice, don’t drain the battery too much. If you’ve got the juice, it can even charge your smartphone and other electronic goodies with it. Solar Cooler
Grillbot
I have mentioned in other blogs that I am still waiting for Rosie the robot from the Jetson’s as part of my smart home system. One of my most loathed cleaning areas is the grill. One push of the button and cleans your grill. The Grillbot also boats a CPU chip, LCD alarm and timer and easy to remove brushes that are dishwasher safe. It’s almost like having a robot maid, well….at least were getting closer. Grillbot
Open Air Cinema System
This instant setup has everything you’d need for a backyard movie night. That includes a projector, a Blu-ray player and speakers, as well as an inflatable screen that can be deflated and stored when not in use. There’s even a gaming system, which is packaged with a PlayStation 4. Screens are available in sizes ranging from 9 to 20 feet, with options for 720p and 1080p HD. Currently, the company sells four different residential packages, designed to accommodate between 30 and 500 “close” friends.
Open Air Cinema