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- Review count15
- Helpfulness votes8
- First reviewOctober 26, 2014
- Last reviewDecember 30, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.4
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- Answer count5
- Helpfulness votes1
- First answerDecember 29, 2017
- Last answerDecember 30, 2017
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Control your home lighting automatically with the smart timer on this Philips Hue White starter kit. The user-friendly system lets you turn lights on and off or dim them with an intuitive app for your smartphone or tablet. This Philips Hue White starter kit has space for up to 50 lights and 10 accessories to connect your entire home.
Customer Rating
5
Yes, and more please!!!!
on December 30, 2017
Posted by: arjay67
from Kankakee, IL, USA
Verified Purchase:Yes
This was my first entry into the home automation market. So far, it’s been a very good experience.
Setup was dead simple. I located the hub next to my Apple Time Capsule and Arlo router. Plug in the power, plug in the Ethernet, launch the app, press the button….done.
Now, on to the bulbs. I unboxed them and swapped them in a lamp in my bedroom. Turn both sockets and they turn on by default. Launched the Hue app, and they were discovered immediately. So I created a room, assigned them and was adjusting the levels within about two minutes.
The dimming adjustment makes a big difference. No longer do I have to blind myself by turning on a light in the middle of the night when I need just a little light to maneuver to the bathroom. Another reviewer stated that the bulbs don’t remember their previous settings. But I find the opposite to be true. When I turn them on (either with the Hue app, HomeKit, 3rd party app) they come back to their previous setting. Unless I use Siri or Google Assistant and specify what level to turn them on.
Another neat part is the app. It allows for easy setup and assignments to various “rooms”. One more feature that sold me on these, was that from the Hue app I can copy all the setting over to Apple HomeKit. So now I can control them from the Hue app, my Google Home Mini or any Siri device. (iPad, iPhone, AppleTV)
Yep, these are definitely keepers. When my brother-in-law asked what we could use for Christmas, our first response was more Hues! And I will likely be buying several more once I can wade through all the competing standards to decide what other home automation devices I should get. (e.g. wall outlets, switches, security monitoring, etc)
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Google Home Mini is a smart speaker powered by the Google Assistant, so you can ask it questions and tell it to do things. Just start with "Ok Google" to enjoy your entertainment, get answers from Google, tackle your day, and control your smart home. Google Home Mini works on its own or you can have a few around the house, giving you the power of Google anywhere."
Customer Rating
3
Good for remote stuff/Assistant needs work
on December 29, 2017
Posted by: arjay67
from Kankakee, IL, USA
Verified Purchase:Yes
I got this on sale at Christmas time when BB was offering a great price plus a gift card rebate. It has been fun to use and works well at controlling my Hue lights, Nest thermostat and TP-Link outlet switch. It also works very well with music services like Google Play and iHeartRadio. It has even surprised me a couple of times in doing things like playing a song from Google Play when you tell it a line of the lyrics. But for other operations and requests, it's really far behind Siri.
It's very small size and attractive styling allow it to be placed almost anywhere without standing out as ugly. Keep in mind that this unit is very small. As such, you cannot expect high fidelity from the speaker, but it beats a blank. It was easy to pair with my other mobile devices to use as a speaker.
The companion Goggle Home/Google Assistant app are simple for most tasks. But can be a bit confusing when setting up devices like smart bulbs and switches.
Overall, I'm happy with this purchase. But I'm really waiting for the HomePod to take its place.
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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You’ve taken hundreds of photos on your trip but are running out of space on your memory card. With a memory card adapter, you can easily transfer files from a camera, tablet, or phone’s SD card or micro SD card to a computer. All you need is a USB port: Plug and play technology lets you connect and move files to your computer without additional software. Transfer files to free up card space, then view or edit them on your computer. A compact, thumb-drive design makes this card reader convenient for travel. Make sure that you have space for the next great photo with the Insignia USB 3.0 Memory Card Reader.
Customer Rating
4
Just what I needed
on September 28, 2017
Posted by: arjay67
from Kankakee, IL, USA
Verified Purchase:Yes
This adapter works well in reading SD and micro SD cards. Fast transfers and truly plug-n-play operation. Even fills the rare need that I have for CF cards. Very good price as well.
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Nest 3rd Generation Smart Learning Thermostat: Take control of your home's heating and cooling without lifting a finger with this thermostat, which learns your habits and adjusts to automatically regulate your home's temperature based on your schedule. The Nest Leaf feature alerts you when you choose a temperature that's energy efficient.
Customer Rating
5
Rebates make it a MUST HAVE!
on July 19, 2017
Posted by: arjay67
Verified Purchase:Yes
When the Nest first hit the market I was put off by the price. I was also skeptical if another "internet sensation" would have any longevity. I didn't want to be on the bleeding edge only to be burned if/when the company faltered.
But Nest has stood the test of time and remained. So when I had some RZ certs to use I combined that savings with the $100.00 rebate from ComEd to feel a lot better about the price.
The Nest has shown to be easy to setup and operate. The instructions were clear, with additional information on their website that is very thorough. They also have installation videos for the more visual learners. They have a network of professional installers available if you really don't want to DIY. But for my situation, I found that the most difficult part of the installation was removing my old thermostat. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, everything is well labeled and the whole job took me about 30 minutes.
It's very nice that Nest includes the additional mounting bracket for those rare installations that would require it. But even better was the trim plate since my old thermostat was a bigger, rectangular model that had been painted around. The trim plate covered it up and made it a professional looking job. While I like and appreciate the inclusion of the trim plate, I would like it more if there were other finish options available. But this is a very minor issue. It just plain looks good on the wall.
I did have one momentary hiccup on the setup. On the first attempt it could not connect to my WIFI. I know the user/pass was corrected, it just took forever and then gave an error. I tried it a second time and it connected right away and has remained active for months. So if at first it doesn't connect, just wait a minute and try it again.
I have the savings features enabled. So it's set to start cooling down about the time I leave work. But if I have to work late and it doesn't detect anyone home, it will stay in the upper setting until I arrive home. Better still, I can always launch the app on my phone and tell Nest to start the cooling before I leave work. I loved this feature so much about my car, now I have it IN MY HOME!!!
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Work without the worry of your Apple Pencil rolling out of reach with this Belkin Apple Pencil stand. Its recessed tip holder and weighted base keep your device close at hand to maintain your creative momentum. The sleek chrome finish of this Belkin Apple Pencil stand matches the pencil's look to maintain the minimalist style.
Customer Rating
5
Beautiful and meets the need
on July 19, 2017
Posted by: arjay67
Verified Purchase:Yes
After purchasing the Apple Pencil I soon learned that I needed a place to store it when not in use. It's so smooth that it just kept rolling around and almost rolled off the table a couple of times. I saw a review for this stand on another site and thought, "That's exactly what I need."
The highly polished exterior makes it a beautiful addition to any desk. The base is nicely weighted so it won't tip over or slide around too easily. It keeps your Pencil tip protected from accidental damage.
Basically, it does what it was designed for and looks good doing it!
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Connect your compatible Apple® device to your computer's USB port with this Apple MD819ZM/A cable which features a Lightning connector to help charge and sync your iPad® mini, iPad with Retina, iPhone® 5, 5s or 5c and more.
Customer Rating
5
Better quality than most
on February 25, 2017
Posted by: arjay67
Verified Purchase:Yes
I needed a longer Lightning cable and this fits my needs perfectly. The build quality is better than the 1m cables that come with most iPads and iPhones. And significantly better than any other brand that I have tried.
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The all-new AirPort Time Capsule works with OS X to automatically and wirelessly back up everything on your Mac to its 3TB hard drive.1 And it doubles as a full-featured Wi-
Customer Rating
5
Good coverage--Reliable Backup
on January 3, 2017
Posted by: arjay67
Verified Purchase:Yes
I purchased this primarily to serve as a Time Machine server for all of the Mac's in the house. I had the previous generation with a 2TB HD but it would often fill up. 3TB will give me the space I need for a while.
Even with my most important need already met, I began to explore the WiFi features. Having the 802.11ac technology it's definitely faster than my previous. Performance is on par with the unit supplied by my ISP. But their box in located in the basement so often if I went into the garage or outside, my signal would drop off rapidly. Since I have this located on the 2nd floor of my house, outdoor and garage coverage is now much stronger and more reliable.
But, as I said, my primary use is for Time Machine backups. To that end it's a wonderful device. Recently, I discovered that I needed some files that were previously on my desktop but I had deleted them 3 months prior. I had moved them to external storage, but then had a mishap that wiped them from the storage drive. Ok, Time Machine, now's your chance. I opened Time Machine on my Mac, clicked a period in time that I knew the files still existed, viola they were shown there. I selected the folder, clicked Restore and within a minute that folder was back on my Desktop as it was before. Thanks TM, you saved my butt.
Setup is easy also. Plug in the power, run a cable from your router/switch to the lower Ethernet port and then launch AirPort utility from your Mac or iOS device. Run through the configuration and you're in business. Then to setup Time Machine to continuously backup your machine you just enter Time Machine preferences, select the unit, enter your password and you're all set. Every hour it will backup your files with ease.
For most people this will handle all of your networking needs without a lot of configuration hassle. There are several advanced options that even I don't use. But for some, the primary complaint is configuration. It does not provide for many of the advance configuration options that other dedicated WiFi routers do. But you're also not spending an additional $300 for a special router. Since I have an ISP supplied router already I'm using this as more of a bridge/switch so it's irrelevant to me.
Another use I found is that I can connect my USB printer to share across the network with all computers. That is an added benefit that allowed me to remove the USB print server that I had been using and was rather flaky. I did try connecting a USB hub and connecting both my printer and an external drive. It worked rather well. This function is not officially supported and a few folks have reported issues, but in a pinch it can also serve as a NAS.
Though I didn't intend to use it as my Ethernet switch, I would up doing so in the end. So this one piece of equipment has now replaced three and is using far less energy.
Pros:
* Easy setup
* Reliable backups
* Strong, fast WIFI
* Printer sharing
* Small footprint--you can stash it anywhere.
* Easy setup
* Reliable backups
* Strong, fast WIFI
* Printer sharing
* Small footprint--you can stash it anywhere.
Cons
* May not provide the level of config you require
* May not provide the level of config you require
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
I would recommend this to a friend!
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AppleCare+ for iPad - 2-year plan
Customer Rating
4
Insurance for peace of mind
on January 2, 2017
Posted by: arjay67
Verified Purchase:Yes
I usually get AppleCare for my Apple computers and devices. So far, I have only had to use it once many years ago on a Mac Mini. I get it for the peace of mind as a "just in case" something happens. Should your device have a failure, it's good to know you won't be faced with a repair cost. Even though Apple devices have proven to me many times that the likelihood of a failure is rare.
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Smart Cover for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is constructed from a single piece of polyurethane to protect the front of your device. The Smart Cover automatically wakes your iPad when opened and puts it to sleep when closed. It folds into different positions to create a stand for reading, typing, or watching videos. And it’s easy to remove, so you can snap it on and off whenever you want.
Customer Rating
4
Good fit, great protection and function
on January 2, 2017
Posted by: arjay67
Verified Purchase:Yes
I selected this case mostly because I didn’t have the need for the integrated keyboard that’s in the Smart Keyboard Cover. Many of the 3rd party cases I found either were designed specifically for the iPad Pro, or they contained a lot of extras that I didn’t want. One was so thick that using the TouchID sensor would have been very difficult. It’s already saved my IPP from an spilled coffee incident.
Pros:
* Good protection for screen.
* Made specifically for the iPad Pro 9.7” — not a series like other cases that may not fit as well.
* Fits well with the Smart Case.
* Microfiber lining helps reduce the finger smudges on the screen.
* Magnetic activation of sleep/wake and keeps cover in place when open or closed.
* Magnetic attachment makes installation super easy.
* Good protection for screen.
* Made specifically for the iPad Pro 9.7” — not a series like other cases that may not fit as well.
* Fits well with the Smart Case.
* Microfiber lining helps reduce the finger smudges on the screen.
* Magnetic activation of sleep/wake and keeps cover in place when open or closed.
* Magnetic attachment makes installation super easy.
Con:
* Is no longer integrated with a full case so protection of the rest of iPad requires separate purchase.
* Is no longer integrated with a full case so protection of the rest of iPad requires separate purchase.
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The 9.7-inch iPad Pro delivers an unprecedented combination of portability and performance. At just 6.1mm thin and weighing less than a pound, iPad Pro features the brightest, most advanced Retina display ever with True Tone, advanced sensors that adjust the display to your environment for even more comfortable viewing. It has a powerful A9X chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture, four speaker audio, advanced iSight and FaceTime HD cameras, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, ultrafast Wi-Fi connectivity, and up to 10 hours of battery life. When you add Apple Pencil with its pixel-perfect precision, and the incredibly thin Smart Keyboard, iPad Pro becomes even more versatile.*
Customer Rating
5
Love, Love, Love it!
on January 2, 2017
Posted by: arjay67
Verified Purchase:Yes
So I had been using a 4th generation iPad with Retina (IPWR). Always liked that one but with the release of iOS 10 I felt the aging of the hardware. I even had to downgrade to iOS 9 to restore responsiveness. I had been wanting to upgrade to a more current model but this really helped to motivate me to upgrade to the iPad Pro (IPP). The benefits are below.
Size: Overall size is significantly reduced. Yet the actual screen size is larger. It’s 1/10th inch shorter but nearly an inch less wide, primarily due to a reduced bezel size. It’s also about 1/5 lb lighter.
Display: The wide color display doesn’t not present a significant improvement for my purposes, but it is still Retina resolution so everything from web pages to photos are always crisp and beautiful. Text is clear and easy to read. Where the retina really shows it’s beauty is when I compared it to my mom’s 2nd gen iPad. Makes that one look downright nasty.
Performance: As compared with my previous, the increase in processing is very noticeable. With iOS 10 my IPWR was bogged down. Typing in text to a web form or other application would result in long delays between tapping the letter and it actually appearing. No delay at all on the IPP. There is also significant improvement in the responsiveness of games, rendering of web pages and all other functions.
Audio: Okay, you’re only going to be able to do so much when the form factor is this small. But the IPP’s four speakers create much better sound with a noticeably wider range. Low end sounds are most noticeable. And yes, Virginia, it still has a headphone jack. Especially important when I’m a passenger in a vehicle and want to listen to my vast music library.
Cameras: Wow! I’m still amazed that the 9.7” IPP has a better camera than it’s big brother the 12.9”. The improvements of True Tone flash and noise reduction make for much better photos that my IWR. Face detection is near flawless. The front facing camera is a huge upgrade as well. 5MP on the IPP which is much greater that the 1.2MP of the IWR or even the 12.9” IPP. The Retina Flash feature does help a lot with low-light, close shots and selfies. But don’t be unrealistic and expect it to fill in the background with brightness.
Wi-FI: This unit shines here. Whether I connect to my Airport Express Time Capsule or the WiFi supplied by my AT&T router, the signal is strong and fast.
TouchID: Ah…..perhaps the most welcome addition of upgrading. I did have to make two attempts to get my prints fully registered. But once setup, it’s working flawlessly. I can touch it from multiple angles and orientations and it recognizes my print every time. It’s so nice to be able to unlock my device with such ease and reliability. I’ve been missing this on my IWR ever since my first experience with it on my iPhone 6. It’s also nice when developers utilize this feature as well. I no longer have to enter my credentials every time I launch the App Store, my AT&T app or my banking app.
Other items to note:
The improved motion sensors, accelerometer and the addition of the barometer make other apps more reliable and responsive. iOS 10 features like split screen and swipe over and Siri are very helpful to me too.
I opted for the 128GB model and having the extra storage really pays off for me. My iCloud photo library is over 30GB and music about 25GB. And I don’t even keep all of my music on it, by choice.
For me, the only negative aspect is the battery. I would happily trade the thinner case for more battery life. It’s not at all bad, but IMO you can never have too much battery. :)
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
My Best Buy number: 2381904496
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Produce a welcoming ambience in your room with this Philips Hue candle bulb. It lets you wake up naturally by gradually increasing the light when you need it, and it allows you to go to sleep by slowly dimming the candle. Integrate this Philips Hue candle bulb with your smartphone for even more options.
I have 2 Hunter ceiling fans with 3 bulb light fixtures. Even dimmable LEDs flicker and strobe in them when dimmed. Has anyone tried these in Hunter ceiling fans?
I don't have these in a ceiling fan, but I have had a similar issue with dimmable LED bulbs in my Kitchen light. Not sure if the cause is the bulb, the switch or just dirty power. But since these don't use a dimmer switch (that functionality is built into the bulb) you shouldn't have that issue with these. I've not noticed any flicker in my use of the Hue bulbs. Just make sure that you are not using these in conjunction with a dimmer switch. They are designed to have full power to them at all times. The app/bulb will take care of the rest.
One more thing, since your ceiling fan uses 3 bulbs, you need to get the 4 bulb starter kit. Then you will have one spare to use in another fixture. My guess is that once you try them out and see the benefits, you'll want them everywhere.
One more thing, since your ceiling fan uses 3 bulbs, you need to get the 4 bulb starter kit. Then you will have one spare to use in another fixture. My guess is that once you try them out and see the benefits, you'll want them everywhere.
6 years, 3 months ago
by
arjay67
Produce a welcoming ambience in your room with this Philips Hue candle bulb. It lets you wake up naturally by gradually increasing the light when you need it, and it allows you to go to sleep by slowly dimming the candle. Integrate this Philips Hue candle bulb with your smartphone for even more options.
Produce a welcoming ambience in your room with this Philips Hue candle bulb. It lets you wake up naturally by gradually increasing the light when you need it, and it allows you to go to sleep by slowly dimming the candle. Integrate this Philips Hue candle bulb with your smartphone for even more options.
Google Home Mini is a smart speaker powered by the Google Assistant, so you can ask it questions and tell it to do things. Just start with "Ok Google" to enjoy your entertainment, get answers from Google, tackle your day, and control your smart home. Google Home Mini works on its own or you can have a few around the house, giving you the power of Google anywhere."
Google Home Mini is a smart speaker powered by the Google Assistant, so you can ask it questions and tell it to do things. Just start with "Ok Google" to enjoy your entertainment, get answers from Google, tackle your day, and control your smart home. Google Home Mini works on its own or you can have a few around the house, giving you the power of Google anywhere."