Almond+ Looks To Reinvent The Router

Routers are like printers. With technology advancing at a blazing pace, they remain some of the most difficult, expensive, and frustrating pieces of gadgets we still use. Securifi is a company that is working to redesign and rethink the way we use wireless routers with the Almond+.

The Almond+ is roughly the size of an iPad and uses a 2.8 inch TFT screen to control all of its functions. Gone are the days of configuring and setting up your wi-fi via your PC or Mac. Plug it in. Follow the on screen directions and you’re set to go. It's as easy as that and your parents will love it. On top of being a router, it comes with ZigBee and Z-Wave, technologies that allow you to control lights and lock/unlock your door wirelessly. Check out the tech specs below for more information.

• 802.11ac + n Dual Band Concurrent
• 2.4GHz 2x2 MIMO - 300Mbps
• 5GHz 2x2 MIMO - 867 Mbps
• 2.8” TFT Touchscreen
• Linux 2.6.36
• 1+4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports
• 1 USB 2.0
• ZigBee (2.4GHz)
• Z-Wave US (908MHz)
• Z-Wave Europe (868 MHz)
• 620MHz Processor
• 128MB RAM

If you’re tired of setting up and managing your parents wireless problems or you’re just looking for a modern answer to the router, you can pick one up on Kickstarter for $95.

IK Announces iLoud, A Portable Speaker With Studio Monitor Sound

Mobile speakers tend to invoke feelings of sound or build quality questions. IK Multimedia has built their entire business on high quality multimedia equipment for musicians. Today they announced their latest products in the iLoud and iLoud MINI, both being mobile speakers with studio monitor quality.

The iLoud comes powered with 40W RMS of power while the MINI comes with 12W. They are designed to produce accurate reproduction of all genres of music ranging from rock and hip-hop to classical and acoustic. Not only can you use it to listen to music, you can use it to play music as well by connecting a guitar, bass, or microphone. It can also work in conjunction with their AmpliTube and VocaLive apps for realtime vocal effects.

The iLoud is about the size of an iPad while the MINI is roughly the size of an iPad mini and can fit easily in a laptop bag. Both come with a Li-Ion rechargeable battery and work via Bluetooth along with a stereo 1/8” mini-jack. The iLoud will be priced at $299.99 and the iLoud MINI $199.99 with both being available in the second quarter of this year.

PlugBug World Converts Your MacBook Power Adapter Into A Dual Global Charger

Twelve South has released an international version of its travel-friendly PlugBug today called the PlugBug World. Like the original, the PlugBug World can function as a standalone fast USB wall charger with plenty of power to charge an iPad up to four times faster than the USB port on a MacBook. It also piggybacks onto any MacBook power adapter, essentially converting it into a dual charging beast that only uses up one wall/power outlet. The 2.1-Amp USB port outputs more power than the small USB power adapter Apple supplies with its iPhone and iPad mini, enabling it to charge your iDevices more efficiently.

The PlugBug World is an extra useful replacement for Apple's own World Travel Adapter Kit, in that it also includes multiple international interchangeable prong adapters that can be easily swapped depending on which country you visit for use in the UK, Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Japan and other countries which share similar adapters. The unique accessory will make traveling Mac users' lives much easier for $45.

Jabra Announces New Mobile Speakers In The Speak 510 Series

Typically known for their bluetooth headsets, Jabra announced yesterday the Speak 510 Series of devices for the mobile worker. The Speak 510 was designed for people who need audio conferencing on the go. The device can be plugged in via a USB cord or used wirelessly using Bluetooth for your smartphone or tablet. The 510+ cuts the cord and uses a USB dongle to wirelessly connect devices. Both come with 15 hours of talk time, a travel case and work on PC’s and Mac’s alike. The 510 is now available on Amazon for $149.99 with the 510+ coming out later this March for $179.99.

Bem Wireless Speaker Trio System Splits Into Three Speakers

Bem Wireless wants to make your listening pleasure all the more convenient with its new Speaker Trio, a wireless speaker system that combines three individual wireless speakers you can place anywhere you'd like within a 120 feet (36.5 meters). The three speakers stream music wirelessly over a Bluetooth connection with a base station that also doubles as a wireless conductive charging bay. Yeah, no AirPlay with these. But you are going to pay $300 for the Speaker Trio. Each of the three 6-inch cube-shaped speakers features a soft-touch rubber finish, bottom glow lightning effect, touch-sensitive volume buttons and a 6 hour battery life. The Speaker Trio's base has a Bluetooth range distance of 25 feet (7.6 meters), and pairs up with your iOS device to stream music wirelessly which is played thru all three speakers simultaneously.

Bem Wireless claims its Speaker Trio speakers are capable of powerful sound with pounding beats, but we're going to remain skeptical about the sound quality these can actually produce in person. You can purchase the Speaker Trio starting today in black or white colors for $300. The company is also selling a smaller, portable version of its Speaker Trio as a 2.5" solo speaker called the Mobile Speaker - which is available in more vibrant colors for $100 each.

Spigen Releases Glas iPad mini Glass Screen Protector

Protecting your iPad mini's glass display from getting damaged using a glass screen protector sounds crazy, but it's in fact the best case scenario. It's also very costly. Spigen's new Glas tempered glass screen protector is now available for the iPad mini for $58. The 0.4mm-thick Oleophobic coated Glas comes in both white and black colored translucent frames that entirely cover and protect the iPad mini's glass display without impeding on the touchscreen sensitivity and smooth glass feel. The Glas features precise cutouts for the iPad mini's FaceTime camera and ambient light sensor, and includes a set of colored jelly bean home buttons.