GADGET SPECIAL .....Mesh Routers and more PART II

Mesh Routers and  more PART II

GADGET SPECIAL MEDIA PLAYERS

With mesh routers, you can now guarantee data coverage for all your smart TVs in different rooms. If you don’t own a smart TV, you might want to consider the Apple TV box, Amazon Fire TV Stick and Google Chromecast 2 that connect to the HDMI and USB port of your television to allow you to browse the web via preloaded apps, and even stream music and movies.

Apple TV (₹17,430 for 32GB, ₹19,480 for 64GB) allows you to install apps and games from its app store. This includes Apple Movies and Music, YouTube, Hotstar, Facebook, Netflix, Jio Cinema, Vimeo, Prime Video, Eros Now and TED Talks.

You get a rechargeable Apple TV remote that connects to the box via Bluetooth to let you search for content with spoken commands. You can stream content from an iPhone or iPad to your TV via the Apple TV’s AirPlay feature, and even play games like Real Racing and Asphalt 8 on your TV screen while using the remote as a steering wheel, thanks to its built-in accelerometer and gyroscope.

Amazon Fire TV Stick (₹3,999) can connect to more than one wireless network to stream video content to your television. Like with Apple TV, you get a remote control with a builtin mic that lets you search for movies by simply speaking to it.

You get access to streaming services like Netflix,Hotstar,DittoTV and Sony LIV. You also get the Amazon Prime Videoservice for ₹129 per month or ₹999 per year. Plus you can install games like Red Ball 4, Hungry Shark Evolution and Tetris. However, it lacks the official YouTube app and you get just 4GB of storage on the device.

Google Chromecast 2 (₹3,399) lets you view photos, stream videos, and even run apps from your Android handset, tablet, iPhone, iPad, Mac and Windows laptop. You will, of course, need to install the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet.

You can use Chromecast 2 to watch You-Tube, Netflix, and other video services on your TV; just tap the Cast button in these smartphone apps. Apart from streaming video content from the web, you can use Chromecast 2 to mirror your phone and tablet screen, as well as the browser tabs from your laptop.

Ashutosh Desai and Savio D’Souza

GADGET SPECIAL SMART LIGHTING

For illumination, you can consider smart lights that connect to your Wi-Fi router. These can then be operated remotely from your smartphone.

Here, you might want to look at the Philips Hue Mini Kit (₹7,000) that comprises a single 10W E27 multi-colour bulb and a connector hub/bridge. Or you could opt for the three-bulb + hub setup (₹ 13,550).

Setting up this light system is easy, and a single hub can control up to 50 smart bulbs over the 2.4GHz band. If you want to control your Hue lights when you’re away from home, you’ll need to create an account on the Philips website. You can then turn them on or off, dim or brighten, and even change colour from practically anywhere in the world using your smartphone app.

Network specialists TP-Link also have a range of smart lights—white and multicolored—known as the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi LEDs (starting at ₹1,499). Install the bulbs in your home, and then use the free KASA mobile app for Android and iOS to set up (no hub required). After this, you can use the app to schedule the time the bulb goes on and off, and even preset a specific color and illumination intensity for each bulb.

Ashutosh Desai and Savio D’Souza

TOI 21JUL18

Continues in PART III