August 2014 Finds

The first step towards reining in your office’s power bill is understanding it better – and the new Belkin WeMo Insight Switch is here to make that simple for you. In an office environment, computers, lights, and temperature control can all be easily identified as energy hogs. Yet, it’s hard to tell what other sources can contribute to an expensive electric bill.

The Belkin WeMo Insight Switch plugs into any power socket, featuring a standard, three-prong, pass-through outlet. This means devices can connect to the switch to be used normally. Then, you can download the free WeMo app to get the inside scoop on any devices connected – including statistics like how long the device has been turned on, the average daily electrical usage, and hos much that electricity is costing. Plus, you can also directly control power to the connected devices from your phone/through the app. You can turn devices on and off or set a timer to automatically do it for you.

To learn more about how to use the WeMo Insight and app and how to track your office’s power usage, visit here.

Wearable technology, like smartwatches and Google Glass, are expanding from just the tech world. Most recently, wearable tech has become popularized in both the athletic and fashion industries. With Tory Burch collaborating on a fashion forward fitbit and Diane von Furstenberg designing Glass styles, men and women alike can participate in the trend without cramping their personal styles.

All of the popular tech accessories aren’t only looking pretty, they are serving functional purposes as well. In the recent NYC triathalon management consulting firm Accenture says about 58% of participants planned to use wearable devices during the event. Devices include watches that have the ability to monitor pace, track GPS, and monitor heartrate. These tools can help to track speed and distance, allowing users to adjust their pace throughout the race and still meet their goals.

The wearable electronics market reached $8 billion in sales last year, and is expected to hit around $20 billion within the next three years. To learn more, visit here.