Teenage Engineering's new PC case is plastic and free
Like the original, the Computer-2 is designed for small form factor computer builds and has room inside for a mini-ITX motherboard, an SFX power supply, and a dual-slot graphics card that's no longer than around 7-inches long – all of which you'll need to supply yourself. But unlike the Computer-1, Teenage Engineering's new version is made from a single sheet of semi-transparent PP-plastic instead of aluminum.
The chassis features plastic hinges and snap hooks and folds into a sturdy PC case complete with a carrying handle on top. You can check out the 18-step building instructions on Teenage Engineering's website, and the company says you can even install the motherboard by just clicking it into place without the need for screws or brackets.
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The Verge
14 minutes ago
- The Verge
This big stick solved my smart garden connectivity problems
I recently installed the biggest smart home antenna I've ever seen, and it helped open up new areas in my smart home, from the attic to the chicken coop. The towering 12-inch-tall Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2, which launched this week for $69, plugs into any Home Assistant system via USB and can connect to any Z-Wave device, including those using the new Long Range (LR) spec. I hooked the ZWA-2 up to my Home Assistant Yellow hub and, within minutes, it was controlling a plug all the way at the bottom of my garden. I've struggled with connectivity issues in my garden for years. An Eero Outdoor 7 has been a good fix for W-Fi devices such as cameras and robot lawnmowers. Now Z-Wave LR, which uses the same 900MHz band as Z-Wave to connect devices up to a mile and a half away (in ideal conditions), opens the door to using sensors, locks, and other low-powered devices in further-flung corners of my property. The antenna itself is almost comically large. To get the best performance, it needs to be out in the open, which means it's perched on a cupboard in my sitting room. The HA team says it is 'designed to blend into home decor. It not only resembles a candle, but it also lights up like one.' Credit to them for avoiding the 'black spider' look, but it still sticks out like a glowing blue sore thumb. That size, though, lets it pick up even the faintest Z-Wave signal and should help make your network more responsive and stable. Until now, Z-Wave antenna options in Home Assistant have been in third-party USB sticks about 3 inches long, and on other platforms, they're generally hidden inside hubs, which can limit their range. Setting up the ZWA-2 was easy. I screwed the stick into the base and plugged it into my Yellow using a provided USB A-to-C cable. Home Assistant instantly recognized it, creating a new network. If you already have a Z-Wave network on Home Assistant, a migration tool can move your devices over in a few minutes (I saw a demo that took under 5 minutes). For my first test, I used a Zooz Z-Wave LR smart plug ($35) to control two fans in my chicken coop. The coop is located at the bottom of my garden, about 50 yards (150 feet) from the antenna, through two brick walls. I scanned the plug's QR code, selected the Z-Wave LR option (you can also choose traditional mesh; the antenna can do either), and it onboarded quickly. I then plugged it into an outlet in my garden shed near the coop and ran an extension cord to the fans. Even at that distance, the plug responded instantly to turn the fans on and off. Next, I set up a Zooz Z-Wave LR water leak sensor ($39) in my attic, where my HVAC drip pan recently overflowed, leaving a nasty stain on my ceiling. The setup was similarly straightforward. Z-Wave LR is a good solution here because sub-GHz protocols draw less power than Wi-Fi, so the coin cell battery in the sensor should last longer. (There's no outlet near the unit for a plug-in sensor.) If you use Z-Wave devices, which many Home Assistant users do, and have had trouble with connections or want to automate more areas of your home — a mailbox sensor, a gate sensor, leak detectors in your basement, and so on — the ZWA-2 is an easy recommendation. I've only been using it for a short while, so I can't comment on reliability, but so far, the devices I've connected have done so smoothly in spots where I've struggled to find good options. And while, despite Home Assistant's admirable efforts, the ZWA-2 really isn't a décor piece, the range gains are worth the trade-off. Photos by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Hands-on Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Reviews Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Smart Home Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Smart Home Reviews Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
CNET
an hour ago
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I Hate When My Wireless Headphones Randomly Disconnect. Here's How I Avoid That
Picture this: You're walking with your favorite wireless headphones on, listening to your latest hyper-fixation song. It's approaching the scream-worthy bridge that somehow gets better and better with every listen. The melody picks up, the instrumentation swells, maybe the beat drops and then -- Nothing. The sounds cuts out to silence, and you're left totally and completely exasperated about what could have possibly interrupted your jam. This happened to me on an evening walk this week and annoyed me to my core. For me, one of the most frustrating things is when my wireless headphones cut out mid-song or mid-call. One second I'm vibing, the next I'm scrambling to reconnect. This got me thinking about why this happens and I started exploring my options to fix my connection issues. What I found is that these random dropouts usually have a clear cause and some are surprisingly easy to fix. Read also: I Never Fly Without Using These 3 Noise-Canceling Headphone Habits Why your wireless headphones keep disconnecting Most random wireless headphone disconnects come down to interference, range limits, battery issues or outdated software. Here are some techie explanations for why your wireless headphones might be on the fritz. See also: Best Earbud and Headphone Deals: Bag Big Savings on Models From Apple, Sony and Others CNET Bluetooth interference: Bluetooth signals operate on the same 2.4GHz frequency as Wi-Fi, microwaves, baby monitors and some cordless phones. Too many devices in the same frequency range can cause interference, making your audio stutter or drop entirely. Too much distance: Most wireless headphones have a Bluetooth range of about 30 feet. Walls, doors, furniture and even your own body can weaken the signal. The further you are from your connected device (especially if there's stuff in between), the more likely you'll lose connection. 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Business Insider
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