Latest news with #Govee
CNET
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
This Govee TV Backlight Brings a Bit of the Movie Theater Experience to My Living Room
Watching a good flick in a proper movie theater is pretty great, but I never thought to try to re-create that fully immersive experience at home -- until I found a simple TV backlight. After 20 minutes of setup and a quick calibration, I found myself totally drawn into my favorite shows as though I were in the theater, and for far less money than just about any other item I've purchased for my entertainment center. Skip forward a few years, and now I own one of these backlights for every TV in my house. There are a couple of different kinds of TV backlights out there. Some keep a single color all around your TV, usually a warmer shade of white, which allows the colors on the screen to stand out more. Govee's TV Backlight system is more interactive than that, but it works best when the lights in your room are low or off. It uses a special fish-eye lens camera pointed straight at your TV to see which colors are currently showing on the edges of your screen. The software relays that information to the LED strips on the back of the television, which then extend that color onto the wall behind your screen. The result, as you can see in the image below, is incredible. Right now you can get a 7.8-foot light strip, which is good for 40- to 50-inch TVs, for $53 (24% off). Or opt for the longer, 16.4-foot version for $85 (23% off). I've set up several of these over the last couple of years, and it has never taken more than 30 minutes to complete. These lights can also be turned on and off by an app on your phone or by connecting the app to Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. It's extremely satisfying to call Alexa and see your TV suddenly pop with color. The settings are very easy to adjust to fit whatever living room situation you have, as long as your TV is near a wall. And if you really want a great experience, make sure your TV has a good soundbar to go with this backlight setup. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite specs Power source : Corded electric, 12 volts (DC) : Corded electric, 12 volts (DC) Connection types : Bluetooth, Wi-Fi : Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Controller types : Govee app or voice (requires Alexa or Google Assistant) : Govee app or voice (requires Alexa or Google Assistant) LED array : RGBICW : RGBICW Cameras : One, Fisheye : One, Fisheye LED strip length: 7.8 feet (for TVs 40-50 inches), 11.8 feet (for TVs 55-65 inches), 16.4 feet (for TVs 75-85 inches) Does this backlight work with your TV? If you're concerned about whether this backlight setup would work for you, there are a couple of easy things you can check before you try it. All you really need to know is your TV's size, its position in your room and how much control you have over lighting. TV size : Govee's TV backlight has three different products based on your TV size. This includes screens that are 40 to 50 inches, 55 to 65 inches and 75 to 85 inches. The larger and smaller sizes are different prices than the one I use, but the difference in price is usually fairly minor unless there's a big sale happening on only one size. If your TV is outside of these sizes, you won't have the same overall experience. : Govee's TV backlight has three different products based on your TV size. This includes screens that are 40 to 50 inches, 55 to 65 inches and 75 to 85 inches. The larger and smaller sizes are different prices than the one I use, but the difference in price is usually fairly minor unless there's a big sale happening on only one size. If your TV is outside of these sizes, you won't have the same overall experience. TV position : Backlights work best when your TV is close to a wall, and that wall should be free of interruptions for at least 5 inches in every direction. If you have pictures or art hanging behind your television, these will interrupt the light coming from the back of the TV and might deliver a poor overall experience. This is especially true if the surface behind the television is reflective. : Backlights work best when your TV is close to a wall, and that wall should be free of interruptions for at least 5 inches in every direction. If you have pictures or art hanging behind your television, these will interrupt the light coming from the back of the TV and might deliver a poor overall experience. This is especially true if the surface behind the television is reflective. Room lighting: Your room does not need to be completely dark in order to enjoy this backlight, but it should generally be dimmer than what would normally be considered good light to read by. If you are hoping to use this backlight during the day, be sure any windows in the room are covered. At night, I recommend dimming your room lights for the best experience. There aren't a lot of traditional room layouts where you can't enjoy a backlight like this one, but with the tips above you can quickly go from having a good experience to a great one. Yes, there are other TV backlights out there Govee is not the only company making multicolor adaptive backlights for televisions, and on a purely technical level, the TV Backlight 3 Lite is not the best you could possibly have. Govee itself offers a more capable Envisual TV Backlight, which uses a pair of cameras to ensure the colors at the corners of your screen are precisely sent to the LED strip on the back. The Hue Play system from Philips reads the color information directly from the HDMI cable so there's the smallest possible delay between what you see on the screen and what you see in the backlights. Those LEDs also cover a wider color spectrum, so the colors behind the TV line up amazingly well. The TV Backlight 3 Lite from Govee is a fantastic setup for its price, which is why I love it. You can regularly get this kit for around half the price of Govee's more capable system -- and for a fraction of the price of the Philips Hue system. But neither is better enough, in my opinion, to justify the added costs. This is something you can do on your own for relatively cheap, and the end result is loads of fun. And at the end of the day, that's why I'm in front of my TV in the first place. For other options, check out our roundup of the best smart home deals going on now.
CNET
a day ago
- CNET
The Govee Floor Lamp 2 Is My Favorite Smart Lamp, and It's 21% Off Right Now
Govee has made a name for itself in the smart lighting business as an affordable alternative to other brands, like Philips Hue. So when I decided to upgrade my old traditional lighting to smart bulbs, panels and switches, the colorful Govee RGBIC Floor Lamp (replaced by the Floor Lamp 2) was an easy choice for my living room. Why? I wanted something vertical to fit nicely into the space and a look that's different than a typical round smart bulb in your average lamp. Right now the Govee Floor Lamp 2 is marked down to as low as $130 on Amazon, depending on the color you choose. That's a discount of 21% off the usual $165 list price. Like most smart lighting, the Govee floor lamp uses RGB LEDs to offer just about any color you want. My family chose green to complement the green in our living room, but it also changes depending on the time of day. What I enjoy about this lamp is its low profile: You can barely see it, just a small base and a thin line of metal. The focus is on the light rather than the structure. Another big selling point is its connection to other Govee products. If you own the Govee Backlight for TVs, which CNET's Russell Holly wrote about here, you can link up all your Govee lights to work in tandem as you watch a movie. Having all your lights working in sync with a movie like Dune or Mad Max: Fury Road is a lot of fun. Even without the backlight, a single app or Alexa and Google Assistant easily control all your lights. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Does the Govee floor lamp make a good gift? As a big fan of Govee products, I think its lighting makes an excellent gift for others and yourself. If you know someone's decor style well, the floor lamp would be an excellent choice since it has such a slim profile that would fit every room I can imagine. Otherwise, an ultraportable, color-changing Govee table lamp that has both in-person tap controls and on-device app controls is also a big winner since the person lucky enough to receive the lamp can bathe themselves in the glow of pretty much any color combination and pattern they can imagine. There are also these Govee color-changing light bulbs that can spruce up virtually any compatible setting. My buying recommendation Without a discount, this tall and thin smart lamp is a bit of an investment at $165, but it's still considerably cheaper than a Philips Hue equivalent. All three colors are currently on sale on Amazon -- the blue and black models are both marked down to $130, and the silver version is $140. While we've seen a deeper discount before, this model is newer and includes Matter support, higher lumen output and additional upgrades over its predecessor. To me, that makes it a no-brainer. For other options, check out our roundup of the best smart home deals going on now.
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Air circulator vs fan — what's the difference and which should you buy?
Summer is here, and as temperatures reach unbearable temperatures, staying cool in our homes can become a real challenge. And if you don't have one of the best smart air conditioners, or your AC has suddenly stopped blowing cold air, a powerful fan ior air circulator s the best option. But before you rush off to buy, you're probably wondering what's the difference between an air circulator and a traditional fan. Although both cooling devices may look alike and essentially do the same job, they operate differently. A standard fan blows cool air in one direction and is only beneficial when facing you, while an air circular keeps the air in motion, distributing cool air evenly around the room. To help you decide what's best for your home and needs, we take a closer look to see how they compare and which one should you buy. Typically, fans are designed to focus airflow on a specific area, which allows a direct quick breeze in that space. Whether it be a desk, pedestal, tower or even bladeless fan, these types will direct airflow to one spot, and provide instant cooling relief. For this reason, fans make great personal cooling machines, and work well in smaller spaces, but do not typically circulate air across the room. With that said, you can find fans with wide oscillation that will help move air around such as the Dyson Pure Cool purifying fan that can oscillate up to 360 degrees. Or smart tower fans like the Govee 42" Smart Tower Fan 2 Max. This 42-inch smart fan can be controlled using your phone or your voice with a smart speaker, but there are also physical controls on the top. In the app, you can switch between its five included modes or create your own, turn oscillation on or off or adjust the angle the fan turns in and even change the color of its RGB night light. Note: To get this price, redeem the two on-page digital coupons before adding it to your cart. On the other hand (and as the name suggests), air circulators are designed to evenly circulate the air flow around the entire room. This will ensure a consistent, cool breeze, and is ideal for large room and space coverage. These work by drawing air in through the back of the fan head, and pushing it out though a spiral air funnel. Cool air is then propelled out into the space where it bounces off the walls and ceiling to be evenly distributed throughout the room. Air circulators often come with a wider range of oscillation settings like this Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S. Air circulators are especially effective when paired with an AC unit, since they help to cool the room better. This works by simply rapidly reducing the overall temperature in the room, and ensuring better air circulation. What's more, air circulators are typically quieter than traditional fans, while fans can be noisy, especially when you ramp up the speeds. The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S is a feature rich smart fan that runs ultra quiet at 20dB, while still delivering a powerful stream of air to cool rooms in no time at all. It also features a unique 3D oscillating design that flows air all throughout a room. There's also ambient lighting courtesy of the LED light ring that outlines the back. Since an air circulator is designed to evenly distribute cool air around an entire room, it's more suitable for large spaces. This is thanks to its continuous, cycled airflow that a traditional fan can't achieve. What's more, you can place your air circulator in a corner of the room or even on a table, and still feel a cool breeze in the room. Although a traditional fan will keep you cool, you'll need to be seated or standing directly in front of it to feel the difference. For this reason, a fan is more suited to smaller spaces. Another great benefit is that you can use an air circulator any season. Unlike a cooling fan, air circulators can keep the air moving on a continuous cycle, so the room won't ever feel stuffy. This is particularly useful during winter months, when you have your central air on. Since heat rises, a lot of that warm air tends to get trapped up near the ceiling. An air circulator will capture pockets of warm air and distribute it around the whole room, keeping you toasty and comfortable. As mentioned previously, air circulators can be affective when used alongside an AC system. This is mainly because it can amplify a source of existing cool air, and distribute it evenly around. Thus making the room feel significantly cooler. If you want to get the most out of your AC, check out these 5 ways to prepare your AC for a heatwave. A standard fan is a great buy for personal cooling, and can instantly cool you down in seconds. This is because it directs a blast of air towards a person helping them to feel cooler by the evaporation of sweat. A fan is also ideal for smaller spaces, like a home office where you just want to direct a fan towards your desk. Or if you're preparing a feast in the kitchen on a sweltering day, and need a fan to cool you down and keep you comfortable. Another handy thing about fans is that these are easily portable, and can be taken outdoors. Be it keeping cool in the backyard, or wanting to keep your guests comfortable, a fan is a great option. Not only do these offer immediate, cooling relief but there are even misting fans on the market that use a spray of water to cool you down. In fact, our Homes editor tested the Shark FlexBreeze misting fan and was thoroughly impressed. If you have yet to invest in one of the best smart air conditions, a cooling fan is convenient. Not only will it do a good job at instantly keeping you cool, but it is much affordable and energy-efficient to run. Plus, there are a range of different fan models to choose from including, tower, pedestal, desk or floor fans to suit your home and needs. While traditional fans can't actually decrease room temperature, the cool air will help small spaces feel cooler. While both do a good job of cooling, buying a fan or an air circulator all depends on your lifestyle and needs. If you're simply after immediate, cooling relief when you're literally overheating, a powerful cooling fan will get the job done. Just bear in mind that this won't circulate cool air around the room, just directly towards a specific area. What's more, fans can be used outdoors and are versatile to take anywhere. However, if you prefer cool air from every angle, or you have large rooms to cool, an air circulator is your best bet. Not only does it evenly distribute air around the space, but it works effectively with an AC unit. Essentially, that would mean that you're even cooler and comfortable for much longer. Either way, you'll stay cool as a cucumber all summer!
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
30 Products If Your Favorite Pastime Is Couch Rotting
A snack bowl you can plop on top of your Stanley cup for enjoying some snackies while staying ~hydrated~. It's perfect for movie nights or mindless TikTok scrolling! And an eight-compartment snack box because movie night isn't complete without your favorite crackers, chips, and candy. You'll always have a variety of your fave snacks, because being limited to one is so (*yawn*) boooring. A blissfully plush checkered blanket that is EXTREMELY soft and fluffy, perfect for cozying up on the couch. Just imagine settling in for a Dance Moms marathon and throwing this baby on top of you — ahhh, pure bliss. Plus, reviewers say it's comparable to the pricier Barefoot Dreams throw! An acupressure mat and pillow, because after a long day of work, plopping down onto your couch just won't cut it. This set helps to relieve tension and stress with over *7,000* acupressure points — after 10–30 minutes of lying on it, you will probably arise as a new person. A cozy fleece loungewear set you can toss on as soon as you set foot inside your home. You can still look super chic while you're in full relaxation mode! And a Barefoot Dreams robe so you can lounge around all night feeling as cozy as can be. I dare you to not feel as relaxed as humanly possible in this. AND! A genius Comfy that'll give you both the comfort of a hoodie and the warmth of a blanket — who could possibly hate the epitome of coziness and relaxation? An Amazon Echo that lets you blast music throughout your house without having to move an inch. It's true what they say: Robots can do almost ANYTHING. Just say, "Alexa, play 'The Lazy Song' by Bruno Mars," then sit back and relax. A Cup Cozy so you won't have to get up for snacks or bevvies once you plop down on the couch. Let's be honest for a sec: Do you really want to reach alllll the way to your side table to sip your cup o' tea once you're cozied up? I didn't think so. A Govee smart floor lamp that'll add the perfect mood lighting to your home. Put it in a corner and watch it radiate gorgeous colors (it has 25 preset modes!) to create ~ambiance~. You can even control it with your phone *and* connect it to Alexa! *Plus* it comes with a music mode if you want the light to sync with your tunes. A 10-foot lightning cable if you don't have an outlet nearby and your phone's running on fumes, but you've made a "you-shaped" dent in your couch and can't be bothered to move. Now the TikTok scrolling can continue without interruption. An electric mug warmer so you don't have to constantly get up and put your mug in the microwave — especially if you're a sipper. After four hours it'll automatically shut off, so you don't have to worry if you walk away (or doze off) and forget it! A remote control page turner — you won't have to budge an inch from that perfect, comfy position you've set yourself in because this bb will tap your screen for you. Just attach the clip to your Kindle or tablet, and it will flip to the next page with the click of a button! And a TikTok remote control ring because some days you can't be bothered to move *at all*. With just a push of a button, you'll be able to scroll through TikTok without touching your phone. You can even use this to take pictures on your phone from up to 33 feet away! An Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K that allows you to download almost every streaming service, so you can park yourself in front of the TV for hours if that's the vibe for the day. Press the voice button and say, "Alexa, play Grey's Anatomy," then prepare to bawl your eyes out (even though you already know what happens). And a glow-in-the-dark Fire TV Stick remote case because you've been dreaming all day of rotting on the couch and rewatching New Girl — so don't let a missing remote ruin your plans. This nifty, grippy case helps prevent the remote from slipping between your couch cushions or falling to the floor, and if it *does* disappear, you'll locate it in mere seconds because it'll be ~glowing~. An Owala FreeSip tumbler so you can enjoy icy agua all evening instead of having to add more ice every hour. This godsend offers all the benefits of a Stanley without the spills, and its spout is a game changer — you can either drink through a built-in straw or tilt it back to chug. Plus, you'll never have to painfully sip on a lukewarm bev again because it keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours with its triple-layer insulation! A Roomba robot vacuum if your floors are begging to be cleaned, but the couch is holding you hostage. Not to worry — this baby will do it all for you! It can navigate around furniture and even fit under tight spaces, so every nook and cranny of your home will be clean by the end of your Netflix session. Plus, you can use the app on your phone to give it a schedule! A SwitchBot Smart Switch button pusher because you don't have to get up from the couch to turn off the lights whenever you want to take a lil' nappy. Just attach the SwitchBot to any device with an on/off switch and download the app! From there, you can even set it on a timer — all you need is a Bluetooth connection. And an Alexa-compatible smart plug so you can verbally tell it to do anything you'd rather not get up and do yourself, from turning on your coffee machine to turning off the lights. Add voice control to ANY outlet with this *truly* smart plug. A pair of prism spectacles ideal for anyone in their "lazy gal" era (aka me). You can lie completely flat on your back to read or scroll through TikTok instead of doing an unintentional core workout and straining your neck just to prop your head up. An automatic pet feeder so you can schedule meals for your pets up to four times a day. It holds up to 6 liters of food, so you don't have to keep refilling it! Oh, Milo's hungry? Just open the app to give your furry friend a treat! A TikTok-famous 3-in-1 convertible "reading chair" that may just give Chandler and Joey's Barcaloungers a run for their money — you'll never want to get up from this bb. It has USB charging ports, a cup holder, and a side pocket to hold your remotes or books. Plus, you can pull it out and turn it into a sleeper chair or a full flat sleeper. Um, this is not a want but a NEED. A luxe candle so you can set the mood for your Toy Story marathon with just the right amount of lighting and a delightful scent. When you light this bad boy up, it'll give off a captivating aroma of jasmine, oud, and sandalwood. A tablet holder that holds any size iPad, Kindle, or other device, so you don't have to. Now you can enjoy a movie, book, or show without straining to balance your tablet on your body. A heating pad for your sore neck, back, and (honestly) entire body that has been working too hard. It heats up in just 20 seconds and will help relieve any tension that's been living within you. And a heated massager so you can release your stress when you come home from work. You can use it on your back, neck, legs, and even your feet to knead out all those knots while relaxing on the sofa. A cult-favorite movie theater popcorn salt because popcorn from the theater just ~hits different~. Reviewers say it tastes just like the real deal, so heat up some kernels, sprinkle some of this deliciousness on, and enjoy your at-home movie night! A lap desk if you insist on doing work *only* from the couch. This handy thing will save your poor thighs from burning when your laptop overheats, and it'll give you an even surface so you don't have to awkwardly balance your devices on your lap. Plus, it has a pillowy cushion and anti-slip wrist pad to take your comfort level to the max! Or a rolling C-shaped table with a base designed to slide under the couch so you'll have a perfectly placed mini table for your laptop and, of course, meals and snacks.
CNET
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Last Chance During Prime Day to Snag This Immersive Real-Time TV Backlight at $60 Off
Govee has been busy stunning us this year with its latest smart lighting tech, but we've almost never seen its enhanced backlighting technology more affordable than during these last hours of Amazon Prime Day, when its Envisual TV LED Backlight T2's price dropped to 40% off, down to only $80 for the 11.8-foot version intended for 55- to 65-inch TVs. This isn't your grandma's glowy TV backlight, either. Govee's app-powered kit uses a camera to watch the TV and match the colors in real time, creating an immersive shifting lightscape that CNET Managing Editor Russell Holly raves about (for a lower-end model), saying it can upgrade a home entertainment system to a real home theater experience, making your TV look more expansive and enhancing movies and colorful games (I can't wait to see what it does to Expedition 33). That also put it on our list of best smart lights. You really have to see it to believe it. You can also use the app to adjust the Envisual system to any brightness and color setting you want, as well set it to a variety of shifting entertainment modes, a party mode and more, so those 60 LED lights act as mood lighting or simple illumination whenever you need. They can also sync to any music you have playing. Govee's Envisual system does require an included camera attachment. Govee Why Govee's deal caught our eye TV backlights has come such a long way in recent years, Govee's creations look nothing like what backlighting used to. And, as we've tested Govee products, we've found they're on the cutting edge of lighting technology with lots of creative twists to boot. The Envisual kit is one of its top-line models, capable of real-time visual effect matching, and it's cheaper now than it's been since the last Black Friday sales. To make the most of the last of Prime Day, make sure to stop by our constantly updated tracker of the remaining deals.
