Latest news with #smartphoneapp
Fox News
5 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Keep your swimming pool clean with these pool vacuum cleaners
A swimming pool can be a fun and valuable addition to your home and property, but maintaining it and keeping its water clean is essential. Pool cleaners and vacuums play a pivotal role in achieving this by efficiently removing debris, algae and other harmful bacteria and contaminants that can compromise water quality. This proactive approach to pool maintenance ensures a safer swimming environment, clear blue water and extends the overall lifespan of the pool and its equipment. Many pool cleaners now cater to different water types, preferences and maintenance needs. Each cleaner offers unique features designed to optimize cleaning efficiency and user convenience, from manual options to sophisticated robotic systems. Here are 10 to consider before you take the first dip this summer. This Dolphin Nautilus robotic pool cleaner is equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing users to remotely schedule and control cleaning cycles via the smartphone app. Its dual scrubbing brushes go to work as it climbs up and down the pool walls, giving it the most thorough clean possible. The top-load filter cartridges are easy to access and clean, making maintenance straightforward. Its intelligent navigation system ensures comprehensive coverage, avoiding obstacles and optimizing cleaning paths. Don't forget to give your pool the best start possible at the beginning of the season by opening it with the proper chemicals. This kit makes it easy and eliminates any guesswork! If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. The Aiper Scuba S1 cordless robotic pool cleaner works for both in-ground and above-ground pools up to 1,600-square-feet. It features a 150-minute battery life and innovative navigation technology, allowing it to efficiently clean pool floors, walls and waterlines. Its cordless design eliminates the hassle of tangled cables, making it easier to use and store! If this one is outside your budget, check out the Seauto Crab instead. The Hayward Poolvergnuegen at Walmart is a suction-side pool cleaner designed for in-ground pools. Available in two-wheel and four-wheel models, it efficiently cleans pool floors and walls by connecting to the pool's existing filtration system. Its self-adjusting turbine vanes and adjustable roller skirts allow it to navigate various pool surfaces and obstacles and can even reach the deep end with ease. This Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 pressure-side pool cleaner operates by connecting to a dedicated pressure line, using water pressure to propel itself and collect debris into an attached filter bag. Its dual-jet system provides powerful vacuuming and sweeping action for pool floors and walls. Don't forget the replacement parts to have on hand in case you need them in a pinch! If you're looking for an affordable option for a pool robot, the Aiper Seagull 1000 is a cordless robotic pool cleaner designed for pools up to 861-square-feet for under $200. With a 90-minute battery life, it cleans pool floors using dual suction vents and a rotating scrubbing brush. Its self-parking technology ensures easy retrieval after cleaning sessions. Chlorine pellets can also be helpful to keep on hand after you host large amounts of swimmers or a long rainstorm. Kind of like a dustbuster but for your pool, the handheld Water Tech Pool Blaster Max is a cordless, battery-operated pool vacuum that can deliver a quick and efficient cleaning. Its easy-grip handle makes cleaning steps and stairs easy, while its rechargeable battery provides up to 60 minutes of runtime without the need for hoses or cords. The vacuum's high-flow pump and reusable filter bag effectively capture various types of debris. Erase hard-to-reach stains and debris with the brand's Grit Gitter tool. If you don't mind applying a little elbow grease, this Mainstays manual spa vac at Walmart is an affordable choice for small pools and spas. Its 360-degree flexible sides allow for easy maneuverability, enabling you to reach tight corners and clean various surfaces effectively. Another spa vacuum option on Amazon uses water pressure from the garden hose to blast away dirt and grime on pool surfaces. This Hayward Diaphragm disc pool suction cleaner at Home Depot connects directly to your pool's filtration system. Equipped with three intake ports, it quietly removes debris from various pool surfaces. It's a low-maintenance option because it only has one moving part. In this case, it can pay to shop around—the same vac is currently on sale on Amazon for nearly half the price. This Lienuis model robotic pool cleaner at Wayfair is specifically designed for above-ground pools up to 850-square-feet. It operates independently of your pool's filtration system, using its own built-in motor to navigate and clean the pool floor. Its compact and lightweight design allows for easy handling and storage. Don't forget the solar cover, which helps keep pool water clean and free of debris when not in use. For more deals, visit A great option for under $100, the XtremepowerUS automatic vacuum at Wayfair is a versatile pool sweeper that connects to your existing filtration system, acting as a mobile drain to channel water through efficiently. Designed to fit seamlessly into your current setup, it enhances the circulation and cleanliness of your pool water. Before vacuuming your pool, you'll always want to skim it to pick up any large leaves or surface debris.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Is paying to park about to get easier? Universal smartphone app arrives - but most drivers prefer cash
Drivers will be able to use a new 'universal' smartphone app that is designed to make paying at different car parks easier than before. The Department for Transport has announced a new 'one-app-fits-all' smartphone platform has been developed - at no cost to the taxpayer - by members of the British Parking Association. This follows a series of government-backed trials to help motorists pay to park with ease and avoid QR-code scams that have been swindling drivers in recent years. Lilian Greenwood, minister for the future of roads, welcomed the development, saying the Government is 'on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking'. However, for two in five motorists, it's not the method of parking payment they want to use. Two-fifths of drivers recently polled by the AA said paying with cash is still their preferred option - and older motorists in particular say they will avoid car parks that don't have provisions for coin payments. Drivers will be able to use a new 'universal' smartphone app that is designed to make paying at different car parks a whole lot easier than before. But most drivers would prefer to use cash... How drivers would prefer to pay to park (all respondents) Cash: 40% Contactless: 28% Pay via app: 14% Chip & Pin: 12% Pay by phone: 2% QR code: 1% Other: 1% Source: AA poll of 13,700 drivers in Feb 2025 The 'National Parking Platform' allows users to pay to leave their car at sites operated by the country's biggest providers. This includes RingGo, JustPark and PayByPhone, which each have their own dedicated apps, forcing drivers to download multiple applications to their phones and repeatedly uploading the same billing information. The move to a single app-based payment system will help drivers to avoid 'inconsistent parking rules, clunky user experiences and unnecessary barriers to something that should be simple', the DfT said. The platform will be developed and run by private parking companies, in partnership with councils, on a not-for-profit basis. The DfT promised that it will 'operate under clear terms to ensure transparency, sustainability, and public value', though caveated that the government will monitor the platform to ensure compliance. The application has already been rolled out to 10 local authorities and has proven successful, handling more than 500,000 transactions per month. The DfT is yet to confirm when it will provide nationwide coverage. Greenwood said: 'I'm delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers. 'This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils, and now delivered by the sector that knows it best, at a time when we're investing a record £1.6billion through our Plan for Change, to mend our pothole-ridden roads which damage cars, and £4.8billion to deliver new road infrastructure that will better connect people.' Most drivers still want to pay to park with coins While the National Parking Platform will streamline the payment process using a smartphone, just 14 per cent of drivers polled by the AA say apps are their preferred method. The majority of Britons (40 per cent) would prefer to use cash but face the reality that councils are rapidly phasing-out traditional coin payment machines. A number of authorities have already converted all of their car parks to cashless sites, and more local councils are looking into the option in an effort to slash administrative costs. The AA's recent survey of more than 13,700 drivers found a huge age divide in terms of ideal payment methods. Just one in 10 (12 per cent) of drivers aged 18 to 24 would pick coins and notes as their preferred choice. Some 37 per cent of young drivers would ideally choose contactless payment with a card or through mobile payment (e.g. Apple Pay), whereas 35 per cent would choose payment by app in a major swing towards technology. Contactless payments are the top choice among all drivers up to the age of 44, though thereafter it is cash that remains king. A majority 46 per cent of over 65s - those likely less well versed with smartphone applications - say they would rather pay to park with coins. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: 'With the high street already under strain, it seems counterintuitive for car parks to refuse a customer willing to pay. 'Allowing parking to be paid by a multitude of options seems the best solution for both car parks and drivers, but those opting to pay by app should take note that doing so could be more expensive as administration costs are added to the rates.'
