Hasta La Gadget!

How many of you do not have the kind of green fingers required to ensure that every single plant that falls into your hands will be able to flourish? Assuming you are not in possession of such magical fingers, then might we suggest you enlist the next best thing to help you out (and it would be cheaper than a full time gardener, too) – technology. This time around, such technology comes in the form of Botanicalls, where each set comprises of moisture sensors that are placed within the plant’s soil, where it is capable of knowing whether the soil is under watered or otherwise.

This would allow the plant to “call” you, the owner, by leaving a pre-recorded message to alert you to the status of your plant’s health. Not only that, your plant is also capable of sending out tweets based on the current level of hydration. Of course, hopefully in due time, you would be able to pick up the art of gardening and pass on your set of Botanicalls to someone else.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Renny Bluetooth Home Ringer , Nest Learning Thermostat Gets Update,

There’s a fairly good chance that Mark Zuckerberg’s heading Home today without a massive bonus check. Zuck’s social network, Facebook, hasn’t quite reached the level of profitability that some investors once expected — its first year of public trading brought highs and lows (though, mostly lows). But, revenues steadily grew, and, in the final quarter of 2012, the company finally turned a profit. And now, for the most recent quarter, Facebook is reporting revenue of $1.46 billion, a 38-percent boost over the same period in 2012, with a net income of $312 million and earnings of 12 cents per share.

Daily active users jumped to 665 million worldwide, compared with 526 million in Q1 2012. As we learned last month, Instagram also saw a significant boost, with more than 100 million people actively using the service each month. Mobile is clearly in focus this year, and 751 million users are already accessing the site each month through smartphones and tablets, though the company’s efforts in that arena may be better reflected in the future — the site’s legacy products are responsible for Q1 2013’s figures. We hope to get some more insight during the earnings call this afternoon, and we’ll be sure to share any notable tidbits as they’re made public.

Filed under: Internet, Facebook

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Source: Facebook

Nest Labs isn’t counting solely on the allure of discounts from power companies to reel us in this spring. It’s pushing out a 3.5 update to all versions of the Nest Learning Thermostat that should be make it smarter about saving money — even if it means spending a little up front. Along with the utility tie-ins from last week, the upgrade adds a Cool to Dry mode that invokes air conditioning when it’s too humid, raising the energy bill slightly to avoid a costlier mold outbreak. The thermostat also won’t be easily duped by the sun: a new Sunblock setting prevents unnecessary cooling whenever direct sunlight affects the temperature reading. Homeowners who just want more precision, meanwhile, may be happy with both refined fan scheduling (shown above) as well as mobile app updates that introduce alert messages and a more thermostat-like interface. Those with Nest units connected to WiFi should see version 3.5, and hopefully its intended savings, by 9PM Eastern tonight.

Filed under: Household

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Source: Nest, App Store, Google Play

While they say that good things come to those who wait, sometimes, the waiting can get extremely unbearable. Case in point, AT&T’s Digital Life, which has been touted by many to be a long time in coming after teasing those who were interested back in February 2012. Hence, it is good to know that the home home security and automation platform is finally ready to roll out to the masses, where the first 15 markets in the US would include Atlanta, Austin, Texas, Boulder, Colo., Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Riverside, Calif., San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis and select areas of the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area. This is just the beginning, as AT&T also plans to introduce Digital Life in up to 50 markets before the year is over and 2014 comes a-ringin’.

One will be able to choose from Simple Security and Smart Security packages, where Simple Security looks set to be an ordinary alarm system complete with sensors, which would sport an HSPA-based base station and a 24-hour backup battery. A one-time installation fee of $150 applies here, in addition to a $30 monthly fee.

Smart Security, on the other hand, would see its basic version kick off from $40 monthly, accompanied by a $250 installation fee, where you can take your pick from a trio of other additional features such as a motion sensor, carbon monoxide sensor, glass break sensor, smoke sensor or a takeover kit. Any takers for AT&T’s Digital Life? [Press Release]

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Amazon Expected To Release Set-Top Box For Streaming Videos, Xbox 360 Gets The CW App With Full Episodes Available Shortly After They Air,

With the recent release of the Pizza Hut application on the Xbox 360, we’re sure you’re planning on ordering a nice pizza this evening and curling up with your console to watch some quality programming. The problem is, what should you watch? Sure – you could watch Netflix, Flixster, WWE or Redbox, but what if you’re itching to catch the latest episode of your favorite program from the CW? You’re in luck as the CW has just announced you can watch its programming on your Xbox 360 starting today.

That’s right, Shawn – you can now watch such quality programming as Supernatural, The Carrie Diaries and The Vampire Diaries right from your Xbox 360. The CW Xbox 360 app will stream full episodes of their programming the day after it airs on network TV, and best of all is you don’t need to validate your cable or satellite subscription to access the app. All you need to do is be an Xbox Live Gold member and you could be enjoying teen dramas like every other 30-something year old that you know.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Flixster App Launched On Xbox 360 With Support For UltraViolet Videos, EPIX Launches On PS3, PS Plus Subscribers Get A Free Movie Every Week,