Summer might be more than a month off, but Memorial Day marks the start of the season, unofficially. That means you can start wearing white, fill up the pool, and stock up on s’more supplies. To help wring every drop of delight out of summer, we’ve rounded up some great gadgets. Check ‘em out.
There’s a drought on, and celebrities in California are being shamed on social media for their lush lawns. But everyone should be mindful of water use, and the Rachio smart sprinkler controller can reduce consumption by 30 percent by utilizing your Wi-Fi connection to check the weather and by adjusting watering frequency based on the season. This means you don’t have to worry about scheduling and can rely more heavily on nature to do the work for you. Read our review here.
You’re going to be tied to your grill all summer anyway, why not get a device that also helps it make pizza? The Bakerstone Pizza Oven Box sits on top of your grill and makes pizza in about two to four minutes. That’s way faster than delivery (or DiGiorno).
Summer isn’t all backyard barbecues and lazing by the pool. It comes with a whole new set of chores, including lawnmowing. The Robomow is like a Roomba for your grass. Expensive, yes, but so much more satisfying to watch it tackle your lawn from the comfort of your hammock. Read our review here.
Those fancy resorts have swim-up bars, but this is the next best thing. OK, it can’t mix you up a margarita, but it can keep your beer cold and save you from having to leave the pool.
Don’t live on the beach but still crave the Kumbaya vibes engendered by a night around the campfire? Grab yourself a fire pit and let the marshmallow toasting commence. This will prevent you dealing damage to your manicured lawn.
If you’re sick of hearing your college buddy sing songs around the campfire, then you can distract everyone by turning on a movie on your inflatable projector screen. And your binge-watching of Luther will somehow feel much more productive if you’re doing it outdoors. If you’re really serious about making an outdoor theater, check out more tips here.
Dogs are given free rein of the yard during summer soirées, what of cats? They enjoy watching birds as much as any ornithologist but also like feasting on the feathery fellows. To keep both your pet and the local fowls safe, it may be best to confine cats to an enclosure.
Lose the lighter fluid and get your charcoal going faster with the Looftlighter’s blast of super-hot air. Plus, it looks like a lightsaber, which is just awesome.
Cans are so sweaty. And while coolers help chill your beverages before you start swigging, once you pop the top, the heat starts to creep in. The Arctican claims to keep your can cool for three hours, once you freeze the device’s base, which should be ample time to finish your brew.
Not everyone likes a cold one on a hot day, but no one wants room-temp white wine on a scorcher, either. Enter the Icecap, which chills and aerates your pinot as you pour it through and into your glass. Now your mom has no excuse for putting ice cubes in her wine.
If you’d like to listen to “Summertime” (whether it’s the Will Smith or Porgy and Bess version) while floating in the pool, you’ll probably want some speakers that can stand up to water. Braven’s portable speakers can do just that, whether it’s the kids’ splashing or the sudden summer rain that’s started to sprinkle. Read our review here.
If you’d like to actually be able to see the guests you’ve invited over once night falls, you probably need to invest in some outdoor lighting. These portable LED lamps look awesome and come in all kinds of colors.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.
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