Gadgets: Pool safety device

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When it comes to pool safety, you can never be safe enough. And, like any accident, you never know. According to the American Red Cross, 69% of young children who drowned were not expected to be in or near water.

That brings me to the SwamCam, touted by the company as a first-of-its-kind AI-powered drowning detection system designed to help prevent child drownings by notifying parents when children enter the pool area and before entering the water. The SwamCam’s technology monitors the pool area, sending an alert when an unsupervised child enters the pool area before they accidentally enter the water.

SwamCam is available in a single ($495) or the new dual camera system ($795 with a WiFi repeater, $745 without). Depending on the size of the monitoring area, the dual system can double the coverage area of the single SwamCam system. You decide if you need the single or dual system. I enlisted a family member with a pool and a toddler to test the single-camera system. Their pool is already a safe location, with child-proof door locks, gates, etc. But when I proposed testing the SwamCam, they were all about it.

The AC-powered camera has a fish-eye lens with a 160-degree field of view, records in 1080p, has night vision, and works in temperatures ranging from minus 4 degrees up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The camera's speaker sounds an alarm at 80 dBA at a 10-foot distance. Notifications are sent to smartphones (iOS and Android), and there is two-way communication and one-touch emergency dialing on live-view.

The single-camera package includes a SwamCam camera, quick-start guide, 20-foot power cord, alarm/repeater, battery-operated (3 AAA's) keypad, and mounting kit. Of course, you need your own WiFi.

How did it work? My nephew said installing the camera was one of the most straightforward electronic setups he had ever encountered. The entire installation process took about 10 minutes. The most challenging aspect was determining the optimal installation location. His residence lacks outdoor outlets near the pool, necessitating routing it to an outlet in his screened-in patio.

The packaging was exceptionally organized, and each component was meticulously documented in the comprehensive setup instructions. The instructions guided users through downloading the application, creating an account and navigating each device setup with voice prompts.

The standard camera, repeater alarm, and keypad for arming and disarming the alarm were included. The installation process was remarkably intuitive, with each device providing step-by-step instructions and specific prompts for both Apple and Android-based devices.

Overall, the installation process was exceptionally user-friendly, the application was highly intuitive, and the video quality was exceptional. The alarm's volume is substantial, and notifications on my smartphone exhibited minimal lag time.

https://www.theswamcam.com/products

MIXX Audio's new retro-designed Revival 55 vinyl all-in-one record player has it all, including portability with its carrying case design. The vinyl player combines the usefulness of playing nostalgic records (along with newly purchased recordings) with the option of using the Revival 55 as a digital streaming audio source.

The belt-driven player plays at 33, 45 (with the included adapter) and 78 RPMs. It is encased in a vintage-style suitcase with a sturdy handle for portability (16.54 by 12.83 by 7.17 inches, 5.94 pounds). As for the all-in-one reference, the Revival 55 has Bluetooth input and output and built-in front-facing stereo speakers.

With the Bluetooth output, you can send the audio wirelessly to your Bluetooth speakers or, with the input, stream audio from your smartphone or tablet to Revival's built-in speakers. And if you want to listen and be in your own world, wired headphones can be plugged into the 3.5 mm port.

Using it is straightforward, and records play smoothly and reliably. The mechanical tonearm enables gentle lowering and raising of the needle, while the auto-stop feature helps preserve both the needle and the vinyl by stopping playback at the end of a record. The volume, pitch and input/output controls are conveniently placed on the top panel, making adjustments easy. On the back, you'll find RCA outputs, an Aux-in for wired sources, and the AC power connection for the included power supply.

The Revival 55 is available in black, cream, and turquoise blue, with sage green and pink versions expected to be added soon. The exterior of the wood body is wrapped with a seamless polyurethane leather for an attractive look.

https://www.mixxaudiousa.com/products/mixx-revival-55-vinyl-record-player