Cricut Maker 3
Take your creativity to another level!
Price: R9,000
Cricut is pronounced the same as the game ‘cricket’. You may not have heard of this company until now, but they have been around since 1969, when they started making cutting plotters. However, the last 19 years have seen a revolution in Cricut’s product range. Since introducing computer technology and making the product more consumer-friendly, they have become the market leader – a billion-dollar company serving consumers in the global crafts and creative industries.
The Cricut Maker 3 is what I have been playing with, and I am not quite sure where to start with this incredible piece of technology. Imagine a printer that can cut designs like vinyl, paper, and transfers that you would iron onto clothing. It can even engrave and cut plastic, leather and wood. Precision cutting that you would otherwise have done using scissors or a cutting blade is now done with ease. (And in my clumsy case, not causing any injuries in the process!)
So how do they do all this? I would describe the Cricut Maker 3 as modular: you can literally buy the tools and materials you need to produce what you specifically want. They have a choice of over 300 materials and 13 tools and supply free software called Design Space that you download to your computer or smartphone. Then, all you need to do is unleash your creativity.
In the corporate world, it is used by companies that want to design unique items such as invitations or specific items for launches, for example. Globally, the crafting industry has seen a massive resurgence, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic began. People are using a machine like the Cricut Maker to start new businesses and make unique designs sold online and at markets. It's an industry worth over US$600 billion globally.
Orbi AX1800 Wi-Fi Mesh System
Time to rethink your home Wi-Fi setup
Price: R8,000
Connecting our devices wirelessly to the internet has changed significantly in the last decade. For one, compare how many wireless devices you had 10 or even five years ago to what you have today. Now we have a plethora of Internet of Things devices like air conditioners, air purifiers, fridges, washing machines, and the list goes on and on. Together with our tablets, phones and computers, our home networks are complex. Coupled with the increase in fibre speeds and the massive cyber security threats, has your wireless router kept up with the times? The Covid-19 pandemic has also changed this even more with the work-from-home situation, and despite some normality creeping in, many will continue in this mode of work for some time.
The Orbi AX1800 from Netgear is a cutting-edge, modern router designed for the evolution of wireless technology. You first notice how it looks – a clean design that does not even look like a router, and there are no funny aerials sticking out. It looks very modern. The initial setup includes a router and a satellite to expand your coverage. Typically, this would cover a home of around 200 square metres. Adding additional satellites is easy if you want to reach the pool area during summer, for example. (Yes, the same area you have been telling your boss you work so hard from as your “remote office”!)
Most importantly, this router has Wi-Fi 6. This latest technology can carry more streams of data at higher speeds than previously. And this router flies! With speeds of up to 1.8 gigabits per second, the word ‘buffering’ can be erased from your vocabulary.
The AX1800 also features advanced cyber security for your devices with Netgear Armour security powered by Bitdefender. This all happens in the background without you having to do anything, blocking out threats and keeping your data safe. The best part of the Orbi is how easy it is to use. Simply download the app, and you are up and running within minutes. Plus, you can control and see all your devices connected to your network.
Fluss
Turn your phone into a key
Price: from R1,000
One of my favourite discoveries in the last few months is a home automation device called Fluss. It is a proudly South African innovation, a Bluetooth gadget that allows you to open and close things like a garage door or any kind of access that would typically have a switch, for example, or if you want to give access to someone at a certain day or time.
The small box has three cables you would attach to the device you want to automate. It uses bank-level encryption and a two-step authentication process for authentication. After downloading the app, pairing the device to your phone’s Bluetooth and registering it, you are good to go. You can add any other users you would like to give access to that connected access point. For example, I have attached mine to my garage door, so I no longer need a remote. I open my app on my phone and, presto, the door opens. The simplicity is brilliant!
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