Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

With the release of Home+ 5 by Matthias Hochgatterer, there are more reasons for HomeKit power-users to try the app than ever before. One of the apps strengths has always been creating automations based on device attributes that arent available in Apples Home app. Thats why I was already using Home+. However, now, the app has added a new design, folders to organize automations, Smart Groups for accessories, a Favorites view, and backups, which make the app more compelling than ever.

Although its not new to this version of Home+, it bears repeating that the app supports HomeKit API functionality that isnt exposed by Apples Home app. Thats how Home+ is able to support automations that arent possible in Home or by using Shortcuts Home Automation feature.

A simple example is one that Ive been using all winter. Were in the midst of single-digit temperatures in the Chicago area, which means my heat has been running almost nonstop for days. As a result, the air in our house has been incredibly dry.

To assist our furnaces humidifier, I broke out a standalone humidifier and plugged it into an iHome Smart Plug. I have a Netatmo Personal Weather Station and figured that I could set the humidifier to turn on automatically when humidity levels dropped beneath a threshold value. Thats not possible with Apples Home app, but fortunately, its an easy automation to build in Home+ 5, which supports sensor triggers as well as multi-condition automations.

Its that sort of extended automation support that has made Home+ a central part of my HomeKit setup for quite a while now. With the latest update, though, I expect Home+ will appeal to an even broader audience.

If you have used Home+ in the past, the first thing youll notice is that the app has been redesigned from top to bottom. Many of those changes are similar to the tile-centric UI found in Apples Home app. Thats a UI that Im not a big fan of in the Home app, and Im torn about it in Home+.

On the iPhone and Apple Watch, I think the tile UI takes up too much space. However, Home+ does a little bit better job with the space available on the iPhone than Home does, and despite taking up more room, I think Home+ 5s tile UI looks better than previous versions. I also appreciate that users coming from Home to Home+ will be more familiar with this UI. So, although I would personally prefer a more compact UI, I expect the new UI will appeal to a broader audience than before.

Other Home+ UI updates include updated icons that fit better with the design of iOS 14. There are now 99 icons, which provide a wider variety of choices than Apples Home app. Automations can also be stored in folders, a nice touch that makes large collections more manageable.

Another nice touch is Smart Groups, which collect similar devices into groups within each room. For example, Ive got seven lights in my studio, and none of them are grouped in the Home app, allowing me to control them individually. Home+s Smart Group of those lights doesnt change that but lets me control all seven as though they were one light. Home added a similar feature in iOS 14.

Home+ has added a Favorites view similar to Homes too, which can be synced with Home+ 5s Apple Watch app from the iPhone version of Home+. There are a handful of devices that I access manually nearly every day and having them along with data from a couple of sensors in one place is a big plus. Its worth noting, too, that the Apple Watch app has been updated, and in my testing, devices respond within a couple of seconds when scenes or devices are controlled.

Last but not least, Home+ 5 adds backup functionality, a feature for which I have a newfound appreciation. As I explained on AppStories a few weeks ago, I had my entire HomeKit setup wiped out over the winter holidays due to what appeared to be an iCloud bug. I took the opportunity to rethink my HomeKit setup, which was a positive, but with the number of devices I have, it took quite a bit of work. I know Home+ isnt the first app to offer this feature, but its the app I prefer for the vast majority of my advanced HomeKit automation, so Im glad to see that the feature was added. Now, Ive got a backup of my setup neatly tucked away in iCloud Drive in case disaster strikes again.

Home+ 5 is the perfect next-step app for anyone with a growing collection of HomeKit devices or who wants to do more with automation. With the latest update, Home+ 5 has further cemented its place among the HomeKit apps I regularly use, which is why I highly recommend checking it out.

Home+ 5is available on the App Store for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch for $14.99.

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Power-User HomeKit App Home+ 5 Adds Automation Folders, Backups, and a Fresh Design - MacStories

The dull concrete median with six light poles in front of Richey Elementary School probably dont draw much attention.

But a color-filled project involving students from six local schools will soon guarantee that the concrete barrier draws plenty of notice.

Sometime this spring, the median will be graced by nearly 300 set of handprints of students from Richey, Kruse and Morales elementary schools, De Zavala Middle School, Jackson Intermediate School and Pasadena High School.

When engineers involved in the city of Pasadenas Richey Street renovation project reached out to city education liaison Trish Eubanks to seek participation by Pasadena ISD in beautification work related to the effort, she jumped at the opportunity to incorporate youths from the community.

Lets make it look good, she said.

The Richey Street project is part of an ongoing effort by the city to make improvements to the north side of the city between Texas 225 and Southmore Avenue.

Since 2018, the $12 million project, with funding divided between the city and Harris County Precinct 2, has updated the street with improved or added storm sewers and lights and new traffic signals.

The project also has provided upgrades to the four-lane road and installed wheelchair-accessible lanes on sidewalks. The goal is to mitigate flooding in nearby homes and ease traffic at a main entry point into Pasadena.

Add in the Hands Across Pasadena project, in which the handprints will be set in square mosaic-style tiles, colored and glazed and then incorporated into the median.

I thought it was a great way to bring focus to area schools near Richey and wanted to showcase the children of that area, Eubanks said.

Eubanks is familiar with the I-cant-wait-to-get-out-of-here attitude young people sometimes have about their hometown as they contemplate their future. She wants to change that.

I want them to have a sense of sense of pride in where they come from, she said. If they can have some ownership in this project, they can feel they have some ownership of their community, that this is where they come from, where they grew up.

Eubanks said she and the citys engineers put careful thought into the actual tiles and what size, colors, type of materials were used.

They decided they would use 6-by-6-inch tiles, place them in three rows with six tiles to each section. Students at Pasadena High School will glaze and fire the tiles to prepare them for installation.

Eubanks spent 30 years in education, including 15 years as assistant principal at Pasadena Memorial High School. She had retired when Mayor Jeff Wagner called on her to join the city as an education liaison.

He wanted more of a partnership between the city and school district, she said. There has always been a kind of disconnect with kids and their city, and if young people dont feel like they have a stake in the game, they dont have that sense of pride in where they come from.

Alongside each set of prints will be a students initials and projected graduation date.

By identifying those kids and the year they graduate, I wanted them to be able to come back and say, Thats me, Eubanks said.

At De Zavala, 41 students placed hands onto tiles. For Principal Melissa Garza, the prints are more than decorative. The project is like motivational art, she said.

It gives them hope and it gives them something to look forward to, Garza said.

Parents were not able to attend the schools recent handprint event due to COVID restrictions but have expressed as much enthusiasm as students, Garza said.

Parents are already talking about having their kids take a picture next to their tile with their cap and gown, Garza said. They can drive down Richey, and its like a daily reminder this is their high school graduation date. We talk about school, we talk about graduation, we talk about college, but now its in concrete. Thats a big deal.

Eubanks shared one anecdote about a middle-schooler whose handprints, initials and graduation date are waiting to be set in concrete.

He told me he was going to be the first member of his family to graduate from high school. So, I told him, Now you have you have to live up to that date he has a definitive goal to shoot for now, she said.

yorozco@hcnonline.com

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Pasadena abuzz over project involving hundreds of kids handprints - Houston Chronicle

There are a range of different light switches to choose from based on the functionality youre looking for. Certain switches offer special features that can make your home more convenient and energy-efficient.

Types of Light Switches

Single-pole switches are the most common electrical light switches youll find in a home. They control one fixture from a single location, offering an ideal solution for small spaces such as bathrooms and closets. Their simple operation makes them easy to install and replace.

For hallways and staircases, consider three-way switches. They can control a fixture from two locations. Install these light switches on both ends of your hallway or staircase so you dont have to walk in the dark to find a switch in the middle of the night.

Four-way switches are used to control lighting from three locations. While theyre not as prevalent in the home as single-pole or three-way switches, these light switches are a suitable option for large rooms with multiple entrances. Be aware that you must use one four-way switch alongside two three-way switches in a four-way circuit.

Dimmers give you more control over your lighting. They allow you to adjust a lights intensity via a slider, dial, button or other control without completely turning it off. Since dimmers consume less electricity than standard light switches, they can help you save money on your energy bill. Dimmers also extend the life of your light bulb because they put less strain on the filament.

Other Types of Switches

For even more personalization, enhance your home with smart light switches. You can easily turn your lights on and off or adjust the brightness and color from anywhere in your home using your smartphone. Many smart switches are also remote light switches, giving you another option to control your lighting without carrying your phone.

Think about your needs when installing or replacing light switches throughout your home. For no-frills operation, opt for standard toggle light switches. Dimmers and smart home electrical switches are perfect for anyone seeking personalized control and energy savings.

Our Types of Light Switches guide provides even more features to personalize your switches by including timers, motion sensors and time delays.

Continue reading here:
Wiring Devices & Light Controls - The Home Depot

Feb 12, 2021 2:15 PM

Our lives are dependent on electricity, 24 hours a day. It is such an important part of our day to day living that it is almost impossible to fathom a world without electricity. Even while we sleep, electricity is keeping our food cold and our security systems operating. Throughout the day, throughout the year, we tend to take electricity for granted.

In the United States, on average 400 die from electrocution and 4,400 are injured each year because of electrical hazards. Of these, 180 are related to consumer products. Another 325 die and 4,000 are injured in workplace electrical accidents, according to data published by the National Safety Council.

Electrical burns, as their name implies, are burns sustained when a person comes into contact with an open current of electricity. The electrical current runs through the body, damaging internal tissues, muscles, organs such as the heart and kidneys and/or the nervous system, often without doing any major harm to the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin). In some cases, electrical burns can render a person unconscious.

There are 6 main classes of electrical burns:

There are many circumstances that can lead to a person suffering any of the electrical burns mentioned, such as chewing on wires, using frayed wires, approaching downed power lines, attempting to do the work of an electrician when you are not one, and sticking a knife or fork into a toaster oven. These burns can also result from submerging electrical devices in water or even from simply using these devices near open or still water.

Treatment will depend on the type of electrical burn you sustained. Some burns may require surgery to treat internal damage, while others only require topical ointments and creams to address external damage. Since it is difficult to determine the full extent of an electrical burn on your own, it is advised to consult a medical professional. They can help you uncover any internal injuries and set you on the quickest path to recovery.

The University of Utah Health Burn Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have any questions, call 801-581-3050.

See more here:
The 411 on Electrical Burns - University of Utah Health Care

By The News staff| The Hutchinson News

Hutchinson firefighters have battled two house fires in two days blamed on overloaded electrical systems, prompting them to caution residents about the use of space heaters.

The latest fire was reported at 10:50 p.m. Wednesday when fire crews responded to 118 E. Ave E on a report by the residents of smoke in the house.

Firefighters detected light smoke showing from the attic and upon investigation found a fire in the walls and attic near the electrical panel, according to a report posted by Battalion Fire Chief Jeremy Unruh.

While crews made access to the fire quickly, they could not put out the fire entirely until Evergy arrived on the scene to disconnect the power to the home.

The first fire was reported at 5:44 a.m. Tuesday at 209 W. 11th Ave., again after light smoke was detected by residents in the house.

As fire crews searched in the ceiling for hidden fire, it became apparent that the fire had been burning for some time in the concealed spaces between the first and second floor, the report stated.

Fire crews performed an aggressive interior attack by using multiple handlines and were able to contain the fire in the room of origin. However, fire crews had to perform extensive salvage and overhaul to locate all hidden fire in the ceiling and the home sustained smoke damage throughout.

The Red Cross was notified to assist the occupants.

Fire investigators determined the cause of this fire also to be electrical. It was reported that the homeowners' furnace heat exchanger had cracked, which made the furnace inoperable. To heat the home, the owner used a stove and multiple space heaters. This combined approach overloaded the old wires in the home, causing the wood ceiling joists to start on fire.

The Hutchinson Fire Department wants to send out a warning about portable heater use in the home, Unruh said in his release. These small units can quickly overload your electrical system and cause electrical damage, which most of the time can go unseen until it is too late.

The appliances draw an incredible amount of energy and using more than one at a time can overloadyour home wiring, especially in older homes, fire officials warned.

"Because they draw so much electricity they are also expensive to use, so a lot of the time it's cheaper and safer to turn up the thermostat instead," the release said."But if you have no other option, please only use one at a time, keep it at least 3 feet away from anything combustible, and turn it off when you're not in the room."

Fire officials also issued a warning to watch for frozen furnace exhaust vents. Because of the extreme cold, moisture in the exhaust can freeze inside the exhaust piping. Not only can this cause a fire, but if the exhaust is blocked, it will not allow deadly carbon monoxide out, which will build up in the home.

Anyone with questions may call 694-2874 to talk to fire officials.

More:
Pair of electrical fires prompts warning on the use of space heaters - The Hutchinson News

Like the steady beat of a drum, shopping holidays march on in the midst of a pandemic. This weekend, in particular, a few have clashedthere are deals for Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day, plus several winter clearance discounts as the season winds down. We parsed through dozens of stores and rounded up the best Presidents' Day deals below.

Be sure to check out our many other buying guides, such as the Best Electric Toothbrushes and Best Base Layers.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-Year Subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

Mattress, Home, and Health Deals

Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

This weekend is one of the best times to buy a mattress. For year-round recommendations, read our Best Mattresses and Best Robot Vacuums guides.

Outdoor Gear and Apparel Deals

Moment MTW Backpack

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The Best Presidents' Day Deals for the Home, Phones, and More - WIRED

EVANSVILLE, Ind (WEHT) An early morning electrical fire Friday has left one family temporarily displaced from their home.

Firefighters were called to a home in the 2300 block of Tennessee St. around 2:16 a.m. for a possible house fire. Crews said they saw smoke upon arrival and were able to extinguish the fire within 15 minutes.

Fire officials say the children noticed the fire first and told their parents, who unsuccessfully tried to put the fire out before leaving the house. Everyone made it outside without injury.

Fire investigators say the fire was an electrical fire that started in the attic space. The damage was contained to the attic space and ceiling of the back room and limited to wood structural components and insulation near the fire.

The American Red Cross was called to help the occupants of the home, who will be displaced until electrical service can be restored. They stayed with family overnight.

(This story was originally published on February 12, 2021)

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Family displaced after early morning electrical fire in Evansville - Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW)

Photo supplied by: Little Visuals/Pexels

As temperatures dip, its important to stay safe while keeping warm inside.

The Province has partnered with Technical Safety BC and the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fundto raise awareness about preventing home fires and injuries.

The annual Burn Awareness Week campaign kicked off on February 7th, and it runs until the 13th. This years theme is Electrical Safety from Amps to Zap!.

While it says electricity is not often given a second thought, the Province is reminding you to stay cautious and aware when plugging in devices to charge, watching TV, or snuggling under a heated blanket.

Electrical burns are basically burns that result from an electrical current passing through your body and causing damage, says Campbell River firefighter,Jeremy Fyfe.

That can occur from touching live wires, from a young child putting something into a live electrical outlet, or even just from touching electrified water.

Fyfe says this can result in not only burns to the surface of your skin, but also deep tissue damage or even organ damage.

According to the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), B.C. saw a total of 12 injuries and two deaths related to electrical fires last year.

In order to prevent electrical fires and burns, the Province urges you:

The OFC has launched new social media channels, and its teaming up with Technical Safety BC and the BC Professional Firefighters Burn Fund on a smoke-alarm giveaway via Facebook. Find more detailshere.

Link:
Burn Awareness Week: Province offers tips to avoid electrical fires - My Powell River Now

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "World - Electrical Insulating Fittings Of Plastics - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report has been designed to provide an in-depth study of the global electrical insulating fittings market. It covers the most recent data sets of quantitative medium-term perspectives, as well as developments in production, trade, consumption and prices. The report also depicts a comparative analysis of the biggest consuming countries, revealing opportunities opened for producers and exporters across the globe. The outlook outlines market projections to 2025.

Countries coverage: Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries (United States, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Italy, Russian Federation, India, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Sweden, Nigeria, Poland, Belgium, Argentina, Norway, Austria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore, Egypt, Philippines, Finland, Chile, Ireland, Pakistan, Greece, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Czech Republic, Qatar, Peru, Romania, Vietnam) + the largest producing countries.

Data coverage:

The report will help you:

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities

2. How to load your idle production capacity

3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets

4. How to increase your profit margins

5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable

6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs

7. How to outsource production to other countries

8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, the author combines the accumulated expertise of the analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

Making Data-Driven Decisions To Grow Your Business

1.1 Report Description

1.2 Research Methodology And Ai Platform

1.3 Data-Driven Decisions For Your Business

1.4 Glossary And Specific Terms

2. Executive Summary

A Quick Overview Of Market Performance

2.1 Key Findings

2.2 Market Trends

3. Market Overview

Understanding The Current State Of The Market And Its Prospects

3.1 Market Size

3.2 Consumption By Country

3.3 Market Forecast To 2025

4. Most Promising Products

Finding New Products To Diversify Your Business

4.1 Top Products To Diversify Your Business

4.2 Best-Selling Products Worldwide

4.3 Most Consumed Product Worldwide

4.4 Most Traded Product

4.5 Most Profitable Product For Export

5. Most Promising Supplying Countries

Choosing The Best Countries To Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

5.1 Top Countries To Source Your Product

5.2 Top Producing Countries

5.3 Top Exporting Countries

5.4 Low-Cost Exporting Countries

6. Most Promising Overseas Markets

Choosing The Best Countries To Boost Your Exports

6.1 Top Overseas Markets For Exporting Your Product

6.2 Top Consuming Markets

6.3 Unsaturated Markets

6.4 Top Importing Markets

6.5 Most Profitable Markets

7. Global Production

The Latest Trends And Insights Into The Industry

7.1 Production Volume And Value

7.2 Production By Country

8. Global Imports

The Largest Importers On The Market And How They Succeed

8.1 Imports From 2007-2017

8.2 Imports By Country

8.3 Import Prices By Country

9. Global Exports

The Largest Exporters On The Market And How They Succeed

9.1 Exports From 2007-2017

9.2 Exports By Country

9.3 Export Prices By Country

10. Profiles Of Major Producers

The Largest Producers On The Market And Their Profiles

11. Country Profiles

The Largest Markets And Their Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qtcr78

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Outlook on the Plastic Electrical Insulating Fittings Global Market to 2025 - Increase Profit Margins - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire

The formerly-known Department of Electrical Engineering (ELE) will now be recognized as the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), the University announced in a recent press release.

Explaining the transition, the department wrote in the announcement that the renaming better captures the departments range of strengths and impacts. It then went on to say that computing has always been an integral component of the ELE department and that the change was only natural.

"The discipline of electrical engineering is exceptionally broad and has always been the nexus of innovation in new generations of computer and information technologies, added Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science Andrea Goldsmith in the announcement.

The decision received approval from all voting members and was viewed favorably by faculty and administrative staff throughout the department.

Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Niraj Jha expressed his agreement with the renaming, highlighting how it aligns with the variety of courses and research within the department.

Including both Electrical and Computer in the title better reflects what our department does, he wrote in an email to The Daily Princetonian. Various activities in the Computer Engineering part of the department include courses and research on Computer Architecture, Circuits, Security, Machine Learning Accelerators, Formal Verification, THz Electronics, Smart Healthcare, Power Electronics, etc.

The announcement shared a similar sentiment as it mentions the various research projects currently undertaken by professors in the department, which includes communication networks as well as computing platforms and applications.

While the ECE department is pleased with how the renaming will impact faculty, the announcement also expressed excitement for the opportunities it will offer students within the department.

In the announcement, ECE Department Chair Sharad Malik said the renaming will expand opportunities for our students entering the workforce and makes a statement to our external partners about Princetons strengths in transformative technological innovation.

Darren Chiu 23, who declared ELE as his concentration last spring, is satisfied with the renaming of the department and how it now more accurately reflects his coursework.

To Chiu, the departments renaming did not come as a surprise as he reflected on his realization of the major role computing played in the department.

I also thought that it was a mind blowing experience seeing ideas from ELE 206 [Contemporary Logic Design] make their way into and support certain concepts in COS 217 [Introduction to Programming Systems], he said. The change also aligns more with what I have always been interested in, being that combination of programming and hardware.

According to Jha, the department also hopes to attract more prospective concentrators with its newfound emphasis on computing, which may entice students who did not previously consider entering the department.

The name change makes it possible to more easily convey information on this range of Computer Engineering activities to those not that familiar with the department, Jha wrote to the Prince.

ECE Undergraduate Program Coordinator Jean Bausmith echoed Jhas statement in an email to the Prince.

I personally am very happy with the change to the new name, she wrote. I look forward to meeting the first-years at our spring open house who might be interested in exploring what ECE has to offer.

Here is the original post:
ELE department renamed as Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering - The Daily Princetonian