Belkin Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker With WeMo

Pros Lets you control cooking times and temperatures from your mobile device. Simple design. Excellent cooking performance.

Cons No multi-stage cooking options. Does not support IFTTT. Bottom Line The Belkin Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo is the first mobile-device-controlled one of its kind; it's not perfect, but it certainly makes preparing a simple meal even simpler.

By John R. Delaney

Originally designed as a simple bean cooker, the Crock-Pot has been synonymous with slow cooking for over four decades and is a staple in many kitchens. Crock-Pot models vary from simple, two temperature cookers that you can find for around $25 to digital programmable models that can cost up to $100. The latest addition to the Crock-Pot family, the Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo ($129.99), is the result of a collaboration between Jarden Consumer Solutions and Belkin, and is the first slow cooker that you can control via a smartphone.

Using the same WeMo technology found in Belkin's WeMo Insight and WeMo Light switches, the Smart Crock-Pot can be monitored and turned on and off using an iOS or Android mobile device, and you can adjust temperature and timer settings on the fly. You'll pay premium dollars for all of this connectivity, however, and it doesn't support If This Then That (IFTTT) web automations. But it's a breeze to use and performs wonderfully as a slow cooker.

Design and App
The Belkin Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo looks nothing like the Crock-Pots I remember as a child. The plain brown and yellow finish and bulky control knob have been replaced by a sleek-looking stainless steel finish with black trim and illuminated temperature and Wi-Fi indicators. The Wi-Fi indicator will blink green while trying to connect to the router and turn a solid green when a connection is made. A solid amber light signals a poor connection, while a blinking amber light indicates a lost connection. There's a single push button that lets you manually turn the cooker on and off, as well as choose between High, Low, and Warm temperature settings if you want to use the cooker without WeMo capabilities. The 6-quart oval stoneware dish is glossy black and has cool-touch handles at each end, and the lid is clear glass with silver trim and a black handle. At the rear of the cooker is a space for storing the 28-inch power cord.

The Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo connects to your home Wi-Fi router and uses the same WeMo app as the Belkin Insight and Light switches. Adding the Crock-Pot to your network is fairly easy; first, download the WeMo app (if you don't already have it). Once the cooker is plugged in, go to your smartphone's settings control panel and connect to the Crock-Pot's Wi-Fi. When connected, go back to settings and reconnect to your router. When you open the WeMo app, the Crock-Pot will be listed along with any other WeMo devices you have installed.

To control the cooker using your smartphone, simply tap the Crock-Pot Slow Cooker icon on the WeMo device list. A Set Timer button will appear under a Stay Safe message that informs you that the slow cooker will begin cooking immediately after you press the Start button. Clicking the Set Timer button takes you to a page where you can select cooking temperature (High, Low, and Warm) and set the cooking time from 15 minutes to a maximum of 23 hours and 45 minutes. Unfortunately, you can't set up a multi-stage session where the cooker changes temperature after a certain period of time, but that ability may be added at a later date.

Once you set the cooking time and temperature, the app will display the exact time that the meal will be done. Press the Start button and the Crock-Pot begins cooking. A Cooking Summary page will show you how long the cooker has been on, what temperature it is set to, and the calculated finish time. The outer ring of the round power icon will glow green to indicate power is on. It shows three green bars when the temperature is set to High, two for Low, and one yellow for Warm. You can change the time and temperature settings at any time by tapping the Modify button. If you change the cooking time, the finish time will change as well.

Testing
The WeMo Insight and Light Switches can be automated using IFTTT recipes, which allow you to turn devices on and off using triggers from up to 105 Internet channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and Gmail. But the WeMo Crock-Pot does not support IFTTT, at least not yet. Nor can you set up rules to pair it with the motion sensor that comes with the WeMo Switch + Motion kit.

The cooker responded quickly to each command, turning on and off immediately after each button press. Modifying a cooking time and changing temperatures were also quick and easy, and the internal Wi-Fi radio maintained a strong signal from my kitchen, which is around 30 feet and two rooms apart from my router.

To test the WeMo Crock-Pot, I tossed a four-pound corned beef into the pot and added carrots, potatoes, onions, and a can of Guinness stout. I set the temperature setting to High and the timer to four hours, hit the Start button, and headed out for the day. I checked the app every hour to make sure everything was working as it was supposed to, and after four hours I reset the temperature to Low and set the timer to five hours. Here's where having the ability to tell the cooker to change temperatures at a specific time would really come in handy.

After nine hours of cooking, the corned beef measured around 180 degrees with a meat thermometer, which for me, is ideal (some people prefer a more well-done brisket). The meat was cooked evenly throughout and was loose and tender. It tasted incredible. The carrots, onions, and potatoes were also done to a tee. Cleanup was a breeze; what little food that was stuck to the stoneware came off easily without scrubbing.

Conclusion
The Belkin Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo will appeal to tech-savvy users who want to add yet another connected device to their digital home. It's a sharp-looking slow cooker that cooks evenly and can be controlled remotely, and it will keep your food warm until you get home. However, its lofty price will likely have the average homeowner looking for cheaper alternatives. For around $35 you can get a programmable 6-quart Crock-Pot and pair it with a $60 WeMo Insight switch, and it'll do most of the same things the WeMo Smart Crock-Pot will do for approximately $35 less. And, you can use the Insight to control other devices remotely when you're not using the Crock-Pot. However, you won't be able to change cooking temperatures on the fly like you can with the WeMo Crock-Pot. But there's room for improvement, including the ability to have the cooker change temperatures automatically and IFTTT support.

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Belkin Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker With WeMo

Pros Lets you control cooking times and temperatures from your mobile device. Simple design. Excellent cooking performance.

Cons No multi-stage cooking options. Does not support IFTTT. Bottom Line The Belkin Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo is the first mobile-device-controlled one of its kind; it's not perfect, but it certainly makes preparing a simple meal even simpler.

By John R. Delaney

Originally designed as a simple bean cooker, the Crock-Pot has been synonymous with slow cooking for over four decades and is a staple in many kitchens. Crock-Pot models vary from simple, two temperature cookers that you can find for around $25 to digital programmable models that can cost up to $100. The latest addition to the Crock-Pot family, the Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo ($129.99), is the result of a collaboration between Jarden Consumer Solutions and Belkin, and is the first slow cooker that you can control via a smartphone.

Using the same WeMo technology found in Belkin's WeMo Insight and WeMo Light switches, the Smart Crock-Pot can be monitored and turned on and off using an iOS or Android mobile device, and you can adjust temperature and timer settings on the fly. You'll pay premium dollars for all of this connectivity, however, and it doesn't support If This Then That (IFTTT) web automations. But it's a breeze to use and performs wonderfully as a slow cooker.

Design and App
The Belkin Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo looks nothing like the Crock-Pots I remember as a child. The plain brown and yellow finish and bulky control knob have been replaced by a sleek-looking stainless steel finish with black trim and illuminated temperature and Wi-Fi indicators. The Wi-Fi indicator will blink green while trying to connect to the router and turn a solid green when a connection is made. A solid amber light signals a poor connection, while a blinking amber light indicates a lost connection. There's a single push button that lets you manually turn the cooker on and off, as well as choose between High, Low, and Warm temperature settings if you want to use the cooker without WeMo capabilities. The 6-quart oval stoneware dish is glossy black and has cool-touch handles at each end, and the lid is clear glass with silver trim and a black handle. At the rear of the cooker is a space for storing the 28-inch power cord.

The Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo connects to your home Wi-Fi router and uses the same WeMo app as the Belkin Insight and Light switches. Adding the Crock-Pot to your network is fairly easy; first, download the WeMo app (if you don't already have it). Once the cooker is plugged in, go to your smartphone's settings control panel and connect to the Crock-Pot's Wi-Fi. When connected, go back to settings and reconnect to your router. When you open the WeMo app, the Crock-Pot will be listed along with any other WeMo devices you have installed.

To control the cooker using your smartphone, simply tap the Crock-Pot Slow Cooker icon on the WeMo device list. A Set Timer button will appear under a Stay Safe message that informs you that the slow cooker will begin cooking immediately after you press the Start button. Clicking the Set Timer button takes you to a page where you can select cooking temperature (High, Low, and Warm) and set the cooking time from 15 minutes to a maximum of 23 hours and 45 minutes. Unfortunately, you can't set up a multi-stage session where the cooker changes temperature after a certain period of time, but that ability may be added at a later date.

Once you set the cooking time and temperature, the app will display the exact time that the meal will be done. Press the Start button and the Crock-Pot begins cooking. A Cooking Summary page will show you how long the cooker has been on, what temperature it is set to, and the calculated finish time. The outer ring of the round power icon will glow green to indicate power is on. It shows three green bars when the temperature is set to High, two for Low, and one yellow for Warm. You can change the time and temperature settings at any time by tapping the Modify button. If you change the cooking time, the finish time will change as well.

Testing
The WeMo Insight and Light Switches can be automated using IFTTT recipes, which allow you to turn devices on and off using triggers from up to 105 Internet channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and Gmail. But the WeMo Crock-Pot does not support IFTTT, at least not yet. Nor can you set up rules to pair it with the motion sensor that comes with the WeMo Switch + Motion kit.

The cooker responded quickly to each command, turning on and off immediately after each button press. Modifying a cooking time and changing temperatures were also quick and easy, and the internal Wi-Fi radio maintained a strong signal from my kitchen, which is around 30 feet and two rooms apart from my router.

To test the WeMo Crock-Pot, I tossed a four-pound corned beef into the pot and added carrots, potatoes, onions, and a can of Guinness stout. I set the temperature setting to High and the timer to four hours, hit the Start button, and headed out for the day. I checked the app every hour to make sure everything was working as it was supposed to, and after four hours I reset the temperature to Low and set the timer to five hours. Here's where having the ability to tell the cooker to change temperatures at a specific time would really come in handy.

After nine hours of cooking, the corned beef measured around 180 degrees with a meat thermometer, which for me, is ideal (some people prefer a more well-done brisket). The meat was cooked evenly throughout and was loose and tender. It tasted incredible. The carrots, onions, and potatoes were also done to a tee. Cleanup was a breeze; what little food that was stuck to the stoneware came off easily without scrubbing.

Conclusion
The Belkin Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo will appeal to tech-savvy users who want to add yet another connected device to their digital home. It's a sharp-looking slow cooker that cooks evenly and can be controlled remotely, and it will keep your food warm until you get home. However, its lofty price will likely have the average homeowner looking for cheaper alternatives. For around $35 you can get a programmable 6-quart Crock-Pot and pair it with a $60 WeMo Insight switch, and it'll do most of the same things the WeMo Smart Crock-Pot will do for approximately $35 less. And, you can use the Insight to control other devices remotely when you're not using the Crock-Pot. However, you won't be able to change cooking temperatures on the fly like you can with the WeMo Crock-Pot. But there's room for improvement, including the ability to have the cooker change temperatures automatically and IFTTT support.

View the original article here

Belkin Qode Thin Type Keyboard Cover for iPad Air

Pros Great-feeling keyboard. Solid unibody construction.

Cons Heavy. Somewhat bulky design. Bottom Line Belkin's Qode Thin Type Keyboard Cover has the best-feeling keyboard on any iPad Air cover we've tested so far. It's also extremely sturdy, which makes it a little heavier than many might like.

By Antonio Villas-Boas

If you think weight is a sign of reliability, you may be drawn to one of the sturdiest and heaviest of iPad keyboard covers you can get: the Belkin Qode Thin Type. While extra heft isn't always appreciated, everyone likes a good keyboard, and the Qode's is as good as they come, save for a couple keys that are not in their usual places. In terms of keyboard comfort and feel, it even beats our Editors' Choice Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. But for the same $99.99 price tag, the Logitech keyboard weighs less and has a more secure hinge design. Still, the Belkin is a solid bet that won't disappoint even the most finicky of typists.

Design, Features
With an anodized aluminum unibody construction, Belkin's Qode Thin Type is positively solid and feels premium; there is no flex at all anywhere on the case. The only plastic you'll find is on the groove stand, the battery housing, and on the keyboard itself. However, such sturdy construction comes at a weighty 13.1- ounce price, which is about 1.5 ounces heavier than the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover and the budget-friendly Anker TC930. At 9.4 by 6.6 inches (HW), with a depth of 0.16 inch at its thinnest point and 0.39 inch at its thickest (for an average depth of 0.27 inch), it's technically thinner than the aforementioned competitors, but part of it is still thicker.

Whereas Logitech's and Anker's keyboard covers look like they could have been designed by Apple itself, thanks to their sleek, ultra-simple designs, the Qode's front and profile is sharply interrupted by the groove stand and a somewhat clunky battery housing. However, these details add an element of grip when carrying the iPad/case combo, which is helpful when you consider the Qode's weight. Additionally, the bulky battery housing at the top and the thin bottom presents the keyboard at a slight angle, which makes for more comfortable typing.

The magnetic hinge easily snaps onto the left side of the iPad. But the Qode's heaviness allows the cover to detach itself too easily compared with lighter covers, such as the Logitech, which means it could be less effective at protecting your screen. Instead of a magnet in the groove stand, Belkin implemented a pressure sensitive Power and Bluetooth connection button, and simply relies on the iPad's weight to turn the keyboard on and off. This eliminates the need to manually power the keyboard, and it automatically wakes the iPad from Sleep mode, too. On the flip side, this means you won't be able to use the keyboard without the iPad in the groove stand. Removing the iPad from the groove stand won't put it to sleep, but the Wake/Sleep function is very reliable when you open and close the cover.

Belkin claims battery life of up to 79 hours of typing time, or up to six months on standby mode, which is long enough to let you forget when you last charged it. The included charging cable (or any other micro USB cable) plugs into the micro USB port on the keyboard's rear left, and it'll let you know when battery life is running low with a tiny LED directly above the keyboard on the top right. Bluetooth pairing is simple; just hold the dedicated Pairing button on the top right of the keyboard, pair it with your iPad in iOS' Settings, and you're good to go.

Keyboard, Conclusion
Out of the keyboard covers we've tested thus far, Belkin's Qode Thin Type offers the most comfortable typing experience. The keys are solid, large, well spaced, and have excellent travel and feedback. Switching between compact and full-size keyboards means you'll likely make mistakes, so a large Delete key is important, and Belkin delivers. However, Logitech has shown us that there is no need to relocate keys for the sake of spacing, which is what Belkin has done with the Colon/Semi-Colon key.

If it wasn't for the weight and keys gone astray, the Qode would have snatched our Editors' Choice recommendation from the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. If keeping weight at a minimum while adding keyboard functionality is what you're after, check out the Logitech or $30 Anker TC930. Despite its heft, the Qode is a solid bet due to the superior typing experience and solid construction. Alternatively, and if weight isn't an issue at all, check out the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio or the Zagg Folio Keyboard; both add more protection for you iPad than any keyboard cover can.

View the original article here