Our Favorite Home Technology Products of 2015

At Enventys Partners, we have the opportunity to work with a lot of upstarting technology companies, and as such, we’re very passionate about the technology that we use in our day-to-day lives. We’ve compiled a list of some of our must-haves, and hope that you find some new favorite gadgets here!

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Roy Morejon – President

My Samsung 4K Curved Smart TV – This thing is amazing and yes, there is a clear difference from a flat TV experience. When I saw these at CES earlier this year I was sold. This Smart TV completely redefines the viewing experience with revolutionary Nano-crystal technology. Samsung has completely upgraded my Smart TV experience with a simplified and intuitive design. Now I can quickly find my favorite shows and movies, access my favorite apps, browse the Web and share content between devices at my command.

Joe Recomendes – Chief Operating Officer

Hands-down, I carry the most technology of anyone that I know. I really can’t pick just one piece, so instead, a selection from my everyday carry:

• My 15” Retina MacBook Pro: With 16GB of RAM, this monster is the cornerstone of literally everything that I do, both at work and at home. I don’t think I’ve been more than 100 yards from my computer (with the exception of going out on the town) in my entire career. It comes with me everywhere, and I could write an entire blog post (coming soon, maybe!) on all of the apps and tweaks that I use to run it at maximum efficiency for my workflow.
• My iPad Air: I love my iPad, but it really hasn’t revolutionized any part of my life. I read on it and I play games. However, I’ve included it here because when paired with the Mountie by Ten One Design and Duet, I can turn it into a secondary display on-the-go.
• My iPhone 6 Plus: I have big hands, and I like a big screen, so I’ll keep buying the biggest phone that I can until it doesn’t fit in my pocket anymore. I like it because it plays seamlessly with the rest of my Mac OS infrastructure. I’ve never owned an Android, but I doubt that I could now.
• A Belkin surge protector: It sounds silly, but I carry a three-outlet surge protector to create more outlets when needed. It’s a great way to make friends at the airport or at a conference – you’ll be a hero.
• Backup battery with at least 10,000 mAH: I only use it when I’m in a jam, but I can get two full charges for my phone on it.
• My V-Moda Crossfade Headphones: Excellent noise isolation, excellent price. I upgraded to bigger ear pads for deeper bass, more comfort, and better isolation. You won’t see them lining the aisles at Best Buy, but believe me: they’re a diamond in the rough for audio quality at a great price.

I could go on forever (my EDC bag easily weighs 50 pounds, but “fortune favors the prepared!”), but if I only had to carry two things with me travelling, it would by my MacBook Pro and my headphones.

Vincent Ammirato – Director of Search Marketing

I am most proud of our entertainment setup. It is built around the following principles:

No Cable TV. We have a Mohu Leaf antenna to catch OTA HD signals and streaming boxes for our two TVs (one Apple TV, one Roku 3).

Formatless Media. When DVDs were being replaced and the HD-DVD vs Bluray battle was in full swing, we made the decision to not buy physical media players ever again. We dropped the mailing option from Netflix and went pure streaming. We also used handbrake to make digital copies of all our DVDs. No clutter! We typically rent from Amazon (better rental terms) and buy from iTunes.

Local storage. Formatless media is great except when internet goes down. That’s why we keep local copies on an older desktop computer that we use as a media server.

Slingbox. My father travels a bunch and I got him a Slingbox last Christmas so he can keep up with local news and sports…while technically not part of my home entertainment setup, it’s something that he has enjoyed.

Thinking about signing up for:

SlingTV. This service seems custom-built for people like me. The ability to pay a la carte for the cable stations I use most is extremely appealing.

Steam Console. The first ones aren’t slated to officially launch until this Fall but, keeping with my “formatless media” mantra, a Steam-powered console gaming system would fit our lifestyle perfectly.

Jess Chesney – Communications Director

My favorite “piece of tech” is a Physical Web app on my iPhone- it let’s me access more information for things around me. If I’m at a local bar, I can open my PW browser and see whatever the bar owner wants me to see- so, specials and other useful information…on demand. It won’t send me push notifications, but will only provide me with the information I need, right when I need it. I don’t even need to search the web- everything that’s broadcasted by an owner, from a tiny beacon device, is right in my PW browser and just one click away.

Some other great examples:

– Street musicians can keep a tiny beacon in their guitar case on the street, and people can find out more info or even download a song just by opening their PW browser and clicking his or her link!

– Selling your car? Put the universal PW logo sticker on it, put your tiny beacon in your car and point it to your website for more information, or the website where it’s currently for sale.

– At a museum and like a painting? Open your PW browser, and you can find more history on that specific artist or painting.

In a nutshell, beacons and the Physical Web are changing the internet and how we access information as we know it!

Here at CP, we have one of BKON’s beacons that directs anyone looking at a PW browser in our vicinity to our website- www.commandpartners.com! Pretty neat, huh?

Angela Kotsokalis – Lead Creative Designer

My Google Chromecast has to be one of my favorite tech products at home. This awesome gadget lets me cast my favorite TV shows, movies, music, and other apps from my Galaxy S5 and Macbook Pro to my TV. Having an Android phone is also a perk, this enables me to have more app options and allows me to mirror my phone display to the tv. During some down time I like to play games using my phone as a controller while it runs on my TV. The best thing about Chromecast is that it’s super simple to set up and is only $35!

Kyle Varian – Client Services Director

My favorite piece of technology for home and work are my Westone Adventure Series earbuds. They fit comfortably in your ear and produce great acoustic sound. The earbuds are noise canceling too, so they are ideal for use in distracting, high-traffic environments. The three button sound control system and mic attached to the cable makes these earbuds perfect for hands-free phone calls.

Rich Tucker – Social Media Director

I am addicted to my DJI Phantom II Quadcopter with GoPro Hero4+ Camera.

There have been several advancements in technology over the last couple of years including smaller batteries and GPS that make the DJI Phantom II Quadcopter a game changer.

In the past, remote control helicopters and planes have been tough to fly.  The DJI Phantom II is easy to fly while reaching speeds of 30 MPH and able to fly well over the allowed 400 ft.  Adding the GoPro Hero4+ to the Phantom Quadcopter gives the pilot the ability to capture aerial footage for around $1,400.

Before the Phantoms, getting similar footage required renting a helicopter and professional videographer for much more money.

My favorite spot to fly the DJI Phantom?  I enjoyed videoing the cruise ships departing from Miami Beach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQjZvmVRtY0

Jared Strichek – Search Marketing Analyst

My favorite piece of technology is certainly my MacBook (sorry if that’s a cop-out). If I want to watch TV or movies, I can cast what I’m watching on my MacBook to my television with my Google Chromecast. If I want to listen to music, I just connect my laptop to my Bluetooth speakers and then I have surround sound throughout my home. And, of course, when I need to get work done from home, I’m already set up.

My MacBook is the center of my world. Almost everything I do revolves around it.

Elizabeth Breedlove – Content Marketing Manager

Great new technology comes out every year, but sometimes you can’t give up the older stuff. While I love being able to carry my music everywhere on my phone, it’s just not the same as my record player. I enjoy a wide variety of music, and I really believe that everything sounds better on vinyl, regardless of the type or genre. Putting on a Bon Iver or James Taylor record is one of my favorite ways to relax at the end of a long day!

Christine Lavery – Social Media Coordinator

My favorite piece of technology is easily my Garmin. I spend my free time working out and training for various races, and my Garmin helps me stay on target. Not only am I able to track my daily progress, but I love how it gives me live feedback as I train. I also love that I can upload all of my information onto my computer. My Garmin is like my personal coach, and I’m so used to always having it with me that I don’t feel like I train as well when I don’t have it!

Suzann Knudsen – PPC Specialist

Actual technology? My FitBit Flex…I didn’t think it would encourage me much, but I do find myself moving around more, and walking just to get my steps in.

Practical “technology”? My Gardex Leaf Scoops. I honestly don’t think we could get through yard work without them anymore!

Erin Kenny – Public Relations Account Coordinator

It took me ages to decide on a fitness tracker, but after some thorough research, I recently received the Jawbone Up2 and I’m pretty into it so far. Beside causing an obvious obsession with how many steps I take a day, it’s easy to use and provides reasonably accurate and thorough data. Overall, it’s a complete range of basic features, which is exactly what I was looking for.

All of the sleep data it provides is one of my favorite parts. When I wake up, my Jawbone app gives me a decent graph of my sleep, showing light, deep and wakeful cycles, and the overall results are far more in depth than some other fitness trackers that I researched.

Finally, the Up2 is also my favorite looking activity band with its slim design and subtle colors.

Megan Jasso – Public Relations Account Coordinator

My favorite piece of tech really isn’t at home- it’s something I take with me everywhere. Right now, my fitness tracker is my absolute life saver. It reminds me to actually get up and get moving during the day which can be tough when you work at a desk job!

Stephanie Spaulding – Public Relations Account Coordinator

My smart TV, because all I need is one button to connect me to Netflix, Hulu, iHeart Radio, or our PlayStation4. The picture is so beautiful (especially when it comes to Naked and Afraid), I feel like I’m practically there. The best part is, I never have to log in or go to an actual website, all I have to do is click a button on my remote and BOOM, South Park is at my fingertips. Now that I have a smart TV, I don’t know how I ever lived without one.