Todd Bernhard

Nanoleaf sent me their Canvas Smarter light panels ($249.99) and as soon as I set it up, my colleagues couldn't keep their hands off of it. So what is this Canvas and why do people find it irresistable? They are square plastic panels that you mount on the wall using the included command strip style tape. You connect them to each other using special connector strips and then connect one panel to the wall outlet. They are programmable lights that can display colors or patterns of your choice, using the app. You can also make the panels respond to music or to touch, as a game similar to Simon. It's a lot of fun!

I recently upgraded to the iPhone XR and that meant searching for a new case. The folks at Nomad sent several to review and I had a hard time choosing. I ended up with the simple and elegant Rugged Case (starting at $44.95) but some users might prefer Nomad's folio options for a few dollars more. What I like about all of the cases is, despite having a leather surface, they have a protective silicone shell that completely encompasses the perimeter of the iPhone. The coverage includes the port area at the bottom, which is where some competing cases, particularly Apple's own cases, skimp on coverage.

The folks at Tapplock have updated their Tapplock One, which I reviewed last year, for the better. The new Tapplock One+ ($99) is the same price as last year's model, but the new version has some welcome enhancements. In particular, the new model is waterproof and not just water resistant. The locking mechanism is stronger and should stand up to all but the most aggressive of burglars.

I've owned luxury watches and smart watches and always felt that it was a shame to have to choose between them. Apple came out with a great smart watch, but the silicon and fabric bands didn't shout luxury. I've primarily used the Milanese Loop band with my Apple Watch, but Nomad just sent me its new Titanium Band ($179.95) and it may change all that.