Jasco Blog

In a previous DIY post we walked you through the steps for building your own bottle lamp (see here if you missed the How-to post). If you’re ready to take your lamp to the next level – keep reading! It is so easy to turn ANY lamp into a smart lamp with GE branded Bluetooth Smart Controls. With no wires or bulbs to change, there’s no reason not to do it. Now, if you are worried because when you hear Smart you think of confusing terms like networks and hubs and gateways – don’t worry! This doesn’t require any of that. This is super easy.

As we enter into autumn and winter, we face shorter days, longer nights and the end of daylight saving time. Coming home from work or dinner with friends, we're often dealing with decreased visibility and a greater risk of accidents. This could make for a minor inconvenience like knocking over your favorite lamp or a greater danger, such as failing to notice an intruder.

Automating household lighting adds security and comfort in the darker months and can keep you, your family and your favorite items safer. Here's a few simple ways to prepare your home for fall.

Halloween is a night known for treats but also tricks. While the holiday is associated with costumes, scary movies, jack-o'-lanterns and sweet treats, it's also a night known for mischief ranging from vandalism to robbery. 

While fright is a part of the Halloween tradition, fear of crime doesn't need to be. Taking smart precautions and installing home electrical security features can help protect you and your family from Halloween mayhem.

Electronics don't last a lifetime. As much as you may love your current phone or computer, there will come a time when the battery will simply not hold a charge anymore and the device can't be used without keeping it plugged in all day. Accessories may wear out, whether it's from general wear and tear or accidents. Whatever the case, you'll be faced with the decision of how to discard some of your old electronic accessories.

Depending on the age and quality of your electronics, you have a few options for getting them off your hands in safe, secure and environmentally-friendly way.

Boo! It's time for terrifying thrills and monstrous scares as Halloween night approaches. Soon you'll be carving pumpkins, perfecting costumes and chowing down on entirely too much candy. As you prepare for a frightful Halloween night, don't forget to think about your home lighting.

From sinister shadows and flickering lights to fun-filled designs for the kids, smart lighting is a great way to enhance Halloween fun. It's also a crucial step for maintaining a secure environment for trick-or-treaters. Here are some tips to turn your home into an exciting and safe Halloween haunt using smart lighting controls:

Time spent in nature can also be a well-needed break from technology, a chance to unplug and look away from the screen. But let's be honest: A few pieces of tech can provide the security that lets you focus on your big adventure without worrying about the little things.

Here are five tech accessories that will make your autumn expedition all the merrier:

With the hot days of summer behind us, it's a great time to go camping. The nights are cooler, the leaves are turning colors and there's still enough sunshine to keep you warm on the trails. Plus, the Wilderness Society reported that public lands such as state parks will often drop their prices after Labor Day - making your excursion more affordable.

The time of the year we’ve all been waiting for is finally here — it’s football season. 

Sports have a unique place among cable subscribers and cord cutters. Unlike the premium channels HBO and Showtime, cable sports networks have, for the most part, not offered subscription- based services to follow in-market professional teams. However, professional sports are slowly adopting subscription services, according to USA Today. Watching College football without cable is a little different. Due to the sheer number of teams and conferences, some are easier to follow without cable.

Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, here's how you can follow all the action and still maintain your status as a cord cutter and enjoy future Saturday games

In what has become a yearly spectacle, Apple once again unveiled new smartphones and tablets September 9th. The company also unveiled an updated video streaming box, which should prove beneficial for cord cutters, and may push more consumers to move away from cable. While diehard Apple fans likely knew about these products based on previous leaks, the new hardware still packs a strong punch that anyone will find useful.

Apple itself defies certain business mindsets. According to Financial Times, the company is currently the most publicly valued company in the world, with a market valuation totaling $722 billion, over twice as much of the second-most valued company . Most of the company's profits stem from its iPhones. The oddity comes in the form of market share. According to the research firm International Data Corporation, Apple's devices make up only 13.9 percent of the smartphone market, while manufacturers utilizing the Android operating system hold near 83 percent of the market share. While iPhones are expensive, consumers have displayed a sense of loyalty to the devices. With the new hardware set for release, it's beneficial to take a look at what's coming out relatively soon.

Jasco recently partnered with the National Autism Association (NAA) to help launch a new school safety program for educators. The Big Red Safety Teacher Toolkit® is a free-of-charge safety kit designed to help schools keep students with autism safe and prevent wandering incidents from classrooms. 

The NAA is the leading voice on issues related to autism safety and crisis prevention. As a proud supporter, Jasco has donated 1,000 4-packs of GE branded Window/Door Alarm Kits to the NAA’s Big Red Safety Teacher Toolkit.