Jasco Blog

Living in a smart home is no longer something reserved for sci-fi movies or TV. Home automation is now as attainable as ever, however, it can be intimidating when first getting started. What products do I need? How does a smart home actually work? What can I control? We’re going to answer some basic and common Z-Wave home automation questions in order to make sure you don’t out smart yourself when smartening up your home.

Amazon continues to improve and add to their Alexa powered products – currently sitting at a total of 6 unique Echo devices. While all interesting in their own way, the most impressive option is the new Echo Plus.

The Echo Plus not only builds on the foundation that the Echo and Echo Dot models have established, but it also improves and adds to it. The audio has received a welcomed upgrade when compared to previous iterations thanks to the improved Dolby speakers that produce crisp vocals and extended bass to fill the room with 360 degrees of audio. While improved audio is great, the most significant difference from the rest of the Echo family is the inclusion of a built-in ZigBee smart home hub.

Why is that significant? Why should I buy the Amazon Echo Plus over the others? Read here to find out all you need to know about the Echo Plus.

At this point, you have seen or at least heard of voice activated virtual assistants somewhere online or from a friend. These devices have been around since 2014 and have continued to rise in popularity and are quickly becoming a device that you will find in most homes. The major players in the voice activated virtual assistant space are Google’s Home Assistant and Amazon’s Echo, Echo Dot and most recently, the Echo Plus, which has a built-in hub that seamlessly connects and controls ZigBee smart devices.

I will not be comparing the Amazon Echo Devices or Google Home Assistant and recommending one over the other. If you know you want to add one to your home and are trying to decide on a specific device, check out this article for some insight on which device is best for you.

This particular post is simply to further inform you of voice activated virtual assistants and how they function as well as some ways you can use virtual assistants in your day-to-day to make life a little easier.

Extension cords are not something you normally find yourself thinking about or even researching online. When you think about extension cords, usually what comes to mind are solid colors (usually in brown, black or white), light and flimsy or bulky heavy duty cords that all get tangled and get in the way. 

Well now it’s time to change the way you think about extension cords with Cordinate Designer Extension Cords.

Tis the season, the NBA season that is. It’s time to cheer on your favorite team or player on their journey to the playoffs and possibly a championship ring. There a lot of games and a lot of teams to watch but make sure you aren’t missing a game while saving money and cutting cable.

Whether its college football, NFL, or both its time to get ready for your favorite team to hit the field! One of the best ways to enjoy game day besides actually attending the game is with a grill, your friends, and the great outdoors at a tailgate. There many different ways to tailgate but here are a few game plan tips for any tailgate to be a success.

It’s that time of the year, everyone’s favorite season, football season. Whether you’re gearing up to cheer on your alma mater this Saturday, making plans for your next NFL watch party, or adjusting this week’s fantasy football lineup, it’s a busy time for football fans.

It used to be hard to watch football without a cable subscription, but those days are long gone. Today, there are more affordable and legal ways to stream your favorite college and NFL teams than ever before. And not only that, you can get access to tons of sports content in HD for free using an OTA antenna. Don’t miss a single play and save some money while doing it: Here’s a quick look at how you can watch sports online without cable in this football fans guide to cutting the cord.

Who forgets to turn off the lights in your house? Where does it happen the most?

We are all familiar with walking into a pitch black hallway or room and having to reach for the light switch in order to see where we are going. Or when a quick trip to the bathroom or kitchen leads to all the lights being left on by accident. Let motion-activated lights guide you around your home without having to flip a light switch (and remembering to turn them back off!) motion lights will not only change the way you use your lights in general but they can also save you money with energy-efficient LED lights that only activate in the dark and automatically turn themselves off once you leave the room.

Motion nights lights come in different style sizes and colors to fit the décor of your home. However, one big difference is whether they are plug-in or battery powered. While both offer the same motion sensing and lighting capabilities, they will have pros and cons depending on what your specific needs are. The plug in versions are ready straight out of the packaging, all you need is an available outlet and you are good to go. The drawback to the plug in version is part of what makes it easy to use, the need for an empty outlet. If you have an area in your home that could use some light but don’t have a free outlet or do but it just isn’t accessible or in the best area in the room this version will not work for you.

It’s the end of summer, the weather is nice, and you need a break from the usual. It’s the perfect time to take a road trip, especially with fall right around the corner. Whether it's a couple of hours or a 12+ hour trip, here are some ways to make sure you have a great and comfortable road ahead of you.

Are you on the search for fun and unique  ways to use  string lights around your home? We recently partnered with some incredibly talented bloggers to help inspire you with unique ideas and clever ways to hang Enbrighten Cafe String Lights — from enchanting patios and backyard upgrades to creative indoor decor ideas, to outdoor entertaining tips and more! Get inspired with these DIY projects and be sure to share your own cafe lights inspiration with us too on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! 

Decorating Indoor Spaces with Cafe Lights

When it comes to commercial-grade LED cafe string lights, most people naturally think of using them outdoors. While café lights are a great way to improve outdoor areas like your porch, patio or backyard, you can add just as much charm and ambiance to create an inviting space inside your home. Here are some creative ideas for using cafe lights indoors.