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LiftMaster Garage Door OpenerIf you own a home, it's one of the nagging questions you often ask yourself within 30 seconds of pulling out your driveway — did I close my garage door? Now that question can be answered without disrupting the commute, thanks to the new LiftMaster Garage Door Opener with MyQ technology.
Once the opener is installed and the home network gets a wireless transmitter, the user can check on the garage from anywhere, on a smartphone or tablet. If the garage door is open, it can then be closed remotely.
"If you're halfway around the world and you wonder if your garage door is open, you can simply check your smartphone and know whether your home is secure or not," LiftMaster spokesperson Paul Accardo said. "Applications for this also include being able to let people in your home when you're not around. The same technology allows you to operate lights within your home as well."
The LiftMaster with MyQ runs between $350 and $400 and there is a $10 yearly service charge for the smartphone capability.
Though there are apps for free designed specifically for iOS, Android and Blackberries, since it can also be done through a web browser, any smartphone can work with the system.
‘See-Through’ Smartphones
Smartphone users can now take advantage of their mobile devices' built-in cameras, so they don't bump into things while they text or email.
There are lots of apps out there — "Email 'n Walk" and "Type n Walk," for example — but one free app is "See Through Messaging" for Windows Mobile phones. The camera turns on while the user is walking and writing an email or text, allowing the user to "see through" the smartphone at the world beyond and to hopefully deter walking into rush-hour traffic.
"See Through Messaging" for Windows Mobile phones is free. Other "email walk" apps range around $0.99.