Home Business News CE Today 10/2/23: News from Brother, U-Tec, & PowerGistics

CE Today 10/2/23: News from Brother, U-Tec, & PowerGistics

CE Today 10/2/23: News from Brother, U-Tec, & Powergistics

Explore the latest trends and news in the CE (Consumer Electronics) space. Stay tuned daily for more updates. 

Brother Launches Premium App Artspira+ Alongside Two New Craft Machines

Image courtesy of PRNewswire.

Brother International Corporation, a supplier of home crafting and printing products, today introduced the premium version of its Artspira app, Artspira+, a cloud-based design studio. The brand also released two new machines, the SP-1 sublimation printer and the Skitch PP1 single-needle embroidery machine, to be used with the new app.

The Artspira app was introduced by Brother in 2022 as a one-stop shop for embroidery and cutting designs with the use of wireless technology, allowing customers to easily customize their next project. Artspira+ is a premium version of the free Artspira app that offers subscription access to 7,000 embroidery, 3,000 cutting, and 1,500+ printing designs. It also features 61 embroidery drawing tool colors, 125 embroidery drawing tool templates, and 111 embroidery design templates. Artspira+ is available for $12.99 a month.

The SP-1 sublimation printer by Brother. Image courtesy of Brother.

The SP-1 sublimation printer is the first of its kind for Brother. With the SP-1, designs created on Artspira are transferred to the printer and then heat-transferred to polymer-coated products or on fabrics made of at least 65% polyester. The sublimation printer comes with a full-sized set of Brother Genuine ink cartridges. The SP-1 is set to release October 23 and will cost $399.99.

The Skitch PP1 single-needle embroidery machine by Brother. Image courtesy of Brother.

The Skitch PP1 single-needle embroidery machine can add custom embroidery designs to any apparel. It has a 4” x 4” maximum embroidery area and an embroidery speed of 400 SPM. Users have access to over 100 free embroidery designs via the Artspira app, including 100 exclusive to Skitch owners only. The Skitch PP1 will also be available October 23 and will cost $499.99.

“Our mission at Brother is to inspire crafters of all ages and skill levels to empower them with the latest cutting-edge technology,” said Shannon Sullivan, Vice President of the Home Appliance Division at Brother International Corporation, in a press release. “Our customers expect to do more with their custom designs and projects, and we’re proud to bring them even more offerings for those users who are inspired to uplevel their embroidery and printing projects.”

U-Tec To ReleaseNext Generation of the ULTRALOQ Bolt Series in Late 2023

Smart home solutions brand U-tec will launch the next generation of its ULTRALOQ Bolt smart Wi-Fi deadbolts series in late 2023. The product launch event is set to take place on October 3 in Santa Clara, CA, where pricing and pre-sale information will also be revealed.

The ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint edition. Image courtesy of U-bit.

The new ULTRALOQ is compatible with all major smart home systems including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT. For Apple HomeKit users, the ULTRALOQ comes in a fingerprint edition and an Apple Home Key-enabled NFC edition that lets users open the lock with the tap of an Apple device.

Under the ULTRALOQ is a 360-degree live fingerprint ID powered by an AI self-learning algorithm. It also features a more durable and weather-resistant anti-peep keypad compatible even with gloves, as well as an auto unlock function that uses mobile geofencing technology to unlock the door when you arrive home. The ULTRALOQ also has multiple unlocking methods, keyless entry, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, and a battery life of up to one year. The ULTRALOQ Bolt can be controlled and monitored via the U-Tec app.

PowerGistics Unveils the Fast-Charging Flex20 Bolt Charging Station

The Flex20 Bolt charging station by PowerGistics. Image courtesy of PowerGistics.

PowerGistics, a manufacturer of charging stations for schools, released its Flex20 Bolt charging station. The Flex20 Bolt is a 20-port USB-C PDU charging station that can power Chromebooks, laptops, and tablets. It has a side-locking door that encloses the PDU and charging cords so they can be accessed even when mounted to the wall. The 20-shelf Flex20 charging station can also be placed on a roller.

The Flex20 Bolt comes with 20 USB-C to USB-C cables included, meaning schools can send power bricks home with students, and still wire-up the charging tower in classrooms and common areas. The tower design of PowerGistics charging stations like the Flex20 saves space in crowded classrooms due to the small footprint. Inside, devices are stored flat in a horizontal position, protecting them from drops and damage.

Pricing can be requested on www.powergistics.com.