SimpliSafe's winter sweater sounds the alarm when people stand too close

Sick of people standing too close to you? Here’s a great new way to enforce the six-foot social distancing rule: Sound a siren through your sweater!

That’s the idea behind SimpliSafe’s new sweater. The company that keeps your family safe and sound made its own festive garment this year, decked out in tech to inspire social distance.

When someone gets too close, a soft alarm sounds, and colorful lights blare across the wearer’s chest. The creation uses four low-resolution thermal cameras to monitor your perimeter. When a warm body approaches you, the sweater goes off. And there are even instructions for making your own.

A hilarious hit

SimpliSafe offered up the sweater, sans all the electronics, for charity. Actually, so many people bought them that these sweaters are now out of stock! It’s not hard to see why. In a year when we’re keeping our distance, it screams holiday cheer and “Give me my space!”

SimpliSafe calls its fancy sweater a prototype for one you can build yourself at home. It uses an array of controllers, LED lights, speakers and cables to flash when someone gets too close. An algorithm calculates the temperature around the wearer to detect people who get too close.

Pretty nifty way of telling others to keep their distance, huh? Although the SimpliSafe-branded sweaters are sold out now, you can still make your own version at home with any sweater you choose.

Want to make your own? Tap or click here to a list of supplies and steps to create a motion sensor sweater that goes off whenever someone gets too close to you.

Make sure to stay safe, though: SimpliSafe warns that only skilled tinkerers with prior experience with hobby electronics should take on this project. That’s because SimpliSafe, a sponsor of The Kim Komando Show, is all about looking after your well-being.

Sweaters aside, SimpliSafe is the best home security system out there

With our sponsor SimpliSafe, your home security system can be simple. You buy everything you need online, set it up yourself in under an hour and manage everything through the easy-to-use app. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Easy installation: Set up your whole system in under 15 minutes, no drills required. Just stick the wireless sensors onto walls and you’re good to go!
  • SimpliSafe Cameras: The SimpliCam records in HD video, and it’s always on the lookout for security threats.
  • 24/7 live monitoring: For around 50 cents a day, you’ll get around-the-clock professional monitoring.
  • No need for landline or Wi-Fi: SimpliSafe uses its own cellular SIM card. Even if your home phone or internet connection goes down, your home is protected.
  • No long-term contracts: There are no commitments, no hidden fees and no activation or installation fees.

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Take the guesswork out of home security

It’s almost a new year, and that means you’re likely contemplating New Year’s resolutions. One of them should be to make improvements to your home security system.

Start 2021 off right and keep your family safe by adopting a security setup from our sponsor, SimpliSafe. It’s Kim’s pick for lots of reasons.

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The workplace goes digital with virtual reality training

We’ve all had those uncomfortable situations at work. Maybe it’s a disagreement with a coworker or a tricky customer interaction — or even firing a long-time employee. Don’t you wish you could practice? Thanks to VR, AR and AI developer Talespin, you can. 

Kim chats with Talespin CEO and co-founder Kyle Jackson about how the company is bringing workplace training to the digital age with its virtual human simulations.

How to watch ‘Die Hard’ and all your other favorite Christmas movies this season

It’s time to revive an important annual debate: Is “Die Hard” a Christmas movie? We could argue about this all day — but if you go to Netflix, you’ll discover a shocking lack of “Die Hard” to use as evidence. ‘Tis the season to be thankful, though: If you use ExpressVPN, you can access a Netflix library where “Die Hard” is actually available.

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The biggest whack job post on Facebook that I've ever seen

There has been no shortage of conspiracy theories being posted on Facebook during the pandemic. It is almost as if the coronavirus is affecting some people’s ability to think clearly.

Putting a Faraday cage over your router to block “harmful” 5G frequencies is just nonsensical. And as we have explained before, not only is this ineffective at stopping the spread of 5G, but it will also make your internet speeds worse!

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Why digital billboard ads change when you approach

We’re exposed to as many as 5,000 ads a day. To break through the clutter, companies track and target us. Ads are getting even more personal thanks to the next generation of digital billboards. Kim chats with Frank O’Brien, CEO of Five Tier, a company that bridges the gap between the ads you see in cyberspace and the ads you see in person. His secret? The little gadget in each of our pockets: our phones.

How to find a PlayStation 5, new Xbox or Nintendo Switch (and avoid all the scams)

Every couple of years, the video game industry is shaken up by the release of brand-new consoles. These product debuts aren’t minor affairs. They’re major events where supply rarely keeps up with demand from gamers.

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Best smartphone cameras available now, ranked

Smartphones are expensive these days, which makes choosing one a major decision. Aside from price and performance, features like 5G, durability, and cameras are all important to consider.

Smartphone cameras are good enough today that they can replace point-and-shoot cameras for many people. Some are even sufficient for business and work purposes. Tap or click here to see how to turn your smartphone into a webcam.

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Watch your phone for 6 phony messages costing people money

If you’ve seen an influx of annoying texts on your smartphone recently, you’re not alone. Scammers are increasingly shifting to text messages as their preferred strategy — and they’ve got plenty of new tricks up their sleeves to hook unsuspecting victims.

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Amazon Fire TV 2020 comparison chart

Streaming movies and TV shows from Netflix, Hulu and your other favorite services has never been easier thanks to feature-packed gadgets like Amazon’s Fire TV lineup. Compare the different models below, all updated for 2020.

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Say cheese! 10 best photo editing apps for Android

When it comes to editing photos, Adobe Photoshop is one of the most popular choices around and for good reason. It’s been around for years and lets you tweak average images into works of art. The problem is Photoshop is expensive. Real expensive.

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6 privacy and security mistakes you’re making on social media

Pop quiz: What percentage of American adults use social media? Think about it and I’ll tell you the answer below.

From Facebook to Twitter to Instagram and all the sites in between, we’re voluntarily giving out more information online than ever. Tap or click to get a closer look at exactly what Google knows about you and the steps to erase it.

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Amazon wants you to buy its new indoor security drone – It's a bad idea

Apple isn’t the only tech company with a major event this fall. Amazon just wrapped up its own set of announcements that include a trove of new devices — as well as updates to some of your favorite gadgets.

Why so many new gadgets? Many of these products have been in the works for a while, but let’s be real: Amazon had to do something with all that money it made during the pandemic. Tap or click here to see how much it made compared to Black Friday.

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These Amazon products are reportedly fire hazards - Are they in your home?

Hungry for deals on Amazon? There are plenty of ways to save big on products without too much effort. And one of the most popular bargain brands, Amazon Basics, gives users access to a range of discounted everyday items that are easy to sort through.

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Deepfake hits the movies (classic 'Titanic' scene)

Deep fake videos can be hilarious or absolutely dangerous. This is an example of the former. Deep fake technology has come a long way and this video portrays a classic scene in the movie “Titanic” but with a twist that may make you feel just a little bit uncomfortable, to say the least.

Amazon may be coming to a mall near you

The entire world has shifted from brick-and-mortar shopping trips to buying from online retail sites in response to COVID-19. Purchases that used to require a quick trip to your local big-box retailer for things like toilet scrubbers or Ziploc bags are now done via e-commerce sites with the click of a couple of buttons. Looking for online shopping deals? Check out what’s on sale for August that you should buy now.

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A surprising use for the Instant Pot: Disinfect your face mask

If you’ve been spending as much time indoors as we have, you’ve probably wanted to try your hand at some cooking. It’s a great way to pass the hours, and it’s a critical skill that everyone should learn. Plus, it’s fun to do and makes your home smell delicious.

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Google just announced $350 loaded phone to take on the iPhone

If you’re in the market for a new phone, you don’t have to break the bank to get a model with a high-powered camera, fast processor and extra goodies like fingerprint sensors.

In fact, budget smartphone models are starting to make a comeback in a major way. Between a shrinking economy and cheaper parts, device manufacturers like Samsung and Apple have recently delivered quality phones for well under the $1,000 mark. Tap or click here to see our favorite budget smartphone picks.

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How to apply for new work from home job that's in high demand

Working from home became the go-to mode of labor for much of the job market during the COVID-19 pandemic. But now, as the pandemic shifts in new directions, many are wondering whether this remote work trend is here to stay.

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