It’s full-on patio season, that time of year when grills are fired up and people are soaking up the sun. Cue the sunscreen, summer tunes and monthly (or weekly?!) backyard barbecues.
While cooking with fire is about as old-school as you can get, people are always looking for new-school ways to enjoy their time outdoors. That includes technology.
There are plenty of high-tech products to amp up your al fresco gatherings. Here are some cool gadgets that we think are turning up the heat on outdoor fun.
Summer sounds
You can’t have a backyard get-together without the right tunes. Ditch the cords and grab a Roll 2 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker. Splashproof, portable and available in a wide array of colors, this speaker is fit for any backyard.
Looking for a more stationary way to amp up your patio? Keep an eye out for the Insignia Simulated Rock Outdoor Speakers for a subtle way to liven up the patio without the distraction of a large speaker in your landscape
Stay connected
We all know it’s hard going anywhere without our smartphones, and that means nobody has time for water damage and dead batteries. The Lifeproof Fre Power Case will keep your phone protected from spills and pool splashes.
Don’t get disconnected. When you’re on the patio for a full day, be prepared with the WakaWaka Solar Charger. Using solar power to revive your phone, the charger will unplug you from an indoor outlet. The Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation can also keep your phone powered on the go.
Take your Wi-Fi outdoors, but leave the router behind. The eero Wireless Access Point System can extend your Wi-Fi signal to the backyard so everyone can enjoy network access.
Eat and drink
Impress your guests and wet their whistles with the Perfect Drink 2.0 Smart Scale. The scale is a must-have accessory that allows you to mix up hundreds of cocktail recipes through an app on your tablet or smartphone.
Calling all grill masters! The Maverick Redi Chek Barbecue Thermometer is your new best friend. It uses Bluetooth capabilities to make monitoring meats easy, so you land that perfect medium-rare every time.
With the swipe of your finger, you can use smartbulbs to control outdoor lighting. Sync your smartbulbs to a speaker and let the light show begin, or dim the lights without getting up from your lawn chair with the ilumi Outdoor Smartbulb.
Screen time
Did your mom ever tell you not to waste a beautiful day by sitting inside? Well, even mom can’t argue an outdoor TV is the best of both worlds. Try the SunBrite Signature Series Outdoor TV, which can withstand all of the elements.
Take your outdoor viewing to the next level with a projector screen. Invite your friends over for a viewing party on the lawn, or turn on your favorite game on the patio to take advantage of a summer night. The 100-inch Elite Screens Yard Master can even take the party indoors on those gloomy days.
Learn more about the latest trends with the New Tech page on BestBuy.com.