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Orbnext

Orbnext is a color-changing LED cube made by Advanced Lumonics, a Colorado-based smart-home start-up. What's this gizmo capable of? Click through to find out.

Published:September 24, 2014Caption:Ry CristPhoto:Megan Wollerton/CNET

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Frosted glass build

Orbnext is built from frosted glass, giving it a high-end aesthetic.

Published:September 24, 2014Caption:Ry CristPhoto:Megan Wollerton/CNET

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Power source

You'll keep Orbnext powered with a Micro-USB cable.

Published:September 24, 2014Caption:Ry CristPhoto:Megan Wollerton/CNET

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Color cycle

You can set the Orbnext to fade through a multicolor cycle, but you can't customize a cycle of your own.

Published:September 24, 2014Caption:Ry CristPhoto:Megan Wollerton/CNET

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App features

The Orbnext app is a bit sparse, but includes a few basic presets. These include color alerts for the weather and the stock market.

Published:September 24, 2014Caption:Ry CristPhoto:Screenshots by Ry Crist/CNET

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Color control

You'll also have two modes of color control -- a "Lamp" mode with 12 quick color presets, and a "Palette" mode with a more comprehensive color selector.

Published:September 24, 2014Caption:Ry CristPhoto:Screenshots by Ry Crist/CNET

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IFTTT channel

Orbnext also has its own channel on IFTTT, which is where things get really interesting. With over a hundred other channels capable of triggering Orbnext to change colors, your notification options are quite expansive.

Published:September 24, 2014Caption:Ry CristPhoto:Screenshots by Ry Crist/CNET

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Boss alert

One recipe that I found especially useful: turn the Orbnext red whenever the boss emails.

Published:September 24, 2014Caption:Ry CristPhoto:Megan Wollerton/CNET

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Social networking

You could also use Orbnext to notify you of things like new Twitter followers or Facebook notifications.

Published:September 24, 2014Caption:Ry CristPhoto:Megan Wollerton/CNET

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Price

Orbnext is available now, and costs $129. Shipping outside of the US is an additional $35, bringing the total in Australia to roughly AU$185, or right around £100 even in the UK.

Published:September 24, 2014Caption:Ry CristPhoto:Megan Wollerton/CNET

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