Wal-Mart Unplugs The Hub

By Geoff Duncan October 4, 2006

Mega-retailer Wal-Mart has shut down “The Hub,” the online site launched in July 2006 to capitalize on the Internet’s social networking craze amongst teens and other desired demographics. As of today, visitors are greeted with a message saying “Sorry, but the School Your Way promotion has ended.”

The site had never exactly been a hit. Hoping to offer an alternative to sites like MySpace, Wal-Mart’s hub was tightly controlled, offered a small set of features, and was often described as sanitized to the point of antiseptic boredom. The site also drew criticism for suspiciously non-ironic posts promoting The Hub and Wal-Mart itself, leading many to suspect Wal-Mart was seeding the site with fake users.

But, if you can’t get enough to Wal-Mart’s trend-setting style and fashion, you may be pleased to know the company has created its own MySpace page.

Geoff Duncan

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Smart Home

Roku (yes, Roku) make a home security camera, and it’s discounted today

The Roku Smart Home Indoor Camera on colored background.

Roku might not seem like the first brand you think of when it comes to security camera deals but you’ll be surprised how cheaply you can get a security camera at Walmart right now thanks to the discount going on. Currently, you can buy the Roku Smart Home Indoor Camera SE 2-pack for just $35 instead of $50 so you’re saving $15 while scoring some great cameras for less. Want to know more? Here’s everything we know.

Why you should buy the Roku Smart Home Indoor Camera SE 2-pack
Roku doesn’t feature in our look at the best home security cameras but don’t let that put you off. It has everything you could need from inexpensive indoor security cameras. Each camera enables you to see an entire area with 1080p HD picture in full colour. That includes at night, all via the Roku Smart Home app. It’s possible to set specific motion detection zones so you can cut down on false alerts while the camera can detect motion or sound with smart sensors even detecting body heat so you won’t see them be activated by something like a curtain moving in the wind.

Smart Home

Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch picks up new features with the Z-Wave Smart Module

Several Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch models on a yellow background.

The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch launched last year, bringing a fingerprint sensor to one of our favorite smart locks. Now, Yale is making the keypad even more enticing by offering a Z-Wave Smart Module with your purchase, which gives you additional smart functions and added connectivity.

The Z-Wave Smart Module is a piece of hardware that slots into the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch so it can communicate with devices outside the Yale ecosystem. When installed, the module lets the Assure Lock 2 Touch sync with Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, Hey Google, and Siri. You can also sync the lock with various smart lights and security systems that support Z-Wave.

Branded & Sponsored Content

Anker SOLIX X1 offers effective solar power storage for your home backup

Anker SOLIX X1 solar battery storage outside with family nearby

A major challenge of solar power as a primary energy source is that, as abundant as it is, it's not always available. Solar systems do not generate energy at night, obviously, but energy production is reduced during overcast, dark, or stormy days. Moreover, other factors can affect energy production, like the cleanliness or condition of the solar panels and the amount of sunlight they get during the day -- which can be influenced by the sun's location in the sky or where the panels are installed -- and much more. It simply means that to use solar energy systems effectively, you need some kind of storage device to preserve energy for use during the off-hours. While several products on the market do this, the X1 from Anker SOLIX is one of the most intriguing and powerful solar energy storage systems we’ve seen.

Anker SOLIX X1 | Energy Storage, Energy Savings, Energy Freedom