2020 completely disrupted how we work, where we work, and what we need to be successful to work.

It's time to RE-THINK the gear, gadgets, and setup you have in your home office or even your remote working setup from your couch that you'll be using for much of the near future as we move into a hybrid working future!

I've worked from home for 12 years as a manager with the department of defense, as a technology evangelist at a startup, and for the last 6 years as an entrepreneur where I produce live streaming, podcasts, and virtual presentations.

I'm a proud geek (isocialfanz brand was created because of iPhone, iPad, and isocialfanz as a proud Apple fanboy) and I enjoy testing gear and gadgets not only for work but in my personal life as a Girl Dad of 3 kids under the age of 10 and managing remote teams and a long-distance relationship.

In this post I breakdown the MUST HAVE GEAR into 4 categories

\- Video Chat & Camera's

\- Work From Home must haves

\- Upgrade Virtual Studio

\- Live Streaming / Podcasting Musts

Over the past 5 years, I've created 3.5k+ live streams and 300+ podcast episodes while managing a virtual studio providing webinars and virtual keynote presentations as a professional speaker. As you can imagine I've been sent lots of gear and tested, tweaked and adjusted my home studio on a regular basis.

I decided to breakdown the gear below into categories that will hopefully simplify your decisions and better understand why I find that piece of gear valuable.

In full transparency, most of my gear is sent to me as a tech influencer but I will never promote or market a piece of equipment or gear that I don't use and all brands I work with understand this. For context in 2019, I was sent 22 tripods from different brands wanting me to use theirs for my live streams on Facebook live and Instagram live. Unfortunately, I didn't LOVE any of the 22 and stuck with the one I had been using the year prior. This includes all of the gear on my Amazon Influencer storefront!

Ok enough of the context here are the MUST HAVE GADGETS:

Video Chat and Web-enabled Camera's

Wyze Camera:

I own 8 of these cameras and first purchased one through crowdfunding and I've been impressed with each product I've purchased from Wyze Labs.

I currently use the Wyze Cam Pan, as a remote camera for monitoring my daughter's bedrooms and had used it in the past as a crib camera.

I use the Wyze Cam V3 as security cameras inside my house while giving my girlfriend and family remote access to these devices.

The app for managing the cameras is easy to use and share with family and I like that I can manage notifications, create a schedule for when the camera's record motion and the new Cam Plus has really increased the value now being able to record more than 12 seconds into the cloud where I can review and download the footage from anywhere.

Facebook Portal+

With multiple iPad's, laptops and smart speakers, the last thing I thought I would need is a dedicated video chat device.

The Facebook Portal+ changed my mind as the high-quality screen, premium speakers, and smart tracking camera this device transformed video chats between my daughters and grandparents and I use this daily for coworking remotely.

iOgrapher iPad Mini Case:

With 3 daughters under the age of 10, it's always high risk to give them a device like an iPad knowing how easy the screens crack and how difficult they can hold. The iOgrapher iPad Mini case removed that concern and has given my daughters the freedom to create videos and facetime with grandparents. Also, being able to mount it on a tripod has made watching movies easy everywhere without needing a desk nearby or having them put it on their bed waiting for it to fall off.

Work From Home Musts:

Amplifi Wifi Alient Mesh Network:

10 minutes after opening my package from Ubnt my Amplifi Alien mesh network was set up and the iPhone app has provided more diagnostics & wifi info than anything...