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Smart Home Features

Homepod Mini Lifestyle Shot.

7 things you didn’t know the Apple HomePod Mini could do

The Apple HomePod Mini sounds great, but is capable of doing a lot more than people realize.
August Wi-Fi lock being installed.

7 things you didn’t know a smart lock could do

More than your typical lock-and-key assembly, today's smart locks can do everything from automated locking to video monitoring. Read on for more lock secrets.
The Ring Video Doorbell 3 installed near a door.

7 things you didn’t know a video doorbell could do

Video doorbells let you see who is at your door and serve as a line of defense against package theft, but they can do a lot more than that.
EZVIZ C6W

Here’s the real difference between HDR and non-HDR footage in security cameras

Does it really matter if our home security cameras are HDR-capable? Allow us to weigh in on the subject.
The Google Nest Hub on a table.

7 things you didn’t know your Google Nest Hub smart display could do

Your Google Nest Hub smart display has a lot of lesser-known features that you should take advantage of.
Wyze Cam microSD update

Using your security camera’s local storage? Here’s how much space you’ll need

Your security camera footage will require different amounts of space depending on its compression algorithm, frame rate, resolution, and more.
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) side.

7 things you didn’t know your Amazon Alexa smart display could do

Your Alexa-powered smart display has a lot of features you might not know about, like the ability to make restaurant reservations.
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) with Clock on table.

7 things you didn’t know Alexa could do on an Amazon Echo smart speaker

Your Amazon Alexa smart speaker is jam-packed with features, many of which are lesser-known but incredibly useful.
nest-audio-lowes-listing

5 things you didn’t know your Google Assistant smart speaker could do

Google Assistant smart speakers have a lot of features you might not know about, like the ability to listen for breaking glass.
Rise garden is like a living sofa table

I didn’t think I could grow veggies at home, but a smart garden showed me how

Rise gardens is an indoor hydroponic garden with Wi-Fi and built-in LED lights that lets you grow anything, anywhere.
LIFX Mini Color bulb installed in ceiling

Weather alerts may be the smartest use of smart lights. They can save your life

Tie the National Weather Service RSS feed to your smart lights for a visual weather alert system.
The SimpliSafe SimpliCam on a table.

Why privacy shutters on security cameras make all the difference

Privacy shutters provide assurance that your camera is not watching you, but not all privacy shutters are created equal. Some types have clear advantages.
Hex Home Wi-Fi Motion Sensor

Hex Home gives us a glimpse of how Wi-Fi is used for motion detection

Security cameras can be invasive inside of the home, which is why Home Hex offers an intriguing alternative with motion detection through Wi-Fi.
Wyze Cam microSD update

Here’s why it’s beneficial to use local storage with your security camera

Local storage offers benefits that cloud storage does not, including lower cost, better data security, and the potential for better-quality video recordings.
The Coway Airmega purifier.

Should you continue to buy air purifiers to protect you from the coronavirus?

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is still a global health concern, even with a vaccine. Should you still continue to buy air purifiers for protection?
Apple HomePod mini in hand

You shouldn’t be shocked that the HomePod Mini has a hidden sensor

The Apple HomePod Mini was recently discovered to have a temperature and humidity sensor. It might shock you, but hidden sensors are more common than you think.
Guardline Driveway Alarm

Secure your property with this top-rated driveway alarm from Amazon

Secure your home, garage, and property with the easy to set up Guardline Wireless Driveway Alarm Kit from Amazon.
Roborock S7 robot vacuum and mop cleaning carpet.

New Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum is coming to Amazon this month

The Roborock S7 robot vacuum is a top-of-the-line mopping-vacuum hybrid and goes on sale at Amazon this month.
Xandar Kardian Radar Technology

Google Nest Hub teases radar tech as the future of smart home privacy

Radar tech can measure the number of occupants in a space with more accuracy than motion sensors and has the potential to be the future of the smart home.
walmart slashes prices on all original google nest home devices hub 2

Everything we know about the next Google Nest Hub

Here is everything we know about the rumored new Google Nest Hub smart display, including potential features, price, and release window.
Roomba on floor with dog.

Are robot mops safe when children and pets are present?

Robot mops are convenient, but do they leave behind harmful chemicals that might put children and pets at risk?
5G mobile network

5G’s arrival has great implications for the smart home’s growth

The speed and low latency of 5G networks holds a lot of potential for improving smart home devices and giving users better control overall.
new irobot roomba 694 robot vacuum roomba694 cleaning living room

The new iRobot Roomba 694 is the robot vacuum you want to buy in 2021

The new iRobot Roomba 694 is an affordable entry-level robot vacuum and it ships for free!

Are your kids choosing video games over homework? Smart home tech can help

Video games are big distractions with remote learning, so here are some way smart home tech can help to make sure they're doing homework.
Marie Van Brittan Brown Ring Composite

A Black woman invented home security systems. Big Tech gave them racial bias

Marie Van Brittan Brown was a nurse who began the home security revolution that directly led to the current and somewhat troubled ecosystem.
Amazon Echo dressed up for Valentine's Day

5 ways a smart home can help you prepare for Valentine’s Day

Your smart home can help you prepare for the perfect Valentine's Day date by setting the mood, music, and more.
siri alexa feminist reboot amazon

You might not think typing to Alexa is practical, but you’d be surprised

Type with Alexa allows you to command your smart assistant with text, not voice. It's still in early access, but already shows a lot of promise.
Nest Hub Max, using the touchscreen.

5 ways to make your smart home display more useful while working from home

A smart display can control your smart home, host Zoom meetings, and read your schedule. All combined, it can make your work from home experience better.
Bartesian

The true cost of connected cocktail and beer machines

Thinking about buying one of those fancy cocktail or beer machines to enjoy some of alcoholic beverages at home? There's more to them than just their cost.
teacher leading a remote classroom

Remote work isn’t the future. And that may be for the best

Don't let our current pandemic-driven remote work situation fool you: Working exclusively from home probably won't be the norm in the future.
data shows increase in household energy use 2020 sense home monitor feature 625x417 c

Household electrical usage increased in 2020. Here’s how a smart home can help

Due to heatwaves, the pandemic, and wildfires across much of the country, energy usage increased nationwide for an increase of $1.21 billion in costs.
mila smart air purifiers carbon monoxide protection feature purifier 7 of 8

Your air purifier isn’t protecting you from this silent killer. It should be

Air purifiers help filter the air inside homes. While many do this, very few of them can actually detect an invisible gas that can be fatal.
A finger touching the Arlo Video Doorbell, mounted on a house wall.

5 smart home tech trends we saw at CES 2021

CES 2021 saw a number of emerging trends in the smart home industry, such as improved security and an increased focus on health-based technology.
moley robotics kitchen future ces 2021 moley1

The future of cooking: How a robotic chef is cooking up a crazy new kitchen

Today, our kitchens have things like ovens, fridges, stovetops, toasters, and microwaves. Tomorrow, they might just have built-in robotic sous chefs.