How Long Do Video Doorbells Last?
People like to upgrade their gadgets regularly, but that doesn’t seem to include video doorbells. Once installed, they basically just do their thing. But does a Ring or Nest smart doorbell have a shelf life?…
Amazon Reveals New “Echo Pop” and Updated Smart Displays
Amazon’s Echo lineup started with a single speaker, and has grown to include smart displays, earbuds, and a lot more speakers. Two Echo devices are now receiving a refresh, and there’s a completely new speaker….
This Smart TV Is Free, But It Watches You (and You Watch Ads)
Free and ad-supported streaming services like Pluto TV and The Roku Channel have become more popular over the past few years, but what if the TV itself was free too? That’s what “Telly” is trying.
I’m Done Waiting for Matter’s Smart Home Standard to Matter
Matter was supposed to be transformative. I bought a house in early 2022 and decided to wait for Matter to launch and become widespread before I started investing in smart home gear. One year later, I’m done waiting….
Peloton Is Recalling 2 Million Bikes Due to Injuries
Peloton became a household name during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people were looking for ways to stay fit from home. Unfortunately, many of the bikes it has sold since 2018 are now being recalled due to…
Roku’s New Smart Device Is a Home Monitoring System
Roku has been slowly expanding its smart home products, from security cameras to light bulbs. The company’s latest offering is a home monitoring system, with optional 24/7 professional monitoring.
Matter Support Is Coming to More Amazon Echo Speakers
Google started rolling out support for Matter to its smart home devices last year, but Amazon wasn’t ready to flip the switch on its own hardware just yet. That’s now changing, as Matter support is rolling out to some of Amaz…
All the Most Useful “Hey Google” Voice Commands
Hey Google voice commands let you do all kinds of things, like getting the current weather information to finding flights to a specific destination—all without touching your device. Here, we list some of the useful commands…
Apple’s HomePod Speakers Can Now Hear Home Alarms
Apple is paying more attention to its HomePod speakers these days, especially with the return of the full-size model. A new feature is rolling out to them that might help you know when emergencies happen: alarm detection….
Matter Is Coming to Your Nest Thermostat
Matter, despite its potential to perhaps standardize all smart home hardware regardless of its manufacturer or intended ecosystem, has struggled a bit. But it’s slowly but steadily catching steam. The Nest Thermostat is the l…
Smart Blinds on a Budget? Start With This Room
Maybe one day smart blinds will cost around the same price as regular window treatments, but that day certainly isn’t today. In the meantime, here’s the room we think smart blinds are worth splurging for….
8 Smart Blind Benefits Worth the Splurge
Compared to plain old window treatments, smart blinds are expensive. But if you’re debating whether it’s worth the upgrade, here are eight compelling reasons to consider it.
No, Google Assistant Is Not Dying
Google Assistant provides a powerful voice assistant to many smart speakers, Android phones, smart displays, and other devices around the world. Even in this new world of Bard and Bing, it’s unlikely that Assistant is going a…
Google Ended Updates for Some Third-Party Smart Displays
Aside from Google’s own, there are plenty of third-party smart displays out there, made by manufacturers such as Lenovo, LG, and JBL. If you have one, though, there’s some bad news.
Google Is Shutting Down Some Old Nest Devices and Services
Smart home devices usually offload as much processing power to external servers as possible, which means they often become paperweights when the servers go away. Google has now announced two of its older security systems will…
Is an Air Quality Monitor Worth Having?
Air quality monitors have gained popularity as people have become more conscious of the air they breathe in their homes and offices. But what do air quality monitors do, and are they useful? Here’s all you need to know….
How to Enable Dark Mode in Real Life
Dark mode is a feature on pretty much every device and app you can imagine. Android, iPhone, Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, you name it. But in the real world, you’re stuck in light mode half the time. Let’s fix that….
Amazon’s “Sidewalk” Network Is Coming to More Devices
Amazon Sidewalk is a connected network powered by Amazon devices, like Ring cameras and Echo speakers, which aims to keep devices connected beyond the reach of Wi-Fi signals. Amazon is now opening up Sidewalk to more companie…
Why You Should Use Apple HomeKit Secure Video
Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video is a compelling home security solution for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. It offers some benefits in terms of privacy and storage that you won’t necessarily find in competing systems….
Garmin is Making its Watches Even Better
If you’re looking for a watch that gets fitness features right, it’s hard to go wrong with Garmin. They’re pricey, but they’re also some of the best smartwatches for the right kind of person, and now they are getting even bet…
PSA: You Should Be Using a Smart Plug to Restart Your Router
Power-cycling your router and modem to fix connection issues is a hassle. But with an inexpensive smart plug, it doesn’t have to be.
Wyze Is Down, It’s Not Just You
Wyze has a heap of smart home products under its belt, and you may have noticed that most of them are having problems right now. Don’t worry, it’s not just you.
How Much Do Smart Blinds Cost?
If you’re curious about modernizing your window treatments, you might wonder how much smart blinds and shades cost. There’s a premium for new installations and retrofits, but it might not be as steep as you think….
This Schlage Smart Lock Works on Doors Without Deadbolts
It can be hard to buy the right smart lock for your home, and even harder if your door doesn’t have a deadbolt. Thankfully, Schlage is here to save the day with a new smart lock.
How Are Smart Blinds Powered?
You might assume that smart blinds are all battery-powered, but there are more than a few ways to power the automagic of a smart blind assembly.
