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Smart Home Features

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Flying and roving security cams are here, but are we ready for them?

There are now flying, roving, autonomous security cameras. Are they helpful, or are we facing a HAL 9000 situation?
SimpliSafe bast station sitting on a table infant of a mirror.

7 things you didn’t know your home security system could do

Your home security system can do more than just watch for broken windows or open doors. It might even save you money.
Wyze Cam v3 vs Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor Comparison

Which smart security cams are serious about privacy? We’ve ranked them all

Indoor security cameras boast a variety of features. We put some of the most popular models to the test to see which take security and privacy more seriously.
Drop In on the Amazon Echo Show 10.

Got multiple Alexa devices? Here are are some die-hard features to try

While two isn't always better than one, owning more than one Alexa device means more for you and your smart home. Here are some multi-device Alexa tricks.
Google Nest Thermostat (2020)

Summer’s a scorcher. Here’s how smart home tech can offer relief

With the dog days of summer on the way, your smart home devices can help you beat the heat and stay comfortable.
4th of July lighting as brought to us by Philips Hue.

Outdoor smart lights are best for expressing your patriotism this 4th of July

Looking for a way to avoid a major fireworks purchase this year? Outdoor smart lighting is a great way to replace that pyro in the sky. Read on to see how.
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4 reasons to look forward to Apple HomeKit and Matter collaboration

Matter represents a major joining of hands across the smart-home landscape, but what does that mean for the future of Apple HomeKit? Here's what we think.
Amazon Echo 4th Gen smart speaker on a table.

7 things we wish Amazon Alexa could do

Can you imagine a future where Amazon Alexa has even more tricks up her sleeve? Here's a wish list of seven features we'd like to see added to the assistant.
Mother and daughter dancing in living room with Govee smart lights on.

More affordable than ever before, smart lights should be your next home project

Smart lights used to be expensive, but now's the time to make them a priority with your next home project because they're more affordable than ever before.
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera

Which home security camera should you buy on Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day will certainly yield an immense amount of deals on home security cameras. Here are just some of the notable ones you should consider.
smart bed covers keep you cool reduce your energy bill eight sleep pro cover feature lifestyle

Don’t sweat rising electric bills: Smart bed covers keep you cool and save money

Smart mattress covers like the Eight Sleep Pod Pro can help keep you cool at night despite rising temperatures without raising your utility bill.
iRobot Roomba 692 Robot Vacuum.

Is the Roomba 692 worth buying on Amazon Prime Day?

Prime Day is known for deep discounts on robot vacuums. The iRobot Roomba 692 continues to be a popular choice, but is it still worth buying on Prime Day?
The Soft Spa 9500 Bidet by Fluidmaster.

A year after the pandemic, bidets are here to stay. Here’s why

Data shows that bidets have been making a mark in the North American market. We explore why the pandemic was a game changer for this bathroom hero.
Amazon Echo on a table.

Which Amazon Echo should you buy on Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day should yield some amazing deals on the company's many Echo devices. Before you buy, we detail which models are worth buying for the big day.
Ring Video Doorbell 3

Which Ring Video Doorbell should you buy on Prime Day?

Ring's lineup of video doorbells covers the gamut, but we break down which one you should buy for Amazon Prime Day.

7 places where air quality sensors are most effective at home

Airborne pollutants are a fact of life but many harmful types can seep their way into our homes. Here's how an air quality monitor can help.
Roborock S7 robot vacuum cleaning a rug on a hardwood floor.

Which robot vacuum should you buy on Prime Day?

Robot vacuums are so handy when it comes to saving us time, and with Amazon Prime Day, you certainly can expect deals on popular models.
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7 things you didn’t know security cameras could do

Security cameras keep an eye on your home and property, but they can also see in the dark, recognize visitors, and much more.
your package handler doesnt care about smart delivery box yale phase 5

Your package handler doesn’t care about your high-tech smart delivery box

A delivery box powered by a smart lock only helps if your package handlers actually use it. I found that out the hard way.
Ring Smart Spotlight

Amazon Sidewalk is coming soon. Here’s how it will improve smart home devices

Launching on June 8, Amazon Sidewalk promises an expanded Wi-Fi network for you, your devices, and your community. Here's what to expect from the new service.
iRobot Roomba 692 Robot Vacuum.

7 things you didn’t know robot vacuums could do

Robot vacuums can keep your floors clean, but they can also keep an eye on your home, empty themselves, and much more.
Google Pixel 5

Everything Google didn’t announce at Google I/O 2021

A lot was announced at Google I/O 2021, but a lot wasn't. Here's what wasn't announced, but might show up in the next few months.
Sundar Pichai Google I/O 2021

Google I/O 2021: All of the biggest announcements

Google I/O is back as a virtual event, and it's packed full of amazing new products and updates.
Sundar Pichai Google I/O 2021

Smart Home at Google I/O 2021: Everything new

Google announced a handful of new smart home innovations at the return of the company's annual I/O event. Here's a breakdown of the latest innovations.
Google & Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai

Google I/O 2021: How to watch the keynote today

The Google I/O 2021 keynote is coming up quickly. Here's what to expect and how to watch it.
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.
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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.