Deter would-be thieves with proper security camera placement
Security cameras are huge crime deterrents, but correct security camera placement is key. Cameras should be placed for maximum view and protection from thieves.
Can your smart speaker contact emergency services for you?
Google Home and Amazon Alexa cannot yet call 911, but Siri can. Updates are on the way that may give smart speakers this functionality.
Toilet paper is out of stock everywhere. Here’s how to order it online
Stores have been cleaned out, and the next logical choice would be to search online. With the COVID-19 pandemic going strong, is ordering online even an option?
Tech tips for maintaining work-life balance now that both happen at home
Working at home? Use these tech-centric shortcuts to avoid burnout and keep business and personal time separate, even when your home and office aren't.
Your vacuum might be vomiting dust all over your house
Not all vacuum cleaners are created equal. If the vacuum isn't sealed, it may make the air quality in your home worse. Here's what to look for when buying.
Awesome Tech You Can’t Buy Yet: Ultrafast toothbrushes and a laptop/phone hybrid
Every week, Digital Trends combs through crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo to round up all the best gadgets, gizmos, and gear currently in preproduction. If you're looking for innovative ideas, keep an eye on this column. This week's offerings include a Backyard biodigester.
Your home gym could threaten your life, but you can fix it
Many of us have been forced to exercise from home. However, you may be doing more harm to your health than good. Indoor air quality sensors can be crucial.
Smart lights can elevate your mood while working from home
The lighting in your home (and home office) has a huge impact on your mood. Brighten your spirits by scheduling your smart lights to warm and cool when needed.
Transform your home office into a space that’d make even a Google employee drool
From a standing desk/PC combo to a top-notch speakerphone and more, you can really spice up the work-from-home routine with a few additions to your office.
Avoid saying these words near your smart speaker, if you don’t want it to listen
If you are worried about privacy, beware of using these words around your voice assistants. The device might mistake them for a wake word.
Forget the Internet of Things. Here’s what IoT really stands for
IoT means the Internet of Things, but there’s a growing movement to change the definition, to give it more meaning and set us up for the next decade of innovation. Tomorrow, IoT will mean Intelligence of Things, impacting AI, 5G, and every other buzzword. Here’s what that shift will bring – and how everything’s going to change in the decade ahead.
Why are hackers snooping on smart home security cameras? I asked an ex-hacker
Ring's security cameras have made news due to a series of hacks. What do hackers gain by hacking such cameras? We spoke with a security expert to find out.
A battery-powered Amazon Echo? I wish all smart speakers had this feature
After a week with Amazon's Echo Input Portable, I'm convinced that a rechargeable battery should be a must-have feature in smart speakers. The addition of a battery unlocks several new use cases and lets the Echo Input Portable work like any other smart speaker -- without being tied up to a power outlet.
Livia claims that it gets rid of period cramps, but does it actually work?
Livia is a tiny electronic device you wear on your abdomen that promises relief from menstrual cramps through electrodes. Sound too good to be true? We decided to test Livia to see if there's any merit to the claims. Here's how it went.
Honeywell’s vision of the ‘smart office’ focuses on efficiency and savings
Honeywell has moved away from smart home technology. Now, the company has a bigger focus: Connected buildings. I toured Honeywell's headquarters in Atlanta to see how the company is improving the office through its Vector app, which brings the conveniences of the smart home to the workplace.
Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Looking for the perfect tech gifts to give this holiday season? Digital Trends’ experts have searched high and low for the best of the best. We’ve picked out the greatest drones, computers, smart home gadgets, and more, so whether you need a stocking stuffer or a splashy gift, you’ll find it here.
Google’s plan for the helpful home all goes back to privacy
The smart home landscape continues to evolve, and one of its biggest proponents is Google. We sat down with Google's Michele Turner, who talks about the company's vision for the smart home, what it's doing to get there, and what we can expect surrounding the helpful home.
Are tiny homes a reasonable solution to homelessness?
There are more than half a million homeless persons in America on any given night, and that's just a guess by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Nonprofits and real estate developers are partnering up to build tiny homes that could take some pressure off the problem.
Entry-level smart displays: Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show 5
The Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show 5 are the entry-level displays for their smart home platforms. Both displays enrich user experience, but they're not equal. No one will switch between Alexa and Google Assistant because of a display, but the differences between the Nest Hub and the Show 5 bear scrutiny.
What you need to know about smart camera privacy
Smart home cameras still seem like the bee's knees right now compared to traditional security systems that just store footage on local media systems but networked or Wi Fi-enabled cameras have inherent security vulnerabilities that can present a significant risk to users. Here are the basics.
The most (and least) reliable appliance brands in every category
Ever wonder if you’re buying the best brand of fridge, washer, or dishwasher? A new report from service provider Puls points out which brands are the most reliable. You might be surprised by which brand service technicians rate the best.
Do matching appliances matter? We asked the experts to find out
Whether you’re in the midst of a kitchen renovation or planning one in the near future, chances are you’ll spend a decent amount on choosing appliances. Will having a kitchen suite from the same manufacturer make a difference? You might be surprised by the answer.
The world is switching to eco-friendlier fridges and A/Cs, leaving the U.S. behind
Refrigerants used in U.S. fridges are terrible for the environment. Many other parts of the world use hydrocarbons instead of HFCs for refrigerants, but bipartisan legislation requiring the switch is stalled, and the Trump administration has yet to sign the Kigali Amendment, which requires similar changes.
Amazon workers listening to Alexa recordings isn’t a big deal. Here’s why
Thousands of Amazon workers are reportedly listening to recorded conversations between Alexa and voice assistant speaker owners. The idea that humans are listening to our conversations is an outrage and unacceptable. Or is it? This author doesn’t think it’s such a big deal.
As oceans rise, one company is building cities that can swim
Floating cities may remind some people of science fiction scenarios like the 1995 post-apocalyptic movie Waterworld, but a new enterprise introduced to the United Nations envisions a high-tech, scalable floating city that could use extreme recycling, energy efficiency and communal design.
Whatever happened to those dumb smart products we wrote about in 2017?
As manufacturers rush to get the next new smart gadgets out there, we wonder if all these inventions are necessary. We compiled this list of 10 of the quirkiest smart home products available in 2017 and decided to return to them in 2019 to see if they're still in existence. Here's what we found.
Alexa may be everywhere, but it’s Google’s Assistant I want in my home. Here’s why
The Amazon Alexa may have the Google Home beat in numbers of skills and compatibility with other products, but does that really matter when her voice falls flat for day-to-day conversation? Google Home sounds more natural, is easy to speak to, and its responses don't quite hint at a hostile robot uprising.
No one gadget will improve your day-to-day life more than a smart lock
You can buy anything from a smart fridge to a smart toaster in 2019, but after trying them all, nothing improves day-to-day life more than a smart lock. We took a look at a couple of smart locks, and won’t be going back to the dumb ones any time soon, thanks to Kwikset.
Living in a pipe doesn’t sound so bad with this amazing design
We’ve seen tiny homes with retractable roofs, ones that run on coffee grounds, and even ones decked out with smart home products. Now, a single mom has designed a tiny home built inside of a 16-feet-long concrete storm drainage pipe. It’s surprisingly functional for just 100 square feet of living space.
Stainless steel is so last year. In 2019, it’s all about colorful appliances
For the past couple of decades, the color of choice for appliances has been stainless steel. Now, makers are introducing ovens, fridges, and dishwashers in vibrant hues to give customers a more customized, refined look in the kitchen. From royal blue stoves to deep green fridges, consumers have more choices than ever.
Here’s how Facebook taught its Portal A.I. to think like a Hollywood filmmaker
When Facebook introduced its line of Portal screen-enhanced smart speakers, it wanted to find a way to make video chat as intimate as sitting down for a conversation with an old friend. Here's how its engineers tried to pull off the feat using some smart A.I. and a bit of human creativity.
4 small appliances that have changed the way we cook food (for the better)
Ever heard of a sous vide machine? How about an air fryer? These are exciting times for home cooks seeking to advance or simplify their technique in the kitchen. That’s thanks in part to four small appliances that have made a splash over the past few years. Here’s why you should consider buying them.
Prime(d) is the podcast Amazon probably doesn’t want you to listen to
KUOW’s Prime(d) podcast debuts Season 2 February 4. Host Joshua McNichols spoke with Digital Trends about the ways in which Amazon waits out its competition while keeping its customers happy. Even a few missteps won’t phase a company this size, so it’s practically guaranteed some amount of success in everything from groceries to fashion.
Will everything from lamps to fridges be spying on me? Yes, and I’m creeped out
With the debut of Panasonic’s HomeHawk lamp with built-in video camera, should we be concerned that everything -- from couches to dishwashers – could soon be spying on us? New surveillance technology could mean we could all be caught dancing in our underwear in a hotel room, or worse.