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.
Google Assistant may not be disclosing search results as paid ads
When you ask Google Assistant a question, it might be responding with an advertisement. A recent report found that Google's voice assistant was delivering results from paid partners without clearly disclosing any financial interests. The results appear to be a part of Google's Local Services program.
Honeywell RTH9585WF1004 Smart Color Thermostat review
We tested out the Honeywell RTH9585WF1004 Smart Color Thermostat for six months to evaluate its performance, ease of use, features, and its ability to serve as a money-saving device. Here’s our full review of the Honeywell Smart Color Thermostat.
How to change your Google Home voice to John Legend
After anxiously waiting to hear the smooth voice of John Legend coming through our Google Assistant-compatible devices, the time has finally come. Here are the steps to change the voice on your Google Home or Google Assistant device to John Legend. But, the Legend voice might not be what you expect.
Apple permanently drops the price of its HomePod to $299
After getting into the smart speaker market late and with a premium price tag, Apple is finally cutting the cost of its HomePod. The company is dropping $50 off the retail price for the smart speaker. It now retails for $299, which is still considerably more than most of its competition.
Lowe’s includes a free Google Home Mini with Nest smart thermostats
Lowe's is bundling a free Google Home Mini with Nest purchases of $100 or more, including Nest smart thermostats. Summer is just around the corner, and with high cooling costs in many parts of the U.S. Smart thermostats can help you stay comfortable and save money through reduced energy consumption.
Sleep-tracking wristbands are so 2013. Smart pajamas are the way of the future
Researchers from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, have developed smart sleep-tracking pajamas, capable of monitoring all the details of your shut-eye. Here's how they work -- and why they may actually be able to improve both the quality and quantity of your sleep.
Ninja sale slashes prices on blenders, cookers, and coffee machines
Ninja slashed prices on blenders, food processors, coffee machines, and cookers for a spring holiday brunch sale with coupon codes worth $40 to $60. Spiff up your kitchen countertop with Ninja's versatile appliances. Wedding season is coming, so take advantage of this sale for sure-to-please gifts.
Reolink C2 Pro Smart Cam Review
Five MP image quality and pan, tilt, zoom control are remarkable features in a $100 smart camera, but the Reolink C2 Pro is held back by a lack of cloud storage support and an old-school user experience. Here are the details in our full review.
A Legend of Zelda fan programmed his home to respond to an ocarina
Allen Pan, a freelance engineer and Legend of Zelda fan, programmed his smart home to respond to ocarina music. He uses different songs from Ocarina of Time to control different aspects of his home. Sun's Song for lights, Bolero of Fire for the thermostat, and more.
Amazon drops prices on TP-Link mesh Wi-Fi system, smart plugs for just one day
Amazon has dropped prices for just one day on the TP-Link mesh Wi-Fi system and Alexa- and Google Home-compatible smart home plugs and light switches. These and other infrastructure products that are on sale help you control your smart home with Alexa or Google Home voice commands.
In space, clothes can smell really bad. Russian firm seeks way to wash them
Russia's go-to company for space technology since 1946 appears to be working on an interesting project to accompany its investment in the International Space Station A washing machine for astronauts' space clothes would turn the carbon dioxide astronauts expel into a cleaning liquid.
Amazon drops price on smart power strips for Alexa and Google Home
Amazon dropped prices on smart power strips that work with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. One power strip, the Kasa Smart WiFi Power Strip by TP-Link, is an Amazon Deal of the Day. Smart power strips cut clutter and cost less than multiple smart plugs in locations with several Alexa or Google Assistant devices.
Amazon drops prices on air fryers for guilt-free fried foods
Cooking with an air fryer has become wildly popular thanks to its ability to fry foods using little to no oil. Air fryers cut down on oil but are still able to make your favorite snacks golden and crispy. Right now, Amazon is discounting two Cosori Air Fryers for up to 20 percent off.
What is Google Duplex? The smartest chatbot ever, explained
People were shocked earlier this year when Google debuted Google Duplex, an artificial intelligence feature for Google Assistant that will make phones calls on your behalf using an extremely life-like voice. Here's more detail on what Duplex is.
Wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with the A.I.-powered Bryte Bed
The Bryte Bed is an A.I.-powered smart bed that learns its users' habits and makes adjustments to provide the optimal sleep experience and maintain the deepest sleep cycles for longer periods of time. The Bryte Bed is now available starting at $5,950 with a 365-day trial period.
Google Assistant can now finally talk like a (John) Legend
Google Assistant's voice is about to get a whole lot smoother. After months of delays, Google has finally announced that John Legend's voice is coming to Assistant, meaning you'll be able to get the R&B singer to answer all your burning questions about the today's weather forecast and why the sky is blue.
Amazon’s crazy delivery-drone blimp, as imagined by a video artist
If Amazon ever gets to build the extraordinary delivery-drone blimp that it featured in a patent filing a few years ago, then this video shows how it might look. The blimp would act as a floating warehouse with drones buzzing back and forth on delivery runs to nearby addresses. Well, that’s the idea at least.
Zillow won’t just help you find a house, it will be your mortgage lender, too
Zillow doesn't just want to help you find your dream home. It also wants to be your mortgage lender. The company announced today that it is getting into the lending game with its new service Zillow Home Loans. The service will be available in nine markets to start, with plans to expand.
Brown thumb? Bloomengine takes the guesswork out of growing delicate plants
Bloomengine is a plant-growing chamber designed to take the guesswork out of growing delicate plants indoors. It features an LED light, automatic water, fan for ventilation, and even a camera to record progress. The device is expected to launch in July.
Walmart Voice Order lets you shop straight from your Google Assistant
Walmart Voice Order is a service launched for Google Assistant that lets users order groceries with just their voice. The service will work with all Google Assistant-enabled devices later this month, but the company has plans to bring Walmart Voice Order to other platforms in the future.
Lockly Secure Plus Review
With Bluetooth, an app, keypad, pin, fingerprint access and even old-school metal keys, the Lockly Secure Plus offers a dizzying array of access features, but is a little pricier and a little larger than the best value smart locks on the market today. We installed it on our front door to see how it stands up to competitors.
SimpliSafe launches self-install smart home security systems in the U.K.
Boston-based SimpliSafe now sells its smart home security system in the U.K. Despite a decrease in overall crime rates, officials report U.K. burglary rates have increased. SimpliSafe is the first company to offer an affordable, wireless, self-install home security system with professional monitoring.
The best baby monitors for 2019
We've come a long way since the first baby monitors. Today's devices can deliver 24/7 video, connect to your phone, and track your child's sleep habits. Looking for a reliable device to monitor your precious little one? Here are some of the best baby monitors you can buy in 2019.
More hidden cameras have reportedly been found in Airbnb rentals
There are few things more disturbing than discovering that you're being watched. Airbnb renters are running into issues with hidden cameras in units, including a recent case in Garden Grove, California, where a couple found a camera in a smoke detector placed directly above the bed.
Hubitat swoops in to save Lowe’s Iris smart home devices from extinction
Owners of Iris-braded smart home devices sold by Lowe's were understandably bummed when the company stopped supporting the platform on March 31, but a smart home manufacturer called Hubitat has saved the day by figuring out how to support the devices via its home automation hub.
Alexa’s chief scientist wants to give the voice assistant a robot body
Voice assistants live in our tabletop devices, but they might not for long. Rohit Prasad, the chief scientist behind Amazon's Alexa, recently said that he believes the voice assistant needs a robot body to explore and experience the world. That experience could help it better answer human questions.
This new venture aims to 3D-print affordable tiny homes in a day
A stealthy new startup called Icon recently teamed up with a nonprofit that researches housing solutions to 3D-print a 350-square-foot tiny home in Austin, Texas that cost a fraction of the price of traditional building methods and offers proof-of-concept that technology can augment housing solutions.
Google accidentally reveals Nest Hub Max with 10-inch screen, built-in camera
The Google Store accidentally revealed the Nest Hub Max, which will come with a 10-inch screen, stereo speakers, and a built-in camera. The new smart display will apparently build upon the features of the Google Home Hub, which was released late last year with a 7-inch screen and no camera.
This Italian-designed tiny home offers more transformations than meet the eye
A new tiny home design being showcased at this month's Milan Design Week is a transforming tiny home created by Italian architect Beatrice Bonzanigo of IB Studio called Casa Ojalá that uses a mechanical system of cranks and ropes to offer up to 20 different layouts and configurations to its residents.
Arlo, Nest, and SimpliSafe home security systems are on sale for spring
Home security has evolved a lot in recent years thanks to affordable and customizable DIY solutions from makers like SimpliSafe, and we’ve rounded up a few deals on some of the best home security systems, from full-featured bundles to simpler Wi-Fi camera setups.
Get a free Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition with this BOGO deal
With this limited-time deal from Amazon, you can get two Kids Edition smart speakers for just $70. Don’t forget to use promo code KIDS2PACK at checkout to receive the second device for free. If you have multiple kids in your home, this is a great deal to consider.
Samsung’s flower vase doubles as a throwable fire extinguisher
Samsung may be best known to the tech-loving community for its mobile devices, computers and televisions, but there are plenty of other products the South Korean giant makes. Its latest? A Samsung-branded flower vase which doubles as a handy throwable fire extinguisher.
Best smart devices for an Airbnb home
Planning on turning a house into an Airbnb rental? Smart devices are your best friends for the job! Here are the top ways you can make the living space Airbnb ready with the right technology and preparation, no matter what guests you are targeting. Find out what devices can make the biggest differences to your guests.