Now you can talk to Google Assistant with Nest Secure to keep your home safe
Google recently announced a feature that is new for the Nest Secure home security system. Nest Secure customers will soon be able to talk to Google Assistant on the Nest Guard central control unit. Google Assistant won't be turned on by default, but users can opt-in to enable voice command capability.
Amazon Alexa and Audible are ready to take you on an interactive adventure
If your kids are ready for an interactive adventure, Amazon's Audible partnered with Chooseco, the owners of the Choose Your Own Adventure (CYOA) series for a new Alexa Skill. The initial adventures search for the Abominable Snowman or the lost city of Atlantis, with listener decisions leading to one of many endings.
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.
Most ridiculous footage caught on security cams
Home security cams are good at capturing the action that occurs around the entrance of homes - but you may be surprised just how crazy things can get. Check out the most ridiculous footage caught on security cams to see what's really going on out there, from animals and thieves to fires and tornadoes.
Blink XT One Camera System review
With a two-year battery life and a strong app, Blink’s XT outdoor camera could be the introductory home security system you’re looking for. And with more Amazon Alexa integration and activity zones, the camera is smarter than ever. Read our review to find out more.
Make the perfect meatball with celebrity chef Daniel Holzman on Yummly Pro app
Whirlpool and Yummly announced Yummly Pro for people who want to improve their cooking skills. Yummly Pro is an app-driven platform with personalized recipe selections and step-by-step video cooking instructions from celebrity chefs. Users will find shopping lists with on-demand ordering, timers, and more in the app.
Orro’s smart switch lighting adjusts to your rhythms to help you sleep better
Lighting control startup Orro today introduced the Orro Switch, which the company promises is "the world’s most advanced responsive and adaptive home lighting system." The end result, according to the company, is home lighting that supports the way you live and also helps you sleep better at night.
Don’t worry, Alexa won’t be triggered during Amazon’s Super Bowl ad
Don't worry about unplugging your Alexa during Amazon's Super Bowl commercial out of concern the voice assistant might get triggered. The company is using acoustic fingerprinting to identify trigger words coming from other devices rather than people and will prevent Alexa from responding.
Harrison Ford, other stars show the limits of Alexa in hilarious Super Bowl ads
Amazon is using four 11-second celebrity video teasers to entice viewers to watch its Super Bowl television commercials on February 3. Harrison Ford, Abbi Jacobsen, Ilana Glazer, Forest Whitaker, and Mark and Scott Kelly each react to something offscreen, which may be an Amazon Beta Testing Program.
EufyCam review
The EufyCam offers a great look, several home security features and is truly wireless, but with missing voice assistance and some features lacking, it’s difficult to justify its high price. Check our EufyCam review for full details on how it stacks up against competitors.
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.
Houzz suffers a data breach, asks users to reset password
Home improvement startup Houzz informed its users Thursday that it suffered a data breach in December 2018. The company warned that some user information including encrypted passwords may have been compromised and encouraged users to change their passwords as a safety precaution.
Neato Botvac D7 review
Neato’s range-topping Botvac is pricey and imperfect, delivering good cleaning performance and an evolving range of features that require more polish and upkeep than you’re probably looking for. We took the droid for some test spins around our test home. Find out more in our review.
Walgreens’ smart fridges scan your face and remember your behavior
Walgreens smart fridges will scan your face and remember your behavior in select stores piloting a retail technology called Cooler Screens. The first smart coolers were installed in a Walgreens in Chicago on January 14. The next two cities in the pilot program are New York and San Francisco.
Amazon drops prices on Vitamix, Nutribullet, and Ninja Blenders
Blenders should be a staple of every kitchen. After all, they’re quite versatile, making everything from soups to smoothies. With Amazon savings on top brands like Vitamix, Nutribullet, and Ninja, now is a great time to save big on a name-brand kitchen appliance.
Lowe’s is shutting down its Iris smart home platform, offering customers refunds
Lowe's sent an email to Iris Smart Home Platform customers announcing it will shut down the platform and related services effective March 31, 2019. Iris customers can redeem Iris products for prepaid Visa cards but only via an online Redemption link included in the email.
UPS expands in-home delivery service to take on Amazon Key
Amazon isn't the only company that wants to leave packages inside your home for you. UPS announced it is expanding its partnership with smart lock company Latch to enable in-home deliveries. The feature will be available in 10 new cities including Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Today’s hottest Amazon Echo and Google Home smart plug deals on Amazon
We found the best discounts today for smart plugs from Amazon and put them in one place. To be included smart plugs had to be compatible with Amazon Echo or Google Home, or both. We only included smart plugs with four-star or higher average customer reviews that are on sale and available for shipping.
Whether you’re team Patriots or Rams, we’ve got menus for your Super Bowl bash
Regardless of whether you’re on #TeamRams or #TeamPatriots, you can still create a great menu for your 2019 Super Bowl party. Here are some recipes and a list of the tools you need for that bash– other than a big TV, of course.
Cool or creepy? Panasonic floor lamp has a ‘secret’ security camera built in
Panasonic's new HomeHawk floor lamp comes with a smart security camera built in. The lens sits at the top of the stem, just below the light, so you wouldn't even know it's there. Yes, it's a design that may well send a shiver down the spine of Airbnb renters everywhere.
iRobot brings its Roomba tech to the backyard with the Terra autonomous mower
iRobot is already home to a bunch of bestselling smart home devices, notably its Roomba robot vacuum, and now the smart device maker is heading outside the home by releasing a new robot lawnmower called Terra, which will use Roomba's mapping technology and a new wireless communications system.
To help save the planet, big companies are testing a reusable packaging service
Working with some of the world's biggest brands, a new sustainable packaging delivery company called Loop wants to get us to reuse packaging rather than throw it away. Here's how they hope to do that -- and when you'll get to give its innovative, eco-friendly service a try.
Shadecraft unfurls Bloom, an Amazon Echo-compatible smart outdoor umbrella
Following up on its earlier robotic umbrellas, ShadeCraft introduced the Amazon Echo-compatible Bloom smart outdoor Parasol Automation Device with a built-in speaker. The Bloom mechanism works with mass-market patio umbrellas, transforming them into smart home outdoor living hubs.
Find big price cuts on Dyson upright, stick, and handheld vacuums on Amazon
Six of Dyson's most popular vacuum cleaners, including upright, stick, and handheld models have deep price cuts on Amazon. The across-the-board discounts on Dyson's vacuum cleaners are easily the best deals of the year for anyone wanting to buy one of the innovative company's consumer cleaning machines.
Casper’s Glow smart light is designed to help you sleep more soundly
Casper, the Wave mattress innovator, introduced the Casper Glow, a smart light designed to help you establish healthy sleep patterns. According to Casper, the Glow's warm lighting impacts mood and our ability to relax. The Glow uses a rechargeable battery and can be used on the charger base or carried around the house.
Inubox is an automated dog toilet that aims to get some tails wagging
Here's a thing that you didn't know you needed: a fully automated dog toilet. Inubox is at CES 2019 and wants to change the way your dog goes to the bathroom. Instead of going outside to do the dirty work, Inubox is an in-home solution that cleans up the waste. It's now funding on Kickstarter.
‘In the Kitchen’ app helps you cook using voice commands
Looking for an easy-to-follow app while cooking? Food Network's In the Kitchen now helps you make meals through voice commands.
Walmart drops the price of the already discounted, guilt-free Ninja Air Fryer
Walmart slashed its price on the guilt-free Ninja Air Fryer. The countertop appliance helps home cooks prepare meals quickly with little or no oil. The 4-quart Ninja Air Fryer AF100 has a one-touch control panel to choose from four programmable cooking functions: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
Food-delivery service Doordash is now serving customers in all 50 states
Don't feel like making the trek to your favorite restaurant? Lucky for you, you can pay someone else to do it for you. On-demand delivery service Doordash announced that it has expanded its services and is now making deliveries in all 50 states, reaching about 80 percent of the population.
Airbnb expands into meeting-space rentals after snapping up Danish startup
In its ongoing quest to diversify by targeting the business market, Airbnb has acquired Gaest, an online marketplace focused on helping companies and workers find meeting and event spaces for short-term use. Just like Airbnb, hosts can list their spaces to quickly reach thousands of businesses and professionals.
Wipe off that wing sauce and tap into the game with the 9 best Super Bowl apps
The Patriots and the Rams will take the field for Super Bowl LIII, but before they do make sure you're prepared with the best Super Bowl apps on your phone. From apps to help get you your food and drinks, to apps that help you stay up to date with everything happening, here are the best Super Bowl apps.
Ring Video Doorbell review
Along with the door itself, the doorbell is one of the first items most visitors will interact with when entering your home. The Ring Video Doorbell can show you who's at the door, whether they've actually rung the doorbell or not. Here's how it stacks up to the competition.
Swidget is an adaptable outlet able to run smart gizmos in your smart home
Canadian tech company Swidget made its entrance into the smart home market at CES 2019 by launching its first product, a smart outlet that retails for $40 that can be outfitted with interchangeable inserts to control smart home devices, enable digital assistants, and hide smart home technology from plain view.
Despite $125 million in funding, Munchery ceases operations in San Francisco
After eight years of shape-shifting in the home meal delivery business, Munchery ceased operations in San Francisco, its final market. Founded in 2010, Munchery tried to establish and hold a viable business model. In May 2018, Munchery retreated from all markets except San Francisco, but now that's also closed.