Amazon fined $30 million for Alexa child privacy and Ring violations By Mike Prospero last updated 1 June 23 Amazon will pay $30 million to settle privacy allegations for its Ring security cameras and Alexa recordings of children.
Best robot vacuum deals in June 2023 By Louis Ramirez last updated 1 June 23 The best robot vacuum deals from iRobot, Eufy, Shark, and more.
Best Amazon deals in June 2023: Today's best sales By Louis Ramirez last updated 31 May 23 The best Amazon deals today from Alexa-powered smart home devices to smartwatches.
Amazon Echo Pop is one of the smallest and cheapest Alexa speakers yet — should you buy it? By Kate Kozuch published 17 May 23 The new Amazon Echo Pop is a colorful and compact Alexa smart speaker, but it's probably not going to replace your Amazon Echo Dot.
Amazon Astro’s successor could embrace ChatGPT-style generative AI By Alan Martin published 13 May 23 Artificial intelligence could give Astro 2 a layer of “intelligence and a conversational spoken interface” according to internal documents.
Roku adds budget DIY home security system to expand its smart home offerings By Mike Prospero published 10 May 23 The kit includes a hub with a siren, a keypad, and three sensors. Professional monitoring starts at $10/month.
Apple HomePod smoke alarm detection feature is rolling out now — here’s how it works By Tom Pritchard published 19 April 23 The HomePod's new Sound Detection feature is rolling out now, alerting you when your smoke alarm goes off.
Apple HomeKit users can finally use the Nest Thermostat — but there's a catch By Mike Prospero published 18 April 23 Thanks to the Matter smart home standard, you can now use the Nest Thermostat with Apple HomeKit.
Matter smart home standard explained: Here's why Google, Apple and Amazon are backing it By Kate Kozuch last updated 14 April 23 Matter will allow smart home devices from all different manufacturers to thrive in a singular ecosystem. Here's how it'll impact your internet-connected house.
Google Pixel Tablet leak suggests it may have a dedicated privacy switch By Tom Pritchard published 14 April 23 The Pixel Tablet is looking more like a portable smart home hub thanks to the possible inclusion of a privacy switch.
Google’s abandoning third-party smart displays — but I'm hanging onto mine By Anthony Spadafora published 11 April 23 The 10-inch Lenovo Smart Display has remained a fixture in my kitchen for years now and even if it isn’t getting any more updates, I’m not letting go of it just yet.
Samsung accidentally deletes SmartThings accounts — what to do if you're affected By Mike Prospero published 10 April 23 If your SmartThings hub has disappeared from your account, this is why.
Ring vs. Nest: Ring Video Doorbell and Nest Doorbell (battery) compared By Mike Prospero last updated 5 April 23 For many, the top video doorbell comes down to Ring vs. Nest. Here's how the two compare on price, video quality and features.
DIY smart home: What’s a neutral wire and what to do if you don’t have one By Kate Kozuch last updated 5 April 23 DIY smart home: Why you need to know about neutral wires before buying or installing a smart switch.
How to make a video call using the Echo Show By Kate Kozuch last updated 5 April 23 How to make a video call using the Echo Show to help you stay in touch with family and friends.
10 coolest things the Amazon Echo Show can do By Mike Prospero last updated 5 April 23 The Echo Show’s camera and touch screen combine to let you do things the regular Echo can’t. Here are our favorite features.
This smart garage door opener is vulnerable to attack — disconnect yours now By Mike Prospero published 4 April 23 A security researcher found a serious flaw in Nexx garage door openers and smart plugs that lets anyone open them from anywhere.
iOS 16.4 just introduced a big HomeKit upgrade for your iPhone By Richard Priday published 31 March 23 Your iPhone just got Apple's big smart home upgrade back again, after the original version was withdrawn due to technical issues.
Amazon’s Sidewalk developer kit just revealed how many of my neighbors use Ring and Alexa By Mike Prospero published 28 March 23 Amazon wants developers to start making products that work with its Sidewalk network, so it's revealing just how big it is.
Apple HomePod with 7-inch display reportedly coming next year By Tom Pritchard published 10 March 23 Apple's next HomePod could be a smart display with a 7-inch screen, and it's now expected next year.
Ring Battery Plus Doorbell boasts head-to-toe video and package detection By Mike Prospero last updated 8 March 23 The new Ring Battery Plus has a wider field of view and package detection
Ring is building a paywall around doorbell and camera features that were free — here are some alternatives By Anthony Spadafora published 6 March 23 A Ring Protect subscription will soon be required to use the Home and Away modes on your Ring Video Doorbell and Ring cameras.
Not again! The HomePod 2 stained my furniture — just like the original By Mike Prospero published 1 February 23 Just like the first HomePod, the HomePod 2 will leave a white mark on some wood furniture.
HomePod mini vs HomePod (2nd gen): What should you buy? By Mike Prospero last updated 31 January 23 The HomePod mini is Apple's answer to Google and Amazon's small smart speakers — but should you get it over the HomePod 2?
Apple HomePod 2 unveiled — price, release date and the biggest upgrades By Kate Kozuch last updated 31 January 23 The new HomePod 2 is official. Here's what you need to know about price, release date, audio performance, smart home features and all the other key upgrades.
Future Apple HomePods could control your living room thanks to this new patent By Andy Sansom published 25 January 23 Apple has had a new patent approved that details how the HomePod could automatically adjust to fit your living space and personal needs.
Hoping for a HomePod mini 2 to go with the new HomePod? Don’t hold your breath By Nick Pino published 23 January 23 An Apple leaker says there are currently no plans for a sequel to the HomePod mini — and the reasoning makes sense.
An Apple smart display could be on the way — and not a moment too soon By Mike Prospero published 19 January 23 Apple could be working on an iPad-like smart display that would let you control all your smart home devices and make FaceTime calls.
This is the new HomePod 2 upgrade I’m most excited about — and it could be a life-saver By Kate Kozuch published 19 January 23 The new HomePod 2 has an alarm notification feature that can alert users when a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm goes off in their home.
iRobot Roomba s9+ vs. iRobot Roomba i7+: Which should you buy? By Katie Mortram, Meghan McDonough last updated 17 January 23 Want to know the difference between the Roomba s9+ and the i7+? Here, we cover everything you need to know, including the strengths and weaknesses of each design.
