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Smart Home Features

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Smart gadgets need a face-lift. A lot of them are way too ugly.

Smart gadgets need a face-lift. A lot of them are way too ugly.

It is high time design catches up with technology. Why can't our gadgets be beautiful and functional?
Bluetti's AC500 is the size of a large cooler and takes up a ton of space in a vehicle.

I tried to ruin a camping trip with 130 pounds of batteries

I tried to ruin a camping trip with 130 pounds of batteries

The Bluetti AC500 delivers 5,000 watts of power in a package you can toss in your trunk. But should you?
HGTV Smart Home 2022 in Wilmington, NC.

Big smart home growth predicted: These are the appliances and features we’d like to see

Big smart home growth predicted: These are the appliances and features we’d like to see

Smart home gadgets aren't going away. Recent studies show this market is booming. Here's what you need to know to plan your own smart home of the future.
The Bites 2 Lite device mounted on a wall.

5 Alexa skills and features your pet will love

5 Alexa skills and features your pet will love

Our four-legged friends may not be able to use Alexa themselves, but with a little programming of our own, we can easily build Alexa into the lives of our pets.
Echo Dot (4th Gen) sits on a shelf in a kitchen.

5 unique and creative uses for Alexa’s Sound Detection feature

5 unique and creative uses for Alexa’s Sound Detection feature

Alexa's Sound Detection feature allows you to build Routines around a number of different audio cues. Here are five ideas for some automations you can create.
A white HomePod mini sitting on a desk.

6 HomeKit settings you should disable (or adjust) right now

6 HomeKit settings you should disable (or adjust) right now

Apple claims better security, but it still gathers information about its users. Here are six settings you should change now.
An older man using the Show and Tell skill with an Echo Show.

The 5 best Alexa skills for older people (and one bonus tip)

The 5 best Alexa skills for older people (and one bonus tip)

Alexa can help your loved ones manage prescriptions, hire a plumber, and so much more. Here are five of the best Alexa skills for older folks you can use today.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat hanging on wall.

Break out of a rut with these useful summer-focused smart home routines

Break out of a rut with these useful summer-focused smart home routines

From managing your air conditioning to adding life and color to your outdoor ambiance, here are the best smart home routines you can use throughout the summer.
John Cleese, naked except for a photo held in front of his crotch, in A Fish Called Wanda.

Alexa has seen me naked, and that’s okay

Alexa has seen me naked, and that’s okay

Your smart home technology has probably seen you naked, too. Is that something to worry about? I say no.
Customers inspect the new Apple HomePod at an Apple Store on February 9, 2018 in San Francisco, California.

HomeKit Secure Video: Why it’s great and why you should use it

HomeKit Secure Video: Why it’s great and why you should use it

Apple's HomeKit Secure Video is a layered and resourceful way to store surveillance footage, and here's why you should start using it right away.
Amazon acquires iRobot

Will Amazon’s iRobot purchase turn your Roomba into a spy?

Will Amazon’s iRobot purchase turn your Roomba into a spy?

Amazon's acquisition of iRobot, the maker of Roomba, is a window into a future where one corporation has way too much information about your personal life.
A stack of ten-dollar bills.

6 smart home devices that can save you hundreds per year

6 smart home devices that can save you hundreds per year

A smart home isn't only convenient, it can also save you money in the long run with energy efficiency improvements.
The iRobot app overlaid on a Roomba.

Why Amazon acquiring iRobot will make Roombas even better

Why Amazon acquiring iRobot will make Roombas even better

Amazon has signed a deal to acquire iRobot, and that could mean a lot of benefits for customers.
Dyson Pure Humidify Cool filters

Can an air purifier really help you breathe easier during wildfire season?

Can an air purifier really help you breathe easier during wildfire season?

Should you shell out for an air purifier if your home's air is less than ideal? Can a purifier really help, even during wildfire season?
A woman wears Echo Frames sunglasses outside on a sunny day.

Are Echo Frames worth the $99, or are they just a gimmick?

Are Echo Frames worth the $99, or are they just a gimmick?

Amazon is selling Echo Frames for $99 on Prime Day, but are they even worth that?
Echo Show 15 with base.

Which Amazon Echo should you buy on Prime Day 2022? 

Which Amazon Echo should you buy on Prime Day 2022? 

You've waited all year for prices to drop. Now you just need to decide which Amazon Echo device to buy amid Amazon Prime Day deals.
Image of Google Home, 16:9 scale

How to build a smart apartment

How to build a smart apartment

Putting together a smart apartment requires a bit of research, but it's not as challenging as you'd think. Here's what you need to know.
HGTV Smart Home 2022 in Wilmington, NC.

Is HGTV’s Smart Home really that smart? We have different ideas

Is HGTV’s Smart Home really that smart? We have different ideas

HGTV offers you a chance to win a smart home. If you missed out, you can still use our (better!) smart home device picks to create your intelligent oasis.
Amazon Echo Show 15 hanging horizontally on the wall in a kitchen.

5 reasons I still use the Echo Show 15 everyday

5 reasons I still use the Echo Show 15 everyday

The Echo Show 15 came out six months ago, and I still use it on a daily basis to stay on top of tasks. Here's why I still love it.
philips hue outdoor range

How smart tech can improve your 4th of July BBQ

How smart tech can improve your 4th of July BBQ

Want to one-up your family members' 4th of July barbecues? Let smart home tech help you show your patriotism.
The 2021 Amazon Echo Show 8 in an angled view.

I followed Alexa’s prompts for a day and this is what I learned

I followed Alexa’s prompts for a day and this is what I learned

The Echo Show delivers prompts and news items during the day. Just how tailored are they to your preferences? We did everything it says for a day to find out.
Delta Leland

Is a smart faucet worth it?

Is a smart faucet worth it?

On the surface, a smart faucet seems silly, but is it? Can an intelligent tap truly make a difference in the kitchen?
The Echo Show 15 is the largest smart display yet.

Cloud services are convenient, but they hurt smart home longevity

Cloud services are convenient, but they hurt smart home longevity

Relying on cloud servers for basic smart home functionality is a terrible idea.
weber genesis smart grill review

Is a smart grill worth it? We weigh the factors

Is a smart grill worth it? We weigh the factors

Smart grills are now a thing. But do we really need to add technology to the most primal of human acts: Cooking over fire?
Roborock S7 cleaning while kids and pets play.

Is your smart home child-safe?

Is your smart home child-safe?

How friendly has the smart home become for kids? Let's take a look at the potential dangers around home automation and how to make sure your child is safe.
eufy by Anker Security Video Smart Lock installed on corner.

Why aren’t smart locks and video doorbells the same device?

Why aren’t smart locks and video doorbells the same device?

Smart locks and video doorbells seem like two gadgets that would work well as a single product, but manufacturers aren't racing to produce them. Here's why.
Tim Cook at WWDC 2022.

All of Apple’s big no-shows from WWDC 2022

All of Apple’s big no-shows from WWDC 2022

Unsurprisingly, the WWDC 2022 rumors weren't totally correct. Here's everything Apple didn't announce during its annual developer keynote.
a sapling grows in the forest

The most eco-friendly smart home companies

The most eco-friendly smart home companies

Upgrade your smart home responsibly with these eco-friendly manufacturers.
Multiple colored hue lights on inside a living room

Enhancing a vacation home with smart tech

Enhancing a vacation home with smart tech

Going away on vacation for the summer? Check out these products, from security to cleaning, that can help elevate your summer home to smart home status.
A Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar rests in the sand on a sunny day.

The benefits of solar-powered smart wearables

The benefits of solar-powered smart wearables

Imagine a life free from cables, power banks, and wall outlets. Solar wearables are here, but are they worth it?
An Amazon Echo in living room.

How loud is too loud for your smart devices?

How loud is too loud for your smart devices?

Smart speakers are one of the most popular smart home accessories -- but can they be too loud? Here are the details about smart device volume and its limits.
Nest devices grouped together on a counter.

Can your smart home save you money on homeowners insurance?

Can your smart home save you money on homeowners insurance?

We all know the smart home is supposed to make our lives easier, but can it save you money on insurance? Let's find out.
Amazon Echo Show 15 hanging horizontally on the wall in a kitchen.

Are we becoming too dependent on the smart home?

Are we becoming too dependent on the smart home?

Smart homes are convenient, but are we trading mental strength for that convenience?
Woman in bed looking toward Echo Dot.

For Get Caught Reading Month, let Alexa suggest a book

For Get Caught Reading Month, let Alexa suggest a book

May is Get Caught Reading Month, and Alexa is more than up to the task of helping you participate. Here's how Alexa can help you find a good book or audiobook.