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Smart Home Features

A grassy backyard that has a life-sized chess game.

Inside a high-tech Hollywood home where everything is hidden

In this episode of Genius Home, we take you on a tour of a high-end Hollywood hills home full of secret rooms, hidden fixtures, and subtle sophistication.
Exterior shot of the 5th home in our Genius Home series.

This high-tech hillside home brings the outdoors inside

In episode 5 of Genius Home, our hosts Ariana Escalante and Caleb Denison take us on a tour of a hillside hangout that's stuffed with subtle tech touches
Exterior view of Genius Home's fourth featured home.

This Malibu mansion is a perfect mix of tech and tranquility

In this episode of Genius Home, our hosts tour a villa that sneakily hides its smart home tech to create a wonderfully calm and meditative space
genius home episode 3 geniushome episode03 outside 2

Inside a modern mansion full of art, automation, and open air

In this episode of Home Genius, our hosts tour an art-packed party pad that's designed to handle common household chores autonomously.
genius home episode 2 geniushome ep2 still 11

Step inside a stylish, self-sustaining California villa

In this episode of Genius Home, our hosts take us on a tour of a home that's not only smart and automated, but also completely self-sustaining
Top Tech of CES 2022

Digital Trends’ Top Tech of CES 2022 Awards

The Top Tech of CES 2022 includes eye-popping TVs, record-setting EVs, and even some weird stuff we didn't know we ever needed.
best thanksgiving apps

Tech, tricks, and techniques to help you cook a perfect holiday meal

Cooking a holiday dinner takes a lot of prep work, but smart kitchen gadgets can help you streamline the process and spend more time with family.

Best gifts for a first-time smart home setup

Don't get bogged down thinking about what to get someone who's just starting a smart home. Here are the gifts for first-time smart home setup.

Should you buy a security camera on Black Friday 2021?

Black Friday is the best time to buy a security camera, but don't wait for a better deal. This year, the sales start early -- and so should your shopping.
Samsung The Terrace Soundbar.

Should you buy a soundbar on Black Friday 2021?

Black Friday is a great time for deals on all kinds of products, but it's especially good for soundbars -- the easiest way to get better TV sound.
august announces homekit compatibility doorbell camera smart lock close

The smart home hacking scene in Scream is possible, but you’re probably OK

Smart home hacking is possible but very, very unlikely. There are some steps you can take to stay safe.
The Echo Dot Wall Mount Holder in a bedroom.

Best Alexa settings to update right now

Changing a few settings in your Amazon Echo can turn Alexa from a good smart assistant to a great one. Change these five settings to improve your experience.
The Ring Always Home Cam and charge dock.

5 things we hope the flying Ring Always Home Cam can do

The flying Ring Always Home Cam could change home security going forward. We know little about it, but here's what we hope it could do.
why you need to buy this gigantic portable home battery now ecoflow delta pro feature

Why you need to buy this gigantic portable home battery now

The EcoFlow DELTA Pro is a portable home battery designed to power just about anything in your home, campsite, RV, and more. Check it out!
sunflower home awareness system labs scene 2

Flying and roving security cams are here, but are we ready for them?

There are now flying, roving, autonomous security cameras. Are they helpful, or are we facing a HAL 9000 situation?
SimpliSafe bast station sitting on a table infant of a mirror.

7 things you didn’t know your home security system could do

Your home security system can do more than just watch for broken windows or open doors. It might even save you money.
Wyze Cam v3 vs Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor Comparison

Which smart security cams are serious about privacy? We’ve ranked them all

Indoor security cameras boast a variety of features. We put some of the most popular models to the test to see which take security and privacy more seriously.
Drop In on the Amazon Echo Show 10.

Got multiple Alexa devices? Here are are some die-hard features to try

While two isn't always better than one, owning more than one Alexa device means more for you and your smart home. Here are some multi-device Alexa tricks.
Google Nest Thermostat (2020)

Summer’s a scorcher. Here’s how smart home tech can offer relief

With the dog days of summer on the way, your smart home devices can help you beat the heat and stay comfortable.
4th of July lighting as brought to us by Philips Hue.

Outdoor smart lights are best for expressing your patriotism this 4th of July

Looking for a way to avoid a major fireworks purchase this year? Outdoor smart lighting is a great way to replace that pyro in the sky. Read on to see how.
homepod mini comparison homepod google home amazon dot top angle

4 reasons to look forward to Apple HomeKit and Matter collaboration

Matter represents a major joining of hands across the smart-home landscape, but what does that mean for the future of Apple HomeKit? Here's what we think.
Amazon Echo 4th Gen smart speaker on a table.

7 things we wish Amazon Alexa could do

Can you imagine a future where Amazon Alexa has even more tricks up her sleeve? Here's a wish list of seven features we'd like to see added to the assistant.
Mother and daughter dancing in living room with Govee smart lights on.

More affordable than ever before, smart lights should be your next home project

Smart lights used to be expensive, but now's the time to make them a priority with your next home project because they're more affordable than ever before.
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera

Which home security camera should you buy on Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day will certainly yield an immense amount of deals on home security cameras. Here are just some of the notable ones you should consider.
smart bed covers keep you cool reduce your energy bill eight sleep pro cover feature lifestyle

Don’t sweat rising electric bills: Smart bed covers keep you cool and save money

Smart mattress covers like the Eight Sleep Pod Pro can help keep you cool at night despite rising temperatures without raising your utility bill.
iRobot Roomba 692 Robot Vacuum.

Is the Roomba 692 worth buying on Amazon Prime Day?

Prime Day is known for deep discounts on robot vacuums. The iRobot Roomba 692 continues to be a popular choice, but is it still worth buying on Prime Day?
The Soft Spa 9500 Bidet by Fluidmaster.

A year after the pandemic, bidets are here to stay. Here’s why

Data shows that bidets have been making a mark in the North American market. We explore why the pandemic was a game changer for this bathroom hero.
Amazon Echo on a table.

Which Amazon Echo should you buy on Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day should yield some amazing deals on the company's many Echo devices. Before you buy, we detail which models are worth buying for the big day.
Ring Video Doorbell 3

Which Ring Video Doorbell should you buy on Prime Day?

Ring's lineup of video doorbells covers the gamut, but we break down which one you should buy for Amazon Prime Day.

7 places where air quality sensors are most effective at home

Airborne pollutants are a fact of life but many harmful types can seep their way into our homes. Here's how an air quality monitor can help.
Roborock S7 robot vacuum cleaning a rug on a hardwood floor.

Which robot vacuum should you buy on Prime Day?

Robot vacuums are so handy when it comes to saving us time, and with Amazon Prime Day, you certainly can expect deals on popular models.
swann digital ecosystem provides powerful home security tools smart camera

7 things you didn’t know security cameras could do

Security cameras keep an eye on your home and property, but they can also see in the dark, recognize visitors, and much more.
your package handler doesnt care about smart delivery box yale phase 5

Your package handler doesn’t care about your high-tech smart delivery box

A delivery box powered by a smart lock only helps if your package handlers actually use it. I found that out the hard way.
Ring Smart Spotlight

Amazon Sidewalk is coming soon. Here’s how it will improve smart home devices

Launching on June 8, Amazon Sidewalk promises an expanded Wi-Fi network for you, your devices, and your community. Here's what to expect from the new service.