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Internet of Things (IoT)

The Echo Show 15 is the largest smart display yet.

Cloud services are convenient, but they hurt smart home longevity

Relying on cloud servers for basic smart home functionality is a terrible idea.
An Amazon Echo in living room.

The best Alexa commands

Unboxed an Amazon Echo and looking for the best Alexa commands? Learn how you can utilize your new virtual assistant to its full potential with our guide.
Roborock S7 cleaning while kids and pets play.

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.
GE Cync lights set up in gaming room.

GE Cync smart lighting review: A worthy Philips Hue competitor

Smart lighting is the easiest way to start a smart home, but many fear it's complicated. We go hands-on with GE Cync to see how it stacks up.
The new IKEA DIRIGERA hub sitting on books in front of a mirror next to a plant.

Ikea launches Matter-enabled Dirigera smart hub and app

Later this year, Ikea is launching its new Dirigera smart hub alongside its new Home Smart app with Matter inside. Here's what we know so far.
Nest devices grouped together on a counter.

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.

Smart homes without Wi-Fi: Huge possibilities or roadblocks?

Our wireless networks are the building blocks of our smart home ecosystems, but should every automation require an Internet connection? Here's what we think.
The Twinkly Dots can spruce up any room.

Twinkly Dots review: Nice to look at, but nothing new

The Twinkly Dots have a unique design and look nice when set up, but don't bring new functionality to the table.
Matter CSA image.

Matter smart home standard delayed until fall 2022

After unprecedented interest in the Matter standard from new companies, the CSA has delayed rollout until fall 2022 for the first batch of devices.
Philips Hue Iris table lamp green

How to change your smart light colors

One of the greatest features of smart lights is being able to change them to all sorts of colors. Here's how you do it.
Nest mini next to a HomePod mini next to an Echo Dot on a table.

Is it feasible to go all-in with one smart home ecosystem?

What is the true cost of choosing only one smart home ecosystem? Whether HomeKit, Alexa, or Assistant, we tackle what it will take to invest in just one.
Home app on a MacBook on the table.

How to control smart home devices with the Apple Home app

Control your HomeKit-connected devices easily in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can also set up automatic ways to control your accessories.
Homey Bridge box, smart home, control, universal

Homey delays shipping of new Homey Bridge

Homey is delaying shipping on its new Bridge as it works out bugs discovered in early beta testing.
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
Schlage Encode Plus with home keys phone tap to unlock.

How to use Apple’s home keys

Apple home keys are the latest way to manage your home's smart lock hands-free, allowing you to customize how you unlock doors. Here's how to use the feature!
Echo 4th Gen

Google Home (Nest Audio) vs. Amazon Echo

Google's Home speaker and Amazon Echo are two of the most popular smart speakers, but which is the better of the two? Here's our comparison of both devices.
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
Amazon Echo Show 10, video, Prime, TV, watch

Do you need a smart home hub?

A smart home hub keeps all of your Internet-connected gear logged and controllable under one easy-to-use interface, but do you need one? Let us weigh in.
Tradfri smart plug connected to a bathroom outlet.

HomeKit smart plug installation guide

Manage smart plugs with your Apple devices by tying them into HomeKit. Once it's done, you'll be able to manage them alongside your other smart home devices.
Govee Glide wall light installed above couch on wall.

How smart lighting affects your health

Learn how smart lighting affects your eyesight, sleep schedule, and mood.
The Philips Hue Inara brings smart lighting to the outdoors.

Philips Hue expands smart lighting to the great outdoors

Philips Hue announces its new additions to its outdoor light line: The Lucca, Inara, and Resonate wall lights.
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.
Apple HomeKit logo.

5 things we’d like to see in the next HomeKit update

These are the five biggest things we want to see from Apple in the next HomeKit features.
Philips Hue sync box.

How to sync smart lights with your TV

Did you know your smart lights can reflect the colors and action of your favorite movies and TV shows? Here's how to set it up.
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
homepod mini on table edge side 2

What is Matter and how does it fit into the smart home?

Get the low-down on what Matter is and how it will affect the smart home going forward.
A collection of Matter-enabed Amazon devices.

Why Matter is the most important smart home trend from CES 2022

There were a lot of tech trends at CES 2022, but one stands out above the rest: The rapid adoption of Matter among smart home companies.
Samsung Home Hub cooking screen.

Samsung Home Hub uses A.I. to make your home smarter

Samsung's new Home Hub tablet uses A.I. to monitor your home and make it smarter. See how Matter and SmartThings are part of the new device.
Twinkly Dots LED string lights set up on a wall behind a laptop.

Twinkly’s new Dots LED string lights play nice with Razer Chroma

Gaming nd smart home fans alike will want to check out Twinkly Dots. They support Razer Chroma, the Omen Gaming Hub, and USB power.
Smartthings Energy App

Samsung SmartThings announces new partnerships for smart energy

SmartThings announces its new partnership with other companies to get closer to its goals of providing users with accessible energy management solutions.
A collection of Matter-enabed Amazon devices.

Amazon brings Matter support to several smart home devices

Amazon has announced that it is adding Frustration-Free Setup to more Matter-enabled devices from its own and other brands.
Schlage Encode Plus with Apple home keys open with Apple Watch.

Schlage’s Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt boasts iPhone, Apple Watch support

Schlage announced the Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt at CES 2022 with support for Apple's home keys. See how you can open this lock with Apple Watch and more.
philips hue updates old products adds gradient strip iris lifestyle living room

Why smart lights are the perfect entry point to the smart home

Start building your smart home on the right foot. Smart lights are painless, easy to set up, and highly affordable.
Philips Hue and Spotify

How to sync smart lights to music

Get the party started with smart lights that sync to your music, be it streaming on Spotify or stored locally. Learn how to do it and which lights to use.