Top ways smart tech can save Thanksgiving dinner

By Erin Lawrence Updated February 23, 2024

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Erin has over 20 years of experience as a journalist in the media and news industries, with time both on camera and behind…

Deals

The best last-minute tech gifts under $100

A couple of Tile trackers in a gift box.

The holiday shopping season is in full swing, which can often make things a little stressful on the wallet. The holidays don’t have to break the bank, however, as there are a lot of great tech options available for under $100. These include some surprises like tablets and Keurig coffee makers, but they also include more common items to fall below the $100 price tag. We’ve rounded up all of the best gifts under $100, so read onward for more details on how to save on some tech for somebody you care about this holiday season.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) — $40, was $90

While the Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) was a popular smart display, the third generation Amazon Echo Show 5 is the newest Echo Show on the market. We also think it’s one of the best smart displays you can buy. With this smart display you’re able to stream your favorite music, shows, podcasts, and more from providers like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Prime Video. It’s the perfect assistant around the house, giving you easy access to your calendars and reminders, daily recipe ideas, timers, lists, and news and traffic updates. The Echo Show 5 can also sync with compatible video doorbells to display what’s going on at your front door on its screen. I also has a built-in camera of its own that’s great for video calls.

Smart Home

The truth about outdoor smart home gadgets and extreme cold

Electronics and smart home gadgets bring convenience and automation to your home and often need minimal maintenance, save for the odd firmware update. However, owners living in cities with extreme winters need to worry about how the weather will impact their gear. Most shoppers are eager to set up and play with their new toys, and they mainly worry about getting them quickly with that luxurious same-day shipping and don’t think ahead to how that new device will operate when the weather turns harsh.

The truth is, if you live where it gets bitterly, extremely cold, your smart devices like wireless cameras, lights, and other components will likely stop working. Here's everything you need to know about smart home devices and cold weather.
Pay attention to temperature range
When shopping for an outdoor device, we usually pay attention to the IP rating. Many people see this number and assume it means their gadget is impervious to any kind of weather. That might be true to some extent, but the IP rating doesn't extend to extreme heat or extreme cold. IP ratings only rate for water and/or dust ingression, not for how effectively cold or heat can penetrate. To know how a device might be able to withstand cold winters or hot summers, you need to check the temperature operating range.

Smart Home

Here’s how to throw a killer Halloween party with your smart home

The spooky season is almost here, and if you’re worried about throwing the perfect Halloween party, consider using your smart home to do the heavy lifting. Common smart home gadgets such as motion sensors, light bulbs, and smart plugs make it easy to pull off a horrifying Halloween party for your guests. From assisting with your playlist and movie selections to creating a chilling ambiance, here’s a look at all the ways your smart home can help you throw a killer Halloween party.
Use motion sensors to trigger spooky sounds
Have a smart home security system? Then you can probably rig up your motion sensors to play a spooky noise. It doesn't necessarily have to be a motion sensor, either -- your smart camera can trigger other devices in your smart home when it detects motion.

Just place a speaker on your porch, perhaps tucked away behind a pumpkin or a bit of straw. When a group of unsuspecting kids shows up to ask for candy, they set off the motion sensor on the camera, which triggers the speaker to play the sound of a zombie's moan or the cackle of a witch. Bonus points if you set up an animatronic hand to rise up out of the straw.

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