What is a DSLR camera and how is it different from mirrorless?
So, you've heard the term and discovered all of the gadgets that go along with one, but what exactly is a DSLR camera and what sets it apart from mirrorless and point-and-shoot cameras? We answer that and so much and more in our thorough guide on digital single-lens reflex cameras.
More than 800,000 Apple Podcasts are now available on Echo devices
Got an Alexa device and love podcasts? The two have come together and now you can stream over 800,000 Apple Podcast shows through Alexa devices like Echo Dot, Echo Plus and Echo Spot . Access includes popular shows like Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, The Daily, Business Wars podcasts, and more.
Ikea’s smart blinds won’t work with Apple’s HomeKit until ‘early’ in 2020
If you were planning on buying Fyrtur Smart Blinds from Ikea, or you've already installed them in your home, we have some bad news if you have Apple's HomeKit. These smart blackout roller-style blinds won't be compatible with HomeKit until some time in early 2020.
Shades of Big Brother? Study finds smart TVs are keeping tabs on us
Turns out that our televisions may be watching us, too. A study by Princeton University found that internet-connected TVs have data trackers that collect things such as your location, what type of device you have, Wi-Fi network, and advertising ID. Another study shows that this isn't uncommon.
Get a free Echo Dot and $25 off Blink XT2 security camera for Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday is showing up this year with some fantastic sales so far, including great deals on security cameras. One particularly awesome deal can be found on Amazon for the Blink Home Security camera, the Blink XT2 Camera. You save $25 and it's bundled with a free third-generation Echo Dot.
Save More than $100 on crafting goods With Cricut Black Friday Deals
Cricut, a favorite of the crafting world, has plenty of great deals for Black Friday. These deals will get you cutting, T-shirt making, drawing, and pressing for less. One of the best deals includes over $100 off a Cricut Explore Air 2 Mint. Check out these amazing deals on Amazon and Cricut.com.
You can now use voice control for Sling TV on Google Nest devices
Sling TV allows you to watch your favorite shows live or stream them using your television, phone, or tablet. Until now, though, you couldn't use your voice to control the service. Now you can. Google has announced that you can use voice commands and watch Sling using your Google Nest devices.
Ring Indoor Cam Review: It comes up short
The Ring Indoor Cam is one of the tiniest smart cameras on the market at only 1.81 in. x 1.81 in. x 2.95 in. (46 mm x 46 mm x 75 mm). That's smaller than a can of soda. It almost looks like a toy, but don't let its appearance fool you. There's some good stuff crammed into that small package.
Here’s how to return Amazon merchandise to Kohl’s stores
Dislike having to box up an Amazon return and then lugging it to the post office or FedEx for a return? Now you can just take your item directly to a Kohl's store to have them do the boxing and shipping. All you need is a QR code. Here's how.
Meet Miko 2, an adorable robot for kids that’s coming to North America
A bestselling, cute educational robot has been hanging out in Asia for the last four years, and now it's coming to North America, just in time for the holiday season. Miko 2 combines conversational, play-based learning using stories, quizzes and fun facts in a type of smart hub for kids.
Finally, stereo speaker pairing comes to the Google Home and Home Mini
At first, only Google Home Max could pair with stereo speakers, and then Google added the Nest Mini. Over the weekend, though, Android Police discovered that now you can pair your stereo speaker system with Google Home and Google Home Mini speakers, too. Here's what you need to know and how to set it up.
Alexa can now set sleep timers to simulate a sunrise using your smart lights
If you have Alexa-compatible smart lights and live in the U.S., you just got some new features that will be rolling out this week. You can set up wake-up lights or sleep timers and create new Alexa Routines to dim or brighten over a certain stretch of time, just like sunsets and sunrises.
Wink on life support: Company is running out of funds
Will.i.am's a tech company i.am+ and its smart home hub, Wink, aren't doing well at the moment. In fact, they may be out of business soon. Employees reportedly aren't being paid, customer service is silent, Wink Hub are having problems, and the company seems to owe a lot of overdue taxes.
You may be able to ask Amazon Alexa about your bills soon
Amazon announced that they will be partnering with the payment network Paymentus to make keeping track of bills easier with a new Alexa feature. While you won't be able to pay your bills with Alexa, you can use the new skill to ask about the status of your bills, such as whether they are past due.
A filing for the Ring Video Doorbell 3 makes its way to the FCC
It looks like the Ring Video Doorbell 3 is coming soon, since the company recently created an FCC filing. How soon? If this new timeline is anything like the one for the Ring Video Doorbell 2, that could mean that we could be getting the third generation in just a few month's time.
Get the Wyze Smart Home Starter Pack and $15 gift card for $99
Merry Wyze Day 2019, everyone. If you've been needing a good reason to finally start automating your home, then you're in luck. On October 24 only, you can get the Wyze Smart Home Starter Pack for just $99. That's $10 off. Plus you'll get a free $15 Wyze Day gift card.
Pani’s smart home water monitor is the Fitbit of water usage
Pani, a company focused on smart home water technology, announced the new Pani Smart Water Monitor today. This water monitor is a smart device that attaches to a faucet, shower, or toilet. Then, it records water usage, checks for leaks, and sends real-time reports to an app.
No need to get down and dirty cleaning your toilet with Shine Bathroom Assistant
If you hate polishing the porcelain throne, then there's good news. Shine Bathroom Assistant, the automated toilet cleaning and maintenance bot, is now a thing. The device can clean the toilet bowl when it's dirty or tell you how to fix any toilet malfunctions that may arise. It is even Alexa compatible.
SwitchBot is the Chromecast of smart curtains
Starting today, October 22, you can get the SwitchBot Curtain through its Kickstarter campaign. The Switchbot Curtain is a motorized device you can attach to your curtains in minutes to make them become smart curtains. Once installed, you can use voice commands or an app to open and close your curtains.
Don’t be fooled if your smart speaker asks for your password
Recently, Security Research Labs (SRLabs), a hacking research group and think tank based in Germany, found that Alexa and Google Home expose users to phishing and eavesdropping due to third-party skills and apps. This exploit uses the speaker's own voice recognition technology to gather data.
Nest Hello adds spooky chimes to greet trick-or-treaters this Halloween
Nest Hello users will get some fun Halloween sounds for their doorbell, starting Monday, October 21. You can change the tone of your doorbell to the sounds of a cackling witch, vampire, monster, or ghost to surprise guests, or to crank up the spooky mood on Halloween night for trick-or-treaters.
In the war against porch pirates, Arlo adds its own video doorbell
Arlo introduced its first video doorbell. It includes a vertical field of view with an optimized 1:1 aspect ratio and night vision, so users can even monitor their porch in the dark. It also has motion detectors that will send alerts to your phone and pre-recorded audio messages.
Smart speakers may soon be able to keep tabs on your infant’s breathing
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new smart speaker skill, called BreathJunior, with a focus on taking care of baby. The skill uses white noise to monitor your baby's movement and breathing. The white noise can also be used to soothe a fussy baby during nap time or bedtime.
Ember’s new smart mugs will keep your drinks warmer for longer this winter
Today Ember released its second generation of self-heating mugs, the Ember Travel Mug 2 and the Ember Mug 2. The second generation of the Ember Mugs has been redesigned to include 50% longer battery life and a touchscreen instead of a dial. They also have an app to control temperature.
Simplisafe claims a faster police response and releases a new Entryway Kit
Simplisafe announced the release of its latest product. The Entryway Kit features everything you need to create a smart home security system, including an interactive video doorbell, keypad, and entry sensor. It can also be used remotely with Alexa, Google Home, and App Control.
Level Lock Bolt Edition is a game-changing and disruptive smart lock
Level Home, a company that focuses on smart home innovations, has revealed its latest product. The Level Lock Bolt Edition an invisible device that can turn any standard deadbolt into a smart lock. The company says the transformation takes just less than 10 minutes using a screwdriver.
A European site may have leaked the new Google Nest Mini
We just posted about a Canadian company possibly leaking the code name and price for the new Google Mini that should be debuting tomorrow, October 15, at the Google hardware event, but it looks like a European site has leaked, the new device, reportedly called the Google Nest Mini.
Did a Canadian retailer leak Nest Mini’s pricing and code name?
A cached page from a Canadian retailer from back in September may offer some clues about the new Nest Mini that is expected to be revealed on October 15 at the Google hardware event. On September 7, online retailer PC-Canada listed several suspicious items that may be the new Nest Mini and Wi-Fi.
Habla Español? Yes! Amazon Alexa can now speak in Spanish
Those who speak Spanish can now talk to Alexa in their native language, or two languages at once through multilingual mode, on supported Alexa devices like the Echo. The assistant is getting a new voice and Amazon has also beefed up Alexa's knowledge base with hundreds of new skills for Spanish speakers.
‘Stream transfer’ feature moves your music around the house using Google Assistant
Google Assistant users can now easily move their music and podcasts from YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora and more from one smart device to another using a new feature called stream transfer. Videos move, too, with Google video devices like the Nest Hub Max and Chromecast-enabled TVs.
The voice of Insecure’s Issa Rae is coming to Google Assistant
So far, you have only been able to make John Legend your own personal assistant. As of today, October 10, though, you can also make actress and director Issa Rae your new Google Assistant voice. Rae recently co-starred in the the movie comedy Little with Regina Hall and Marsai Martin.
Samsung’s Powerbot R7260 robot vacuum uses a rubber blade to clean corners
Samsung says that the new Powerbot R7260 has 40 times more cleaning ability than its competitors. If that doesn't get your attention, the odd body shape will. The new Powerbot features a roller brush like a regular upright vacuum and a rubber blade that can sweep dust and pet hair from corners and edges.
Customize the look of your Christmas tree with Twinkly smart lights
Recently, retailers like Home Depot unveiled a new take on pre-lit Christmas trees. While pre-lit trees aren't unusual, trees with Twinkly smart lights can be controlled using an app on your phone to change the lights' colors and flashing patterns to keep your holiday decor looking unique and fresh.
The new Coway Airmega air purifier uses coconuts to make your home safer
Coway, a Korean company that creates home health technologies, just announced the launch of the Coway Airmega AP-1512HHS air purifier, which uses coconut fibers to filter the air. It can filter 99.97 percent of particulates as small as 0.3 micron, including dust, allergens and cigarette smoke particles.
Get Alexa’s help with your next cocktail thanks to SideChef-Bacardi collaboration
SideChef, a cooking and meal planning app, announced that it is collaborating with Bacardi to create curated cocktails for the SideChef platform. Users of SideChef can now find easy, step-by-step drink recipes developed by Bacardi on the app with more mixology recipes and features coming soon.
The world’s first 360-degree video call device, Rimo, is launching on Indiegogo
Rimo, which claims to be the World's First 360° Video Call Device, is launching on Indiegogo. The phone base automatically connects with your phone and rotates it to keep you in the frame. Watchers can also use hand gestures to move the camera to look around your room or at others in the room during video chats.
See the bad guys much more clearly with Defender’s 4K security system
The North American company Defender announced the launch of their new 4K resolution security system called the Defender 4K. This system features night vision and 1TB of local storage. Defender hopes to set themselves apart from their competitors with ease of installation and lower price points.