The FTC warns how companies could use your data collected from smart devices
As devices become more connected, it leaves us more vulnerable to hacks and privacy concerns. The FTC issues a report stating it won't regulate the Internet of Things yet but companies need to better protect consumers.
Preparing your home for winter storm Juno
The East Coast hunkered down overnight, preparing for more from a massive winter storm known as Juno. There are some things you can do before the worst of the snow hits to help make sure you stay safe and warm.
Meet smart mattress pad Luna: It knows when you’re sleeping and awake
Tired of wearing your sleep tracker to bed? Luna is a smart mattress pad that tracks your sleep. It's thin and washable and syncs with your smart devices to lock up your house and dim the lights.
10 SkyMall Products We Wouldn’t Mind Having in the house
SkyMall filed for bankruptcy, which prompted a flood of articles making fun of some its more ridiculous products. But the in-flight magazine had some things we'd totally have bought. Maybe.
Like it or not, you’re going to have a smarter home in the next couple of years
Not everyone is excited about the idea of a smart, connected home. But analysts are forecasting that by 2019, almost 70 percent of people will have a smart thermostat. So what's going to turn the tide?
Will Panasonic corner the market with its triangular robot vac?
Unlike the Roomba, which is round, Panasonic's new MC-RS1 Rulo is a triangular robot vacuum. According to the company, this means it won't skimp on cleaning the corners when it runs up against two walls.
Whip up a baby bottle in 15 seconds with this smart machine
Midnight feedings drain new parents, leaving them bleary-eyed and sleep-deprived. A new smart baby bottle appliance aims to make the routine a little easier, thanks to its Wi-Fi connection. Brew up a bottle from bed!
Selling your home? See if it’s in one of 2015’s hottest neighborhoods
Think your neighborhood is a hidden gem? Watch out! It may be on Redfin's list of 2015’s 10 hottest neighborhoods. Don't blame them, though. It means the secret's out, and everyone wants to live there.
Sous vide at home: GE’s Bluetooth-connected cooktop lets you cook like the French
GE’s Monogram, Profile, and Cafe cooktops will soon be able to connect via Bluetooth to a sous vide accessory; the induction cooktops also come with a special griddle and swipeable controls.
$900 a month snags you an entire portable house in Amsterdam
Rent too damn high? Soon Amsterdam residents may be able to live in a Heijmans ONE house. They're portable and stay on vacant lots, so rent is cheap.
This pocket-sized washing machine uses ultrasound to vibrate stains out of your clothes
Do you hand wash some of your more delicate clothes in the sink? A new device, the Dolfi, uses ultrasonic waves to wash clothes without a machine or scrubbing, in just 30 minutes.
This ‘tree’ generates enough electricity to heat your apartment
When you think of wind turbines, you probably picture wind farms in rural areas. But NewWind’s Arbre à Vent was designed for cities. They're practically silent and can generate enough power to heat a home.
Have cats who love cardboard boxes? Then check out this DIY cat playground
Cats love cardboard boxes almost more than many of them love catnip, so it's not surprising this company designed mix-and-match cardboard elements for a modular playground your cat will go crazy for.
Imagining the smart home with a TV as its hub
At this point, smart home hubs are necessary to connect myriad smart devices and make them work together; today they mostly look like little boxes, but what if someone made a TV into a hub?
The best way to load a dishwasher, according to science
Science: Is there nothing it can't do? A new study found that most people are loading their dishwashers all wrong; it's all about what's on the plates, surprisingly enough.
You had one job! Kitchen appliances that only do one thing
It seems like appliances and gadgets are being designed to do more and more. It's not just a lightbulb; it also has speakers! But some kitchen appliances exist to perform a sole task.
Kitchen utensils designed for the artist and the surgeon
Whether you go with your gut or live and die by the recipe, One Way kitchen utensils were designed to capture different cooking personalities. For example, one set has an artist's palette, another a scalpel and syringe.
Let them drink (off-brand) K-cups: Hackers rig Keurig’s new machine
The new Keurig 2.0 only works with the company's branded K-Cups, but people have found an easy way to trick the machine by affixing a Keurig label onto cheaper, off-brand K-Cups
Take a peek into the future of cooking with Panasonic’s concept kitchen
Panasonic showed off its concept kitchen at CES 2015. Though we may never see all the features, there are some things we think could become a reality.
One remote you don’t want to lose: Neeo controls your TV and smart home
Tired of losing your remote? It's about to get a lot more frustrating. Neeo goes beyond universal-remote functionality to control your smart home, from your lights to your door locks.
Shivering in your radiator-heated apartment? This kit could help
Radlabs’ Heat Flow is a new take on Nest to help heat apartments with radiators more efficiently. Though not a smart device, the creators were inspired by the smart thermostat, because it doesn't work in many apartments.
21 gadgets that prove the smart home of the future is almost here
Smart home products were a big part of CES 2015, and pretty soon they'll be a big part of many people's homes. From smart dishwashers to connected pool thermometers, the modern home is about to be transformed, inside and out.
Start the wash from work with Whirlpool’s smart washer and dryer
Whirlpool introduced a smart washer and dryer at CES 2015 that you can control from a smartphone app and pair them with your Nest thermostat.
A smart sleep device that monitors you and the rest of the family
The SevenHugs HugOne debuted at CES 2015; it's a sleep device for the whole family. Using small sensors that stay on the bed, the device doesn't require a wearable and tracks movement, humidity, and temperature.
Is that rain? Bosch’s slew of smart home products give weather recs and much more
Bosch demoed Home Connect at CES 2015; starting in 2015, it will start rolling out smart appliances to European markets, from connected fridges to dishwashers. It also has lots of energy-saving devices.
Smart security, with camera, motion sensors, and facial recognition, in one light bulb
Sengled Snap is an LED light bulb with a built-in security system debuting at CES 2015. Facial recognition, IP camera, motion detectors, geofencing, and more are all included, to help make your home more secure.
Love the sun but hate the burn? A pool thermometer to monitor your UV exposure
Vigilant’s LilyPad is a smart thermometer and UV sensor for your pool. The sensor provides feedback to an app, which can take into account your skin tone and recommend sunscreen.
Why hasn’t Nest thought of this? Keen shows off smart vents at CES 2015
Keen Home brings its smart vents to CES 2015. Working in concert with smart hubs and potentially one day Nest, the vents will close vents in unused rooms and shut when a room gets too hot.
This 3D food printer must master cookies before it can print you a pizza
XYZprinting debuted a 3D food printer at CES 2015. Right now, the printer can only make cookies and cake decorations, but the company has big plans for it, namely, pizza on demand.
Nest’s new functionality: Warming your house when you unlock the door and more
Over 12 new partners joined up with Works With Nest, the Google-owned company announced at CES 2015. These new products include Philips Hue light bulbs, August and Kevo smart locks, and more.
‘Honeywell, I’m home’: Lyric gets into the security space
Honeywell’s Lyric already has a smart thermostat. The company debut Lyric's new security system at CES 2015, expanding its connected home line of products and looking to make homes safer.
Got a bright idea? Qualcomm’s new platform helps connect smart bulbs to other devices
Qualcomm and LIFX launch their Smart Lighting Platform at CES 2015. The two companies are teaming up to make it easier for small and large companies, as well as amateur inventors, to use smart light bulbs.
How Dome-estic: Inside an energy-efficient dome home
Timothy Oulton’s Dome Home is located in China; it's energy-efficient, watertight, and insulated. Its custom-made furniture curves with the walls, so no space is wasted.
What Back to the Future Part II got right and wrong about today’s kitchen
Back to the Future Part II made a lot of predictions about 2015. While we don't have hoverboards, there are a few kitchen devices that are not too far off from the future predicted in the movie.
Is Nest planning to get into the home security business?
Home security giant ADT says it wants to partner with Nest, though the smart-home-device maker won't comment. There are potential benefits for each if the two companies join forces.
Text your fridge and start your washer from work: LG’s smart appliances are U.S.-bound
LG HomeChat, its line of smart fridges, washers, air conditioners, speakers, and other appliances, are coming to the U.S. in 2015. Soon, you'll be able to text your fridge.
Hot, smelly, and handmade: A behind-the-scenes look at how Christmas decorations are made
This video profiles the city of Yiwu, China, where 60 percent of Christmas decorations are made. Somewhat surprisingly, they're mostly hand-assembled, instead of being mass-produced in a huge factory.
Thermostats were just the start! 5 smart-home trends we expect to see in 2015
The smart home will go from a novelty to a necessity in 2015, and trends like smart outlets, voice control and interconnectivity will make it happen.