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Latest by Patrick Hearn

The Keurig K-Classic on a counter.

What is a smart coffee maker?

Smart coffee makers are connected to the internet or to your smart home and allow remote access and control. Learn about what they can do for you.
Wyze Doorbell Pro

Wyze Video Doorbell Pro gets double the features at double the price

The new Wyze Video Doorbell Pro improves on the previous model with new features while still retaining a low price point.
Apple HomePod mini on table

New HomePod Mini colors expose how stale Apple’s smart home lineup has become

Apple's HomeKit lags needs more than just new accessory colors if it hopes to compete with Amazon and Google in the smart home space.
New 2021 Homepod Mini colors.

Apple adds new colors for the HomePod Mini to brighten your day

Apple's HomePod Mini is now available in new colors and with more capabilities thanks to Siri.
Drinkworks Home Bar Classic

Drinkworks Home Bar Classic makes cocktails without taking much shelf space

The Drinkworks Home Bar Classic is like a Keurig for cocktails, making your favorite drinks with just the touch of a button.
Nanoleaf Lines lights installed on the ceiling in a bedroom.

Nanoleaf Lines Review: Dazzling glow sticks for your wall

The Nanoleaf Lines are a new, unique design in smart lights that refine the Nanoleaf formula and improve on its aesthetic appeal.
Lovesac StealthTech

Lovesac integrates Harman Kardon speakers and wireless charging into its couches

Lovesac, the company best known for its modular couches, has partnered with Harman Kardon to include surround sound and wireless charging in its furniture.
Nanoleaf Lines placed on wall.

Nanoleaf Lines ditches the panels for a modular wall-mounted light bar design

The Lines are the newest entry in Nanoleaf's lineup. These smart lights can display up to 16 million different colors, match your music, and more.
Bonavita Connoiseur coffee maker.

What to look for when buying a smart coffee maker

A smart coffee maker lets you choose brew strength, timing, and much more. You can even start brewing with voice commands. Here's what to look for.
insulated bottle are more practical than smart mugs glowstone mug lifestyle

Smart mugs look fancy, but insulated bottles keep drinks warmer for much longer

Smart mugs can keep your drink at a steady temperature for a while, but an insulated bottle keeps it at a warmer, drinkable temperature for longer.
Closeup of camera on Samsung Jet Bot AI+.

iRobot Roomba j7+ vs. Samsung Jet Bot AI+: Robot vacuums offer distinct features

Both the iRobot Roomba j7+ and the Samsung Jet Bot A.I.+ are powerful robot vacuums. Which one is the right pick for your home?
Amazon Echo Show 15 hanging horizontally on the wall.

How to enable privacy features on Alexa

Alexa has powerful privacy features that you should utilize to protect your personal information and review which Skills can access your data.
Eve MotionBlinds slightly pulled down in living room setting.

Eve MotionBlinds are HomeKit-enabled smart blinds with Thread support

The new Eve MotionBlind motors combined with HomeKit and Thread simplify installation, reduce energy usage, and much more.
capti smart bike uses gaming enhance your workout heart rate training

Capti smart bike ditches indoor biking boredom with games and realistic terrain

The Capti Smart Bike combines gaming and adaptive terrain adjustments to create a realistic outdoor riding experience inside your home.
Amazon's ring alarm pro behind table.

Everything you need to know about Amazon Ring Alarm Pro

The Ring Alarm Pro is the newest addition to Ring's lineup, and includes an Eero 6 Wi-Fi router for powerful digital security.
Astro Robot lifestyle image.

5 home robots you can buy now that are similar to the Amazon Astro

Amazon Astro is the newest smart home robot, but far from the first. These five models predate Astro and are available for purchase right now (for less, too.)
Govee smart LED light strips on floor.

How to connect Alexa to lights

Amazon's Alexa makes it easy to connect your smart lights to your smart assistant for simple, streamlined control. Learn how to do it with these easy steps.
Bright Health Foot Relief

Infrared light therapy gadget touts relief to foot pain sufferers

The Bright Health Foot Relief devices promises pain relief through the use of infrared light targeted just beneath the skin to speed up healing.
glowstone smart mug 2 glows when its hot lifestyle

This smart mug literally glows to let you know how hot it is

The Glowstone Smart Mug 2 begins to glow when your drink reaches its ideal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Astro Robot in kitchen surrounded by a family

I’m convinced Amazon Astro will have superior obstacle avoidance. Here’s why

Astro is Amazon's new home robot. Given what we know, I am convinced it will be better able to dodge obstacles than anything else on the market.
Everything announced at the fall Amazon event.

Amazon fall hardware event: Home robot, flying drone, and new Alexa devices

Amazon's annual September event was filled with several exciting announcements, including an Alexa-powered home robot, new smart display, and much more.
The Ring Always Home Cam and its charging dock.

More than a year later, Ring Always Home Cam goes on sale through invite system

The Ring Always Home Cam will be available through an invitation system. If you're interested, you can sign up today.
amazon fall hardware event everything announced david limp 5

Amazon fall hardware event: Everything announced

Ring video doorbell leader

Here’s what I want to see in the next Ring Video Doorbell

The Ring Video Doorbell is one of the most advanced models available today, but there are still a few features we wish it had.
Echo Dot

Amazon will hold its annual fall event September 28

Amazon's annual fall event will take place on September 28, and the company will likely announce news about products, services, and more.
Wyze Cam Pan v2

The new Wyze Cam Pan v2 lets you set up a custom patrol route

The Wyze Cam Pan v2 constantly pans around your home to keep an eye out for trouble while also listening for the sound of smoke or CO alarms.
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.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen 2021) on table.

How to connect IFTTT with Alexa

Combining Alexa with IFTTT streamlines your smart home operation and unlocks brand new ways to use your smart assistant. Learn how to make Applets in Alexa.
Roborock S7 robot vacuum cleaning a rug on a hardwood floor.

Poop’s easy. Dodging wires is the holy grail of robot vacuum obstacle avoidance

Although robot vacuums can avoid poop, they're not quite so good at dodging wires and cables on the floor. This is why.
Echo Dot 4th Gen Clock Model

Here’s what we want to see in the next Amazon Echo smart speaker

If Amazon announces a new smart speaker at its fall event, there are several features we'd like to see included.
Apple Fitness Plus on Apple One.

Apple Fitness+ now lets you work out with your friends

Apple Fitness+ now includes the Group Workouts feature, allowing users to compete against one another in workouts.
iRobot Roomba 692 on a hardwood floor negotiating a mat.

If someone can make a robot that can avoid wires, it’s iRobot. Here’s why.

The newest iRobot Roomba can avoid obstacles, but that comes as no surprise given the company's history and work in the robot vacuum field.
iRobbot Roomba j7+ docked against wall.

The iRobot Roomba j7+ monitors your floors to avoid wires, pet droppings

The new iRobot Roomba j7+ is the smartest Roomba yet, capable of learning specific rooms and avoiding cables and pet waste.
Apple HomeKit app on smartphone.

Apple HomeKit has both the best and worst installation setups. Here’s why.

Apple's HomeKit simultaneously has one of the best and one of the worst installation processes, but it also shows the promise of what smart home could be.