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Latest by Patrick Hearn

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.
A woman sitting on her couch looking at the Hubspace app on her phone.

Home Depot’s Hubspace smart home line has me both excited and worried

Home Depot is launching Hubspace, a smart home platform built on the ideas of compatibility and ease of use.
Philips Hue and Spotify

Your Philips Hue lights can now sync to the beat of your Spotify music

Philips Hue has partnered with Spotify for a more streamlined, immersive music and light experience.
SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Security Camera

SimpliSafe adds outdoor camera with 8x zoom to its DIY lineup

The SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Security Camera has 8x digital zoom to help you see details even on the very edges of your yard.
Govee StarPal Feature

Govee StarPal Smart Lamp review: The take-it-anywhere portable light source

The Govee StarPal Smart Lamp is a more affordable alternative to ambient lighting with a lot of customization options packed in.
Frustrated man hitting desk with his fist.

Smart home devices shouldn’t have so many little annoyances in the setup process

Every smart device has a different setup process. The entire industry could benefit from standardizing the setup process.
Govee Strip Lights in a Home

Govee RGB Strip Light review: Great features without the high cost

The Govee RGBIC Strip Lights are loaded with features and smart integrations at a price point that sets them far apart from the competition.
Nest Brush

NestBrush is a refillable toothbrush that cleans itself with UV light

The NestBrush is an electric toothbrush that automatically dispenses toothpaste and has a UV-C light to clean the bristles.
Swidget Customizable Outlet

The outlet is over 100 years old, and it needs a redesign for the smart home

The modern outlet in a home has been around for over 100 years old and it needs to change if it's going to keep up with the demands of the smart home.
Abode Cam 2 Mounted on Wall

Abode Cam 2 Review: Compact Camera, Compact Price

The Abode Cam 2 is a compact smart security camera that combines a lot of features with a budget-friendly price point.
sunflower home awareness system labs scene 2

Flying and roving security cams are here, but are we ready for them?

There are now flying, roving, autonomous security cameras. Are they helpful, or are we facing a HAL 9000 situation?
Wyze Cam Spotlight.

Tight budget? Wyze Cam Spotlight is irresistibly priced under $50

The Wyze Cam Spotlight takes full advantage of the Wyze Cam starlight sensor to provide full-color video even in the dead of night.
BodyGuardz 360 Camera in a hotel

BodyGuardz 360 review: Useful utility for on-the-go security

The BodyGuardz 360 is a powerful, portable camera plagued by numerous minor issues, the majority of which could be solved with a software update.
Ikea Starkvind air purifier

Ikea’s Starkvind does double duty as a smart air purifier and side table

Ikea has launched its first air purifier that's built into a side table, combining form and function to improve the air quality in your home.
philips hue outdoor sensor review benefit welcome

5 ways geofencing makes your smart home smarter

Goefencing can add even more convenience and utility to your smart home, as well as improve your home's overall security.
SimpliSafe bast station sitting on a table infant of a mirror.

7 things you didn’t know your home security system could do

Your home security system can do more than just watch for broken windows or open doors. It might even save you money.
amazon drops prices for arlo pro home security cameras prime day smart kit with an camera 2

Smart homes should include a safe word for emergency situations

The smart home can improve the security features it provides to homeowners by including a safe word that contacts authorities.
arlo adds new one touch emergency response feature

When time is critical, Arlo’s emergency response feature can be the difference

The Arlo Secure subscription plan lets customers dispatch emergency responders with a single touch of a button.
samsung new smart fridge lets you chat with alexa bixby family hub

Not a fan of Bixby? Samsung’s Family Hub smart fridge lets you chat with Alexa

The new Samsung Family Hub works with both Bixby and Alexa, even simultaneously.
Nokia Smart Lighting

Nokia partners with Smartlabs to launch universal smart light switches

Nokia and Smartlabs have partnered up with a new, dual-mesh smart lighting system that works even if Wi-Fi is down or the light switch has been flipped off.
Adjusting Apple Watch on wrist.

Which Apple Watch size should you buy?

The Apple Watch comes in different sizes, but it's not just about your wrist — there are different specs, too. Here's how to tell which size is right for you.
Whistle Switch Smart Collar

Track your pets with 24/7 GPS monitoring with the LTE-enabled Whistle Switch

Not all pet trackers are made the same. With the Whistle Switch Smart Collar, you can track down your pets with the help of LTE.
amazon launches new fashion forward echo dot concepts midnight kiss 3

Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg helps Amazon launch Echo Dot concepts

Amazon has partnered with fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg to launch three new Built It concepts for the Echo Dot.
The Ring Video Doorbell 3 installed near a door.

Giving away your Ring? It’ll soon be easier to transfer your device ownership

Ring's end-to-end encryption is now available for users across the globe, along with new security features that provide even more device security.
Wyze Light Strip Pro

Wyze’s new Light Strip Pro dazzles in up to 16 different colors simultaneously

The Wyze Light Strip and Light Strip Pro bring a suite of smart lighting features for a budget-friendly price.