Smart home changes the life of Marine who lost leg during service
Marine Corporal Chad Watson lost his leg in an IED explosion in 2006. In recognition of his service, the Marine has been given a new smart home that makes life easier for the wounded warrior. The smart home was built by a partnership between the Gary Sinise Foundation and James Galla, a local electronic's store owner.
Always be a video call away from your pets with the PetChatz HDX
Nothing feels like your pet rushing to meet you after a long day of work. Their furry faces can soothe even the most stressful day. With PetChatz HDX, you can see your pet's face at any time. The streaming video camera lets you talk, give treats, and even play games with your pet from afar.
At home or away, the modular Hexcal Monolith ‘e-Butler’ charges all your devices
The Hexcal Monolith is a modular power-management device that offers fast charging of more than 300 different devices. The modular design makes it easy to take with you when you're on the go. Integrated voice control provides real-time updates of your devices' charge status.
Best Buy will shut down its Insignia smart home products, making them dumb again
Best Buy is shutting down its Insignia line of smart home devices tomorrow. Any devices will lose their "smart" functionality, but most will still act as a "dumb" version except for the smart camera. Customers can receive a partial refund for their products by going online.
Would you really spend $220 on Oral-B’s new A.I.-powered smart toothbrush?
Your dental hygiene is important, but is it worth it to drop $200 on an electric toothbrush when there are multiple lower-cost options available? The Oral-B Genius X sets the bar high, but it's price point makes it cost-prohibitive to many people that could get by with a more affordable option.
Create more healthy meals with the 11-in-1 Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Air Fryer
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer doubles as both an Instant Pot and an air fryer, allowing you to create healthy, delicious meals in a fraction of the time. Say goodbye to TV dinners for weeknight meals and say hello to delicious home cooking with none of the usual effort.
Eufy Security Smart Lock offers bank-grade security for the home
Anker subsidiary Eufy has announced the Eufy Security Smart Keypad and the Eufy Security Smart Lock. The Eufy Security Smart Keypad will be available in December 2019, while the Eufy Security Smart Lock will make its debut in the first quarter of 2020. they will retail for $40 and $169, respectively.
Swann beefs up its home security offerings with 4K recording and DVR/NVR
Swann announced a number of new smart security cameras with powerful features and high-resolution recording capabilities, as well as a digital ecosystem to manage it all. The Swann Security app provides users with analytics, facial recognition, smart alerts, and much more.
Google VP says guests should be informed if you have smart devices in the home
In an interview with the BBC, Google VP Rick Osterloh said that homeowners should inform guests if they have smart devices that might film or record their conversations, a statement that has raised concerns over privacy. The statement follows several incidents in the previous months surrounding smart devices.
Nanoleaf’s Screen Mirror creates 4D sensory experiences for all your media
Nanoleaf's Screen Mirror feature reflects what you see on your television or computer monitor on the light panels around you. This feature, along with a new desktop app, takes Netflix and chill to the next level. Screen Mirror is available now for any Nanoleaf customers.
Avoid the Krack attack that could break your Amazon Echo and Kindle’s back
A smart home research team discovered that the first-generation Amazon Echo and the eight-generation Amazon Kindle were vulnerable to Krack attacks, a type of cyberattack that would allow hackers access over Wi-Fi. Amazon says the vulnerabilities have since been patched.
Google Nest Mini vs. Google Home Mini: Smart speaker showdown
Google has revealed its new smart speaker, the Nest Mini. The $49 device is an update of the original Google Home Mini that was released in 2017, packing smarter features, more colors, a new design, and of course, a new name. So which one is right for you? We look at their specs and features to help you decide.
Google’s changes to its Nest Aware subscription aim to enhance simplicity, value
Nest Aware has gone through a revamp and now has more features, and a simplified pricing plan with two different pricing tiers. The new version of the service will start early next year in all 19 countries Nest Aware is now available, but some of the new features will initially only be available in the U.S.
Google brings out the new Nest Mini, an upgrade of the Google Home Mini, for $49
Google unveiled its newest smart speaker, the Nest Mini, at its Made by Google 2019 event. The new version of the Google Home Mini looks very similar to its predecessor, but it's got some impressive new features to go along with its new name, as well as an attractive price.
Google is smart for skipping yearly smart speaker updates. Here’s why
Amazon drops new smart speakers like they're going out of style, but Google takes a slower approach. Google's release schedule is slower, with a heavier focus on back-end improvements. There are several reasons why Google is smart to minimize refreshes for its line of smart speakers.
Brandless claims its new Pro Blender is just as powerful as a Vitamix
A blender is an essential household tool in this age of kale smoothies, but it can be hard to find a reliable one on a budget. Brandless claims its new Pro Blender can compete with the more-expensive Vitamix. Look at the specs of both devices and decide for yourself which is the better purchase.
Don’t be surprised that Amazon workers are watching footage from the Cloud Cam
After the public outcry against the practice of using human reviewers on voice and video recordings, Amazon gave users the ability to opt out of human review, but it's important to understand what the review is for. Human reviewers improve an A.I.'s ability to understand and respond to users.
Survey: Many people want to use their smart TVs for more than just watching shows
A survey and infographic produced by YouGov shows that people aren't satisfied with the current integration of smart TVs into the home, and quite a few want their TVs to give them more control over smart devices. The survey reveals that content consumption is only one of many ways people use their TV.
Forget the gym. Mirror brings one-on-one personal training to your living room
Mirror, a fitness-focused smart mirror, now offers one-on-one personal training in your home by utilizing the device's two-way video and audio. The service starts at $40 per session. Mirror users can also try out personalized workouts based on their biometric data with a $39 per month subscription service.
Rock-a-bye baby: The Adiva One is a smart bed that literally rocks you to sleep
If you miss being rocked to sleep, the Adiva One might be worth checking out. This smart bed uses a gentle oscillatory motion to help users reach deeper, better levels of sleep. The bed is powered by artificial intelligence that tracks the quality of your sleep. It's available now on Indiegogo.
Samsung’s Bixby-powered Galaxy Home has again missed its release window
The Samsung Galaxy Home has once again missed its release window and has ostensibly been delayed further. With no news yet on the device's status, fans wonder where the Bixby-powered smart assistant has gone, especially with the start of beta tests in Korea for the smaller Galaxy Home Mini.
You can now apply for a job at McDonald’s via Google Home or Amazon Alexa
Apply Thru is a voice skill from McDonald's that lets Amazon Alexa and Google Home users start the job application process from their couch. McDonald's hopes that by making applying for a job easier, more people will be encouraged to look for work without worrying about a long online application form.
A leaked image suggests Arlo might have designed a rival to the Nest Hello
Leaked images from tech site zatznotfunny suggest that Arlo may have a smart video doorbell on par with the Nest Hello on the way. Details are limited to what is visible in the picture, but the two devices look similar and have left Arlo fans clamoring for more details and information.
The Amazon Echo Flex is compact enough to bring Alexa everywhere in the home
The Amazon Echo Flex is a small, compact device that can be plugged in anywhere and includes a USB port that can charge devices or to connect accessories like a motion sensor or a smart night-light. Amazon says more accessories are planned. The Echo Flex can be pre-ordered for $25.
Amazon announces new $59 Echo Dot with a bright LED clock
Amazon announced a new Echo Dot at its Devices Event that looks just about the same as previous models -- except it's got a clock. The new $59.99 Echo Dot with Clock has the same look and function as previous models with one major exception: it now boasts a large, bright LED clock on the side.
A hacker terrorized this family through their smart camera and thermostat
A family in Wisconsin came home to a modern-age nightmare: their smart home under the control of a hacker who thought it would be some kind of twisted fun to terrorize them. And they aren't the first. Multiple smart homes have been hacked, and Google says it's because users do not use enough security.
Roborock S4 vacuum bot has the ability to free itself when it gets stuck
A robotic vacuum cleaner is a great tool, except when you have to stop what you're doing and rescue it from the drapes. The Roborock S4 is a new model equipped with features that allow it to free itself when it gets stuck and provide a better cleaning experience. The Roborock S4 is available on Amazon.
Keep your dogs entertained and stimulated at home with this high-tech experience
Dogs get bored when their master is away. Combat this with the Go Dogo entertainment system, a smart pet entertainment system that provides fun challenges to pets and debuted on Kickstarter today. You can set schedules for training and check in on your pet through the dual-camera system.
Reverie Connect lets you change the position of your bed with just your voice
Reverie Connect is technology that allows users to adjust Bluetooth-compatible Reverie frames with nothing but their voice. Users can set their bed in one of nine positions and create bedtime routines. Reverie Connect is available now starting at $599 through Reverie's website.
You’ll soon be able to have Alexa make a donation to your favorite candidate
Starting next month, users will be able to tell Alexa to make a donation to their favorite presidential candidate. This is just one of a host of planned features for the upcoming 2020 election. Alexa can already answer questions about which candidates are in the lead and who has endorsed them.
The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box brings immersive lighting to your living room
The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box removes all the extra steps involved in creating an immersive lighting experience. Just place it between your media player and your TV, and enjoy the experience. Up to 10 Philips Hue lights and four HDMI devices can connect to the HDMI Sync Box.
Sharp debuts four new smart appliances, including an ultra-fast dishwasher
Sharp has introduced four new smart home products to its lineup, including the Love2Cook Smart Oven, a four-door smart refrigerator, smart dishwasher, and smart washing machine. With Google Assistant and Alexa integration, these machines each improve on their basic features in major ways.
The Netatmo home security system protects with a smart camera, sirens, and sensors
At IFA 2019, Netatmo announced a new security system that combines three separate components to provide whole home protection: The Netatmo smart camera, a 110-decibel siren, and door and window sensors. The devices are available now, with the siren available on the 26th.