Amazon Echo still king among smart speakers despite declining U.S. market share
The Amazon Echo is still king (or perhaps queen) among smart speakers and will continue to be for several years, according to a report from eMarketer. Google Assistant and Siri, however, are predicted to take a bigger slice of the market for themselves.
The Neighbors App by Ring is launching a new category: Neighborly Moments
Ring introduced a new category in its Neighbors App called Neighborly Moments. The category allows users to share footage of their neighbors performing acts of kindness.
Ding-dong ditch: Arlo is offering $50 trade-in value for video doorbells
Arlo is taking advantage of the controversy surrounding Ring to offer $50 credit towards anyone that trades in a qualifying video doorbell, including Ring devices.
Now Google Assistant can help you remember where you left your keys and wallet
Google and Tile teamed up to create a new Google Assistant function: the ability to tell you where you left your purse, wallet, laptop, and more.
MIT researchers create a smart wallpaper that improves devices’ signal strength
Researchers from MIT have designed the RFocus, a smart wallpaper that can boost the signal strength of wireless devices thanks to thousands of tiny antennae built into the wallpaper itself.
The Samsung Galaxy Home Mini is finally set to be released
The Samsung Galaxy Home Mini will be available in South Korea on February 12 for roughly $85 USD. Though no release date has been given for a western launch, the appearance of the Bixby-powered smart speaker is a fulfilled promise after multiple delays and missed launches.
The Ring Control Center makes it easy to manage privacy and security settings
The new Ring Control Center displays information related to privacy and security settings in a single dashboard and gives users more control over their devices.
Google Home devices in Preview Program are in danger of being bricked by update
A new update from the Google Preview Program is at risk of bricking some first-generation Google Home devices. Google has made no official statement yet, but many users have begun to disconnect their at-risk devices in an attempt to mitigate the threat to their smart assistants.
The Amaryllo Athena security camera can spot fires, animals, cars, and people
The Amaryllo Athena is a smart camera with several interesting capabilities unlike anything on the market. It can distinguish between different types of animals, spot fires, cars, and people. It also uses strong encryption to keep your information safe. The Athena will be available in May of 2020.
The Wazo Home Security System can recognize knives and guns
At CES 2020, Wazo demonstrated a security camera supported by A.I. that can detect weapons in the hands of intruders. The system can differentiate between guns and knives, and can also detect when someone falls and alert you when a familiar (or unfamiliar) face shows up at the door.
SimCam 1S is an indoor security camera with a ‘hacker-proof’ mode
The SimCam 1S is an indoor security camera that uses bank-grade encryption and onboard, local processing to make the footage more resistant to hacking attempts and security breaches. It has built-in A.I. that allows it to use features like object tracking and 360-degree room tracking.
Google Assistant is now used by half a billion people around the world
At CES 2020, Google Assistant celebrated a huge milestone: The smart assistant is used by more than 500 million people around the world. Google also announced several new features to make the system even better, including better security features and more natural speech patterns.
Sunflower Labs’ Bee is a fully autonomous home defense and observation drone
At CES 2020, Sunflower Labs announced the launch of The Bee, a fully autonomous home defense drone. The Bee responds to motion and vibrations in the yard and streams and records any activity. A suite of sensors called Sunflowers monitor the yard and deploy the Bee when anything suspicious is detected.
See visitors and open your front gate with the Ring Access Controller Pro
Ring brought several surprises to CES 2020, including a line of smart lights and a remote access controller for gated entryways called the Ring Access Controller Pro. Ring also threw three smart solar lights into the mix. The Access Controller Pro is available now, and the smart lights will be available in April.
Ring and Amazon slammed with a federal lawsuit over failed camera security
Ring and Amazon have come under federal scrutiny after an Alabama resident accused the companies of negligent security practices. Ring and Amazon face a class-action lawsuit after hackers took control of devices. The plaintiff claims damages are owed after an "implied breach of contract" and an "invasion of privacy."
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.
Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
The Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 are similar in many ways, but the Echo Show 8 has a larger screen and other upgrades that might be worth the extra cost.
Kenzie wants to hide smart assistants inside its cute, crocheted animals
Kenzie is a company that just launched on Kickstarter with the intention of hiding smart speakers beneath adorable, crocheted stuffed animals. Their intention is to disrupt the tech industry with cuteness. Buyers can pick from six different hand-crafted designs, but more are on the way.
KitchenAid’s Smart Oven+ debuts at CES 2019, makes cooking easier
At CES 2019, a collaboration between Whirlpool, Hamilton Beach, and KitchenAid has resulted in the KitchenAid Smart Oven+, a new smart oven with a series of different attachments that expand your culinary options. Combined with smart cooking apps, this smart oven makes cooking easier than ever.
Are Blink’s floodlight and solar panel add-ons worth it?
The Blink Outdoor Cam is a versatile camera with a set of accessories that make it even more powerful -- but is the added cost for these accessories worth it?
Patent shows Alexa may soon detect when you’re sick and suggest remedies
Amazon has patented a new feature that would allow Alexa to detect the signs of illness, such as a cough or a sore throat, and suggest solutions to help. The feature would also enable Alexa to offer to buy medicine for the user. These features follow a number of other medical-focused Alexa features.
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.
Apple HomePod mini vs. Google Nest Audio
The HomePod mini and Google Nest Audio are two of the best smart speakers on the market. But which is best for your home? Here's a closer look at both products.
Litter Robot 4 review: a smart, automated pooper-scooper
The Litter Robot 4 is a fantastic, self-cleaning litter box that can help keep an eye on your cat's health.
Click & Grow 25 review: fresh veggies on a weekly basis
The Click & Grow 25 is a smart garden that, while expensive, has a lot of potential and can expand to match a growing family.
The Arlo Go 2 can go beyond Wi-Fi, and that’s really cool
The Arlo Go 2 is a wireless, LTE-compatible security camera that goes where other cameras fear to tread: beyond Wi-Fi range.
This is how much it costs to run a smart garden, and how much it can save
Smart gardens are pitched as a way to cut down on produce costs, but are they really cost-efficient?
Turns out, sleep mode in smart fans isn’t just a gimmick
A lot of smart fans have a sleep mode. Turns out, it's not just a gimmicky feature -- it can actually help you sleep better.
Gardyn review: easy gardening for a high price
The Gardyn 2.0 is the most advanced smart garden I've ever gotten my hands on, but it could still use some improvement.
Is the Pixel Tablet a competitor to the Echo Show 15?
Not much is known about the Google Pixel Tablet, but early looks suggest it just might be a competitor to the Echo Show 15.
The new Nest Doorbell has an hour of onboard video storage
The new Nest Doorbell is a hardwired option with a lot of new features that make it a worthwhile upgrade from the previous model.
New Amazon Echos bring ‘dot displays’ and mesh networking, plus models for kids and cars
At Amazon's Devices & Services event, the company launched four new products including an upgraded Echo Dot and Echo Auto.
Despite its new features, Astro is still impractical for most people
Amazon's Astro is a nifty invention, but it's functionality is still limited. It's not the most practical purchase for the vast majority of people.
Amazon’s Halo Rise is an alarm clock, sleep tracker, and wake-up light in one
The Halo Rise is a privacy-focused bedside sleep tracker, wake-up light, and alarm, all rolled into one package.
Samsung Bespoke Jet review: aesthetic, powerful cleaning at a cost
The Samsung Bespoke Jet is a powerful vacuum cleaner that looks great in your living room, but does a vacuum cleaner need to be art?
Alexa has seen me naked, and that’s okay
Your smart home technology has probably seen you naked, too. Is that something to worry about? I say no.
