Alexa vs. Google Assistant vs. HomeKit: Which smart home platform to choose?
Alexa, Google, and HomeKit all have different strengths and weaknesses. Before you invest in a platform, decide which one is the best fit for you.
Google Assistant tackles back-to-school with new features for students at home
Google has announced several new features that will help capture the feelings of a new school year, even though most students are learning from home.
Google’s $450 million ADT investment proves it’s serious about home security
Google has implemented many security features into its devices, but thanks to a new partnership with ADT, the company may have a dedicated security lineup.
Can an air conditioner make you more prone to coronavirus?
Your air conditioning system isn't likely to give you coronavirus, but an unclean system can exacerbate other respiratory problems that may put you at risk.
How data helps robot vacuums clean your home with maximum efficiency
Robot vacuums like the Roomba i7+ create a map of the layout of your home and use this information to more efficiently clean and navigate your living spaces.
Liteboxer is the Dance Dance Revolution of in-home boxing workouts
Liteboxer is a training platform that uses LED lights, force sensors, and music to make you feel like you're in the ring with Manny Pacquaio.
The case for putting a voice assistant in every device
Smart assistants can control your home, answer questions, and shop for you. With all these features, voice assistants should be part of every smart home device.
The best cappuccino makers
Cappuccino makers are more complex than coffeemakers, which can make it hard to narrow down which options are the best for you. Here, we've collected the best cappuccino makers on the market in one place so you can save yourself from another expensive trip to Starbucks.
Wyze’s first outdoor security camera can also record video offline
The water-resistant Wyze Cam Outdoor is a portable -- and affordable -- security camera that can be mounted anywhere and monitor activity without a hub.
Having a backyard bash? Your smart speaker could pose a security risk
Smart speakers may be great choices for controlling your smart home, but they aren't the best picks for outdoor party speakers. Here's why Bluetooth is better.
The next Google Home needs more than just better audio quality to be successful
The original Google Home has been on the market for four years without any sign of an upgrade, but a new one may be imminent. We speculate on possible features.
Philips Hue’s family of smart lights and accessories adds its brightest bulb yet
Smart lights are not known for their brightness, but Philips Hue has changed that with the A21 smart bulb, which is capable of 1600 lumens of output.
Arlo delivers its most affordable security camera ever with the Arlo Essential
The Arlo Essential Camera packs a wide range of features into an affordable $130 price and can be placed both indoors and out. It's a great entry-level option.
EvaPure sanitizes the air around you anywhere you go
Cleaning supplies are scarce at the moment, but the EvaPure hopes to replace harsh cleaners and act as a portable air purifier.
These smartAC.com sensors keep an eye on the health of your HVAC system
HVAC systems have not seen a lot of attention from the smart home world, but SmartAC.com's new sensors can help monitor the health of your air conditioning.
Netatmo’s Smart Outdoor Camera scares away intruders with deafening siren
The new Netatmo Outdoor Camera boasts an ear-splitting 105-decibel siren that is sure to give any intruder a scare and draw more attention to the situation.
Honor enters the smart home space with premium devices at low prices
Honor, a company owned by Huawei that's known best for its smartphones, has entered the smart home market with a variety of affordable devices, including TVs.
Petnet faces shutdown as service disruptions affect its SmartFeeders
Petnet's SmartFeeder has experienced numerous sustained service interruptions due to third-party vendors going offline. But the company's problems run deeper.
The Molekule Air Pro RX is FDA-cleared to kill viruses and bacteria
A new medical-grade air purifier by Molekule utilizes PECO technology to eliminate concentrations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in healthcare facilities.
Shark Vacmop captures dirt and spills in one motion with its disposable pad
The new Shark Vacmop uses disposable pads with a specially-designed "dry pouch" to capture dry particles while it mops and cleans the floor.
Your vacuum might be vomiting dust all over your house
Not all vacuum cleaners are created equal. If the vacuum isn't sealed, it may make the air quality in your home worse. Here's what to look for when buying.
Transform your home office into a space that’d make even a Google employee drool
From a standing desk/PC combo to a top-notch speakerphone and more, you can really spice up the work-from-home routine with a few additions to your office.
An FCC filing suggests Lenovo might have a new robot vacuum on the horizon
An FCC filing depicting a Lenovo robotic vacuum suggests the company may have plans to enter the market again. A second entry could corner the budget-friendly market.
Sparkel shines with its at-home sparkling beverage system, now on sale
The Sparkel is an at-home sparkling beverage system about the size of a standard coffee maker that lets users infuse CO2 into drinks through natural processes to create sparkling water and other healthy libations. Users can create their own cocktails, soda, and much more.
Snag two Google Nest Hubs from Best Buy today for just $100
The Google Nest Hub is one of the most popular smart displays on the market and normally retails for $130 for a single unit. For today only, you can nab two devices for just $100 total from Best Buy. If you're interested, both the charcoal and the chalk color options are available.
This bed for astronauts helps you sleep more deeply through the science of sound
The Sleep Genius Smart Base was created with NASA research originally intended for astronauts. The Sleep Genius Smart Base includes a Bluetooth speaker that stimulates the part of the brain responsible for sound to create a natural sense of calm for deeper, higher-quality levels of sleep.
Bisu Body Coach can tell if you’re at risk of a gout attack by analyzing urine
The Bisu Body Coach is a home test kit that analyzes your urine for nutrition, pH levels, uric acid, and many other relevant data points. It can warn you of an impending attack of gout and make suggestions for improving your diet. The Bisu Body Coach should be available in Q4 of 2020.
Wayzn sliding glass door opener can let pets out when you’re not home
The Wayzn Sliding Glass Door Opener was a big hit at CES 2020 for its innovative design and function. It can open sliding glass doors from afar or be set up so your pet can open them to go outside. The Wayzn Sliding Glass Door Opener starts at $399 and is available for pre-order now.
The KamiBaby baby monitor magnifies your little one’s breathing
Yi Technologies introduced three new products at CES 2020 including the KamiBaby baby monitor, a smart baby monitor that analyzes your child's breathing and sleep patterns to give parents vital information. The company also announced a wireless outdoor security camera and a smart doorbell with facial recognition.
Harman Kardon Citation series speakers have every feature you can think of
Harmon Kardon has added several new entries to its lineup of powerful speakers, including the Harmon Kardon 200, the Oasis, the Citation Multibeam 700, and the Citation Sub S, all available in spring 2020. The Citation series has Google Assistant built-in for smart home control and music streaming.
LIFX brightens up smart lights with a flurry of announcements at CES 2020
On Tuesday at CES, LIFX announced several new products including a smart switch that can control both smart and dumb lights, an Edison bulb, a TV strip, a warm white candle bulb, and a redesigned app with a new look and feel. More features are on the way later in the year.
Bic’s A.I.-enabled razor will become a smarter, better shaving device
Bic and Invoxia have partnered up to create a prototype wet razor that uses A.I. to track multiple data points about your shave, including the density of your hair, the water temperature, and your number of strokes. This is part of the Next Bic Thing initiative to create better, more innovative products.
Blue by ADT’s revamped home security lineup features Alexa-enabled cameras
Blue by ADT is the security company's new home security lineup featuring new, more powerful devices. The current lineup features an indoor camera, an outdoor camera, and a video doorbell that all have Alexa functionality built-in. All three are available for preorder today for $199 each.
Lenovo adds to its smart home lineup with the Smart Frame, Smart Tab, and more
At CES 2020, Lenovo announced three new devices: The Lenovo Smart Frame, a second generation of the Lenovo Smart Tablet, and Lenovo Connected Security, a service for monitoring network safety. The devices will be available later this year, but Lenovo Connected Security will be available in January.
Charmin’s new toilet paper robot is just as odd as those bears
Charmin has brought three new devices to CES to demonstrate the future of the bathroom experience: a toilet paper-retrieving robot, a scent sensor, and a premium portapotty experience with virtual reality. All three devices will be on display at their booth at CES, but not available for retail sale.
Microsoft’s latest patent reveals a Skype-enabled smart speaker
A new Microsoft patent suggests the company might be preparing to release a new Skype-focused smart speaker. Last month Microsoft filed a patent for an iPhone-focused "Skype dock." The new device would have a built-in projector that allows for 3D reconstructions during Skype calls.
Google’s collaboration with Amazon, Apple is what the smart home needs right now
Apple, Amazon, and Google have partnered to create a new smart home protocol called the Connected Home Over IP. This protocol will be open source and benefit from the best parts of each company. The aim of the collective is to create a better smart home in which all devices have interoperability.
5 smart toys you shouldn’t buy for your kids
In 2015, VTech experienced a security breach that revealed the personal information of 6.4 million kids. Make sure you know what to look for when purchasing "smart" toys for your kids. Only purchase from trusted retailers and make sure any toys you buy comply with safety standards.