Are tiny homes a reasonable solution to homelessness?
There are more than half a million homeless persons in America on any given night, and that's just a guess by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Nonprofits and real estate developers are partnering up to build tiny homes that could take some pressure off the problem.
Entry-level smart displays: Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show 5
The Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show 5 are the entry-level displays for their smart home platforms. Both displays enrich user experience, but they're not equal. No one will switch between Alexa and Google Assistant because of a display, but the differences between the Nest Hub and the Show 5 bear scrutiny.
What you need to know about smart camera privacy
Smart home cameras still seem like the bee's knees right now compared to traditional security systems that just store footage on local media systems but networked or Wi Fi-enabled cameras have inherent security vulnerabilities that can present a significant risk to users. Here are the basics.
The most (and least) reliable appliance brands in every category
Ever wonder if you’re buying the best brand of fridge, washer, or dishwasher? A new report from service provider Puls points out which brands are the most reliable. You might be surprised by which brand service technicians rate the best.
Do matching appliances matter? We asked the experts to find out
Whether you’re in the midst of a kitchen renovation or planning one in the near future, chances are you’ll spend a decent amount on choosing appliances. Will having a kitchen suite from the same manufacturer make a difference? You might be surprised by the answer.
The world is switching to eco-friendlier fridges and A/Cs, leaving the U.S. behind
Refrigerants used in U.S. fridges are terrible for the environment. Many other parts of the world use hydrocarbons instead of HFCs for refrigerants, but bipartisan legislation requiring the switch is stalled, and the Trump administration has yet to sign the Kigali Amendment, which requires similar changes.
Amazon workers listening to Alexa recordings isn’t a big deal. Here’s why
Thousands of Amazon workers are reportedly listening to recorded conversations between Alexa and voice assistant speaker owners. The idea that humans are listening to our conversations is an outrage and unacceptable. Or is it? This author doesn’t think it’s such a big deal.
As oceans rise, one company is building cities that can swim
Floating cities may remind some people of science fiction scenarios like the 1995 post-apocalyptic movie Waterworld, but a new enterprise introduced to the United Nations envisions a high-tech, scalable floating city that could use extreme recycling, energy efficiency and communal design.
Whatever happened to those dumb smart products we wrote about in 2017?
As manufacturers rush to get the next new smart gadgets out there, we wonder if all these inventions are necessary. We compiled this list of 10 of the quirkiest smart home products available in 2017 and decided to return to them in 2019 to see if they're still in existence. Here's what we found.
Alexa may be everywhere, but it’s Google’s Assistant I want in my home. Here’s why
The Amazon Alexa may have the Google Home beat in numbers of skills and compatibility with other products, but does that really matter when her voice falls flat for day-to-day conversation? Google Home sounds more natural, is easy to speak to, and its responses don't quite hint at a hostile robot uprising.
No one gadget will improve your day-to-day life more than a smart lock
You can buy anything from a smart fridge to a smart toaster in 2019, but after trying them all, nothing improves day-to-day life more than a smart lock. We took a look at a couple of smart locks, and won’t be going back to the dumb ones any time soon, thanks to Kwikset.
Living in a pipe doesn’t sound so bad with this amazing design
We’ve seen tiny homes with retractable roofs, ones that run on coffee grounds, and even ones decked out with smart home products. Now, a single mom has designed a tiny home built inside of a 16-feet-long concrete storm drainage pipe. It’s surprisingly functional for just 100 square feet of living space.
Stainless steel is so last year. In 2019, it’s all about colorful appliances
For the past couple of decades, the color of choice for appliances has been stainless steel. Now, makers are introducing ovens, fridges, and dishwashers in vibrant hues to give customers a more customized, refined look in the kitchen. From royal blue stoves to deep green fridges, consumers have more choices than ever.
Here’s how Facebook taught its Portal A.I. to think like a Hollywood filmmaker
When Facebook introduced its line of Portal screen-enhanced smart speakers, it wanted to find a way to make video chat as intimate as sitting down for a conversation with an old friend. Here's how its engineers tried to pull off the feat using some smart A.I. and a bit of human creativity.
4 small appliances that have changed the way we cook food (for the better)
Ever heard of a sous vide machine? How about an air fryer? These are exciting times for home cooks seeking to advance or simplify their technique in the kitchen. That’s thanks in part to four small appliances that have made a splash over the past few years. Here’s why you should consider buying them.
Prime(d) is the podcast Amazon probably doesn’t want you to listen to
KUOW’s Prime(d) podcast debuts Season 2 February 4. Host Joshua McNichols spoke with Digital Trends about the ways in which Amazon waits out its competition while keeping its customers happy. Even a few missteps won’t phase a company this size, so it’s practically guaranteed some amount of success in everything from groceries to fashion.
Will everything from lamps to fridges be spying on me? Yes, and I’m creeped out
With the debut of Panasonic’s HomeHawk lamp with built-in video camera, should we be concerned that everything -- from couches to dishwashers – could soon be spying on us? New surveillance technology could mean we could all be caught dancing in our underwear in a hotel room, or worse.
‘In the Kitchen’ app helps you cook using voice commands
Looking for an easy-to-follow app while cooking? Food Network's In the Kitchen now helps you make meals through voice commands.
The Instant Pot Lux is a gateway drug into the pleasures of pressure cooking
Not all pressure cookers are created equally. The heat up time, consistency, durability, and quality are different across each model. The Instant Pot Lux is a baseline Instant Pot, and it's very affordable. How does the Lux stack up against other Instant Pots on the market? Read on to find out more.
Booth babes, banned sex toys, and other mishaps at CES 2019
From female sex toys bans, to fake Tesla/robot collision stories, there was some weird stuff going on at CES 2019 this year. While nothing can top last year's show floor blackout, here are some of the biggest mishaps and flubs we saw this year at the world's biggest tech show.
The robot invasion arrived at CES 2019 — and it was cuter than we expected
Robots are finally at our doorsteps, but they’re not here to annihilate us (yet). They’re here to listen, they’re here to help, and most importantly, they’re here to be our friends. CES 2019 showed us some of the cutest companion robots we’ve ever seen. Here are some of our favorites.
Treat your furry friend with the best pet tech at CES 2019
There were some intriguing and some slightly mad pet tech gadgets on show at CES 2019. From self-cleaning toilets for cats and dogs to genetic tests, dog flaps, and remote cameras. We've gathered together the cream of the crop right here, so you can see what's coming soon in the world of pet technology.
Genius or extraneous? We tried out a laundry-folding machine at CES to find out
It's CES 2019, which means lots of crazy gadgets. We got the chance to try out Foldimate, an automatic laundry-folding machine. After using the device, we came away both impressed and underwhelmed with the appliance, which will be available for $960 at the end of 2019. Here are some of our thoughts.
Five smart home trends we expect to see at CES this year
CES 2019 is finally here. So what smart home trends can we expect to see this year? Whether you're looking to find that beautiful Amazon Alexa-enabled toilet or that perfect home security system with bells and whistles, chances are you'll find it on the floor at CES 2019. Here are our predictions.
4 reasons you should buy the Amazon Echo Input
Do you have an older, great-sounding speaker that you want to add the Alexa voice assistant to? Amazon has got you covered with the Echo Input, a small, puck-like device that connects to non-smart speakers via Bluetooth or auxiliary. Here are four reasons to buy the device.
Amazon sent me a Christmas tree. Did it leave me pining for more?
Is driving to a Christmas tree lot or u-cut farm to get a tree a daunting task that you dread every year? Wish there was an easier way to get a tree to your house? Good news: Amazon is now selling real Christmas trees with free shipping. We decided to order one to see how it went.
Dread the gym? This smart mirror delivers your fitness fix at home
Mirror, launched back in September, is different than other fitness equipment on the market. It's part mirror and part LCD display, with a varied menu of on-demand workouts built into it. We visited Mirror's HQ in NYC to test it out and see if it's really worth cancelling that gym membership for.
Kitchen fires, viral turkeys, family knife fights, and more Thanksgiving fails
Thanksgiving is usually spent with loved ones and yummy food. But sometimes things go awry. We've all heard stories of turkey deep frying going way wrong, but there are other ways things can go very, very, wrong. Here are some of the biggest Thanksgiving fails.
With Personal Food Computers, nerd farmers are finding the best way to grow
Caleb Harper is an MIT research scientist and head of the OpenAg Initiative. He builds personal food computers that have tons of sensors, cameras, and circuit boards. He thinks they’re the key to growing food designed to combat specific diseases and targeted for each person’s DNA.
Smoke it, BBQ it, or try sous vide! 6 alternatives to roasting turkey
Tie on your apron – here are the best ways to cook a turkey without opening an oven. Don't have an oven, or you want to get creative this year? These alternative cooking methods can produce a delicious Thanksgiving turkey without the need for an oven. Think about cooking the turkey in a slow cooker or grill, or consider sous viding or deep frying.
From tornado flushes to remote controls, modern toilets are flush with tech
With the global observance of World Toilet Day on November 19, we take a look at how the modern toilet in our homes and businesses have evolved, and how they are becoming smarter tools in the future. We take a look at products from Toto and Kohler.
Picture this: The Aura packs thousands of photos in a single frame (for a price)
Are you one of those people who miss the good old days of flipping through photo albums to see each and every favorite photo? If so, you might love the Aura digital photo frame, a smart device that allows you to display thousands of pics on a single frame. We tested the device and came away impressed.
With its turd-burning toilet, this tiny house is for septic skeptics
For those of us who really want to get off the grid yet still have a sustainable place to live, Modern Dwellings is offering this 160-square-foot tiny home, dubbed the True Studio, that features smart home controls, heated floors, and an incinerating toilet.
Can Aibo replace Fido? I fostered Sony’s robot dog for a week to find out
Can a robot dog replace a real dog? I set out to find the answer to that question by “fostering” Aibo, Sony’s robot dog. I came away from the experience with more questions than answers. While robot dogs are not for me, Sony sure did a great job of making just about the cutest artificially intelligent pup there is.