How to listen to audiobooks with Alexa and Google Assistant
Want Alexa to read you a book? In this how-to guide, we teach you how to integrate your digital audiobook service with Amazon and Google Home smart devices.
Paranoid prevents smart speakers from eavesdropping on you
A new device, called Paranoid, is here to prevent your smart speaker from listening when it shouldn't, making Alexa and Google Assistant devices a little safer.
Philips Hue and Sengled smart lighting kits on sale starting at only $70
Personalize your home with a rainbow light show using Philips and Sengled smart bulb starter kits on Best Buy for as low as $70. Get yours and save up to $50.
Thermal AR glasses give screening for possible coronavirus a high-tech twist
An AR headset equipped with thermal imaging technology could prove useful in helping spot those with elevated temperatures during the coronavirus pandemic.
I tried to make my dryer smarter, and it (mostly) worked
Smart dryers are popular these days. SmartDry claims to take your old dryer from dumb to smart in just minutes. I gave it a try and here's what I learned.
This awesome drone station could be coming to a hospital near you
Matternet has just unveiled a unique drone station for its advanced delivery system designed for medical facilities. A video shows the station in action.
In China’s hospitals, robots are helping to halt the spread of coronavirus
As the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic continues to spread, hospitals in China have turned to a trio of robots to help fight the spread of the flu-type virus.
Wyze Lock Review: A budget smart lock without the fuss
With the Wyze Lock ($90) you get to keep your keys and your deadbolt. It screws on to what you already have to offer smart lock features in a few minutes.
Arlo Pro 3 and Apple HomeKit join forces
The Arlo Pro 3 has been one of the most popular security cameras around, and now thanks to integration with Arlo, Apple HomeKit support is finally here.
Congress has concerns over Ring’s partnerships with police departments
A congressional committee wrote a letter to Ring over concerns about the company's partnerships with more than 400 local police departments across the country.
Forget the Internet of Things. Here’s what IoT really stands for
IoT means the Internet of Things, but there’s a growing movement to change the definition, to give it more meaning and set us up for the next decade of innovation. Tomorrow, IoT will mean Intelligence of Things, impacting AI, 5G, and every other buzzword. Here’s what that shift will bring – and how everything’s going to change in the decade ahead.
Hackers may attack home networks through Philips Hue smart bulbs vulnerability
Check Point discovered a bug in Philips Hue smart bulbs that allows hackers to infiltrate networks. Owners of the device are recommended to update the firmware.
Drone delivery: Medical supplies will soon be flying around San Diego
UPS and drone specialist Matternet are teaming up for a trial drone delivery service for health care facilities in San Diego. It follows a similar trial by the two firms in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2019. The San Diego effort will see medical samples flown between facilities.
What exactly is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things has made its way into our daily lives. You’ve probably heard of the “Internet of Things” or IoT, and you likely use IoT devices on a regular basis, but you may be wondering what the IoT is exactly. What constitutes an IoT device? We’re going to break it down.
Ecovacs Deebot 960 Review: Wasted potential
We have loved many of the other smart robot vacuums that Ecovacs has come out with. A couple have even made our best robot vacuum of the year list. So I was pretty excited to try out the Deebot 960. It comes with advanced AI and it even mops. After trying it out, I was sorely disappointed.
Eve Cam is a HomeKit indoor security camera that saves your recordings in iCloud
Apple fans now have an indoor security camera just for them. Eve Systems has released its newest product, the Eve Cam, and it is the first indoor camera made exclusively for Apple HomeKit Secure Video. With the new Eve Cam, you can see video right on your iPhone's lock screen.
The best smart security cameras of CES 2020: Arlo, ADT and a Bee drone
If you're in the market for a new smart security camera, CES 2020 has some great new options. We've seen three new cameras from ADT, a cool new floodlight from Arlo, and even a security camera drone that mimics a bee. Here are all the best smart security cameras and gadgets we've seen so far.
Lockly Vision is a smart lock with an integrated video doorbell
At CES 2020, Lockly announced the launch of its newest product, Lockly Vision. This smart lock has a built-in HD video doorbell and two-way communication. When someone comes to the door you can talk with them using the app, no matter if you're home or not. Here's the scoop.
Royole’s smart speaker has a cool wraparound display, but is it worth the price?
We've seen a lot of cool stuff at CES 2020 so far, but the new smart speaker by Royole is pretty special. The Mirage Smart Speaker works with Alexa, just like an Amazon Echo, but instead of being wrapped in fabric, it has a touchscreen display. It also has a 5MP camera and a passive bass radiator.
Weird smart home gadgets of CES 2020: Toilet paper robots and more
CES 2020 hasn't disappointed when it comes to unveiling new and strange inventions. So far we've seen a robot that will make cleaning up after a toilet session easier, a robot cook named Julia, and a headless cat snuggle pillow. Here's the weirdest stuff we've seen so far and check back for more.
Your steaks will love being poked by Whirlpool’s smart thermometer
Yummly, Whirlpool Corporation’s digital recipe and cooking platform, is launching a new smart kitchen device called the Yummly Smart Thermometer. It uses dual temperature sensors to monitor food and oven temperatures and alerts you when food is done with an app. No more burning when you become distracted.
You don’t need to be an experienced chef to cook dishes with the Julia system
The late legendary chef Julia Child is synonymous with fine cooking, and now a new Julia is arriving on the culinary scene. This Intelligent Autonomous Cooking System by CookingPal can shop for food and cook for you. It can chop, stir, knead, steam, and even wash itself with a little help from you.
Apple’s back at CES for the first time in 28 years — and for a good reason
The last time Apple was officially at CES was in 1992. While it-s employees have roamed the convention halls for years, CES 2020 is the first in 28 years where the company will have an official presence. And there's a reason for it: Apple wants to talk about user privacy.
Trifo’s Lucy robot vacuum won’t run over poop, doubles as a security system
Trifo, a home robotics company, unveiled its latest robot on January 2. Its name is Lucy, and it's basically a super-smart robot vacuum and a security system all-in-one. Lucy will be strutting its stuff at CES 2020, though there's no word as of yet of when the robot will be available for purchase.
Ikea’s smart blinds won’t work with Apple’s HomeKit until ‘early’ in 2020
If you were planning on buying Fyrtur Smart Blinds from Ikea, or you've already installed them in your home, we have some bad news if you have Apple's HomeKit. These smart blackout roller-style blinds won't be compatible with HomeKit until some time in early 2020.
The Adobe Iota all-in-one home security system gains Apple HomeKit support
The Adobe Iota, an all-in-one home security solution, released an update today that added HomeKit compatibility and support to the system. Users can arm and disarm, check a livestream, and more through the Home app. HomeKit support is slated for the Gen 1 and Gen 2 systems in the future.
Amazon’s $35 Fire TV Blaster extends Alexa to all of your home theater gadgets
If you love the idea of what Amazon's Fire TV Cube can do, but don't want to replace your perfectly good Fire TV device, the $35 Fire TV Blaster might be just the ticket: It can extend Alexa's voice commands to TVs, receivers, and cable TV boxes, for a fully voice-controlled home theater experience.
Hunter Douglas smart blinds and shades blot out the sun, but come at a cost
Hunter Douglas has unveiled their new Smart Shades using PowerView Motorization. These shades, privacy sheers, blackout curtains, shutters and more are fully automated using the Hunter Douglas PowerView App or voice control with Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant, Siri or other home hubs and assistants.
The $600 Neeo is a slick touchscreen remote for Control4 systems
Control4 makes some of the best home automation and control systems for high-end households, but its remote controls haven't exactly been works of art and design. That changes with the Neeo, a hybrid remote with a big 3-inch touchscreen. At $600, it's a big add-on, but it brings a wealth of customization.
5,000 ‘eyes’ will scan the night sky for clues to the puzzle of dark energy
The hunt for dark energy has gained a new weapon, with the first test of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) being completed recently. DESI is installed atop a telescope and will search for evidence of the energy which makes up 68% of the universe and speeds up its expansion.
Alexa can now set sleep timers to simulate a sunrise using your smart lights
If you have Alexa-compatible smart lights and live in the U.S., you just got some new features that will be rolling out this week. You can set up wake-up lights or sleep timers and create new Alexa Routines to dim or brighten over a certain stretch of time, just like sunsets and sunrises.
You may be able to ask Amazon Alexa about your bills soon
Amazon announced that they will be partnering with the payment network Paymentus to make keeping track of bills easier with a new Alexa feature. While you won't be able to pay your bills with Alexa, you can use the new skill to ask about the status of your bills, such as whether they are past due.
Wink on life support: Company is running out of funds
Will.i.am's a tech company i.am+ and its smart home hub, Wink, aren't doing well at the moment. In fact, they may be out of business soon. Employees reportedly aren't being paid, customer service is silent, Wink Hub are having problems, and the company seems to owe a lot of overdue taxes.
Apple tries again with HomeKit with smart home division reorganization
Apple's poor performance in the smart home space has led the company to reorganize its smart home division, according to a report. The revitalized division is led by former Mozilla exec Andreas Gal, with new smart home devices possibly in the works.