The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip can control 6 devices, charge 3 others

By Patrick Hearn September 13, 2018

For many people, the idea of a smart home is limited by the amount of money it would cost to set up. The idea of spending hundreds of dollars on connected to devices stops people from experimenting. However, there are plenty of ways to turn “dumb” devices into connected devices, and the new Kasa Smart Wi-Fi power strip is the latest one on the market.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

This Wi-Fi power strip is exactly what it sounds like: It connects to your Wi-Fi network and gives you the ability to connect to and monitor all devices plugged into the strip. The power strip works with the Kasa Smart mobile app to give users complete control over their devices. For homeowners that want more control over their fire safety, the ability to turn power on and off remotely is a must. It also allows users to monitor the amount of power used by each device, which allows for better control of energy expenditure and a lower utility bill each month.

Recommended Videos

The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi power strip can control six devices and charge three others at the same time. The three charging ports are all USB ports, which makes them ideal for users with a number of smart devices like phones, tablets, and certain game consoles.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi power strip is also compatible with smart artificial intelligence assistants like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Microsoft Cortana. Voice commands can be given to activate and disable specific outlets. Schedules can be set for specific outlets within the power strip to automatically power certain devices throughout the day. The power strip is available for order via Amazon as of Thursday, September 13.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Smart power strips provide a cost-effective way to add smart home technology into your home. You don’t have to upgrade every device you own. Many products like coffee makers and lamps can be programmed to power on and off at a given time through the use of a device like the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi power strip. For people with no prior exposure to smart home technology, a smart power strip is one of the easiest ways and most cost-effective ways to ramp up the intelligence of a home.

Topics

Mobile Writer

Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a…

Smart Home

Can we power the smart home with ambient radio waves?

motorola guru wireless charging partnership 2

At CES, we saw Samsung show off a TV remote that powers itself with nearby wireless waves, eliminating the need to even have a battery. While our own A/V Editor Phil Nickinson is skeptical about the prospect, I'm more hopeful for the broad implications.

If Samsung applies this tech at scale and includes this remote in all of its TVs from here on out, there's going to be a marked reduction in the number of batteries that need to be made. That's ultimately good news for the planet, and likely saves everyone a few bucks. The amount of power saved from charging those batteries is going to be fairly minimal, seeing as how TV remotes don't use much juice to begin with. That said, is the air crackling with enough invisible power to keep other low-demand smart home devices operating?

Smart Home

Schlage’s Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt boasts iPhone, Apple Watch support

Schlage Encode Plus with Apple home keys open with Apple Watch.

Schlage has a long history of making locks that fit people's lifestyles and the company's newest smart lock is no exception. Announced at CES 2022, the Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the first lock in North America to work with Apple's latest home keys capability in HomeKit.

The idea is simple: you can now store a virtual set of keys to the Schlage lock in your Apple Wallet and access it on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Best of all, you don't even need to unlock your phone or watch to open the deadbolt. Just tap the watch or phone on the lock. We could imagine this feature might come in handy if a friend is dropping you off at home and for some reason, you can't remember any of your codes. If your iPhone is out of juice, Schlage says you may be able to still open the lock for up to five more hours, thanks to Power Reserve.
All the features you want in a smart lock

Smart Home

Get double the length at half the cost on these smart LED strip lights today

Govee smart LED light strips on floor.

When shopping for smart LED light strips, you should pay extra attention to how much length you’ll have to work with, because the last thing you want is to realize you’re coming up short on decorating whatever it is you intend on adorning with an LED light strip.

That’s why you really need to know about this deal on Govee’s smart LED strip lights. While most LED strip lights are on average of 30 feet in length, Govee’s model is nearly double at an astounding 65 feet. If you’ve ever tried decorating a piece of furniture, say like your home office desk, you know how much coverage is needed to cover corners and edges properly. Best of all, this Black Friday deal brings down the cost to $25 -- which is unbelievable given how most 30-foot options cost around the same.