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Latest by Jenny McGrath

ftc issues report on internet of things privacy and security smartwatch wearables

The FTC warns how companies could use your data collected from smart devices

As devices become more connected, it leaves us more vulnerable to hacks and privacy concerns. The FTC issues a report stating it won't regulate the Internet of Things yet but companies need to better protect consumers.

Meet smart mattress pad Luna: It knows when you’re sleeping and awake

Tired of wearing your sleep tracker to bed? Luna is a smart mattress pad that tracks your sleep. It's thin and washable and syncs with your smart devices to lock up your house and dim the lights.
House buried in snow by blizzard.

Preparing your home for winter storm Juno

The East Coast hunkered down overnight, preparing for more from a massive winter storm known as Juno. There are some things you can do before the worst of the snow hits to help make sure you stay safe and warm.

10 SkyMall Products We Wouldn’t Mind Having in the house

SkyMall filed for bankruptcy, which prompted a flood of articles making fun of some its more ridiculous products. But the in-flight magazine had some things we'd totally have bought. Maybe.
a conversation with skybell co founder andrew thomas smart home appliances

Like it or not, you’re going to have a smarter home in the next couple of years

Not everyone is excited about the idea of a smart, connected home. But analysts are forecasting that by 2019, almost 70 percent of people will have a smart thermostat. So what's going to turn the tide?
smart home device get homeowners insurance discounts devices lower energy bills

Got Nest? Some insurance companies reward smart-home device owners

Some insurance companies want to know if you use a smart thermostat to regulate your home's temperature and have a sensor that alerts when there's a water leak; in fact, they want to reward you for these smart home devices.

No strings attached: Hoover goes cordless with three new vacuums

Hoover introduced its Air Cordless model last year, and in spring 2015, it will release three more cordless models. The company sees the future of vacuums as increasingly portable and light.
panasonic introduces mc rs1 rulo a triangular robot vacuum triangluar

Will Panasonic corner the market with its triangular robot vac?

Unlike the Roomba, which is round, Panasonic's new MC-RS1 Rulo is a triangular robot vacuum. According to the company, this means it won't skimp on cleaning the corners when it runs up against two walls.

Whip up a baby bottle in 15 seconds with this smart machine

Midnight feedings drain new parents, leaving them bleary-eyed and sleep-deprived. A new smart baby bottle appliance aims to make the routine a little easier, thanks to its Wi-Fi connection. Brew up a bottle from bed!
slates calculator tells you if youre a gentrifier chicago neighborhood

Selling your home? See if it’s in one of 2015’s hottest neighborhoods

Think your neighborhood is a hidden gem? Watch out! It may be on Redfin's list of 2015’s 10 hottest neighborhoods. Don't blame them, though. It means the secret's out, and everyone wants to live there.
heijmans one houses are portable and live on vacant lots 025

$900 a month snags you an entire portable house in Amsterdam

Rent too damn high? Soon Amsterdam residents may be able to live in a Heijmans ONE house. They're portable and stay on vacant lots, so rent is cheap.
ges cooktops get bluetooth sous vide upgrades ge induction hand

Sous vide at home: GE’s Bluetooth-connected cooktop lets you cook like the French

GE’s Monogram, Profile, and Cafe cooktops will soon be able to connect via Bluetooth to a sous vide accessory; the induction cooktops also come with a special griddle and swipeable controls.
dolfi uses ultrasonic waves to wash clothes without a machine in white

This pocket-sized washing machine uses ultrasound to vibrate stains out of your clothes

Do you hand wash some of your more delicate clothes in the sink? A new device, the Dolfi, uses ultrasonic waves to wash clothes without a machine or scrubbing, in just 30 minutes.
newwinds arbre a vent is wind turbine designed for cities newwind tree

This ‘tree’ generates enough electricity to heat your apartment

When you think of wind turbines, you probably picture wind farms in rural areas. But NewWind’s Arbre à Vent was designed for cities. They're practically silent and can generate enough power to heat a home.
Carrier Côr smart thermostat

Carrier turns up the heat on Nest with CĂ´r, its own smart thermostat

AC specialist Carrier debuted CĂ´r, its smart thermostat, at CES 2015. While the features aren't terribly different from Nest, what may set it apart is that Carrier has over 100 years of experience in the heating and cooling business.
poopy cats blocks are cardboard cat playgrounds tower

Have cats who love cardboard boxes? Then check out this DIY cat playground

Cats love cardboard boxes almost more than many of them love catnip, so it's not surprising this company designed mix-and-match cardboard elements for a modular playground your cat will go crazy for.
one way kitchen utensils reflect cooking personalities precise chef

Kitchen utensils designed for the artist and the surgeon

Whether you go with your gut or live and die by the recipe, One Way kitchen utensils were designed to capture different cooking personalities. For example, one set has an artist's palette, another a scalpel and syringe.

You had one job! Kitchen appliances that only do one thing

It seems like appliances and gadgets are being designed to do more and more. It's not just a lightbulb; it also has speakers! But some kitchen appliances exist to perform a sole task.
will your tv become a smart home hub best tvs

Imagining the smart home with a TV as its hub

At this point, smart home hubs are necessary to connect myriad smart devices and make them work together; today they mostly look like little boxes, but what if someone made a TV into a hub?
Electrolux EI@4ID50QS0 dishwasher both racks

The best way to load a dishwasher, according to science

Science: Is there nothing it can't do? A new study found that most people are loading their dishwashers all wrong; it's all about what's on the plates, surprisingly enough.
Panasonic Concept Kitchen Stove

Take a peek into the future of cooking with Panasonic’s concept kitchen

Panasonic showed off its concept kitchen at CES 2015. Though we may never see all the features, there are some things we think could become a reality.
GE Café Series refrigerator with Keurig K-Cup brewing system

Cubed, crushed, or … coffee? GE’s new Café fridge will brew up a K-Cup

Soon, when you stumble to the fridge in the morning, a cup of coffee could be waiting for you. GE Café refrigerators are getting in-door coffee makers, courtesy of Keurig.
Neeo

One remote you don’t want to lose: Neeo controls your TV and smart home

Tired of losing your remote? It's about to get a lot more frustrating. Neeo goes beyond universal-remote functionality to control your smart home, from your lights to your door locks.
a roundup of ces 2015s coolest smart home products

21 gadgets that prove the smart home of the future is almost here

Smart home products were a big part of CES 2015, and pretty soon they'll be a big part of many people's homes. From smart dishwashers to connected pool thermometers, the modern home is about to be transformed, inside and out.
radlabs heat flow helps radiators apartments better radiator

Shivering in your radiator-heated apartment? This kit could help

Radlabs’ Heat Flow is a new take on Nest to help heat apartments with radiators more efficiently. Though not a smart device, the creators were inspired by the smart thermostat, because it doesn't work in many apartments.
Whirlpool Smart Washer and Dryer 5

Start the wash from work with Whirlpool’s smart washer and dryer

Whirlpool introduced a smart washer and dryer at CES 2015 that you can control from a smartphone app and pair them with your Nest thermostat.
the sevenhugs hugone is a sleep device for whole family 6

A smart sleep device that monitors you and the rest of the family

The SevenHugs HugOne debuted at CES 2015; it's a sleep device for the whole family. Using small sensors that stay on the bed, the device doesn't require a wearable and tracks movement, humidity, and temperature.
bosch smart appliances ces 2015 home 7

Is that rain? Bosch’s slew of smart home products give weather recs and much more

Bosch demoed Home Connect at CES 2015; starting in 2015, it will start rolling out smart appliances to European markets, from connected fridges to dishwashers. It also has lots of energy-saving devices.
sengled snap is an led bulb security system debuting at ces 1

Smart security, with camera, motion sensors, and facial recognition, in one light bulb

Sengled Snap is an LED light bulb with a built-in security system debuting at CES 2015. Facial recognition, IP camera, motion detectors, geofencing, and more are all included, to help make your home more secure.
LilyPad thermometer 3

Love the sun but hate the burn? A pool thermometer to monitor your UV exposure

Vigilant’s LilyPad is a smart thermometer and UV sensor for your pool. The sensor provides feedback to an app, which can take into account your skin tone and recommend sunscreen.
keen home brings smart vents to ces 2015 vent 4

Why hasn’t Nest thought of this? Keen shows off smart vents at CES 2015

Keen Home brings its smart vents to CES 2015. Working in concert with smart hubs and potentially one day Nest, the vents will close vents in unused rooms and shut when a room gets too hot.
dacors voice activated oven debuts at ces 2015 dacor discovery iq dual fuel range 0195

Turn on your oven by whispering sweet nothings to it

Dacor’s voice-activated oven debuts at CES 2015. You can turn it on or off, change the settings, and set a timer without having to smear messy cooking residue all over the control panel.
xyzprinting debuts 3d food printer at ces 2015 0099

This 3D food printer must master cookies before it can print you a pizza

XYZprinting debuted a 3D food printer at CES 2015. Right now, the printer can only make cookies and cake decorations, but the company has big plans for it, namely, pizza on demand.
sleep number debuts sleepiq kids bed at ces 2015 14

A bed that promises to banish monsters and track your kids’ sleep patterns

Sleep Number debuted its SleepIQ Kids Bed at CES 2015. Much like the adult version, it monitors sleep, but the company also added some child-friendly features, like night lights and monster detectors.