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Latest by Patrick Hearn

Samsung Bespoke Jet in an empty hallway.

Samsung Bespoke Jet review: aesthetic, powerful cleaning at a cost

The Samsung Bespoke Jet is a powerful vacuum cleaner that looks great in your living room, but does a vacuum cleaner need to be art?
John Cleese, naked except for a photo held in front of his crotch, in A Fish Called Wanda.

Alexa has seen me naked, and that’s okay

Your smart home technology has probably seen you naked, too. Is that something to worry about? I say no.
The iRobot app overlaid on a Roomba.

Why Amazon acquiring iRobot will make Roombas even better

Amazon has signed a deal to acquire iRobot, and that could mean a lot of benefits for customers.
The Dreo Pilot Max smart fan in an empty room.

Dreo Pilot Max S review: a smart fan, not a smart price

The Dreo Pilot Max S smart fan makes it easy to control it from anywhere, but we're not sure that minor convenience justifies the price bump.
Amazon Echo Show 15 hanging horizontally on the wall in a kitchen.

5 reasons I still use the Echo Show 15 everyday

The Echo Show 15 came out six months ago, and I still use it on a daily basis to stay on top of tasks. Here's why I still love it.
The AeroGarden Harvest on a countertop beside the sink.

AeroGarden Smart Garden Review: hydroponics for dummies

The AeroGarden Harvest Smart Garden makes it easy to grow fresh vegetables and herbs in your home with little to no guesswork.
The Echo Show 15 is the largest smart display yet.

Cloud services are convenient, but they hurt smart home longevity

Relying on cloud servers for basic smart home functionality is a terrible idea.
Apple HomeKit ecosystem

Apple’s Home app redesign is just what HomeKit needs

Apple has redesigned the Home app from the ground up to improve navigation and usability.
Amazon Echo Show 15 hanging horizontally on the wall in a kitchen.

Are we becoming too dependent on the smart home?

Smart homes are convenient, but are we trading mental strength for that convenience?
The LG PuriCare AeroTower sits in the center of a room and cools the entire space.

LG PuriCare AeroTower Review: Powerful, quiet, effective

The LG PuriCare AeroTower is an air purifier and fan in one, but most importantly, it does all of these tasks quietly.
Hosting a Zoom conference through Nest Hub Max.

There’s no new Nest Hub, but that’s OK

Google didn't announce a new Nest Hub yesterday, but that's OK. Other areas need to be focused on first.
Google assistant, displaying own photos.

The ‘Look and Talk’ feature means you don’t have to say ‘Hey Google’

Updates to Google Assistant make interacting with the device easier and more streamlined than ever before.
A person weraing the Amazfit GTR 3 Pro for sleep monitoring

The Sandman wars, or how accurate are sleep trackers?

I compared the results of three different sleep trackers to determine which one is the most accurate.
The Dock Pro ME covers only one side of the bed.

Chilisleep Dock Pro Sleep System review: Room for improvement

The Chilisleep Dock Pro ME Sleep System is designed to keep you cool and comfortable at night.
The Tineco Carpet One cleans a dirty floor.

Tineco Carpet One review: Powerful, efficient cleaning

The Tineco Carpet One Smart Carpet Cleaner pulls dirt and debris from your carpet that you didn't even know was there.
Nanoleaf Lines in a gaming room.

How do the Nanoleaf Lines hold up after six months?

After six months of daily use, the Nanoleaf Lines are still a solid investment in dynamic home lighting.
iRobot Roomba S9.

Can a robot vacuum work as an air purifier?

Is there a future where robot vacuums and air purifiers are the same device? Not likely, but they might be able to work together.
Person using the Wyze Lock Bolt finger scanner to open the door.

CBS is wrong. Hackers are unlikely to burglarize a smart home

Your smart home might have a few vulnerabilities, but it isn't likely to aid a burglar in gaining access to your property.
The Canary Pro on a table.

Canary Pro review: Decent performance, high cost

The Canary Pro is a self-monitored home security system, but its subscription service costs a pretty penny.
The Wyze Air Purifier is quiet enough for use in any room.

The new Wyze Air Purifier offers quiet, efficient filtration

The new Wyze Air Purifier is available today with three different filter options for allergens, wildfire smoke, and formaldehyde.
Ikea Starkvind air purifier

Ikea Starkvind air purifier review: Unique and functional

The Ikea Starkvind combines a unique design with smart functionality to become more than just an air purifier.
The AnkerMake M5 on a desk.

The AnkerMake M5 3D printer brings higher print speeds

Anker has launched its first 3D printer with the AnkerMake M5, boasting speeds up to five times faster than other printers on the market.
A person weraing the Amazfit GTR 3 Pro for sleep monitoring

How does sleep tracking work?

Sleep trackers can help you improve the quality of your sleep, but do you understand how they work? We spoke with sleep scientists to find out.
WyzeCam hands-on review center

WyzeCam’s security flaw should not have been kept secret

The WyzeCam v1 has reportedly been vulnerable to hackers for three years, but Wyze never mentioned anything.
The Twinkly Dots can spruce up any room.

Twinkly Dots review: Nice to look at, but nothing new

The Twinkly Dots have a unique design and look nice when set up, but don't bring new functionality to the table.
iRobot Roomba j7+ in dock beside dog.

The iRobot Genius 4.0 update makes Roombas even smarter

The iRobot Genius 4.0 software update has rolled out, bringing with it new features and capabilities.
The Fitbit Sense on a man's wrist while he walks outdoors.

Fitbit Sense review: One of the best wearable sleep trackers

The Fitbit Sense is a small, compact wearable that tracks a lot of valuable health information -- all for an affordable price.
Customers inspect the new Apple HomePod at an Apple Store on February 9, 2018 in San Francisco, California.

Sorry, there’s no new HomePod on the way

Apple said nothing about a new HomePod in today's stream, leaving fans asking when HomeKit will get its next upgrade.
Liteboxer VR challenges you to keep moving.

I had the best cardio workout of my life while boxing in VR

Liteboxer VR gamifies working out in the best way possible, but is it an effective workout?
The AirThings View Plus is an indoor air quality monitor.

What I learned after tracking my home’s air quality for a week

The air quality in your home might not be as great as you imagine. An indoor air quality monitor can show surprising insights and tips on how to breathe easier.
The Ikea Starkvind is a table and air purifier in one.

Is assemble-it-yourself smart tech the way of the future?

My Ikea Starkvind air purifier arrived in several pieces that I had to put together on my own. Is this the future of smart home tech?
Blink Wireless Outdoor 1080p Security Camera installed on an exterior wall.

How to set up a Blink Outdoor Camera

The Blink Outdoor Camera is easy to set up, but it takes a little bit of time to complete the process. Follow our step-by-step guide to set up your cam.
Amazon Echo Show 15 on countertop.

How to customize an Echo Home screen

Learn how to customize the Echo Home screen and you will get far more utility from the device than with the basic layout.
The Blink Video Doorbell is an affordable option for home security.

Blink Video Doorbell review: An affordable starting point

The Blink Video Doorbell combines affordability with functionality for solid, reliability front door security.