Home Automation

SmartWings Motorized Light Filtering Roller Shades review – Smart Shades for a Smart Home!

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REVIEW – Having finally realized my dream of home ownership—well, condo ownership actually—I now face the challenge of furnishing a space twice as large as any I’ve ever lived in. The first order of business is finding appropriate coverings for my new living room’s wonderful, huge windows. As a technophile, I hoped to incorporate any […]

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SwitchBot Water Leak Detector review – Detecting disaster for $18!

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REVIEW – My neighbor’s washing machine hose burst while he was sleeping, causing thousands of dollars in damage to his home and a crazy amount of inconvenience and frustration. A low-cost SwitchBot Water Leak Detector could have saved the day. What is it? The SwitchBot Water Detector is a battery-operated, app-connected device that senses water

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Kidde has an indoor air quality monitor WITH carbon monoxide and smoke alarm

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NEWS – Kidde has an indoor air quality monitor that has carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms. It’s called the Kidde Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Indoor Air Quality Monitor. It’s one of the only devices I’ve found that integrates air quality monitoring with CO detection (I’ve always wondered why air quality monitors don’t

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X-Sense SC01-W Wireless Interlinked Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector review – Updated version!

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REVIEW—From January to June 11, 2024 (Yep, this year, Gadgeteers), FEMA reported 1071 fire fatalities in the USA. I’m sorry to sound harsh; not having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is reckless and stupid. If you don’t have them in your home, apartment, domicile, shack, barn, or shed, please get one like X-Sense’s updated SC01-W

X-Sense SC01-W Wireless Interlinked Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector review – Updated version! Read More

Smart home deal alert: 19% Off TREATLIFE WiFi Presence Sensor

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DEAL NEWS – Smart home enthusiasts, it’s time to level up your automation game! The TREATLIFE WiFi Presence Sensor is currently on sale with a 19% discount, making it an irresistible addition to your DIY smart home setup. This cutting-edge gadget utilizes 24GHz mmWave radar technology to accurately detect human presence. Unlike traditional motion sensors,

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Eve Energy Outlet review – the perfect smart outlet

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REVIEW – In a perfect world, all of the powered gadgets that I own (fans, humidifiers, heaters, etc.) would be smart gadgets, capable of being controlled with nothing more than a voice command to Siri or a preset automation via the Home app.  I don’t live in that world just yet, so one way to

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X-Sense SC07-WX Wi-Fi Connected Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector review – Know what’s happening even when you’re not at home  

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REVIEW – In 2021, FEMA reported 353,500 house fires, 2840 deaths, 11,400 injuries, and $8.8 billion in loss. In the same year, there were 1,067 carbon monoxide fatalities. All were tragic, and many were preventable. With sugar on top, please protect your property, yourself, and loved ones with detectors like the Wi-Fi Connected Smoke and

X-Sense SC07-WX Wi-Fi Connected Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector review – Know what’s happening even when you’re not at home   Read More

Flic Starter Kit review – Automation with a click and a twist!

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REVIEW – 7 years ago, I reviewed the Flic wireless smart button, and now I am happy to have the chance to test drive the Flic Starter Kit that includes the latest version of the Flic buttons as well as the Flic Hub Mini and the Flic Twist. It’s time to click and twist our

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SwitchBot Curtain 3 Robot and Solar Panel review – Drapery control has never been so easy, quiet, and powerful!

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REVIEW – SwitchBot’s Curtain opening robots have been indispensable in my home since March 2021. They released the second version in 2022 and now a new and improved version for 2023. Are they better? You betcha! Come and have a look! What is it? SwitchBot Curtain 3 robots are rechargeable, motorized, app-controlled robots used for

SwitchBot Curtain 3 Robot and Solar Panel review – Drapery control has never been so easy, quiet, and powerful! Read More

X-Sense SC07-W Wireless Interlinked Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm review – Please protect your home and family!

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REVIEW – Thinking about the technology in my home, most gadgets are here for convenience, entertainment, or comfort. There are very few that can save lives. No home should be without working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and X-Sense’s SC07-W interconnected alarms fill the job with Gadgeteer finesse! What is it? X-Sense model SC07-W sounds

X-Sense SC07-W Wireless Interlinked Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm review – Please protect your home and family! Read More

SwitchBot Hub 2 review – Home automation, infrared, and cloud connections (including HomeKit) made easy!

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REVIEW – Two years ago, I had a look at the original SwitchBot Hub here and have used its functionality in one way or another daily. Now, there’s a new version with powerful new features! Read on, Gadgeteer friends! What is it? The SwitchBot Hub 2 is an app-controlled, cloud-connected device that provides home automation

SwitchBot Hub 2 review – Home automation, infrared, and cloud connections (including HomeKit) made easy! Read More

ORVIBO Smart Dimmer Switch with Touchscreen review

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REVIEW – As a part of the ongoing remodeling of my basement, I have included some of the latest technology including current business Access Points, Smart Switches and Dimmers, and a host of other technology gadgets. All of the smart switches that I have installed are in the form of conventional-looking toggle switches that connect

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X-Sense XS01-WT Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm review – Because choking on smoke is no joke!

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REVIEW – The National Fire Protection Association reports that fire-related fatalities decrease by 55% when a working smoke detector is present, so it’s never a bad idea to add another one to your home. I have plenty of security cameras, but it would be ideal to know the difference between optional viewing, and “Dude! You

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SwitchBot Blind Tilt solar-powered smart blinds review – Beautiful bling for your blinds to bring in the beyond with brilliance!

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REVIEW – I love home automation, especially when a gadget makes something more accessible or useful. SwitchBot’s new blind openers are just such a beast. Since some of the window coverings in my sunroom are cumbersome to access, I jumped at the opportunity to have a look at these useful little robots. How well do

SwitchBot Blind Tilt solar-powered smart blinds review – Beautiful bling for your blinds to bring in the beyond with brilliance! Read More

Airthereal Leak Detector review

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REVIEW – Fun fact about me:  back in the early 2000’s I had two insurance claims for over $100,000 that left me homeless for over a year.  Both resulted from water damage. One case wasn’t particularly preventable, but the other one was. The water line to the icemaker came undone, and every time my freezer thought

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The SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher is an easy way transform your dumb lights and appliances

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NEWS – Turning your home into one that is smart can be daunting and expensive. The SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher is an inexpensive way to transform your existing lights and appliances. It is universal and works well with just about any rocker switch and button of any home appliance. SwitchBot easily installs next to

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SwitchBot Curtain Robot Version 2 review – A great product made even better!

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REVIEW – I reviewed SwitchBot’s previous model Curtain Robot version about a year ago here and have been using them every day since. I love them and jumped at the chance to see what’s new. How will they stack up? Let’s have a look! What is it? “SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2” is a motorized robot

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SwitchBot Mini Plug review – Home automation plug pizazz at a pretty price!

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REVIEW – Just a short time ago, home automation was a relatively big-dollar, time-consuming pursuit. Now SwitchBot has joined the race. At $10.19 from Amazon, adding these handy devices to control your home’s gadgetry is virtually a no-brainer! What is it? The SwitchBot Plug Mini is an app-controlled 120-volt device that turns switches an electrical

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yeedi Vac 2 Pro Robotic Vacuum with Self-Empty Docking Station review – so many new features

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REVIEW – Robotic vacuum cleaners are one of those gadgets that you don’t realize how useful they are until you’ve had one for a while.  I live in a single-story house, and I have been using yeedi’s k700 for the last two years.  I really like this little robot, who I named Mopi when I

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