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 […]
SwitchBot Water Leak Detector review – Detecting disaster for $18! Read More
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
Kidde has an indoor air quality monitor WITH carbon monoxide and smoke alarm Read More
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
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,
Smart home deal alert: 19% Off TREATLIFE WiFi Presence Sensor Read More
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
Eve Energy Outlet review – the perfect smart outlet Read More
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
NEWS – Matter is a connectivity standard. The idea is that I should be able to buy any IoT device and instantly use it, regardless of the smart home platform that I use (e.g., Apple’s HomeKit, Google’s Nest). It’s a common language that is supported by over 200 companies. It’s been just over a year
Matter upgraded to version 1.2 Read More
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
Flic Starter Kit review – Automation with a click and a twist! Read More
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
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
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
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
ORVIBO Smart Dimmer Switch with Touchscreen review Read More
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
X-Sense XS01-WT Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm review – Because choking on smoke is no joke! Read More
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
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
Airthereal Leak Detector review Read More