NEWS – Amazon’s latest Alexa+ feature turns your Ring doorbell into a conversational assistant that can identify who’s at your door, understand what they need, and respond naturally on your behalf. Whether you’re home, busy, or simply don’t want to be interrupted, Alexa handles the conversation for you. What is Alexa+ Greetings? Alexa+ Greetings combines […]
Alexa+ Enables Ring Doorbells to Greet and Respond to Visitors Read More
The biggest reason people avoid smart home tech isn’t because they don’t want their lights to turn on automatically or their thermostat to adjust itself. It’s because the whole thing has felt like choosing a platform you’re stuck with forever. Pick Apple HomeKit and you’re in that ecosystem. Go with Google Home or Amazon Alexa
IKEA’s 21-Piece Smart Home Range Makes Matter-Compatible Living Affordable Read More
REVIEW—My home automation system has grown to over 100 devices, so I’m constantly looking for new ways to manage the gaggle of gadgets. SwitchBot’s New Hub 3 combines the functionality of its predecessors, plus remote control and more buttons! It’s my new go-to controller! Yay! Please join me for a closer look! ⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
SwitchBot Hub 3 review – Home automation control on steroids Read More
NEWS – My favorite smart home company is Eve. I love their approach to security and protecting my data. In the past, I’ve reviewed their Water Guard and Energy Outlet products, both of which I am still using in my home. A while back I purchased their Light Switch and had an electrician install it.
Eve adds support for Matter to their smart light switch Read More
REVIEW – My home office/studio is quite packed with equipment that includes multiple large EcoFlow power stations, several computers and monitors, and the network rack with the switches, security DVRs, etc. I am never worried during the NY winters because the equipment remains relatively cool. Still, during the summer, and especially this summer, the room
GoveeLife Smart Thermo-Hygrometer 3 Lite (1 Wi-Fi Gateway + 1 Sensor) review Read More
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
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
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
NEWS – Masonite has designed what has been called the world’s first smart door. It starts with a high-end door and adds a video doorbell, a smart lock, motion-activated LEDs, and a door sensor. Plus, it’s hard-wired, so you never have to worry about batteries. Sounds fabulous, doesn’t it? It does! It’s the M-Pwr line
The smart door has arrived, but you’ll want to pass on this one Read More
REVIEW – As far back as I can remember, I have always had a fear of house fires. I think it may have to do with the destruction that I witnessed as a kid that was caused by a house fire. Since then, I have been very diligent in making sure that there are smoke
X-Sense Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector with Voice Location review Read More
REVIEW – My house has a very common problem: My HVAC doesn’t cool and heat all rooms evenly. The master bedroom is on one side of the house and is right under the HVAC system, and my office is on the opposite side of the house. In the summer, the master bedroom is too cool
Flair Smart Vents review – keeping my office cool Read More
REVIEW – Hey! Information addicts, meteorology maniacs, weather wizards, and greenhouse gurus! SwitchBot’s new Indoor/Outdoor Thermo-Hygrometer measures temperature and humidity (relative, absolute, and vapor pressure deficit), and dew point, in a petite portable package and at an unbelievably good price. What is it? The SwitchBot Indoor/Outdoor Thermo-Hygrometer is a battery-powered temperature and humidity meter
SwitchBot Indoor/Outdoor Thermo-Hygrometer review – A tiny bundle of info for $9! Read More
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 – A few years ago, I reviewed the Airthings Wave Smart Radon Detector just to see what I could learn about radon gas levels in my home. I was very surprised to learn that I had high readings in my basement where I spend most of my time. Airthings could have very well saved
Airthings View Plus review – This smart home device could save your life Read More
REVIEW – I’ve reviewed several SwitchBot products and have grown to appreciate them for their simplicity, utility, and budget-friendliness. With a larger display, the new SwitchBot Temperature and Hygrometer Plus makes monitoring and adding automation triggers based on your home’s environment simple, cost-effective, and fun. What is it? The SwitchBot Thermometer and Hygrometer Plus
SwitchBot Thermometer and Hygrometer Plus review – Easy, capable, and economical, oh my! Read More
REVIEW – The term ‘Smart Home’ is a bit of a loaded catch-all. Whether it’s an alarm system, connected audio or controllable lights, if the products don’t fit into how you use your home, it may not make life easier which doesn’t sound all that smart. X-Sense sent out their Smart Video Doorbell and their
REVIEW – SwitchBot has been impressing me for the last few months with their innovative, yet reasonably priced gadgetry like their curtain closing robot, contact and motion sensors, and now with their Color Change Bulbs. The Holiday season is a perfect time to try these out! What is it? SwitchBot’s Color Change bulbs are 120-volt,
Switchbot Color Changing Lightbulbs review – Festive and fun lighting without the fuss! Read More
NEWS – Five years ago I reviewed the Flic wireless smart buttons. These small buttons allowed for all kinds of interesting home automation funnery (I just made up that word – you’re welcome). I used one of mine to record the time I stopped eating at night so that I could figure out how long
The Flic Twist home automation gadget has been revealed Read More
NEWS – Do you have mailbox thieves or maybe just eager to get your mail? The Ring Mailbox Sensor detects motion and sends you a notification every time your mailbox is opened. The sensor measures 2.56″ (65 mm) x 2.44″ (62 mm) x 1.47″ (37 mm), comes with mounting screws and bracket as well as
Get a notification every time your mailbox opens using the Ring Mailbox Sensor Read More
REVIEW – If you’re of a certain age, like me, you remember the first TV remote control – it was you. Your parent would tell you to get up and go change the channel to one of the other two that your TV received. Then, TVs started coming with Infrared (IR) remote controls, giving you