Articles about Smart Home

Marshall has announced its first-ever TV soundbar, the Heston 120. Marshall says it’s engineered for both music and TV, refusing to settle for the usual compromise most soundbars offer. Dolby Atmos and DTS-X are both on board, with 11 drivers positioned to bounce sound around your space.

You’ll find plenty of modern features packed inside. HDMI eARC support is here, along with HDMI passthrough for extra flexibility. The Heston 120 also supports Wi-Fi connections via Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect. Bluetooth is on deck, too, and even old-school analog fans get RCA input support, so vintage music gear isn’t left out.

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Just when you thought outdoor lighting couldn’t possibly get any more interesting, GE Lighting launches its Cync Dynamic Effects Smart Café Lights. These new string lights are officially on sale just in time for backyard weather. If you’ve been itching to upgrade your deck or garden, it might be worth a look.

Forget those boring bulbs you might remember from your last barbecue, folks. These café lights use a unique corkscrew filament to put out bold, saturated color. Each bulb can be customized individually using the Cync app, so you can get creative and mix up patterns, colors, or brightness for any event. There’s even a music-sync feature that lets the lights react to whatever is playing, whether you’re throwing a summer party or just winding down after a long day.

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ADT is one of the most trusted names in home security, but the company is not resting on its laurels. You see, in partnership with Yale and the Z-Wave Alliance, ADT has launched a new smart lock designed to make home protection faster, smarter, and more seamless.

The product is called the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Z-Wave. It’s the first Z-Wave 800 Series smart lock to feature fingerprint access. Even more impressive, it’s the first lock to use the new Z-Wave User Credential Command Class.

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Roku is going in a new direction with its latest smart home products, stepping away from the rebadged Wyze cameras it offered in the past. This time, the company is rolling out security cameras designed entirely in-house. The new Roku Battery Camera and Roku Battery Camera Plus promise easier installation, longer battery life, and deep integration with the Roku ecosystem.

These weather-resistant cameras are built to work indoors or outdoors, and because they run on rechargeable batteries, there’s no need to mess around with power cables. Roku also plans to offer a solar panel accessory, giving users the option to keep the batteries topped off without manual charging. According to the company, the standard Battery Camera can last up to six months per charge, while the Plus model could go as long as two years before needing to be recharged.

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As someone who uses and loves TP-Link products (including its affordable routers and smart home devices) I’m truly elated to see the company taking cybersecurity more seriously. You see, the company has officially joined the CVE Numbering Authorities (CNAs), meaning it can now assign CVE IDs to security flaws found in its own products.

Here’s why it matters, folks: CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) are used to track publicly known cybersecurity issues. By becoming a CNA, TP-Link gains the power to document and disclose vulnerabilities faster and more transparently. That’s a win for both the company and the people who rely on its devices every day (such as yours truly).

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Back in January, we told you about the all-new Smart Thermostat Essential from ecobee. Is it an innovative product? Not at all. However, this new thermostat doesn’t need to break new ground. Instead, it aims to offer a reliable experience at an affordable price. Quite frankly, that’s really all a homeowner wants from a thermostat these days.

ecobee promised the Smart Thermostat Essential would hit stores in March, and wouldn’t you know it, we are now in March. And so, staying true to its word, the affordable thermostat can be purchased immediately.

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Arlo has introduced its Wired Floodlight Camera, a new hardwired security solution designed to provide continuous outdoor surveillance. Building on the company’s wire-free floodlight technology, the camera features 2K HDR video resolution and up to 2000 lumens of brightness. Available now at Arlo.com for $149.99, it will also be sold at Home Depot starting in November.

The camera offers a 160-degree field of view and articulating lights, allowing users to customize coverage for different outdoor spaces. Its features include motion detection, color night vision, noise-canceling audio, and an integrated siren. The product connects directly to Wi-Fi for a simplified setup process and faster video loading.

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AiDot, known for its smart home technology, has launched the Linkind SL5 Smart Solar Spotlight. This product combines convenience, intelligence, and eco-friendliness in an easy-to-install device, making it a suitable option for any lawn or garden. Users can benefit from its smart features, solar technology, and straightforward installation along with adjustability and access to 16 million colors.

The SL5 is the first smart solar spotlight to offer group control functionality without the need for hubs or wires. Users can link multiple SL5s and control them simultaneously through the AiDot app, where they can manage color, temperature, brightness, and on-off timing. Additionally, the SL5 can synchronize with music, creating dynamic lighting effects for outdoor events.

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Today, Amazon launches four new Echo devices, including the Echo Pop, Echo Show 5, Echo Show 5 Kids, and Echo Buds. The new devices offer customers even more choice in how they access Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant. In addition, the company announces more than a half billion Alexa-enabled devices have been sold.

The Echo Pop ($39.99) is a small, affordable Echo device that is ideal for bedside or kitchen use. It features a compact design and a fabric finish that makes it look great in any home. The Echo Pop also has a built-in speaker that can be used to play music, get news, and more.

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A smart home is a happy home as far I am concerned. Since going all-in on smart devices in my house, my life has been much improved. I can control my thermostat without getting out of bed, and when I leave a room, I can tell Google to turn off the light. If I hear a bump in the night, I can pull out my phone or tablet to monitor my Wi-Fi cameras. We are living in the future, and it is great.

Today, popular company TP-Link launches a trio of new smart home products under its Kasa branding. The Kasa EP40A is a smart outdoor outlet adapter (perfect for Christmas lights), while the KS220 and KS200 are indoor light switches. All three devices are Apple HomeKit compatible.

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TP-Link has become one of my favorite manufacturers of networking hardware. When someone asks for my advice on choosing a router, I often steer them towards TP-Link. Why? Because the company's products are both dependable and affordable. For instance, you can score a quality Wi-Fi 6 router for around $70.

I am also a fan of TP-Link's Kasa line of smart home products -- light bulbs, cameras, and more. The company's power outlet adapters are particularly useful, and today, the newest such model becomes available. Called "Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25)," the UL-certified outlet adapter can do more than just turn lamps and other appliances on/off. You see, EP25 also offers energy monitoring -- how cool is that? Apple fans should appreciate the HomeKit support too.

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TP-Link has become one of my favorite manufacturers of networking hardware. When someone asks my advice on a router, I often steer them towards TP-Link. Why? Because the company's products are both dependable and affordable. For instance, you can score a quality Wi-Fi 6 router for under $70.

I am also a fan of TP-Link's Kasa line of smart home products -- light bulbs, cameras, power outlet adapters, and more. So I was a bit confused earlier today when the company officially launched its new "Tapo" smart home brand in the USA. Why do Kasa and Tapo both need to exist? Would the latter replace the former? Well, I reached out to TP-Link for an explanation and the company replied with one.

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Google bought Nest more than seven years ago now, and since that acquisition, there have been many cool smart home devices to come from the search giant. Under the Nest branding, there's not just smart thermostats and cameras, but other products too such as doorbells and speakers. Ultimately, the name "Nest" has become synonymous with the smart home.

Today, Google unveils some new Nest smart home devices, and they are all camera-related. There is a new doorbell (with integrated camera) plus three new dedicated security cameras. What's notable is that the new doorbell and one of the new cameras can be run from a battery, meaning they do not require a hardwire power connection. One of the cameras features nifty floodlights too.

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Home automation continues to grow in popularity at an ever-increasing rate. The market value is expected to reach $114 billion by 2025, with smart lighting products accounting for 25 percent of that.

It’s hard to say where the average user begins with home automation, but we’d argue it’s likely to be with a smart lightbulb for most of them. It’s a product that seems straightforward and doesn’t have the dangers of locking you out of your house (as a smart lock could) or making you feel like you’re either in a) Death Valley, or b) Nome, Alaska (unlike a smart thermostat). 

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Home automation is settling into its place in the world, with more and more people embracing it. Predictions have the home automation market hitting 350 million users by 2023.

Most people start simple with lightbulbs that can be controlled remotely, or a security camera or a water leak sensor to notify you of an emergency wherever you are. Some items can even be controlled by voice through a third-party service like Alexa. The big thing, especially for new users, is ease of setup and use.

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