Articles about Smart Home

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 quartet of new smart home products under its Kasa branding. There is the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug (EP10), Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40), Kasa Spot, 24/7 Recording (KC400), and the Kasa Spot Pan Tilt, 24/7 Recording (KC410S). Basically, it is a pair of 2K Wi-Fi cameras and a couple of Wi-Fi power outlet adapters.

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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.

For my smart lighting, I have outlet adapters connected to lamps, and for the most part, this works well. If I could do it over, however, I would probably just get smart bulbs. Today, TP-Link unveils its latest such product; the KL125 Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Bulb. This 800 lumen bulb is notable for being both dimmable and multicolor, meaning you can change the color and the brightness of the light -- something you cannot do with a smart outlet adapter.

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My first experience with a home voice assistance was Amazon Echo. You know what? It was life changing. While asking Alexa questions was neat, the real value was linking it to my smart home devices. It may not seem like a big deal in 2020, but the first time I turned on a lamp with my voice it was magical. Over time, I mostly transitioned to Google Home, however, as I found the search giant's assistant to be superior.

Not to mention, I fell in love with the Nest Hub -- a hardware assistant that I keep on my nightstand next to my bed. I trust it in my bedroom as it doesn't have a camera, but I digress. As a YouTube TV subscriber, I can even watch the TV service on the 7-inch screen, but I really don't. Why? Because I have a larger TV in the same room. That's why today's news that you can watch Netflix on Nest Hub and Hub Max doesn't really excite me. Is there a legitimate scenario where someone would use one of those devices to regularly watch Netflix video?

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If you are a homeowner in 2020, you should have an outdoor smart security camera -- it simply isn't up for debate. Not only are they more affordable than ever, but they are very simple to set up. Many models don't even requires cables or a hub, allowing you to mount it anywhere within your Wi-Fi's range. You can then monitor the outside of your home to detect potential burglars or just keep an eye on your children playing in the yard. There really is no excuse to not have one.

Today, Arlo unveils its latest outdoor smart security camera and it is shockingly affordable. Called "Essential," the 1080p camera is powered by a rechargeable battery and doesn't require a hub, so you can place it anywhere without having to deal with running cables for power. It even has color night-vision and two-way audio. Not to mention, it is sleek and attractive, so it won't look ugly hanging off the side of your house.

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It's estimated that there could be as many as 75 billion connected devices worldwide by 2025, but the increased popularity of 'smart' equipment comes with risk as many products currently on sale lack basic cybersecurity.

In response to this threat the UK's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is launching a £400,000 ($490,000) fund for innovators to design schemes to boost the security of internet-connected products.

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Apple’s HomeKit was supposed to simplify the smart home, putting the controls for all internet-connected devices in one place. The iPhone-maker’s solution largely delivered what it promised, but not all developers got onboard. And so, many homeowners found themselves unable to use HomeKit exclusively, as not all of their devices were compatible. Thankfully, Apple hasn’t yet given up on it.

Today, Logitech launches a new smart home security camera called “Circle View” that isn’t just compatible with Apple HomeKit — it is exclusive to it. In other words, if you aren’t an Apple hardware user, you shouldn’t even bother, as it requires the HomeKit Secure Video platform.

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The smart home concept is one of best uses of technology and the internet. Not only do these smart devices provide convenience, they also offer increased safety and protection too. For instance, an outdoor Wi-Fi camera can alert you to intruders that are lurking around your residence. Meanwhile, a smart light bulb can make those same intruders think you are home — even when you are away on vacation.

Another cool smart home product type that offers both convenience and safety is an internet-connected deadbolt. These devices can remotely unlock your door for welcomed visitors, and lock the door when you forget yo do so before leaving home. Today, the much-anticipated August Wi-Fi Smart Lock finally becomes available for purchase. The sleek (diameter: 72mm, depth: 46mm) lock is powered by two CR123 batteries and is compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.

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Having a smart home doesn't have to be an expensive affair these days. In fact, it can be downright affordable to add some intelligence to your residence. Want to turn on lamps with your voice? An Echo Dot can be had for less than $30, and Amazon is littered with inexpensive adapters that will turn your existing electrical outlets into "smart" outlets. If you want a more classy look, however, you are better off replacing the wall outlet entirely with a smart model (be sure to hire an electrician if you don't know how). Even though the functionality is essentially the same, it will simply look much better.

If you want a smart outlet, you should definitely stick to a reputable brand, and when it comes to electrical products, Leviton is one of the most trusted. Today, it launches the DW15R Decora Smart Wi-Fi Tamper-Resistant Outlet. The tamper resistance aspect is a must for homes with children, as the integrated shutters can minimize the possibility of injury or death if a foreign object is inserted. Best of all, it doesn't just work with lamps, but with pretty much anything that plugs into an electrical outlet, such as a coffee maker, hot iron, or fan. Convenience aside, you can have peace of mind when away from home by knowing you can always cut power to something you may have accidentally left on.

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Video doorbells are some of the best examples of how the "connected home" can be truly beneficial. These doorbells can alert you to both visitors and intruders -- plus package deliveries and package thieves. Best of all, many models allow you to interact remotely, giving someone at your door the illusion you are home. Ultimately, they are ideal for both convenience and security.

Unfortunately, not all models are created equally. Amazon's "Ring" brand is undeniably the most popular video doorbell on the market, but sadly, it is also the most untrustworthy. You see, it has been found that not only does Ring have terrible security and privacy practices, but Amazon also has many deals with law enforcement. By purchasing a Ring, you are essentially helping turn your neighborhood into a police state.

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Following a series of privacy-related controversies, smart doorbell maker Ring is making two-factor authentication (2FA) mandatory on all of its devices. In addition, the company is also giving users more control over personalized advertising.

Ring also says that it is temporarily pausing the use of most third-party analytics services in its apps and on its website. The company is working on giving users the ability to limit the sharing of data with third parties.

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As a technology enthusiast, I have many smart home devices in my house, such as a Nest thermostat, Google Home, Wi-Fi cameras, smart sprinklers, smart outlets and more. What my home has been lacking, however, is a smart doorbell. I have long wanted one of these camera doorbells, so I can monitor my porch and communicate with people that knock or ring the bell.

Over time, I was scared away from the Ring models, after reading many negative reports in the media about poor security and deals with law enforcement. No, I am not up to anything nefarious, but I'd rather not have my doorbell be used by "Big Brother." And so, I patiently waited for one to hit the market that piqued my interest.

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If you have a technology fan in your life, buying them a Christmas gift can be a bit hard. After all, they probably already have all of the devices they want -- including smart home products. With that said, there is a good chance they don't yet have a smart air quality monitor. Let's be honest, being alerted to air quality issues in your home is hardly sexy, but it is surprisingly rewarding and useful.

I use a 2nd gen Awair in my home, and it works very well. Just today, my phone told me chemicals in the air were high, and I later found out a family member sprayed some Febreze. When cooking, it will alert me that CO2 levels are rising. All the while, it gives me an easy to understand score so I know the overall quality of my home's air. There are apps for both Android and iPhone too.

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The smart home concept is one of the best uses of modern technology. Not only do these home devices make your life easier, but they can make you and your family safer too. For instance, thanks to Wi-Fi cameras, smart smoke detectors, and internet-connected alarm systems, you can be alerted to danger.

Video doorbells are all the rage these days, and owning one is an essential part of any smart home strategy. Unfortunately, the most popular model -- Ring by Amazon -- has close ties with law enforcement, making it hard to trust from a privacy perspective. Luckily, today, we are getting yet another option -- The Arlo Video Doorbell. Arlo home cameras are quite popular, and it is good to see a doorbell being added to its product lineup.

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New is good. It is nice to have the newest technology with modern designs. But that doesn’t mean old is bad. In other words, sometimes a retro design can be appreciated too. In some cases, retro and modern can be merged into a single product. This often happens with automobiles. Hey, people love nostalgia. It sells.

TP-Link has some new smart light bulbs that fit into that modern/retro hybrid category. The KL50 and KL60, as they are called, are Wi-Fi enabled, don’t require a hub, and can connect to voice assistants like Alexa and Google. Despite being LED, they are made to appear vintage with a filament look. In addition, TP-Link is also launching a new multi-color light strip.

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Smart home devices have proven to be a godsend for homeowners. Not only can things like smart thermostats, cameras, and lights make your life easier, but when paired with a voice assistant, they can help people with physical handicaps to act more independently.

One of the best makers of smart home devices is Nest. The Google-owned company (now known as "Google Nest") became popular thanks to its iconic round smart thermostat, but it has since branched out to cameras, smoke alarms, security systems, and more. Today, Google announces that Nest owners can finally migrate their Nest account to a Google one -- something the search giant previously promised.

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