Smart Home
The latest smart home news and reviews.
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Amazon debuts Eye Gaze accessibility features on the Fire Max 11 tablet
Amazon just unveiled new accessibility features, including an Eye Gaze for Alexa tool for the Fire Max 11 tablet.
Cherlynn Low09.20.2023
Amazon Alexa is evolving into a chatbot for your home
Great news everyone! Amazon's Alexa is getting a slew of new AI-enhanced abilities!
Andrew Tarantola09.20.2023
Panos Panay is reportedly heading to Amazon after leaving Microsoft
It didn’t take long to learn Panos Panay’s new home. The industry veteran, instrumental in developing Windows 11 and the Microsoft Surface line of 2-in-1s and laptops, will land at Amazon.
Will Shanklin09.19.2023
iRobot’s new flagship Roombas ship with an updated OS to make cleaning simpler
iRobot just announced presales for the forthcoming J9+ line of vacuums, a refresh of the flagship J7+ line. These vacuums boast more suction power than ever before and a whole suite of new features, thanks to an updated operating system that prioritizes automation and efficiency.
Lawrence Bonk09.11.2023
iRobot’s latest Roombas can vacuum and mop for cheaper
iRobot announced two new combo vacuum / mop combo robots today. The Roomba Combo j5+ and Combo i5+ provide some of the dual-mode features of the $1,1099 Roomba j7+ but for more affordable prices. However, there are some tradeoffs in selling these models for $799 (j5+) and $549 (i5+), including having to swap out their bins when it’s time to switch between vacuuming and mopping.
Will Shanklin08.29.2023
Google adds first-gen indoor Nest cameras to its Home app
Google ha started rolling out the ability to manage the first-generation Nest Cam Indoor device through the public preview version of its Home app.
Mariella Moon08.25.2023
Amazon hardware VP Dave Limp set to retire after almost 14 years
Dave Limp, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of Hardware and Services, has announced his pending retirement from the company. Limp has been with the company for nearly 14 years and, as his title suggests, has oversaw Amazon’s transition into dedicated hardware devices like newer Kindle e-readers, Alexa-enabled Echo speakers and the various Fire-branded products, among many others.
Lawrence Bonk08.16.2023
Every Amazon division is working on generative AI projects
Just like pretty much every other major tech company, Amazon is placing a heavy focus on generative artificial intelligence. CEO Andy Jassy noted on Amazon's latest earnings call that every division has multiple generative AI projects in the works.
Kris Holt08.04.2023
Amazon's iRobot purchase is under investigation by European authorities
Amazon's $1.7 billion acquisition of Roomba manufacturer iRobot is under scrutiny not only in the US, but also in Europe.
Mariella Moon07.07.2023
8710087100TP-Link Deco XE75 review: a solid WiFi 6E router system that delivers more for less
It's not the most polished, or best-looking, but it's the right mix of affordable and powerful for folks who feel confident to manage their own mesh.
Daniel Cooper06.22.2023
8710087100Nest WiFi Pro review: Google’s WiFi 6E mesh is more approachable than the rest
Google's blend of performance and price remains unbeatable in the mesh WiFi space.
Daniel Cooper06.21.2023
Philips Hue lights are getting brightness balancing and better motion sensor automations
Philips Hue is introducing some new features that make it easier to match brightness levels on different lights and fine-tune motion sensor automation.
Steve Dent06.20.2023
8510085100Google Pixel Tablet review: Clever accessories transform an unexciting tablet
The Pixel Tablet is a competent smart display that is also a tablet that's always charged and ready when you need it. Some quirks aside, it's a versatile product that deserves a spot in your home.
Cherlynn Low06.20.2023
Amazon’s ‘Hey Disney!’ experience comes to most Echo devices
Amazon and Disney have partnered to create a new interactive experience that combines Alexa’s voice assistant features with Disney’s robust stable of characters. The appropriately-named “Hey Disney!” is available on any Echo device and represents the very first time Amazon has allowed an assistant other than Alexa on its various speakers and tablets.
Lawrence Bonk06.15.2023
Google Home's new script editor can make smart device automations even more powerful
After releasing its redesigned Home app last month, Google is giving users far more control over their smart homes via new script editor.
Steve Dent06.14.2023
Amazon will pay $25 million to settle FTC lawsuit over Alexa privacy for kids
Amazon has agreed to pay $25 million to settle FTC claims it violated kids' privacy rights with Alexa.
Jon Fingas06.01.2023
Abode's entry-level Smart Home Security Kit only costs $160 but drops HomeKit support
Abode's new Smart Home Security Kit comes in at a lower $160, but drops support for Apple's HomeKit technology.
Peter Cao05.25.2023
Amazon's 2023 Echo Show is faster and offers improved audio
Amazon updated the standard and Kids variants of the Echo Show 5 in its string of Alexa hardware announcements today. The new model is faster and sounds better, but it otherwise could be mistaken for the previous version.
Will Shanklin05.17.2023
Amazon unveils the $40 Echo Pop, a semi-spherical smart speaker
Amazon updated its Echo speaker lineup today, including a new $40 model with a semi-spherical design, the Echo Pop. Additionally, Echo Auto is coming to more countries.
Will Shanklin05.17.2023
After two years of updates, the HomePod mini is actually pretty good
Apple's HomePod mini has improved significantly in two-plus years, and that makes it a better deal.
Jon Fingas05.16.2023