Latest Smart Home News
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News
Yale introduces its third-generation family of smart deadbolts
The Yale Assure 2 is smaller, smarter, and easier to install than ever, according to its manufacturer. It's compatible with all popular smart home ecosystems.
News
The Chromecast with Google TV HD is a cheap streamer with no surprises
Google's $30 streaming dongle takes on the Roku Express and Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite.
News
Philips Hue halts Lightguide bulb sales due to 'aesthetic' defect
Something's amiss with the flashy new Lightguide bulbs that Philips Hue unveiled earlier this month.
News
Amazon's big hardware event slated for Sept. 28: What to expect
Amazon will show off its latest Echo, Ring, and other new devices at its annual hardware event next week. What will be on tap?
News
This could be the most innovative smart sprinkler system ever
By adapting inkjet printer technology to a robotic sprinkler head, Irrigreen says its XP smart irrigation system can "print" water onto your lawn.
News
Got a question for Alexa? A brand might soon provide the answer
Amazon just kicked off a new marketing program that allows businesses to submit answers to Alexa queries, complete with links to their storefronts.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Roku's next software update changes everything
Roku OS 11.5's Save List and Continue Watching features mark a big shift in Roku's approach to streaming,
News
Hunter Douglas says PowerView Gen 3 makes its shades smarter
The manufacturer already makes our favorite smart window shades, and the company promises its third-generation ecosystem will make them even better.
Feature
Sonos unveils the Sub Mini: Release date and pricing revealed
The long-awaited Sonos Sub Mini is finally official, and we have all the details, including when it will arrive and how much it will cost.
Updated
Lutron’s latest in-wall smart dimmer looks a lot less geeky
The new Diva Smart Dimmer has a slider in place of the four buttons on Lutron's Caséta dimmer, but it’s fully compatible with the rest of the Caséta ecosystem.
News
Roku OS 11.5 boosts "continue watching" and "save list" features
With the arrival of OS 11.5, Roku users will have a much easier time picking up shows where they left off, while the save list jumps from mobile to the main Roku interface.
News
Ring brings end-to-end encryption to its battery-powered devices
Following last year's worldwide rollout of end-to-end encryption for its wired cameras and doorbells, Ring is adding support for battery-power devices, too.
News
A cheaper HD-only Chromecast: What it might cost
A refreshed version of Google's 1080p-only Chromecast is reportedly "imminent," and its potential price tag is coming into focus.
News
New Eve Light Switch will be Matter compatible
Also announced at IFA: Eve MotionBlinds for Honeycomb shades and a new white version of the Eve Outdoor Cam.
News
Philips Hue lights will sync with any music, but there’s a catch
Your Philips Hue lights will soon be able to sync with any music service, not just Spotify. Here's why iPhone users won't be happy about the new trick.
News
Philips Hue debuts striking Lightguide bulbs, gradient PC lightstrip
Hue's new bulbs have interior tubes that glow in any color, while the PC lightstrip syncs with the images on your monitor. Also coming soon: an "away" mode.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Is Tablo DVR still worth it in 2022?
Tablo can turn a single antenna into a whole-home DVR. Here's how it compared to the alternatives.
News
Amazon discontinues its Fire TV Recast over-the-air DVR
You can still snag the 1TB version of Amazon's DVR for over-the-air recordings, but only while supplies last.
News
Amazon snaps up robot vacuum maker iRobot for $1.7 billion
Already a giant when it comes to smart speakers and security cameras, Amazon will soon be a major player in the robot vacuum market.
News
The troubled LIFX smart light brand has a new home
LIFX's future looked dim after its former parent went into receivership earlier this year, but now the brand has a new owner: Feit Electronics.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Roku's What to Watch can't compete with Fire TV and Google TV
Roku's new recommendation system is less useful than Fire TV, Google TV, and Apple TV
News
Google’s 2021 Nest Cams finally work with Chromecast
One of the biggest complaints about Google's 2021 Nest Cams–their inability to stream live feeds to Chromecast with Google TV–has finally been fixed.
News
New Eve Motion sensor supports HomeKit, Thread, and Matter
The redesigned indoor/outdoor motion sensor can also monitor ambient light levels.
News
Alexa will soon play nice with Skullcandy's voice assistant
Alexa already works alongside "Hey Sonos" and "Hey Disney," and it's about to get cozy with Skullcandy's Skull-IQ voice assistant, too.
Updated
Vizio’s 240Hz M-series gaming TV to go on sale
Get ready for ultra-smooth PC gaming with Vizio's 50-inch M-series Quantum X TV, which can deliver 240Hz refresh rates at 1080p resolution.
Deal
Great Prime Day Deals on Echo, Echo Dot
We've spotted the best Prime Day Alexa deals, from the Echo Dot and Echo Show to Echo Buds and Echo Frames.
Best Deals
Best Prime Day home security deals
Score the best Amazon Prime Day deals on video doorbells, security cameras, and complete home security systems from Ring, SimpliSafe, Nest, Arlo, and other manufacturers.
News
Nanoleaf marks 10th anniversary with "ultra-black" Shapes panels
A decade after its early Kickstarter days, Nanoleaf has some eye-catching new light panels to show off.
Deal
Still available: Prime Day deals on home security
Score the best Amazon Prime Day deals on video doorbells, security cameras, and complete home security systems from Ring, SimpliSafe, Nest, Arlo, and other manufacturers.
Deal
Don't miss this Rachio 3 sprinkler controller Prime Day sale
Conserve water and save money now and all year round with this deal that slices $85 off the best sprinkler controller.
Deal
Snag an Ecobee Smart Thermostat for $40 off during Prime Day (expired)
Steeply discounted for Amazon Prime Day, this Alexa-enabled thermostat features a remote sensor to eliminate hot and cold spots.
Deal
Amazon's Echo Show 5 can be yours for $34.99 on Prime Day
Small but powerful, Amazon's second-gen Echo Show 5 display is selling on Prime Day for an all-time low price.
Deal
Amazon Prime Day 2022: Snag a new Echo Dot for just $19.99 (expired)
The diminutive Amazon Echo Dot is the perfect way to kick off a new smart home, and the latest version is getting a massive price cut for Prime Day.
Deal
Amazon Prime Day 2022: Echo Auto is a whopping 60% off today (expired)
Want to put Alexa in your car? The Amazon Echo Auto makes its easy, and you can snag it for cheap on Prime Day.
Deal
Ring Alarm Pro systems still available for 20% off on Prime Day (expired)
Ring takes home security to the next level by building a Wi-Fi 6 router right into its hub.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Master your Android TV with these 25 tips
A guide to making the most of Sony TVs, Nvidia Shield TV boxes, and other Android TV devices.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Roku remote not working? Here are your options
Here are the best replacement remotes for Roku streaming players, and for Roku TVs from TCL, Sharp, Hisense, and others.
News
Alexa’s latest voice trick might be its creepiest
Alexa may soon be able to conjure the voices of dead relatives with the help of AI.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Is Spectrum killing TiVo support? Answer: It’s complicated
TiVo users received a message from Spectrum suggesting that CableCARD support is going away, but the cable company is light on specifics.
News
Philips Hue unwraps portable Go table lamp, revamped Tap switch
There’s a new version of Philips Hue’s Go lamp on the way, along with a redesigned Tap switch and a more elaborate sunrise routine.
News
Google Nest Hub Max won’t act as a bridge for Nest x Yale Lock or Nest Detect anymore
If you’re using a Google Nest Hub Max to connect your Next x Yale Lock or Nest Detect sensors to the internet, get ready for a big change.
News Analysis
Samsung TV benchmark brouhaha: Scandalous cheating, or tempest in a teapot?
Korea's top TV vendor has been accused of programming its TVs to perform differently on benchmarks than they do in real life. Perhaps, perhaps not. Should the average user really care?
Updated
Insteon’s servers have mysteriously turned back on
No one seems to know who’s behind the restart of Insteon’s servers, and it’s not clear how long the smart-home vendor's service will stay online.
News
A cheaper, HD-only Chromecast with Google TV could be coming soon
Google appears to be prepping a revamped 1080p Chromecast with its Google TV interface.
News
Bluetooth's upcoming killer feature has a new name
Meet Auracast, the new moniker for upcoming audio sharing and broadcast features in Bluetooth’s next-gen LE Audio standard.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
How the Apple TV could be better
tvOS 16 is coming this fall, but it won't bring any big changes for Apple TV. Here's how Apple's streaming box could be improved.
Updated
Google blames Sonos for device activation errors, Sonos claps back
A handful of Pixel users can't activate smart devices that haven’t recently connected to Wi-Fi. Google says Sonos is to blame. but Sonos is pushing back at the charge.
Updated
The Wyze Scale X is coming to judge you
Wyze is taking the best features from its compact Scale S and adding them to its new flagship scale.
News