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News
AI-powered Alexa? Here's what Amazon might charge for it…
In a “must-win” year for Alexa, Amazon is still said to be mulling an extra fee for an Alexa supercharged by AI.
Feature
The hidden costs of robot vacuums revealed
From disposable dust bags to new side brushes, the cost of replacement parts for a robot can add up quickly. Here's how much more you can expect to spend.
News
Philips Hue’s new smart light is the one we’ve been waiting for
Famous for its smart bulbs, floor lamps, light switches, and outdoor fixtures, Philips Hue has waited a surprisingly long time to jump into this smart light category.
News
Blink security cameras gain new playback feature: Blink Moments
Subscribers who own more than one Blink home security camera will soon get recordings with multiple perspectives of what's happening around their property.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
The best way to set up an Apple TV
How to bypass the Apple TV app, but still use its excellent "Up Next" feature.
News
Tapo's solar-powered security cam offers sustainable surveillance
TP-Link's smart home brand says 45 minutes of sunshine on the solar panel accompanying its SolarCam C402 is enough to power the security cam 24/7.
Opinion
4 reasons HomePod wasn't invited to the Apple Intelligence party
A new AI-enhanced Siri is coming to iPhones, iPads, and Macs later this year—but not to HomePods. Here are a few possible reasons the HomePod got left out.
News
Apple’s HomePod is finally getting a long-delayed feature
Starting this fall, you'll be able to let someone else play DJ on your HomePod.
News
Apple barely mentioned smart home during its AI-infused WWDC keynote
If you blinked, you missed the handful of new features coming to the Apple Home app this fall.
News
Home Assistant gets AI-powered voice control; I can’t wait to try it
Now you can say “Hey, it’s too dark in here,” and Home Assistant’s LLM-powered conversation agents will know what to do.
News
Safemo's solar-powered security system promises privacy first
The kit includes pair of solar-powered 4K cameras and an AI-powered central hub for local processing, encryption, and storage of recordings.
News
Kidde says its new smoke detectors respond 25% faster than competitors
The new Kidde Detect product line consists of battery-powered and hardwired smoke and smoke plus carbon monoxide detectors.
Feature
10 killer smart home products that are now stone dead
Angry that Spotify will soon kill your Car Thing? Welcome to the club. These doomed smart home products were also destined for the dumpster.
Feature
6 everyday air pollutants you need to worry about
Every breath you take includes a potpourri of particles that could be hazardous to your health. These are the six common airborne pollutants to watch out for.
Updated
Smart lighting specialist Lutron launches super-small downlights
Lutron’s pricey new Ketra and Rania recessed ceiling cans boast barely-there 2-inch apertures, replicate natural light, and—of course—offer wireless control.
News
Google speaker groups just got a major missing feature back
A years-old legal spat with Sonos forced Google to pull a key speaker group feature. But with victory in sight, Google is rolling back the change.
Updated
Is iRobot Select worth it? Let's do the math
iRobot's subscription service gets you a self-emptying Roomba, free replacement parts, and a new Roomba every three years, all for $29 a month.
News
iRobot closes Select subscription service to new customers
Following Amazon’s decision to end its bid to acquire iRobot, the robot vacuum maker has stopped accepting new members to its Roomba subscription plan.
News
Jasco's Eternity Lights can be installed just once for all seasons
With these outdoor LED string lights in your home’s eaves, you’ll have smart decorative lighting for every holiday season—and for entertaining rear round.
Opinion
I tested Dyson’s WashG1 and for me, there’s one clear problem
Dyson has announced its first dedicated wet floor cleaner. I tested it and liked it a lot, except for one little issue. Here's everything you need to know.
Feature
How we test robot vacuums and mops at TechHive
We evaluate every vacuum and mop in real-world settings to determine if they're worth your time and investment.
News
Matter adds support for microwave ovens, smart lighting scenes
Version 1.3 of the Matter specification adds ovens, laundry dryers, leak detectors, and other device types, while also supporting smart light scenes and energy monitoring.
Feature
Wi-Fi jamming attacks are on the rise. How they affect your smart home security
More and more burglars are using Wi-Fi jammers to defeat smart home security systems. The threat is real, but there's no cause for panic if you understand all the implications.
Updated
The original smart thermostat is about to get dumb
Nearly 16 years after its unveiling, the groundbreaking Ecobee Smart thermostat will soon lose internet connectivity, although its basic HVAC features will still work.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
The dumbest new smart TV trend: Exclusive content
What's behind the exclusive content push on smart TVs from Vizio, Samsung, and LG
News
Chamberlain leaves the garage with myQ indoor camera
Best known for its smart garage door controller and accessories, Chamberlain's myQ brand is moving further into the home with its new indoor cam.
News
The new Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam can surveil an entire room
Ring’s latest indoor security cam features a better pan/tilt motor than the base it sells as an add-on for its Ring Stick Up Cam, but you can't use it outdoors.
News
Weak default IoT passwords targeted by new UK law
The United Kingdom just became the first country to bar IoT manufacturers from setting weak default passwords for smart devices.
News
How to livestream the 2024 NBA Playoffs and Finals
You will likely need a streaming subscription to watch the NBA postseason online. We've listed all your options and include links to get you started.
News
The ROXi Interactive Music Channel is coming to NextGen TV
Pearl TV, a consortium of U.S. broadcasters, is also looking to use ROXi’s FastStream interactive television tech for other interactive channels, including sports.
News
Roku says 576,000 more of its users were hacked in second attack
Using the same old-school method as an earlier attack, hackers gained access to more than a half million more Roku accounts.
News
Yale Approach with Wi-Fi is an affordable retrofit smart lock
Smart home dwellers looking for an easy way to upgrade their existing deadbolts have a new retrofit option from one of the world’s oldest lock manufacturers.
Updated
Amazon won’t pay developers to build Alexa skills anymore
Amazon is winding down its payments to Alexa skill developers as its pivots toward a new, generative AI-powered Alexa.
News
Roku Pro Series TVs arrive, with mini-LEDs, muscular processing
The smart TV builder is moving up with quantum dots, mini-LED backlighting, more powerful processors, and a very cool backlit remote.
News
Dyson’s new AR CleanTrace aims to gamify vacuuming
Want to use augmented reality to make vacuuming easier? Dyson's AR will soon be IRL, but you'll need the right tech to make it happen.
News
iRobot's new robot vacuum and mop combo goes back to basics
With the budget-priced Roomba Combo Essential and Vac Essential, iRobot has upgraded the 600 Series with improved performance and advanced features.
News
Samsung's new robot vacuum and mop can steam clean floors
Besides vacuuming and mopping your floors, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI can detect and steam clean stubborn floor stains.
News
Philips Hue sync app for Samsung TVs adds subscription option
Did you pass on the $130 app that syncs Philips Hue lights with a Samsung TV? If so, Hue and Samsung have an alternative: a monthly subscription plan.
News
Ecovacs's robot vacuum and hand vac combo ships in April
First revealed at CES back in January, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Series packs a more powerful Deebot X2 Omni robot vacuum plus a handheld vacuum accessory.
News
Google Home for web adds camera history, clip downloads
The web-based version of Google Home now boasts a “full camera experience,” complete with an event timeline and the ability to download recorded clips.
News
Roku hackers hijack 15,000 accounts using an old trick
Hackers took control of thousands of Roku accounts and ran up credit card bills with fraudulent purchases, using a tried-and-true method.
News
Airbnb to hosts: No more indoor security cams, period
In a global policy change, Airbnb has banned the use of all indoor security cameras, including in common spaces.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Roku's forced arbitration update leaves users fuming
Friendly reminder from Roku: You don't exactly own your smart TV.
News
Nest Aware now part of Google One plans in U.K., not U.S. yet
Google One users in the U.K. just learned that their plans now offer Nest Aware benefits, but there’s no word when U.S. users will be included in the offering.
News
Ikea’s long-awaited Matter update just went into beta
After a lengthy delay, Ikea's promised Matter update for its Dirigera smart hub is finally poised to arrive.
News
Own this video doorbell? Take it down now
In a blockbuster report, Consumer Reports pinpoints a series of cheap video doorbells that are wide open to attack.
News
DRM remains a stumbling block for DVRs embracing ATSC 3.0
Broadcasters tout a new spec for ATSC 3.0 DVR, but DRM concerns linger.
News
LIFX is back with new outdoor smart lights
The once-troubled, now Feit Electric-owned LIFX brand returns with a quartet of outdoor lights, including string lights, a spotlight, and a flexible "rope" light.
News
HomePod with screen is still a year away (at least)
A screen-equipped HomePod won't see the light of day this year, according to the latest chatter.
News