Latest Smart Home News
SEE SMART HOME STORIES BY CATEGORY
News
iOS 17 StandBy mode brings smart display-like features to iPhone
Coming in iOS 17, StandBy displays clock faces, smart home widgets, and photos on your iPhone's lock screen when it's horizontal.
News
FaceTime is coming to Apple TV with tvOS 17
You’ll finally be able to make FaceTime calls over your Apple TV with a little help from your iPhone.
News
Apple will simplify Siri's wake word with iOS 17
Soon you won't need to say "Hey" before chatting with Apple's Siri on the iPhone. Back-to-back Siri commands without the wake word are also coming soon.
News
IFTTT is killing its pay-what-you-want Legacy Pro plan
IFTTT originally pledged to honor its set-your-own-price plan for legacy users "forever," but the web applet service appears to be reneging on its promise.
News
TP-Link’s new Tapo outdoor security cam boasts color night vision
The Tapo C325WB doesn’t rely on LED spotlights to record 2K-resolution video in color under low light conditions.
News
Google Assistant to drop support for third-party notes apps
Starting next month, Google Assistant will only be able to create notes and lists on Google Keep, leaving AnyList and Bring users high and dry.
News
Amazon to pay $30M to settle the FTC's Alexa, Ring complaints
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission had accused Amazon of illegally gathering data from kids through their Alexa profiles, as well as mishandling Ring videos.
News
Google ends support for first Chromecast after 10-year run
Originally released back in 2013, the first-generation Chromecast had an impressively long run for a streaming video player.
Updated
Amazon yanks Alexa’s paid celebrity voices, offers refunds
Alexa’s ability to speak in Samuel L. Jackson’s voice is already gone, and the Melissa McCarthy and Shaquille O’Neal voices are getting the hook soon.
News
Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro promises high-end security for less
The budget-priced smart home device bolts a 2.5K-resolution security camera to a trio of articulated floodlights delivering up to 3,000 lumens of brightness.
News
Abode Systems announces a low-cost DIY home security system
Stripping out smart home features such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, and HomeKit certification results in a simpler, less-expensive hub focused exclusively on security.
News
Apple iOS 17 might turn your iPhone into a smart display
The next version of iOS could make your iPhone act like a smart display when it's locked and positioned horizontally, according to a report.
News
Netflix just made it a lot easier to sort your My List titles
Netflix is adding a big improvement to its mobile app: a new sorting option for "My List". Here's how it works.
News
Govee's first Matter product is a 6.5-foot color light strip
Govee is delivering on its Matter promises with a multicolor light strip that works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings.
News
Wyze's Cam Plus plan gets a price hike next month
Prepare to pay more for Wyze’s paid subscription plan starting in June, unless you switch to an annual plan.
News
IFTTT to pull Twitter applets for free users, add more restrictions
Starting later this month, IFTTT users with free accounts will be allowed only two applets, and they'll lose all access to Twitter applets.
News
Amazon unveils new Echo Pop speaker, revamped Echo Show 5
The updated Echo Show 5 arrives with a faster processor and new speakers, while the affordable and semi-spherical Echo Pop comes in four colors.
News
Eve's revamped Flare portable light adds Thread, Matter to follow
The latest version of Eve's globe-shaped portable lamp boasts a Thread radio, with Matter support on the way.
News
Telly reveals its free dual-screen TV, complete with ads
The 55-inch 4K TV has a built-in soundbar, while a secondary screen along the bottom displays news tickers, sports scores, and more, plus ads.
News
WiZ jumps into home monitoring with its first security camera
Following its unveiling of smart bulbs that double as motion sensors, WiZ serves up a home security camera that can trigger "light alarms" to scare intruders.
News
Google rolls out Home app redesign, Matter support for iOS users
The long-awaited revamp of Google’s Home app will soon arrive, along with Matter support for the iOS version of the app.
News
Google’s Pixel Tablet with Nest-style charging dock arrives in June
The Pixel Tablet and dock combo will cost $499 when it ships next month, making the package considerably less pricey than expected.
News
Roku adds a security system to its smart home lineup
Expanding further into the smart home space, Roku is unveiling a home security kit complete with motion and entry sensors, an alarm, and a keypad.
News
Disney+ dropping support for Roku 4 streaming player
Roku's original 4K streaming player soon won't be able to stream Disney+ videos, following Roku's decision to end OS updates for the aging hardware.
News
A free, ad-supported TV? Don't laugh, someone's working on it
A hardware startup plans to unveil a TV that won't cost a dime, so long as you don't mind a second screen for advertisements.
News
Google I/O 2023: Will the Nest dock make an appearance?
Google teased a Nest-style dock for its upcoming Google Pixel Tablet last year. Will the finished product take the stage at Google I/O 2023?
News
Alexa can now keep tabs on your Uber Eats orders
Alexa will give you real-time updates on your Uber Eats delivery, including when your order is arriving and whether there are any changes.
News
Google TV devices just got a nice performance boost
A recent update for Google TV-powered streaming players adds a hibernation mode for background apps while also improving wake and response times.
News
Amazon Alexa now supports Matter over Thread
Alexa's support for the new, ecosystem-unifying smart home standard is no longer limited to Wi-Fi.
News
Abode smart home users can now integrate Google Nest devices
Google Nest thermostats, doorbells, and cameras can now be controlled from the Abode app alongside native Abode smart home devices.
News
Amazon will add more than 100 Prime Video titles to Freevee
"Reacher," "The Summer I Turned Pretty," "The Terminal List," and other Prime Video shows will soon land on Amazon's ad-supported Freevee service.
News
Amazon appears to be prepping a third-gen Echo Show 5
A reference to a third-generation Echo Show 5 display has been spotted on an Amazon help page. Is a new version of the smallest Echo display on the way?
News
Robot vacuum maker Neato Robotics is shutting down
The 18-year-old iRobot competitor is set to cease operations, but its parent company promises to support the brand's robot vacuums for at least five years.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Discover the secret features of your media streamer's remote
Need help navigating streaming apps? Don't neglect the press-and-hold technique. Your streamer's remote is capable of more than meets the eye.
News
Ring's updated Indoor Cam adds a privacy shutter
The latest version of Ring's Indoor Cam marks the first Ring camera to come with a physical privacy shutter.
News
WiZ's Matter update really matters for Apple HomeKit users
Adding WiZ lights to HomeKit with help from the new Matter standard is a pretty awesome experience.
News
How to update your Eve smart home devices to Matter today
You can now update various Eve smart devices to Matter, but it's a process. Check our our step-by-step installation guide.
Deal
iRobot is slashing Roomba prices for Mother's Day
Save up to $500 on iRobot vacuum and mop bundles, while individual Roomba models are selling for as much as $250 off.
News
Walmart's $19.88 Onn Google TV 4K streaming box breaks cover
Surprise! Walmart's unannounced Google TV streaming box supports 4K video, it's cheap, and it's in stores. All you have to do is find one.
News
Google Assistant will shush itself when controlling nearby devices
Too much chatter from Google Assistant? If so, good news: The Assistant will now acknowledge certain commands with a chime rather than by speaking.
News
Apple HomePods can now detect the sound of smoke alarms
If your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off, your HomePod or HomePod mini can detect the sound and trigger a notification.
News
Google's Nest Thermostat gets Matter support
You can now control your Nest Thermostat using any Matter-compatible platform, including Apple Home and Samsung SmartThings.
News
Withings’ Body Smart scale adds tact to its list of features.
Withings' new Body Smart scale is the most budget-friendly of its new line-up, with a gentler approach and some new metrics
News
TP-Link's first Matter-certified smart plug: Kasa Smart KP125M
Designed for lamps and small appliances, it's compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, and SmartThings. It also has an energy-monitoring feature.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
What's up with Netflix's password sharing crackdown?
Netflix's plans to hinder password sharing—which it planned to roll out in Q1 2023—haven't materialized in the United States.
News
Turn off your Nexx smart garage door controller right now
A vulnerability in Nexx smart devices could allow hackers to open or close Nexx-controlled garage doors at will, from anywhere in the world, a researcher says.
News
Samsung's 2023 Neo QLED smart TVs now hitting store shelves
Samsung says its 2023 QN90C- and QN900C-series Neo QLED TVs are now available at retail.
News
TP-Link’s Tapo brand adds a hub to its smart home offerings
The Tapo H100 Smart Hub with Chime works with Tapo contact and motion sensors. It’s cheap, but it's not the brains for a full smart home system.
News
T-Mobile and Amazon team up for hands-free Alexa calls
T-Mobile just became the latest carrier to offer hands-free calling through Alexa, joining AT&T and Verizon.
News