Z-Wave can be a very robust automation network, free from the complications and fragility of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Just how robust, you ask? More than a mile long, under the right circumstances, as hardware soon to hit the market promises. All claims of radio distances should be taken with amounts of salt unhealthy for consumption. […]
December 18, 2024 | home automation, shelly, Smart Home, Tech, z-wave, z-wave long range, z-wave lr | No comments
Startup Embodied is closing down, and its product, an $800 robot for kids ages 5 to 10, will soon be bricked. Embodied blamed its closure on a failed “critical funding round.” On its website, it explained: We had secured a lead investor who was prepared to close the round. However, at the last minute, they […]
December 10, 2024 | robots, Smart Home, Tech | No comments
Makers of smart devices that fail to disclose how long they will support their products with software updates may be breaking the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned this week. The FTC released its statement after examining 184 smart products across 64 product categories, including soundbars, video doorbells, breast pumps, smartphones, home […]
November 27, 2024 | Smart Home, Tech | No comments
After a couple of years without much happening, smart displays are in the news again. Aside from smart TVs, consumer screens that connect to the Internet have never reached a mainstream audience. However, there seems to be a resurgence to make smart displays more popular. The approaches that some companies are taking are better than […]
November 22, 2024 | Amazon, Apple, Google, Monitors, Smart Home, Tech | No comments
What’s the point of an indoor security camera? Monitor a pet? Keeping an eye out when you aren’t home? Maybe it’s to keep an eye out while you sleep? This camera does it all with enough detail to really make a difference if, heaven forbid, you ever need evidence of a break-in or have a […]
September 25, 2024 | Homekit, Smart Home | No comments
I’ve used a few doorbell cameras and thoroughly enjoyed my time with Aqara’s Smart Video Doorbell G4. Like many Aqara products, the G4 is chock full of features at a reasonable price and is compatible with HKSV, Google, and Alexa. There’s a lot on offer, so let’s get right to it! Aqara Video Doorbell G4: […]
September 25, 2024 | Homekit, Smart Home | No comments
Aqara’s Indoor Security Camera E1 is the little sibling to their excellent Camera Hub G3, aimed at those who don’t quite need all the bells and whistles or the higher price. But don’t let that fool you! The pan and tilt E1 is a robust indoor security camera with a great feature set and solid […]
September 25, 2024 | Homekit, Smart Home | No comments
When you first unbox Aqara’s diminutive Camera Hub, you’re greeted by a tiny face with removable cat ears. It’s all very kawaii (Japanese slang for “cute”) if you’re into anime and such, but that cute little face belies a monster of a device inside. It does a lot and you’re going to wind up asking […]
September 25, 2024 | Homekit, Smart Home | No comments