Google Assistant

Fan speed on the Cielo Breez Plus

Reviews

Cielo Breez Plus Review: A Brilliant Way to Make Just About Any Remote-Controlled AC Unit Smart

A few years ago, I bought a Kenmore window unit air conditioner that touted being smart, app-controlled, and able to connect to Alexa and Google Home. After Kev had securely installed the AC in my office window, I powered it on only to find that the app and smart features were incompatible with my WiFi mesh system. :facepalm: Long story short, for the past three years, I’ve had an otherwise excellent window unit that’s never lived up to its potential. However, that all changed when I received a Cielo Breez Plus review unit; with it, my AC is finally smart!

Lutron Serena Smart Architectural Honeycomb Shades Will Add Beauty and Convenience to Your Home

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Lutron Serena Smart Architectural Honeycomb Shades Will Add Beauty and Convenience to Your Home

In 2018, I reviewed a custom set of Lutron Serena Smart Shades for my office. I opted for a traditional roller shade style, and I’m happy to report that they are still operating as perfectly as they did when first installed. Serena Smart architectural honeycomb shades have just been announced, and they look very sleek and elegant. If you’ve been thinking about adding smart window treatments to your home, and you’re particularly interested in something that looks refined and timeless, these might just be the shades that you’ve been looking for!

Bring Smarts and Style to your Home's Water Usage with the Moen Smart Faucet with Motion Control and the Moen Smart Water Network

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Bring Smarts and Style to your Home’s Water Usage with the Moen Smart Faucet with Motion Control and the Moen Smart Water Network

Smart home technology is everywhere these days, and Moen is making it clear that they are the leaders in smart water technology. The Moen Smart Faucet with Motion Control has new touchless technology to control the water’s temperature and flow with simple hand motions or voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Moen Smart Water Network is a whole-home ecosystem of products that, when working together, provide complete control over the water in one’s home.

Pozio

Gear Bits

Pozio Offers an Expensive Solution to Your Smart Speaker Privacy Concerns

The amazing thing about modern technology is that we literally have devices that we can ask to lock doors, turn off and on lights, look up recipes, and even change channels for us, all with a verbal command. The scary thing about modern technology is that we’ve also invited always-listening microphones into our homes to meet that convenience. Pozio aims to solve the privacy issue without taking away our digital butlers using listening blockers that double as cradles!

Lutron Caseta Outdoor Smart Plug

Gear Bits

Lutron Caseta Outdoor Smart Plug Makes Your Outdoor Lights Smart

So many of the things in your home are smart, but wouldn’t it be cool if the exterior of your home was smart, too? Imagine if you could control your backyard landscaping lights, the lights you have hanging under your patio, your pond, holiday inflatables, up to 1000′ of holiday lights, or other outdoor items with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Homekit. With the new Lutron Caseta Outdoor Smart Plug, you can.

Vizio V-Series Delivers Smart Affordable Entertainment #ad

Reviews, Sponsored

Vizio V-Series Delivers Smart Affordable Entertainment #ad

Vizio currently offers several television lines; their OLED line starts at $1299.99, the P-Series starts at $1199.99 for a 65” television, and a 40″ M-Series starts at $399.99. By contrast, you can get a 40” V-Series television for just $229.99. The V705x-H1, which I was sent for review, has an MSRP of $659.99 and is currently available for $549.99.

Lenovo Smart Tab M8 and Smart Tab M10 Are 2-in-1 Smart Home Hubs That Can Also Be Stand-Alone Tablets

Reviews

Lenovo Smart Tab M8 and Smart Tab M10 Are 2-in-1 Smart Home Hubs That Can Also Be Stand-Alone Tablets

Having a Smart Display in your living space makes for a great central hub where you and other family members can check schedules, play music or Youtube video, make video calls, control your Google or Alexa integrated home, and display favorite photos. Having that display also function as a family tablet when it’s not docked adds extra convenience and value. The Lenovo Smart Tab M8 and Smart Tab M10 are 2-in-1 devices that can serve as smart displays or as stand-alone tablets.

Reader Beware, You're in for a Scare Thanks to Philips Hue

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Reader Beware, You’re in for a Scare Thanks to Philips Hue

Even though Pumpkin Spice might be the best part of October for us adults, Halloween is still one of the best traditions for families and children alike. And who’s to say you can’t find a creative way to give a fright on the 31st in a creative way? Well, this year, you can with Philips Hue.

Head Back-to-School with Our Big Lenovo Giveaway

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Head Back-to-School with Our Big Lenovo Giveaway

Need a little something to perk up your back to school experience? We’ve got you! Lenovo has sent us a huge box of giveaway items that are looking for new homes, and we can’t wait to share them with you! Entry is easy, and if you are one of our lucky winners, one of these prizes will soon be in your hands.

Lutron Caséta Is the High-End Smart Lighting System You're Looking For

Reviews

Lutron Caséta Is the High-End Smart Lighting System You’re Looking For

There are so many smart home products on the market; tech companies or small startups make many, but who knows who you can trust? Lutron has been making quality lighting accessories since the 1950s, and they’ve become a highly-regarded name in the lighting industry. With the Caséta Wireless series, I’ve finally found a smart home brand I can trust.

Neato’s Robot Vacuums Add Siri Shortcuts to Their Functions

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Neato’s Robot Vacuums Add Siri Shortcuts to Their Functions

Neato’s robot vacuums seem to be a favorite in a lot of homes, mostly because they’re some of the few that have so many built-in smart integrations including the ability to work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. But starting today, Neato adds a voice function that makes it even easier to command your vac from your iPhone.

Roborock S5 vs S6 Smart Home Robot Vacuums: A Comparison

Reviews

Roborock S5 vs S6 Smart Home Robot Vacuums: A Comparison

Roborock’s mission for 2020 has been to surpass robot vacuum brand like Neato for the best home cleaners on the market. Their efforts have led us to the Roborock S5 Max and the Roborock S6, two of their higher-end models, yet still, carry a lesser price tag than many of the competition.

Nest Hub Max Is the Smart Assistant to Beat

Reviews

Nest Hub Max Is the Smart Assistant to Beat

As I’ve written in recent months, I’m deeply entrenched in Amazon’s Alexa voice services but I’m slowly being won over by Google’s offerings. I reviewed a JBL smart speaker last year (read my review) and Google’s Nest Mini last month (read my review). I’ve had a chance to play with the Google Nest Hub Max, and I have to admit that I’m impressed.