I’ve been all-in with Amazon’s Alexa smart devices since they first came on the scene. In recent months, however, devices leveraging Google’s smart assistant have been winning me over. The new Google Nest Mini is, in part, responsible for that. It is under $50, sounds surprisingly good, and it lets you control your home and more using only your voice.
The Deebot Ozmo 950 is one of my favorite robotic vacuums because of its intelligent features and versatility. It can both vacuum and mop while constantly scanning its surroundings using Smart Navi 3.0 laser mapping. The Ozmo 950 is also Wi-Fi equipped and compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. Ozmo 950 retails for $799.99.
A little over a year ago, I went looking for a new router for our home. I tried a few and was disappointed. I eventually settled on a system Perry recommended. It’s okay, but I’ve spent the last few days checking out the brand new Nest WiFi from Google, and I’m impressed.
One of the new devices that caught my eye at CES this January was the Lenovo Smart Clock with Google Assistant. It wasn’t just that this particular smart display was sized similarly to a traditional bedside clock, it was that all of its features had been thoughtfully curated for bedroom use.
Sonos has become a leader in home audio for those who want great sound throughout their home. Sonos systems are not only easy to set up, but they are also intelligent, connected, and beautifully designed. The one thing missing from their line-up was a portable Bluetooth speaker; today that gets rectified with the Sonos Move.
If you’ve been doing research before purchasing a new mattress, you’ve likely seen that Tempur-Pedic maks some of the best mattresses that you can buy. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Tom Murray, Senior Vice President and Marketing Officer of Tempur Sealy International, as well as Allen Platek, Vice President of Product Development.
In a world of expensive robot vacuums, the Ecovacs Deebot 500 is an affordable option for families looking for a quality clean without spending a fortune. Deebot 500 is compatible with smart home assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and can also be controlled via the Ecovacs mobile app. The Deebot 500 retails for $279.99.
The Jabra Elite 85h are the most well rounded Bluetooth headphones I’ve ever used; checking the box on almost every category including sound quality, active noise canceling, clear phone calls, great battery life, intuitive controls, and water resistance. When paired with Jabra’s companion smartphone app, I’m not sure any other Bluetooth headphones can compete. The Elite 85h retail for $299.99.
When Raina got a job that required her to commute to the city I bought her a pair of AirPods. She loves them; I’m not a fan. I don’t like their fit, and I think they sound like crap. The RHA TrueConnect True Wireless Earbuds have the same design but, unlike the AirPods, I’m a fan!
We’ve covered many robot vacuums here at GearDiary, but I haven’t seen many as smart or quiet as the Ecovacs DEEBOT 711. Packed with features like visual mapping technology, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa compatibility, and 110-minute runtime, the DEEBOT 711 stands as one of the better robot vacuums on the market. You can get yours today for $429.99.
Having recently reviewed the D6 Robot Vac by Neato, I already knew what to expect from their products, but boy was I in for a treat when I received the Neato Botvac D7 Connected. Not only was I amazed by its ability to navigate my home, but even more by how more refined this particular model truly was. At $829, it’s certainly not the cheapest robot vacuum cleaner on the market, but using it for the past few months, it’s certainly one of the more efficient ones, and I’ve reviewed several. But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk…
It’s only fitting that with the Spring come allergens and pollutants in the air. But not just outside can you suffer from bad air quality, as more often than not, the worst air you breathe is in your very own home. This is why you need the 2nd Generation Awair.
You have to hand it to Samsung, they are nothing if not persistent in sticking with their AI assistant named Bixby. They even continue to have dedicated physical buttons on the new Samsung Galaxy S10 devices like the S10e I recently reviewed. Now there’s an easy way to take back the button and use it for an actually useful Assistant – Google’s.
Nanoleaf made a name for themselves with their color-changing triangular-shaped Light Panels back in 2016. Now they’ve upped the ante with the Nanoleaf Canvas; light squares with edge-to-edge illumination, built-in sound reactivity, touch sensitivity, and a whole lot more. Canvas is a beautiful piece of kinetic artwork that adds brilliant light and a sense of playfulness to any space.
For years the multi-room audio market was owned by Sonos. Amazon chipped away at that a bit by giving their Echo speakers multi-room functionality. Sonos responded by adding Alexa to their speakers. Well, things are changing, and Harman Kardon’s new Citation line of speakers is ready to give both a run for their money; the entry-level Citation ONE is superb.
My home is filled with Amazon Echo devices but, as Judie and Carly reported, it was Google Assistant rather than Alexa that was on display at CES 2019. If the amazing JBL LINK VIEW I have been reviewing is any indication, there’s a good reason why. It is a fantastic device and Google Assistant is remarkably powerful.
Anker has just introduced the Roav Bolt, yet another of their cleverly crafted mobile accessories. The Roav Bolt is essentially a multipurpose car charger that is designed to bring Google’s Voice Assistant directly to your car, so you’ll no longer have to say “Hey Google” to your smartphone while driving.
Speakers and headphones with integrated smart assistants have become all the rage. The House of Marley is jumping into the fray but are doing so with a twist. Some of their new speakers and headphones leverage services like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant and do so using sustainable materials. Smart and socially responsible is a nice way to go!
Simplehuman is one of those companies whose products are simple in appearance and form factor, but the practical uses of their items will make you want to take a look in the mirror and say “why don’t I have this?” And speaking of mirrors, they have two new ones.
Partnering with the Funai Corporation, Philips has just announced their first 4k UDH Android TV with two different series and five different display sizes; you’ll certainly want to check out.
We’ve seen an explosion in the number of smart home products currently available. Some are standalone units. Others have speakers and/or touch screens. The iHome iGV1 falls somewhere in the middle. It’s a smart speaker with Google Assistant and a digital clock built-in. It’s great if you want to replace your beside clock with something a bit more powerful.