Did you catch the #MadeByGoogle ’24 Keynote today? If not, I’ve included it below. If you’re in the market for one of the newly announced Google Pixel 9 series devices, you’ll want to check out these enticing deals from Verizon. Whether you’re eyeing the standard Pixel 9, the souped-up Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, or the innovative Pixel 9 Pro Fold, there are plenty of offers to sweeten the deal.
Roku is best known for its TVs and streaming devices, but it also manufactures related audio devices and accessories and makes smart home products. The Roku Smart Home Starter Kit contains a Roku Indoor Camera, two Roku Smart Bulbs, and two Roku Indoor Smart Plugs; at $53.97, it is a very aggressively priced way of making your home a bit smarter.
Android users have long expressed frustration with the lack of compelling Wear OS smartwatch options compared to the seamless integration and features enjoyed by Apple Watch users through the iOS ecosystem. We’ve seen multiple companies try and fail at Android Watches for multiple reasons, including a lack of features or simply horrific battery life. The OnePlus Watch 2 aims to tackle these issues with a premium design that uses a dual-engine architecture with two flagship chipsets to optimize performance so the Watch 2 can deliver up to 100 hours of battery life in Smart Mode with full Google apps integration.
Samsung has officially introduced the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24, with an emphasis on mobile experiences driven by Galaxy AI. The Samsung Galaxy S24 series aims to revolutionize how we interact with our mobile devices, and they are leveraging AI to enhance various aspects of communication, creativity, search, and more.
The folks at MediaTek are consistently launching new chips and platforms to keep up with the changing technological landscape. They’ve got some exciting news coming out this week, with developments under the hood and ones you’ll interact with more directly!
XGIMI, known for its projectors and laser TVs, has just announced several new technologies; among these are ISA 5.0 (Intelligent Screen Adaptation) and Dual Light 2.0, as well as partnerships with IMAX & DTS, Google, and MediaTek. Also showcased were the brand’s new 2024 projectors, the IMAX Enhanced certified XGIMI HORIZON Max and the XGIMI Aladdin, a 3-in-1 smart projector lamp and speaker that marks XGIMI’s entry into the smart home-connected product category.
U-tec has just announced its latest creation, U home. This isn’t your typical smart home setup; it’s a personalized ecosystem that combines security, automation, and convenience, turning your home into a hub of smart living. So, what’s the buzz all about? U home wants to be the go-to platform for anyone who wants a hassle-free and powerful tool to amp up their home security and automation. U-tec U home offers a straightforward way to build your personalized smart home suite.
Arlo‘s home security offerings are favorites with a number of Gear Diary staffers. In today’s world, you can’t be too safe, and thanks to Arlo, you can secure your home and keep an eye on it when away without breaking the bank; they even offer a panic button so you can call for help if you need it!
The new Eufy SoloCam S340 with dual cameras provides 3K resolution, giving you peace of mind knowing that your home is secure, especially with its 360° coverage. Solar-powered, it’ll run forever without needing to charge the battery manually, and with local storage, there are no monthly fees! The Eufy Homebase S360 (HomeBase 3) adds features like AI functionality, increased video storage, and the ability to expand storage even more via a built-in SATA port for SSD hard drives.
Arlo manufactures home security products, including a line of cameras and the Arlo Home Security System, a clever and thoughtfully designed security hub with related sensors. The version of the system tested here ships with a keypad security hub and two sensors. There is also a kit with five sensors instead of two, and also includes a yard sign.
Yale Home has just added a couple of cool additions to their smart lock lineup – the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch and Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus. They’ll make your home security smarter without making it complicated.
Here’s some exciting news from TCL! Not only are they the official TV partner of the NFL, but they’ve just introduced a seriously impressive new TV model – the TCL S5 98S550G. It’s a whopping 98″, perfect for all you movie buffs and sports fanatics out there. And guess what? It’s not the only option – TCL’s got a whole lineup of 98″ TVs to choose from, including the new 98S550G, the 98R754, and the 98QM850G.
The 55″ TCL Q7 4K QLED HDR Smart TV with Google TV pairs cutting-edge technology with a remarkable viewing experience; it offers an array of impressive specifications that will cater to the most discerning tech enthusiasts and cinephiles. From its stunning 4K QLED HDR resolution to its smart features, the TCL Q7 truly elevates the home entertainment experience. Available in 55″, 65 “, 75″, and 85” models and with a list price starting at $749.99 (when not on sale), it’s a great QLED Smart TV for your money.
There’s something supremely cool about having smart lights in your home that are white when you want but can also be any other colors when you prefer a different vibe. If you have recessed lighting, as I do, you may have considered installing smart floodlights, but if you want to get them from a known brand, they can be as much as $50 per bulb! The new Nanoleaf Matter BR30 Smart Bulbs are reasonably priced, and rather than being from some random maker, they come from Nanoleaf, a well-known smart lighting brand. Let’s take a look.
Google introduced the Pixel 6 series last October. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro flagship smartphones debuted upgraded designs with a distinctive new camera module. Rather than their usual Qualcomm system on a chip, the Pixel 6 series launched with the new Google Tensor SoC, an in-house mobile processor focused on AI and machine learning for even better Pixel device experiences. If you were intrigued by the Pixel 6 series but would prefer something smaller and a bit less pricy without feeling a “that’s all I could afford” let-down, the Google Pixel 6a may be just right.
Better battery life, faster performance, and a better user experience are just as important for smartwatches as for smartphones. The new Snapdragon W5+ and W5 wearable platforms will provide all of the above in slimmer devices.
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!
Have you got a Google Pixel 6 series? If so, I’ll bet you love its flagship build, the pure Android experience, the Pixel exclusive features, and the excellent cameras. It may seem like a shame to cover up such a beautiful device, but a naked Pixel 6’s glass body is slick, slippery, and just waiting to be dropped. With that in mind, we’ve got five protective Pixel 6 case options for your consideration, including the Incipio Dual, the Vena vCommute, the Kate Spade New York Defensive Hardshell Case, the Gear4 Havana, and the Incipio Grip.
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.
When you think of home theater set-ups, you usually picture a soundbar under the TV with speakers and a subwoofer set up around the room. That all changes with the Lovesac Sactionals StealthTech Sound + Charge System, which puts the home theater audio components inside your sofa, for a deep and immersive Harman Kardon sound experience that you can feel and hear but don’t see.
As an avid Pixel phone user, I was excited that Google developed its own earbuds. I sat out on their first iteration of the true wireless version but jumped in with the Google Pixel Buds A-Series. The idea of wireless buds designed to work with my phone is an exciting idea for a non-iPhone user. The last week, both my son and I have put them through their paces.