Some people want to lose 20 pounds. Some people pledge to get 8 hours of sleep. But for us, our 2024 resolution was to finally address our water issues in the basement. An integral part of our plan to prevent future disasters included a sump pump monitor like the Flo by Moen Smart Sump Pump Monitor.
In my smart home setup, we have covered many Vivint products. The system adds a lot of convenience and next-level security to a home. The cameras keep adding features and getting smarter, making managing security remotely easy. The new Vivint Smart Home Vehicle Detection for their Outdoor Camera Pro does just as the name implies — it will alert you when a vehicle arrives, leaves, or passes through a designated detection zone.
I love the Hue lighting system in my home, and each year, I find ways to expand the system. That’s easy to do since Phillips Hue is constantly improving and adding new offerings! Philips Hue has announced new indoor and outdoor lighting solutions and a home security system.
Robot vacuums are one of the coolest inventions to come out of the last few years. It’s a toss-up between video chat and robot vacs for which development has made life feel closer to the Jetsons, but Eureka is making a strong case for the robots with the new Eureka J20 Robot Vacuum/Floor Washer 2-in-1.
For the past few summers, I’ve reviewed and continued to use Aiper robots to help keep my pool clean in between professional services. The brand hasn’t stopped making great pool-cleaning robots but is expanding its line-up to include robots for other purposes. They’ve just announced the new Aiper Horizon U1, their first cordless robotic lawn mower.
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!
Nanoleaf is adding new products to its line-up, promising enhanced color and lighting experiences for indoor and outdoor spaces. They’ve just announced Orchestrator software, Essentials Matter Smart Multicolor Lightstrip (for indoor use), Outdoor String Lights, and Permanent Outdoor Lights. Additionally, Nanoleaf is finally opening pre-orders for the much-anticipated Nanoleaf Skylight Modular Ceiling Light!
Sometimes, you look around and realize there are some brands that just contribute to everything in our everyday lives. TCL is definitely one of them! They cover you for your entertainment at home and on the go, and they’ve just refreshed their best offerings for 2024!
If it’s electronic, it’s likely Samsung makes it. TVs, computers, phones, monitors, wearables, home appliances — you name it. And they’re using all those devices to make everything interconnected in new and exciting ways.
Do you need a new TV? LG is giving you good reason to think you do with their updated OLED TV lineup for 2024! LG is packing some serious technology with an AI processor to sharpen objects and analyze colors to adjust to various scenes. At the same time, Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro will create images that look more vibrant and three-dimensional.
Since most homes in the U.S. aren’t built with bidets installed, adding one to your existing toilet seat is a great way to upgrade your bathroom experience. If you’re considering which to get, you should take a look at the just-announced Bio Bidet BB-1200 Bidet Toilet Seat; not only does it offer all the bells and whistles you’d expect, like a heated seat, unlimited warm water, multiple cleaning modes, a nightlight, and warm air for drying, it’s also first-ever North American bidet toilet seat to be controlled by a smartphone app.
Nanoleaf is a technology and Internet of Things-focused company that, since 2012, has offered a line of modern smart home products, including several series of light panels. Their system of smart light panels is available as triangles, mini triangles, and hexagons. Occasionally, the company offers limited editions of these products, as is the case with the Nanoleaf Ultra Black Shapes, which are available in Hexagon and Triangle Smarter Kits.
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.
In a world where connectivity is the lifeblood of our digital existence, Wi-Fi technology continues to evolve at an astonishing pace. While Wi-Fi 6 has only recently made its debut, the relentless demand for faster, more reliable internet connectivity is propelling us into the era of Wi-Fi 7. This next-generation wireless standard is poised to play an even more integral role in our home networks, promising to meet the ever-increasing demands of our modern online lives. So, why is Wi-Fi 7 stepping into the spotlight so soon after Wi-Fi 6? Let’s explore the reasons.
Vivint has been ever-expanding its home solutions for not only security but also for making your home smarter and more welcoming. You can now control your home’s lighting with the new Vivint smart switches and bulbs. A Vivint installer recently added some of these lighting options to our house, and the experience has been great.
The next big thing is always around the corner in the tech world, and artificial intelligence is the newest and most exciting innovation. Sure, AI can power ChatGPT and other engines, but it can also make devices more efficient, learn our habits to adjust our tech to meet our needs, and even improve everything from emailing to photography. MediaTek is looking to help boost that to the next level with their partnership with Meta, Facebook’s parent company, to use the Meta Llama 2 LLM (Large Language Model) to bring on-device generative AI to our pockets and homes.
Since 2017, Govee has been designing and producing smart home products, including ambient lighting, home appliance products, and smart IoT systems. One of their most recently released products is the Govee AI Gaming Sync Box. I had a chance to review the version that comes with a single light strip meant to accommodate televisions between 55 and 65 inches measured diagonally. This version of the kit sells for $167.99. There is also a version that adds a pair of Govee’s RGBIC TV Light Bars, which sell for $299.
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.
Vivint has been a leader in home security for years and keeps adding to its smart home options. As smart lighting has become one of the most requested products, Vivint has announced three core products to their service. These products will integrate seamlessly with Vivint’s automation capabilities bringing smarter security and peace of mind.
Anker is the world’s #1 mobile charging brand, and one of the reasons we like their products so much is because the brand is constantly innovating and developing quality, long-lasting gear while keeping conservation in mind. Several new products were unveiled at the recent Anker RE Charge event in New York City, including a few from Anker sub-brands Soundcore, Nebula, and Eufy. Here’s a quick look at some of the newly-announced wish-list-worthy items.
Stumped on what to get Dad for Father’s Day? TCL has some smart TVs that make great gifts he will love. And with prices starting below $300, there’s something for almost every budget. If you aren’t familiar with TCL Smart TVs, there’s no better time than Father’s Day to check out the TCLQ6, TCL Q7, TCL QM8, and the TCL S Class S4 for Roku TV or Google TV.