Smart Home

Satechi Gets Smart with HomeKit-Enabled Dual Outlet

We all know that Apple is pretty finicky when it comes to opening up access to their HomeKit products. We’ve covered plenty, but the Dual Smart Outlet by Satechi is one of the few that manages to knock smart accessories out of the park in both price, and practicality.




Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro Improves Protection

I have been using the Vivint Smart Home for some time, and it has really become a regular part of our lives. The initial install and thoughts can be found here (pt1) and here (pt2). The Outdoor Camera Pro has since been released, and I have had the chance to take a look at it. The new camera and features are fantastic.




Eufy Continues to Impress with the Wi-Fi Connected RoboVac 35C

Our friends at Eufy and Anker continue to iterate and improve their products, as evidenced with the Eufy RoboVac 35C. The 35C is very similar to the Eufy RoboVac 30C we previously reviewed, however, it adds a touch control panel to the top of the vacuum. Also, the RoboVac 35C is sold through retail, while the 30C is sold via Amazon.


Neato D7 Connected Is an Improvement from the D6, Especially If You Have Pets

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…



Nanoleaf Canvas Is Gorgeous Kinetic Art That Adds Brilliance to Any Space

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.


BoxLock Is a Clever Smart Lock Aiming to Thwart Porch Pirates

BoxLock is a clever smart lock that will protect your precious packages from porch pirates after they’ve been delivered. When paired with a secure parcel box, BoxLock is a strong line of defense to thwart package thieves. BoxLock has a built-in barcode scanner, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth connectivity, and a 30+ day rechargeable battery. BoxLock retails for $129.


Protect Your Home from Water Damage with GROHE Sense Guard

High-end plumbing fixture manufacturer GROHE has entered the smarthome market with their new GROHE Sense Guard water controller. The Sense Guard monitors your water consumption, can detect micro leaks, and will protect your home in the event of a pipe burst. When paired with the GROHE Sense accessory, you’ve got an outstanding system to protect your home against water damage.


The Logitech K600 TV Keyboard Makes Couch Browsing So Much Better

Looking for an all-in-one solution to browsing, searching, and navigating your TV menu? Look no further than the Logitech K600 Smart TV remote. We’ve had the opportunity to test it out for ourselves and it’s one of the best solutions to typing with your television and getting things done faster.


JBL LINK VIEW is JBL’s Entry into the Smart Display Market

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.


Gear Diary’s Best of CES 2019 Awards

We found so many great new products this year at CES that we could have easily awarded 20 with a “Best of CES” designation, but alas, we could only pick ten. Here, in no particular order, are Gear Diary’s top 10 picks for Best of CES 2019.


Nanoleaf Shines at CES Debuting Innovative Nanoleaf Canvas Light Panels

Toronto-based Nanoleaf, who is best known for their popular triangular-shaped Nanoleaf Light Panels, has wowed onlookers at CES 2019 in Las Vegas with their new product, Nanoleaf Canvas. Canvas is made out of edge-to-edge light squares that are touch sensitive, react to music and sound, and integrate with Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon’s Alexa.




Lenovo Brings the Smart Home to the Next Big Things with New Smart Tabs and Smart Clock

Lenovo’s Smart Displays blew us away at CES last year, and this year they have some new smart devices to bring us closer to a world like The Jetsons. They have a really amazing smart tablet/dock, along with a smart clock for your bedroom, so let’s see what the future holds! First, let’s talk about the Lenovo Smart Clock. Basically, they’re rolling the various tips for better sleep that are out there with a small Smart Display. This makes a lot of sense because you get a bedside interface that lets you set up a smart home routine around your bedtime…