Smart Home

Using the Arlo Security Tag to disarm the home from a Wireless Video Doorbell (2nd generation) outside the home's door.

News & Features

The Arlo Security Tag Adds Even More Convenience to Your Arlo Home Security System

Arlo makes products that provide comprehensive DIY  home security solutions with advanced features like 24/7 monitoring, customizable access, seamless integration, and user-friendly design. If you’re in the Arlo ecosystem, you’ll be interested to know that the new Arlo Security Tag is out, and it offers a seamless way to manage your Arlo Home Security System and the Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Gen). This lightweight and compact tag fits easily on a keyring. It allows you to arm or disarm your security system with a simple tap on the Keypad Sensor Hub or Video Doorbell, making home security management hassle-free.

The Safemo 2-Camera & Hub Set P1 with 5W Solar Panels Offers a Local, AI-based Home Security System

Gear Bits

The Safemo 2-Camera & Hub Set P1 with 5W Solar Panels Offers a Local, AI-based Home Security System

A newcomer to the home security market, Singapore-based Safemo (a combination of the words Safe and Mode) offers a new home security system composed of two wireless cameras and a hub with two 5W solar panels. As with other systems on the market, this system can differentiate between people, vehicles, and packages, but unlike other systems, it does so locally using AI and data processing, all without a monthly subscription. Up to six months of data and video (32GB) can be stored on the device. An optional SSD hard drive can add up to 4TB of storage.

Vivint Chime Extender Review: Never Miss Another Visitor

Reviews

Vivint Chime Extender Review: Never Miss Another Visitor

I have been reviewing Vivint products for a few years now and am excited about how much their product line has expanded. They keep developing new devices that make your house more secure and smarter. The latest device I have installed is the Vivint Chime Extender, which ensures you never miss a chime, even when away from the smart panel.

Home lit up with Jasco Eternity Lights

Gear Bits

Hang Enbrighten Eternity Lights Once, and You’ll Enjoy Permanent Outdoor Accent and Holiday Lighting Year-Round

There’s something magical about lighted neighborhoods during the holidays. Whether the lights are a minimalistic white or an over-the-top cha-cha display, I love looking at their festive effect. Even so, I’ve never strung lights on my own home; I’ve always thought that doing so would be a hassle, especially since you have to remove them a month or so later and have a safe place to store them. But the new  Enbrighten Eternity Lights are making me rethink my stance; they are permanent outdoor LED lights that, once installed, remain in place year-round, providing many outside lighting options.

Beatbot Aquasense Pro submerging into the pool.

Outdoors, Reviews

Beatbot Aquasense Pro Review: Spend Less Time Cleaning Your Pool and More Time Enjoying It

Pool season is fast approaching, and if you’re in charge of keeping yours clean, the Beatbot Aquasense Pro will help you keep it in tip-top shape with minimal effort. Keeping our pool clean and ready to swim in is my husband Kev’s domain; when I was offered an Aquasense Pro to try, Kev was intrigued. After using it for over a month, I figured it was time to let you all know how it’s been going. Long story short, this pool-cleaning robot has made his life (and, consequently, my life) so much easier.

Yale Approach with Keypad Hero

Gear Bits

Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi and Yale Keypad Offer Easy DIY Smart Security Options for Renters

Today, Yale has introduced its first retrofit smart security solution, which will make the brand’s security products available for the first time to most US renters. The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi and the wireless Yale Keypad are designed with first-time users, renters, and those hesitant to modify their locks in mind; these products promise an affordable, top-tier, and user-friendly solution, with a myriad of access options for key-free convenience.

Vivint Smart Home Vehicle Detection Added to Outdoor Camera Pro for Real-Time Alerts and Recordings When a Vehicle Enters the Designated Area

Gear Bits

Vivint Smart Home Vehicle Detection Added to Outdoor Camera Pro for Real-Time Alerts and Recordings When a Vehicle Enters the Designated Area

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.

Nanoleaf Skylight Pre-Orders Open and 4 Other New Lighting Solutions Announced to Transform Your Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

Gear Bits, Events

Nanoleaf Skylight Pre-Orders Open and 4 Other New Lighting Solutions Announced to Transform Your Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

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!

LG Brings the Cutting Edge to Its 2024 OLED Television Lineup!

Gear Bits, Events

LG Brings the Cutting Edge to Its 2024 OLED Television Lineup!

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.

Bio Bidet BB-1200

News & Features, Events

The Bio Bidet BB-1200 Bidet Toilet Seat Offers an Innovative, Affordable, and Consumer-Friendly App-Controlled Bidet Experience

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.

U-tec Unveils U Home, a Personalized Home Ecosystem That Combines Security, Automation, and Convenience

News & Features, Events

U-tec Unveils U Home, a Personalized Home Ecosystem That Combines Security, Automation, and Convenience

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.