Smart Home Archive

Andrew LiszewskiMay 18

Govee’s new TV backlight kit captures more details using hybrid glass-plastic lenses.

The $109.99 to $139.99 TV Backlight 3 is priced between Govee’s TV Backlight 3 Pro and older Backlight 3 Lite, but could be a compelling alternative to both. It uses two cameras with new hybrid glass-plastic lenses and increased resolving power to more accurately mirror your TV’s onscreen colors onto surrounding walls using dense LED light strips.

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<em>The TV Backlight 3 kit is available in two versions: one for TVs 55 to 65 inches in size and one for 75 to 85 inches.</em>

<em>Both of the dual cameras have a 144-degree field of view so they can capture what’s on screen while positioned atop your TV without obscuring it.</em>

<em>The kit includes light strips to attach to the back of your TV with 60 color-changing LEDs every meter.</em>

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The TV Backlight 3 kit is available in two versions: one for TVs 55 to 65 inches in size and one for 75 to 85 inches.

Image: Govee

ElliQ is a surprisingly helpful companion robot for older adults

Sheena VasaniMay 17

Andrew LiszewskiMay 15

You can use KitchenAid’s new wireless thermometers up to 285 feet away.

The Bluetooth range is dependent on what obstacles may lie between you and your grill, but the battery life for KitchenAid’s new $99.99 wireless Smart Thermometer is equally impressive. A full charge gets you 24 hours of use but a five minute quick-charge delivers up to five hours of remotely monitoring meat temps.

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Several pieces of cooked steak on a wooden cutting board next to KitchenAid’s wireless Smart Thermometer and a smartphone.

Image: KitchenAid

Dominic PrestonMay 15

The Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Mk. II.

I’m not saying Dyson should weaponize its next camera-controlled AI air purifier, but the name does suit it.

Electric Mayhem:

Sounds neat, but I’ll wait for the next-gen refresh. I want my air purifier to not only be mobile, but equipped with an autonomous targeting laser weapon array that will detect and vaporize odor causing substances/items/pets/guests.

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Dyson put a camera on its purifier so fresh air can follow you around the room

Andrew LiszewskiMay 14

Jess WeatherbedMay 14

Google is working on a new smart display.

A new “Google Home Display” has been spotted in the code for the iOS Google Home app. We already knew that Google is launching a Gemini-powered Home Speaker this spring, but this suggests that a Nest Hub-like device is also in the works — Google’s first since 2021.

'Google Home Display' appears, hopefully as a potential Nest Hub replacement

[9to5Google]

Jennifer Pattison TuohyMay 13

Ring cameras now support 2K across the line.

The home security company launched two new products today: the Ring Spotlight Cam (2nd Gen) at $169.99 and the Ring Floodlight Cam (2nd Gen) at $199.99. Both feature Ring’s Retinal 2K video resolution, bringing higher-res support to Ring’s base models.

Increased resolution provides clearer video and better zoom capabilities and feeds richer data into Ring’s AI features, such as Search Party, AI-generated text descriptions, and search history. The cameras will be available on June 3rd.

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<em>The Floodlight Cam is a wired camera with 2000-lumen floodlights and Retinal 2K video.</em>

<em>The Spotlight Cam has a 550-lumen spotlight and Retinal 2K video. It can<em> be plugged in, powered by solar, or via battery. It has </em>a dual-chamber battery holder and is compatible with the new Quick Release Ultra Battery Pack. </em>

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The Floodlight Cam is a wired camera with 2000-lumen floodlights and Retinal 2K video.

Image: Amazon

Alexa is moving into Amazon․com

Jennifer Pattison TuohyMay 13

Andrew LiszewskiMay 12

Narwal’s new mopping robovac launches next week for under $600.

The Narwal Freo Z10 Turbo uses a laser mapping system instead of a camera to navigate your home, but it includes a base station that empties dirt and sterilizes the mopping pads, and a mode that deep cleans carpets with boosted suction and multiple passes. It will be available on May 18th for $899.99 and discounted to $599.99 until the end of the month.

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<em>The Freo Z10 Turbo offers up to 25,000 Pa of suction power and a special mode for thoroughly cleaning carpets.</em>

<em>The base station empties the robot’s dust bin and compresses the dirt so there’s minimal maintenance for up to 120 days.</em>

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The Freo Z10 Turbo offers up to 25,000 Pa of suction power and a special mode for thoroughly cleaning carpets.

Image: Narwal

These new Roombas are smaller and cheaper

Jennifer Pattison TuohyMay 12

Dominic PrestonMay 12

Gemini is about to get quicker at controlling your smart home.

Google says it has “optimized backend processing” for smart home device controls, alarms, and timers to make Gemini for Home better at the basics. Improved age-gating and content controls mean it should now be able to give you the recipe for a margarita too.

Google Home Release Notes: May 11th

[Google Nest Community]