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Smart Home Archive

Archives for July 2026

The ban on robot vacuums won’t make them safer, only worse

You’ll have fewer robot floor cleaners to choose from and higher prices.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
SwitchBot makes a better fanSwitchBot makes a better fan
Thomas Ricker
Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Nanoleaf’s new monitor stand has two different light bars.

The $169 Smart LED Monitor Stand includes a white front LED light strip with adjustable color temperature and an addressable RGB rear light strip. It’s also Matter-compatible and has 23 built-in mounting points for attaching a mic, a ring light, or other accessories.

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A gaming PC desk setup with a Nanoleaf Smart LED Monitor stand
A movie playing on a monitor on a Nanoleaf Smart LED Monitor Stand
A desktop PC setup with the Nanoleaf Smart LED Monitor Stand with accessories attached
A desktop PC setup with the Nanoleaf Smart LED Monitor Stand
1/4Image: Nanoleaf
Thomas Ricker
Thomas Ricker
More budget Google Home cameras arrive at Walmart.

The Google partnership has yielded two new Onn outdoor security cameras: the $34.87 Outdoor Camera Plug-In and $77 Floodlight Camera Hardwired. Each 1080p HDR camera features live views, night vision and two-way talk accessible from the Google Home app. You’ll need a Premium subscription to unlock AI-driven features like event descriptions, searchable video history, and daily summaries.

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Google Home security on a budget, until you add that recurring subscription fee.
Google Home security on a budget, until you add that recurring subscription fee.
Image: Google
Thomas Ricker
Thomas Ricker
Gemini Live is now available on some early Google Home devices.

Google’s more powerful, conversational assistant for the home is now available on first-generation Google Home Mini speaker and Google Nest Hub display. You’ll need a Google Home Premium subscription to make it work though.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Philips Hue’s latest camera might be for your TV.

According to Hueblog.com, the smart lighting company is readying a new solution for its popular entertainment sync feature. “Screen Sync” is a TV-mounted camera that matches Hue lights to on-screen content. Unlike Hue’s HDMI Sync box and TV Sync apps, a camera-based system — popularized by rivals Govee and Nanoleaf — should be able to sync with any content on the screen.

Philips Hue may soon launch a camera-based solution for its entertainment sync system.
Philips Hue may soon launch a camera-based solution for its entertainment sync system.
Image: HueBlog.com
Surprise! Facial recognition smart locks are actually good

I tested four locks that unlock with a look, and while hands-free with UWB is better, if you want a sci-fi experience for your front door, facial recognition is worth considering.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Victoria Song
Victoria Song
Behold: Jimothy the crab raccoon.

Legend has it that we have smart home security cameras and smartphones to thank for discovering the Seattle-based treasure that is Jimothy. At least this modern cryptid doesn’t appear to be AI slop. Happy Friday.