Smart Home Archive

Thomas RickerJul 24

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.

Image: Google

Thomas RickerJul 24

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.

Alexa Plus is getting an AI update to handle more complicated instructions

Emma RothJul 23

The Echo Show 21 is a great smart home hub that’s $80 off

Brad BourqueJul 23

Jennifer Pattison TuohyJul 21

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.

Image: HueBlog.com

The Clapper was a bad smart home gadget — and a viral sensation

David PierceJul 19

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 TuohyJul 18

Victoria SongJul 17

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.

Ecovacs’ self-cleaning Deebot X11 has hit a new low price

Sheena VasaniJul 16

Philips Hue’s budget-friendly Essential starter kit has hit a new low price

Sheena VasaniJul 14

How Philips Hue got the smart home right

David PierceJul 12

Jennifer Pattison TuohyJul 10

Apple Intelligence in Apple Home will require the $10-a-month iCloud Plus plan.

As spotted by MacRumors, to get the new AI-powered camera features — text descriptions, searchable camera clips, and noteworthy clips — you’ll need Apple’s 2TB plan or higher.

HomeKit Secure Video has always required the base iCloud plan for recording, but now you may need to upgrade to get these smarter alerts. I’ve been testing them in the beta, and they’re a big improvement.