Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

Senior Reviewer, Smart Home

iRobot launches eight new Roombas and finally adds lidar mapping

Jennifer Pattison TuohyMar 11, 2025

Jennifer Pattison TuohyMar 6, 2025

You can now control your Abode security system from your Apple TV.

The DIY home security company launched the new app today and expanded its Android TV app. Users can now arm and disarm their Abode system from their TV, view live video feeds from up to four cameras, see recorded clips, and control devices through “quick actions.”

Some Abode systems and cameras are Apple Home compatible, so they could already be controlled on Apple TV via the Home app, but this dedicated app expands the functionality to all Abode systems.

The Abode app is now available on Apple TV. No subscription is required to use it, but some features, such as controlling devices via quick actions and viewing recorded footage, require a sub, which starts at $7.99 a month.

Image: Abode

This Google change is breaking some digital photo frames

Jennifer Pattison TuohyMar 5, 2025

AI-generated review summaries are coming to Apple’s app store

Jennifer Pattison TuohyMar 5, 2025

Apple’s rumored smart display might run Messages.

MacRumors spotted code in the latest iOS 18.4 beta that adds the ChatKit framework to tvOS. This is how Apple devices handle SMS, MMS, and iMessage. However, tvOS is the operating system for HomePods and Apple TVs, neither of which run the Messages app.

So, this could be an indication that the Messages app is coming to a new device that runs on tvOS, such as the long-rumored Apple smart display.

tvOS 18.4 Beta Further Hints at Apple's Work on Smart Home Hub

[macrumors.com]

SwitchBot launches cut-your-own smart shades

Jennifer Pattison TuohyMar 3, 2025

With Alexa Plus, Amazon finally reinvents its best product

The new voice assistant has been a long time coming, but it won’t get here all at once.

Jennifer Pattison TuohyMar 1, 2025

Jennifer Pattison TuohyFeb 28, 2025

Alexa Plus is much easier to chat with.

I grabbed a few minutes with the new Alexa at Amazon’s event and was impressed. Gone is the need for “Alexa speak.” Instead, I created a morning wake-up routine just by talking about what I wanted, and controlled several smart home devices without knowing their names or locations.

Of all the new features Amazon announced for the voice assistant, talking to Alexa and having it reliably understand you is easily the biggest improvement.