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Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

Senior Reviewer, Smart Home

Senior Reviewer, Smart Home

    More From Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    The third iOS 18 public beta has arrived.

    The update reportedly brings Thanos snap mode (aka Distraction Control), improvements to the Photos app redesign, and other UI tweaks. I can’t wait to snap away some Cookies!

    Anyone can download and install the public betas for iPad and iPhone, but pro tip: carry a battery pack with you — betas are brutal on your percentage.

    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    Redesigning the Nest Learning Thermostat took “courage.”

    Google’s design chief, Ivy Ross, says, “I think it took a lot of courage to reimagine its design because when it launched, it was really the start of a new era where smart home devices weren’t just functional but beautiful, too.”

    The Nest was no headphone jack, though. While the original brought beauty to home tech, precious few companies followed suit. Maybe this “courageous” new version will be the trendsetter.

    Gemini intelligence is coming to Google HomeGemini intelligence is coming to Google Home
    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    Aqara’s new mmWave presence sensor is cheaper, simpler, and works with Matter.

    The $50 FP1E is a wired sensor that can detect presence through movements as minimal as breathing, so your lights don’t shut off just because you’re sitting still.

    It’s a streamlined version of the $70 Aqara FP2, lacking features like zone positioning but still offering the precision of mmWave motion detection. The FP1E communicates over Zigbee, so requires an Aqara hub.

    If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission.

    The Aqara FP1E is an easy-to-use mmWave presence sensor.
    The Aqara FP1E is an easy-to-use mmWave presence sensor.
    Image: Aqara
    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    Consumer Reports is naming and shaming smart home companies without proper security vulnerability reporting.

    Level, Chamberlain, Moen, Aqara, and Lutron are just some of the manufacturers the publication reports lack a dedicated way for security researchers to flag vulnerabilities — meaning a malicious hacker could potentially take advantage of a flaw before the company knows about it.

    Check out the full report to see who’s on the naughty list — and who made the nice list.

    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
    Meross has a new mmWave presence sensor for just $36, and it works with Matter.

    The MS600 uses a combination of the super-precise radar tech, PIR, and light sensors to detect small movements, such as breathing, as well as general motion and light levels.

    The sizeable sensor works over Wi-Fi and is powered via USB-C. It’s Matter-compatible, so works with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, and more. It’s available for preorder now at meross.com.

    <em>The Meross MS600 has to be plugged in and can be wall mounted.</em>
    <em>It comes with an adjustable mount that rotates 90 degrees vertically and 360 degrees around.</em>
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    The Meross MS600 has to be plugged in and can be wall mounted.
    Image: Meross
    Logitech’s Circle View Doorbell is safe... for nowLogitech’s Circle View Doorbell is safe... for now
    Jennifer Pattison Tuohy