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Category: Home Automation

Glenn Fleishman 20 comments

Three Reasons You Might Want a Home Security Camera

Home security cameras are all the rage, but you have to start with the reason you want one in the first place. Do you want to record criminal behavior? Spot wildlife? Know your kids came in before midnight? It’s all about intent, and many people discover they have multiple overlapping desires.

Josh Centers 10 comments

Apple Teams Up with Rivals to Create Open Smart Home Standard

Apple is teaming up with Amazon, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance to create an open-source, security-focused communication standard for smart home devices.

Josh Centers 2 comments

Amazon’s Ring Doorbells Sent Wi-Fi Passwords in the Clear

Security researchers have revealed that Amazon’s Ring doorbells were transmitting Wi-Fi passwords in the clear. That’s now fixed, but what other devices might be exposing your network traffic?

Josh Centers 6 comments

Features Added in iOS 13.1: Personal Automations, Driving ETA, and More

iOS 13.1 is here to fix numerous bugs in the short-lived iOS 13.0 and to provide some features that were missing from iOS 13’s initial release. Alas, there are still more features that Apple has pushed off to a future iOS update.

Josh Centers 5 comments

Wyze Sense Is a Cheap Sensor Package for Your Home

The maker of Wyze Cam has introduced an add-on sensor package with contact and motion sensors for the low, low price of $20. Like the Wyze Cam, the Wyze Sense product cuts a few corners but still delivers.

Mike Matthews 1 comment

Considering a Smart Doorbell? SkyBell HD Reviewed

A number of video doorbells are on the market, but at the moment, none work with Apple’s HomeKit. A couple of companies announced future support for HomeKit and more products were announced at CES. But is HomeKit really critical for a doorbell?

Adam Engst No comments

Apple in 2018: The Six Colors Report Card

Jason Snell of Six Colors has published his fourth annual report card on Apple’s performance in the last year, drawing once again on ratings and comments from a large group of industry observers.

Josh Centers 16 comments

Apple Opens iTunes Video and AirPlay Up to TV Rivals

Apple is opening up its TV ecosystem to rivals, bringing iTunes content and AirPlay to Samsung TVs, and AirPlay and HomeKit to others. “Take Control of Apple TV” author Josh Centers explores what this move could mean for the Apple TV.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata No comments

The HomeKit-Compatible Arlo Baby Security Cam Is Not Just for Parents

The Arlo Baby security camera is officially a souped-up baby monitor. But look beyond its marketing and you’ll find a quality—if pricey—security camera with broad appeal. Though HomeKit is not yet fully integrated, other capabilities help make up for its limitations. Just ditch those animal ears.

Josh Centers 19 comments

Wyze Cam Pan Helps You Watch Your House for $30

The latest entry in the Wyze Cam line, the Wyze Cam Pan, can cover an entire 360-degree area for an absurdly low price. It’s well worth checking out if you’re looking for an interior security camera, but sadly, it doesn’t support HomeKit.

Adam Engst 33 comments

Wireless Sensor Tags Protect Against Freezer Failure

If you’ve ever worried about losing food due to a freezer breaking or a refrigerator door being left open, the Wireless Sensor Tags system could save your bacon by monitoring temperatures and reporting significant changes on your iPhone. Other available features include motion detection, moisture monitoring, light sensing, and even locating lost items.

Josh Centers 1 comment

Wemo Mini Gains HomeKit Support

Belkin’s Wemo Mini has gained HomeKit support in a software update, making it the first home automation device to do so and paving the way for a larger Apple home automation ecosystem.

Josh Centers No comments

Elgato Goes All-In on HomeKit; Changes Name to Eve Systems

Hardware maker Elgato is going all-in on HomeKit home automation and to that end is changing its name and selling its gaming division.

Mike Matthews 12 comments

A Prairie HomeKit Companion: The Honeywell Lyric Controller with HomeKit

Looking for a security system controller that not only integrates with HomeKit, but also turns all your connected security devices into HomeKit accessories? Look no further than the Honeywell Lyric Controller.

Michael E. Cohen 28 comments

The Big News about macOS 10.14 Mojave Is Dark

Dark Mode leads the list of new features in the evolutionary macOS 14 Mojave. But, while most of the changes are small, many of them will be welcome.