Ed Oswald 
Smart devices make your life easier and your daily routines smoother. Beyond voice control and remote access through your smartphone, there is a world of smart home automation possibilities that many users never knew existed. In this article, we delve into why leveraging automation in your smart home setup is beneficial. Discover the True Potential …
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For decades, the idea of a home Wi-Fi network was a single router placed in a central location in the home. While easy to set up and for years enough to keep homes and devices inside, it isn’t without its serious issues. That’s why mesh networking has become such a popular option. It eliminates the …
A range of wireless standards have been developed to facilitate communication between smart home devices. However, adding Wi-Fi to a device also increases power consumption, so some manufacturers have opted to use Zigbee and Z-Wave instead. While both have their unique characteristics, we’ll focus here on what is Zigbee and why it’s a great alternative …
While most smart home users are content with being able to control their lights and devices with an app, that’s actually just a fraction of what your connected home can do. Did you know that you can also trigger your devices based on where you are? This is known as geofencing. But how does this …
Smart hubs have been around as long as smart home technology itself, acting as the gateway between your smart home devices and the internet. However, these days the smart hub isn’t as important with most manufacturers offering dedicated apps. We wanted to explain what smart home is, why you might want one, and whether you …
Nexar is likely one of the most recognizable dash cam brands, even if it’s one of the newest manufacturers: the company has spent millions on advertising. The Nexar Beam GPS dash cam is one of the company’s best-selling models, with most Nexar dash cam reviews we’ve read being very positive. Nexar’s dash cams differ slightly …
A rideshare driver myself, I know how valuable a dash cam can be. Uber and Lyft drivers deal with all kinds of issues while on the road, whether it be the occasional unruly passenger, having to deal with false or incorrect claims, or, worst of all, accidents. An Uber dashboard camera is a necessity. While …
The Amazon Echo Show 15 is the biggest Echo yet: in fact, it’s the biggest smart display on the market right now. The goal is simple: the Amazon Echo Show 15 wants to be the center of your smart home, rather than just another smart device. The large screen measuring 15.6″ offers way more screen …
Do you drive a lot? If so, it’s crucial to have a quality dash cam installed in your car. The Vantrue N2 Pro dual dash cam is an excellent option for those looking for something that will provide high-quality full HD footage and be affordable at the same time. Previous to our current dash cam, …
Alexa vs Google Assistant vs Siri: it’s the battle of the smart speakers! These three platforms are quickly becoming ever more ubiquitous in today’s society. And you don’t necessarily need to have a smart home or a smart device to find them useful. These smart speakers can help you answer questions, help you keep on …
It sounds like a case of “big brother” gone amok in the smart home: in the midst of a heatwave, you turn on the central air, expecting to wake up to a nice cool house. Instead, you wake up sweating and find that the smart thermostat is not at the setting you had it. Can …
We’d love to tell you that owning a smart home is a trouble-free experience. That’s unfortunately not the case. While modern smart home devices are easier than ever to both setup and maintain, you’ll run into an issue at some point. That’s why we’ve created this guide on smart home troubleshooting to help you diagnose …
1. Invest in a fast broadband connection. While a good smart home Wi-Fi router is the most important thing, don’t forget your broadband internet connection. Most of the communication between your smart devices occurs on your Wi-Fi network. However, these devices will need to connect to the Internet from time to time to allow you …
You can attach dash cams to your car’s dash and windshield for your own protection. They provide video evidence of what happens while driving, and police and insurance companies may find your video meaningful when a car accident occurs. This has led many people to ask, “Are dash cams legal?” Generally, dashcams are legal. But …
The dishwasher has become a must-have in the modern home: many couldn’t imagine life without it. For those that live in small-sized houses, though, a full-size dishwasher isn’t an option. Then there’s the issue of a direct water hookup, sometimes equally impossible for those living in older homes. This is what makes the Farberware Countertop …
You might be wondering what a blog on the best affordable dash cam is doing on a blog about smart home devices. Car dash cams aren’t smart home devices, I know. But I wanted to share a personal story of how dashboard cameras can be an “ace in the hole” when working with insurance companies …
So you’ve decided to start building out your smart home. Congratulations! We obviously think that’s a great choice. While some smart home gadgets might be a little gimmicky, most have useful real-world applications. But we’re also willing to bet you might have a ton of questions too. It’s hard to keep up with the latest …
The smart home and the so-called “Internet of Things” have revolutionized the home and are changing how we live by connecting the things we use. These days, anything from your coffee maker to your television and fridge can be connected and share data with other devices (and companies too). But do we need to worry …
With so many choices available and new technologies to master, owning a smart home can be daunting. But in just five simple steps, you can ensure you’re getting started in a way that will save you frustration later. This smart home tutorial is aimed at you, the smart home beginner. We recommend you read this …
