Don't wait for Spring or Fall! Here are my favorite tips for smart home cleanup at any time of year. Check And update firmware Everything seems to need firmware updates these days - even the darn toaster oven! Check all your devices - computers, smartphones,...
Why smart thermostats became a huge hit Smart thermostats were the first big success of consumer home automation. The Nest smart thermostat burst onto the scene and quickly racked up huge sales. Many of us bought them, loved them, and continue to use them. Naturally,...
Wall-mounted iPad touch screen interface Can't touch this! As our smart homes grow, it is tempting to turn to a wall-mounted iPad or touch screen for controlling everything. The allure is simple - a touch screen mounted to the wall is infinitely more configurable than...
The Bluetooth range conundrum Bluetooth low energy (BLE) smart home devices can make outfitting your smart home easier but they have a range problem. BLE is low power, so a small battery can power many wireless devices. Your bluetooth motion detectors, door or window...
Apple HomePod Mini smart speaker with Siri and HomeKit Hub support Apple HomeKit basics Apple’s HomeKit hub smart home system, using the Apple Home app, is one of several popular solutions for controlling and automating devices in our home. HomeKit has several key...
Wyze smartLEDs Are you afraid of smarthome systems? Try this easy starter kit When I first started installing smarthome products, I was! You might find that home automation systems seem complicated, expensive and scary. You have to make choices about which eco-system...