Our coverage of Intel from CES 2018 has been delayed because I was trying to run down an important question for the home theater PC (HTPC) use case of their new Hades Canyon NUC. In a departure from the previous generation Skull Canyon, high-end NUC, there will be two SKUs of Hades Canyon: NUC8i7HVK ($999) & NUC8i7HNK ($799). The only […]
Read moreHaving witnessed the 10,000 nit 8K Sony display at CES last month, I can attest to its magnificence. And, just to be 100% clear, I don’t mean that in a hyperbolic way either. It really was most impressive. Bright, beautiful, incredibly real… but just a prototype… and even if it weren’t, likely well beyond affordability. Sigh… anyway, check out what […]
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Installing a Google Home Mini or Amazon Echo Dot is a popular way to add the home automation enabling functionality to your house in an unobtrusive way. As neat as that is, it isn’t quite as slick as incorporating the technology straight into a smoke detector. If you have powered detectors already installed, as most modern homes do, the First […]
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I wasn’t familiar with abode’s iota security system, home automation controller (HAC), and camera system before meeting them at CES. Overall the system looks quite approachable, and is obviously more intended for users who prioritize ease of installation and user experience (UX) over flexibility. I don’t mean that as a negative, per se. Just something that would need to be […]
Read moreAs a light sleeper the Nightingale smart home sleep system is very appealing to me, even at its $149/$249 price point. For the price you get “smarts” not found in a traditional white noise machine, like schedules and Amazon Alexa/IFTTT support. IFTTT support is particularly interesting from a home automation perspective because it means that you can tie the Nightingale […]
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Being completely honest, I’m not sure how I feel about the Phrame smart license plate frame. By replacing the rear license plate frame with it, you can keep a spare key (or fob) on the car opened by a combination or your smartphone. It has other features like temperature and location reporting, but the primary use case is just that. […]
Read moreSmart vent systems are a tricky thing to get right. Too little modulation and they aren’t terribly useful, too much and you risk breaking the HVAC. HiberSense connected climate control system claims to strike the right balance. Energy efficient comfort control that is also sensitive to the lifespan of your furnace and air conditioner. HiberSense works by replacing the vents […]
Read moreLike the Guardian by Elexa water shutoff controller, Flo can “intelligently” turn off the water. But, it also promises to be much more. Including detecting leaks, and even wastage – like a running toilet or leaky faucet. Unless you’re really handy, installing a Flo will require engaging a plumber as it sits in the main water line just past the […]
Read moreFor my family, smart speakers like the Amazon Echo or Google Home are an essential part of how we interact with the home automation (HA) system, intercom between rooms, and casually listen to music. The privacy implications of this aren’t that concerning for us as I don’t think we’re interesting enough for Amazon, Google, the NSA, or really anyone else […]
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I would love to be able to listen to music while cycling, but I don’t think it’s safe to wear headphones. There are too many potential hazards out on the road to have that level of sonic isolation. This is one of the use cases that the Coros OMNI “Smart Cycling Helmet” addresses. The OMNI addresses this via bone […]
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