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The best smart speakers deliver excellent audio quality and work with almost all popular streaming services. But if you want the absolute best-sounding smart speaker, it is hard to beat Apple's HomePod. The lack of native YouTube Music support on Apple's smart speaker is a bummer though, as you can't use "Hey Siri" to stream your favorite music on the speaker directly. Instead, you must use the YouTube Music app on your iPhone or iPad to AirPlay content to the HomePod. Thankfully, this is changing now, with YouTube finally rolling out native YouTube Music support on the HomePod.
Get a lot more for a lot less with this extremely limited-time Ring doorbell bundle deal
Today only get our favorite Ring doorbell and a Chime Pro for just $180
One of the best types of deals is the bundle deal, especially when it comes to smart home devices. The idea is that the more devices you have, the better your smart home experience generally is, so anytime you can get two or more devices in a single discounted purchase, you should jump on it. That's the case with this limited-time Amazon Ring bundle. It includes both the all-new Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and the Ring Chime Pro, and for today only, the package is $60 off.
What’s the difference between Google TV and Android TV?
The lowdown on Google's two smart TV platforms
There's little doubt about Google's impact on the tech world. It owns the most popular search engine in the world. Google has released a series of successful smartphones, smartwatches, and smart home devices. Its proprietary Android version also powers most non-Apple phones. Similarly, Google's influence has seeped into home entertainment systems with Google TV, which was released in September 2020. Meanwhile, Google's other operating system, Android TV, has been powering smart TVs and the best streaming devices for nearly a decade, since 2014. This begs the logical question: what's the difference between the two?
Amazon’s inability to monetize Alexa is the biggest problem no one’s talking about
Alexa may lose $10 billion this year, revealing major monetization problems for smart assistants
In many ways, the 2014 launch of Amazon Alexa smart assistant was like the launch of ChatGPT eight years later. Both were marvels of machine learning that fundamentally changed the way we framed our interactions with technology. Both had rendered fact from what had previously been science fiction and techno-fantasy, and both inspired millions of people to ask them meaningless questions to experience the novelty of "talking" to a machine. But whereas ChatGPT is on track to make its parent company, OpenAI, $1 billion this year, Alexa is reported to have cost Amazon upwards of $10 billion in the same time frame. To get an idea of why, we will have to get into the weeds a little.
Ring Video Doorbell 4 vs. Arlo Essential Doorbell: Which is right for you?
Choosing the right video doorbell is based on many factors - here we compare two of the leading wireless models
When it comes to home security, Ring and Arlo are two excellent brands. Both design their many security peripherals around the idea of a safe and comfortable home that can be monitored quickly and simply. Apart from their traditional wireless cameras, these companies also make a few video doorbells to keep tabs on your property, parcels, and other front-door activity.
The Ring Chime Pro is one of the best accessories for Ring Doorbells, combining several devices into one. It serves as a chime for your doorbell, allowing you to hear an audio prompt when someone is at your door or when motion is sensed. It also doubles as a Wi-Fi range extender and a nightlight.
Best Google Assistant-compatible smart home devices in 2023
Complete your smart home makeover with these Google Assistant-compatible devices
Controlling your smart home equipment with a virtual assistant and voice commands really makes you feel like you're living in a home of the future. Digital companions like Google Assistant are the web-connected tools you'll need to customize and automate everything from lighting and security to TVs and Bluetooth speakers.
Best smart home security systems with outdoor cameras in 2023
Keep an eye on your property with the most thorough security systems around
Smart home security systems are an easy way to protect and monitor homes from a cellphone or by using an AI assistant. Since the industry has boomed over the last ten years, there's a vast security system array with many features and setups available. Installing a custom smart home system means picking and choosing the features that matter to you and best fit your household, like 24/7 monitoring/recording, smart motion zones, smart detection, loud sirens, in-house storage or upgrades, and smart home security cameras. Beefing up property protection is easy with a home security system that fits your needs and utilizes the technology you already have with the options on this list.
Google plans to bring some much needed change to the Home app with widgets
A Google product manager confirmed the news during a Q&A on Reddit
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If you use widgets on your phone, you understand the value of being able to quickly tap and launch an app action. Depending on the app, the widget you use might be multifaceted, allowing you to manage other connected devices. As Google Home users know, however, this hasn’t been the case for the company's flagship smart home app — specifically for managing individual smart home devices. Now, a comment made by a Google product manager suggests that widgets could eventually become a reality.
Best robot vacuum deals: Clean up with $250 off Shark, Roomba, Roborock, and more
Here's where you'll find the best deals on robot vacuums today
As we begin the holiday shopping season, it'll be easier to find some of the best robot vacuum deals of the year if you know where to look. Amazon has a massive selection of models available, however, there are a few other retailers worth looking at as we inch closer to upcoming Black Friday sales. There are already a few noteworthy deals on some of the best robot vacuums out there, with discounts of up to 50% off select models from Shark, iRobot, and more.
The generational upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 brought along some significant upgrades to throughput over the same pair of 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. It also made the multi-device handling a tad more efficient both on the router’s and the client devices’ ends. If you are in the market right now, chances are high that you will come across many routers that meet the Wi-Fi 6 standard — it’s becoming ubiquitous these days, so it makes little sense to settle for an older Wi-Fi 5 router in 2023. Considering how routers are long-term purchases, you are essentially investing in future-proofing your home network.
Incredible Prime Day deal makes it the perfect time to try this smart air purifier that changed my life
Breathe easier and safer with this set-it-and-forget-it gadget from Levoit
While every kind of smart appliance gets a deal of some kind for Amazon's Fall Prime Days, my favorite one ever is something that I forget exists 90% of the time. Smart air purifiers can sound like an unnecessary extravagance for those of you lucky enough to be born without respiratory issues, but no matter how healthy your lungs are, this will help improve your home and your health. And, once you have it set up, chances are you'll only need to touch it when your schedule shifts or when the filter needs replacing. It's a great smart home deal that you really shouldn't sleep on — and can help you sleep better.
It's not too late to save on the best Prime Day smart home deals
Is your home not smart enough? Teach it a few things with some great deals this October
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days has entered its second day, and we're still seeing countless discounts on everything from the snazziest smartphones to the best smart home gadgets of every size, shape, and color. These gadgets can transform regular appliances, speakers, lights, and controls into intelligent devices, but their high costs can often deter some who want to smarten their home.
This beloved Nest feature is back after Sonos' patent claim goes up in smoke
You should be able to add Nest devices back to multiple speaker groups at once soon
Google and Sonos are fighting over who owns the rights to multi-room audio, and customers are frequently caught in the crossfire. Last month, Google took away the ability to add Nest devices to multiple speaker groups at once due to Sonos' patent lawsuit. This was a major bummer for Nest users, but there's good news: On October 6, a federal judge ruled in Google's favor, invalidating Sonos' patent claims.
The smart lights I use every day are a whopping 40% off for a limited time
This Govee LED smart light strip is the cheapest way to get smart lights this Prime Day
Smart lights are one of the best ways to not only liven up any room in your home but make it fit your own vibe due to their ability to customize colors, keep up with music, or be programmable to turn on and off when you want. The problem is they are expensive, but this Fall Prime Day Govee has tremendous deals, and this basic LED light strip is the perfect way to start adding smart lights to your living space.
Google Nest's slick-looking indoor security camera is too tempting at just $70 today
Google's highly rated wired security cam gets 30% off in this rare deal
There's more to a great smart security camera than just resolution and specs. Anybody who's tested the waters of Google's smart home ecosystem and Google Assistant voice control knows how convenient it can be to integrate a range of Wi-Fi-connected devices for full control from anywhere in the world.
Best Prime Day Govee deals you can still find at Amazon
Govee still has a bunch of great deals on smart lighting and appliances despite Prime Day proper coming to and end
The up-and-coming Govee is one of our favorite smart lighting brands, with hardware, connectivity, and novel design to rival the top-of-the-line smart lights, but at reasonable prices. Sure, it offers some simple, great smart light bulbs, but its vast offerings include permanent outdoor lighting, recessed ceiling inserts, freestanding and table lamps, and ultra-modern wall fixtures.
Act fast to grab $60 off Google's battery-powered Nest Cam
Google's second-generation Nest Cam is perfect for Google Home households - and 33% off
Setting up a home security system can be a hassle, so the Google Nest Cam streamlines the process by offering a wireless camera that integrates neatly into Google Home. It's sleeker and more versatile than many of the best home security cameras and offers all the features you need from a security camera.
Today's your last chance to save $60 on Google Nest video doorbells
Google's smart video doorbells receive their biggest discounts in months
With Amazon's October Prime Day savings event now into its second and final day, you'll have to act fast to take advantage of one of the best offers on home security devices available to help you add a bit more protection to your abode this holiday season. Home security and video doorbell cameras in particular are seeing excellent discounts right now, and if you're part of the Google ecosystem, you'll find plenty of Prime Day Google deals to further expand your Google Home network with additional smart home tech.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K drops to just $37 in this Prime Day deal
Get the streaming stick you deserve at a great price
Roku OS is among the most popular streaming TV platforms in the US. Unsurprisingly, Roku also dominates our list of the best streaming devices to buy in 2023. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K, in particular, is a great option, as it stands out with its excellent performance, quick startup time, and voice remote. And at $50, the stick is relatively inexpensive as well. For Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, though, you can get the 4K Roku Streaming stick with 26% off, knocking its price down to $37, making it a no-brainer.