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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 2024, and newer Wi-Fi 7 routers are still expensive. For now, Wi-Fi 6 is the sweet spot.
4 great smart devices to use with the Android ecosystem
Not all Android smart home devices are duds, these five prove it
If your Android phone could give your home a high-five, it would. Android has the power to transform any ordinary home into Star Trek-like technological miracle. And while we've griped about many of the shortcomings inherent in today's smart home market, there's still plenty to crow about. Here are five of our favorite smart home devices you can implement into your Android ecosystem right now.
Android 15 could turn your device into a smart home hub when docked
A Google Home screensaver will save you the pain of unlocking your phone to turn the lights back on
What was once a mark of science fiction turned into our reality, but homes filled with smart devices like lightbulbs, plugs, and more are the norm. What still remains distinctly sci-fi is a smooth smart display experience capable of controlling those devices while also providing seamless multimedia viewing. Android 15 is looking to make it easier to control your Google Home devices on your smartphone and tablet with a new control screensaver that saves you the pain of having to tap and swipe through your screen more times than you want to turn the lights back on.
Best smart mugs in 2024
Never worry about lukewarm coffee again with one of these incredible smart mugs
There’s nothing like starting your day with a fresh cup of hot coffee — and nothing worse than going to take a sip of said beverage and realizing it’s lukewarm. There's always the microwave, but wouldn't it be great if there were some kind of desktop companion that could instantly reheat our Pike’s Place? Enter the smart mug.
Best outdoor security cameras in 2024
Today's smart security cameras are more powerful, accessible, and affordable than ever
The best outdoor security camera can help monitor your property during the day and night, providing all the features required to safeguard your surroundings. Most of these cameras pair with other smart home devices, unlocking functions like voice control, continuous live video viewing, and more. You can achieve this through virtual assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or any compatible smart home protocol.
Smart devices are turning out to be a poor investment
The sci-fi future we anticipated feels further off than ever
As a child of the 90s, growing up bang in the middle of the cellphone and modern computing revolution, reading Asimov, watching Star Trek and re-runs of The Jetsons, I had certain expectations for the future. Smart homes that did my bidding, palm-sized computers that were truly my own, and functional ecosystems that accurately responded to my voice or presence all felt right within the realm of possibility.
Over the past several years, robot vacuums have matured into useful, efficient, user-friendly autonomous devices. Along with the industry's general refinement have come a vast selection of models to choose from, with a wide difference in performance and longevity between many of them.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation) review: Simple, speedy security
It takes almost no time or skill to transform your front door into a smarter, smartphone-friendly setup
The worst part of August's Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation) is that it reminded me that I have a crooked front door. So much so, that the device's incredibly helpful locking and unlocking functionality, which you can access via a simple smartphone app or trigger on a timer, was less useful for me. But that's the door's fault; the Wi-Fi Smart Lock is as easy to install as it is to configure, and it'll bring you extra security and convenience in less time than it takes to read this review. It's not the most feature-packed lock, but it's a solid addition to your smart home for a reasonable price.
Best smart home security cameras in 2024
Keep an eye on your home or the pets within it from anywhere with a well-placed camera
Gone are the days of needing specialized networking and tons of tech know-how to configure a home security system. Thanks to the advancement of smart home technology, you can easily invest in a competent smart security system or opt for a standalone camera to simplify things and save money.
Best smart home deals: Save up to $180 on some of our favorite smart devices
Smart plugs, TVs, lights, and thermostats starting at just $21
Building a smart home is surprisingly simple to do these days. There are smart doorbells, floodlights, security cameras, and even garage door openers, and many of them take just a few minutes to set up. But all of that convenience and peace of mind doesn't come cheap. It obviously depends on the device, but a good smart doorbell or security camera can cost $150+.
Best Amazon Alexa-compatible smart home devices in 2024
These popular Alexa-compatible devices make smart home automation easy wherever they live in your home
When it comes to smart home assistants, Alexa is a behemoth that dominates the market with its intuitive voice-activated smart home controls. Alexa's success is due to its teachability and user-friendly interface, including its convenient voice control.
How to set up an Amazon Echo for multiple users
Share your Echo or Echo Show with your family member or friends
Amazon Echo speakers are among the most popular smart speakers, offering plenty of features for your household. These include listening to music, asking questions, and controlling smart home devices. In addition, they can access personal data, such as calendar events. You don't need separate devices for each user. You can teach it to distinguish users to provide a personalized experience. This guide walks you through how to set up an Echo device for your household.
Best smart smoke detectors in 2024
Keep your home and family safe the smart way with one of these smart smoke detectors
With many potential apocalypses looming on the horizon, home security has never been more important. Smart home technology has been a massive boon in this regard, and smart smoke detectors, like the best outdoor security cameras or the best smart locks, are one of the most no-brainer deployments of connectivity and integration to instantly make your home a safer place.
Google TV offers access to multiple streaming services in one location. Google Chromecast provides instant access to the Google TV hub when plugged into the television, giving you access to more streaming content. There's also a streaming app called Google TV. If you recently purchased or plan to get a Google TV or Android TV, this guide helps you set up your television for a fun evening of streaming.
Best smart humidifiers in 2024
Fill the air in your home with just the right amount of moisture using the best smart humidifiers
Depending on how dry it is where where you live, a smart humidifier may be one of the essential smart devices you can integrate into your smart home ecosystem.
Google Assistant is a popular virtual assistant on many Android smartphones and smart speakers. It lets you use your voice to automate tasks such as setting a timer, playing music, or calling someone. Using Google Assistant-powered smart home gadgets, you can change the temperature of your AC, turn on the lights in any room, open the garage door, and more. While using Google Assistant, you will notice that the Assistant's default voice is female, which can get monotonous the longer you use the Assistant.
Google Home: Everything you need to know about the smart home platform
Google Home is essential for your smart home setup and makes your day a little simpler
You may have previously associated Google Home with speakers, but that's no longer the case. Google discontinued them in 2019. Home is now a smart management platform. The app can control all your smart home products, such as smart lights, which you can turn off if you forget to do so before a trip, using your voice or the app, among other features. You can connect speakers, Chromecasts, and cameras in different areas of your house and control them from your Android phones and tablets.
You can broadcast messages if you have at least two Google Home or Nest speakers in your house. This feature repeats your message on all speakers (or specified ones), saving you from yelling messages across multiple rooms. This feature is compatible with all Google Assistant speakers. You don't need to rely on Google's Nest products to broadcast messages.
Best Google Assistant-compatible smart home devices in 2024
Complete your smart home makeover with these Google Assistant-compatible devices
Google Assistant is one of the best ways to control and customize your smart home devices. On a near-daily basis, new developers are incorporating the popular voice assistant into everything from security cameras and smart TVs to lighting and thermostats. With Google features and functionality constantly evolving, and the extra compatibility offered by the Matter protocol, there’s never been a better time to invest in a Google Home-powered residence.
Best Ring Video Doorbell alternatives in 2024
Need a smart doorbell, but can't work with Ring devices? Here are some excellent Ring video doorbell alternatives
Ring’s extensive lineup of smart video doorbells is terrific for keeping a watchful eye on the parts of your property that matter most, but they’re not the only option. In fact, there are hundreds of video doorbells on the market, with many of these products delivering impressive picture quality, customizable motion triggers, and robust ecosystem support for popular platforms like Alexa and Google Assistant.