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How to watch local channels on your Roku device
Cutting the cord with Roku doesn't mean losing access to local channels
A TV package is only complete if it has local channels that bring regional news, sports, and special events to your living room and connect you to your hometown. That's why going cordless can lead to losing touch with the local community. Roku has one of the best streaming devices, offering hundreds of streaming providers like HBO, Prime Video, and Hulu. Roku also brings local flavor to your screen with a selection of local channel apps available in its Roku Channel Store. Here's how to watch your local TV channels on a Roku streamer.
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.
How to cast to your Fire TV stick from your iPhone
Your iPhone can't cast on Fire TV Sticks natively, but there's a workaround
Did you buy an Amazon Fire TV Stick or want to cast content from your iPhone to a friend's TV? AirPlay is the default screencasting protocol on iOS devices, allowing you to connect with Roku devices. It doesn't work with Fire TV Sticks because their OS doesn't support it. The Fire TV app only lets you use your phone as a remote control, not as a casting device.
Smart homes are becoming more and more intelligent by the day, but there’s nothing quite as smart as a home that can detect where you are in order to automatically trigger a wide variety of different functions.
Secure your home on the cheap with this Arlo video doorbell that's down to its lowest price ever
Take 69% off this Arlo video doorbell as it crashes to record low price
Arlo makes some of the best smart doorbells and security cameras that you can buy in 2024. And if you're looking for an affordable option from the brand, then the Essential wired video doorbell is going to be the right one for you. Not only do you get easy installation as it works with your existing wiring, but it now comes priced well below retail for a limited time.
Wyze makes some of the most affordable smart home devices on the market, offering a range of products that don't break the bank. They're easy to use and an excellent value for money. One of its most popular devices is the Wyze Plug, which is one of the most competitive smart plugs around. Some users might find it hard to set up, but with the directions below, you'll be up and running in no time.
Best robot mowers in 2024
Slice and dice those grass blades with one of these autonomous lawn champs
No one wants to spend precious weekend time mowing the lawn. Once the nice weather rolls around, there’s humidity, heat, and insects. Plus, think of all the sweat and aches. If you’d rather spend time indoors but don’t want an overgrown lawn, a robot mower is the solution.
Best smart doorbell cameras in 2024
Smart doorbell devices to guard your home and protect your family
Smart video doorbells are the home security hub for many smart homers. They catch most visitors, packages, and other important activities at your home's threshold, often allowing you to speak directly to visitors and store important footage. Smart video doorbells are also a common home security starting point because they’re usually easy to install, with minimal tools or hardware needed.
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.
Best outdoor smart lights in 2024
Weatherproof lighting for a connected and customizable smart home exterior
If you’re new to the world of smart home devices, smart lighting is one of the best products to invest in. web-connected bulbs and light strips put automated deliverables front and center, with brightness and color-changing actions returning very visible results in seconds flat. And once you’re cozy with indoor illumination, you can move into the great outdoors with these products, too.
You'll find all the features you need to watch your favorite Netflix and Prime Video movies on the best Amazon Fire TVs. You can easily control your Fire TV using the included remote. The microphone button lets you chat directly with the Alexa voice assistant to get your TV to do things like search for movies or control playback.
Amazon Fire TV: 18 easy tips and tricks to get you started
From privacy check-ups to screensaver options, make the most of your smart TV
Your Amazon Fire TV stick is more than a gateway to your favorite streaming apps. It allows you to watch local TV channels, install useful add-ons, connect to Bluetooth headphones for private listening, and more. We explain everything your Fire TV can do and the essential settings to change after setup to get you started. The latest Fire TV streaming devices run the same Android-based OS (Fire OS), so you can follow this guide for any generation of Fire TV stick, Fire TV Cube, or other Amazon Fire TV device.
Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a short-range wireless communication protocol that operates at higher frequencies than other short-range communication protocols like Bluetooth.
Last spring, Google announced that it would be winding down support for a couple of legacy products this year. The end-of-life date communicated last year is practically here: if you're still using Dropcam cameras or the Nest Secure smart security system, you've got until April 8 until they're no longer supported by the Nest app, effectively rendering them useless. If you haven't redeemed your replacement offer yet, there's never been a better time.
How to set up a Philips Hue Smart Plug
Add it to your hub or pair it with your phone using Bluetooth in a few easy steps
Philips Hue lights are some of the top smart home gadgets. They're reliable, easy to use, and work with other smart home ecosystems, including Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Siri. The Dutch manufacturer recently expanded its lineup with new intelligent devices, such as cameras and a smart plug. The smart plug works seamlessly with the Hue Bridge and can be operated over Bluetooth, but it has limited functionality. Here's how to connect it, depending on whether you have a Hue hub at home.
If you’ve been meaning to add security to your residence or business, a smart lock is one of the best gadgets you can invest in. Like many smart home devices, smart locks are relatively simple to use, are often packed with awesome features, and require little installation trouble. Some locks can even be placed over your door’s existing deadbolt assembly.
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.
Google says support for Nest Hello doorbells and older cameras is still coming
Further Nest and Google Home integration started back in 2023
If you were one of the first to buy a Nest Cam Indoor and you still use it, you may have already run into some frustration managing the device. Because of Google Home’s slow integration with Nest and its apps, older-generation devices can be more complex. As of 2023, the company has said it is working on making these products seamlessly accessible within Google Home. However, there have been few updates on the progress — until now.
Amazon’s best (and perfectly-sized) smart display is $50 off right now
One of Amazon’s best smart displays is available with a massive 33% discount
There are hardly any smart displays better than Amazon's Echo Show 8 (2023) on the market right now with Alexa support. The company's latest smart display builds on its predecessor, packing all the right upgrades, like support for spatial audio and all the smart home standards you can think of. At $150, the Echo Show is more expensive than its predecessor. But if you take advantage of Amazon's latest deal, you can get the smart display for just $99, saving 33% on its MSRP.
NAS enclosures come in different shapes and sizes, and your needs determine which kind of NAS model fits your bill. Synology’s own NAS portfolio consists of a wide range of products designed for both consumers and businesses. While home users can easily find an inexpensive model to start with their first NAS, professionals will be equally impressed by Synology’s best NAS models that come equipped with high-end processors to handle anything you throw at them.