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The best Apple HomeKit tips and tricks
Apple's HomeKit app Home is simple and easy to use, but it also comes with a load of hidden features that you might not, on the surface, realise are available.We've put together a number of tips, to enable you to get the most from the Apple backed service... Read more
9 ways Eve products can make your other smart home devices even smarter
There are many ways Eve products can make your home smarter. Here are nine to get you started:1 The lights are on, because someone's homeEve Motion will alert you if it senses movement, but this doesn't have to be limited to tipping you off about a possible... Read more
The best coffee machines 2018: our pick of the best bean-to-cup, jug, ground and capsule machines
Coffee is a tricky thing to get right. There are so many different preferences, with all sorts of factors contributing to a good cup of coffee.Pocket-lint is here to help though. To give you a hand getting the best cup in your own kitchen, we have rounded... Read more
What is Nissan Energy Solar, how much is it, and where is it available?
Nissan has entered the solar panel market with Nissan Energy Solar.More than just some solar panels to fix on your roof, Energy Solar is a complete energy management system that includes a storage system that lets you decide when to use any stored power... Read more
Alexa and Google Assistant go Royal Wedding crazy, loads of new commands to try
Google and Amazon are getting in the Royal Wedding spirit by offering all-new, unique Easter Eggs and commands to try on Google Assistant and Alexa respectively.If you have a Google Home smart speaker, Google Home Mini or use Google Assistant on another... Read more
Echo bargains! Amazon offers £10 off Echo Dot and Fire TV Stick bundle
It's almost summer and a new round of sales have hit Amazon.co.uk, bringing with them a couple of hot discounts on the Amazon Echo Dot.The Amazon Echo Dot has a discount of £10, bringing it down to £39.99 (it's normally £49.99). Click here to see the... Read more
The best robot vacuum cleaner 2018: Why do your own cleaning?
Household chores like ironing, washing and vacuuming are never particularly enjoyable. In fact, most people hate them and the few that might enjoy them are probably getting paid to do so.Don't worry though, there is something that could make your life... Read more
How the smart home can improve your well-being
The smart home isn't just about a speaker that responds to your voice, an outside light you can click on from the other side of the world or a camera that warns you when someone's by the front door.It's all those things, but it's also about your well-being,... Read more
The best Alexa tips and tricks: Get more from Amazon's assistant
The Amazon Echo can make to-do lists, set alarms, stream podcasts, play audiobooks, read PDFs, provide weather forecasts, warn you of traffic, answer trivia, control your smart home and serve up other information in real-time. We've been living with... Read more
Makita DRC200Z robot vacuum review: A cleaning powerhouse that goes and goes
The majority of modern robot vacuum cleaners are streamlined and packed full of functionality such as compatible apps and pairing with smart voice assistants.Not so with Makita - a brand better known for making power tools - which has built the DRC200Z... Read more
Does Amazon want Alexa to become your in-home health aide?
Soon, you might be able to ask, "Alexa, am I sick?", and then possibly share your sensitive health data, such as symptoms, to your doctor.According to CNBC, which looked at a leaked internal document about Amazon's plans, billionaire Jeff Bezos' online... Read more
How to light your home: 8 lighting tips and tricks
Walk into a room, flick a switch, and your room is normally filled with light. Is it the right light though? Could it be designed to help your health and well-being? Are there any rules or recommendations you should follow when installing new lights... Read more
Philips Hue app to get major overhaul, controlling your lights becomes easy again
Philips is to release a revamped version of its iOS and Android app for controlling Hue smart lights later this month.The new app, which is dubbed Hue 3.0, will replace the current version, introduce a new design and bring back many of the abandoned features... Read more
Microsoft working on own Cortana smart speaker, to rival Amazon, Google and Apple
Microsoft is clearly feeling left out in the smart speaker wars. While Apple, Amazon and Google, with HomePod, Echo and Home respectively, have their own-brand devices, Microsoft's Cortana voice assistant is largely anonymous in the space.The only one... Read more
Alexa, unlock door: Schlage deadbolts gain new voice-unlocking skills
Door hardware maker Schlage is fullly embracing Alexa with new voice-controlled skills.It has announced the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt and Schlage Connect Touchscreen Deadbolt have expanded support for Amazon's voice assistant in the form of a new voice-unlocking... Read more
Second-gen Tado Smart AC Control saves you more money while keeping you just as cool
Tado has announced a new version of its Smart AC Control that brings with it software and algorithm tweaks over its v1 predecessor to save you even more money in the hotter months of the year. Tado Smart Climate Assistant software update will make saving... Read more
Hive resolves View's biggest flaw: You can now download videos
Centrica, the company behind British Gas and the smart home heating system Hive, has released an update for the Hive View indoor camera that now allows you to download any video clips you wish to your phone. It fixes what we considered to be its biggest... Read more
Google Duplex enables Assistant to call and book at businesses for you
Google is at Google I/O 2018, where it just announced Google Duplex.It essentially improves Assistant so that it can book your appointments for you. Through two demos on stage, Assistant was shown calling a hair salon to make an appointment and then getting... Read more
JBL Link Bar is Google Home and Android TV in one neat soundbar
Google has shown off a JBL Link Bar at Google I/O. During the demo, it revealed new Android TV and Assistant features.This new soundbar features built-in Android TV and Google Home capabilities. But, according to Android Police, which saw the unit during... Read more
Eve Degree explored: Understanding the Connected Weather Station
Eve Degree is one of the most stylish smart home gadgets you'll ever come across. Tiny and elegant, it is discreet enough to go unnoticed, but chic enough to draw compliments when it is spotted.Its monochrome LCD screen is clear and easily readable, but... Read more
Things to ask Alexa on May the 4th Star Wars day
To celebrate May the 4th, also known as Star Wars day, Amazon has added a mighty list of commands and questions you can ask Alexa.If you have an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot or other Echo device, you can ask it all manner of Star Wars-related queries and it... Read more
Google Assistant now works with 5,000 devices, will add more soon
Days ahead of its I/O developer conference, Google has provided an update about how far Assistant has come since debuting two years ago.The company's voice helper debuted at Google I/O 2016 and can now be found in Google's own smart speakers, as well... Read more
The best smart plugs 2018: Google, Alexa and Apple HomeKit control
If you have ever walked out of your house and wondered a few minutes up the road whether you had turned the iron or straighteners off, smart plugs are what you need in your life.For some electronics it doesn't matter if you leave them on all day, except... Read more
Amazon Echo vs Echo Plus vs Echo Tap vs Echo Dot vs Echo Show vs Echo Spot: What's the difference?
Amazon's Echo lineup is insane at this point, spanning smart speakers, video devices and new Alexa Gadgets.The Echo family of products has grown rapidly over the last couple of years, with a flurry of new devices announced last September to add to the... Read more
Nest's new Temperature Sensor is now available to buy, starts at $39
Nest has started selling a new device that's super affordable.The new Temperature Sensor costs just $39, but it works with the company’s smart thermostats to keep individual rooms in your home at a certain temperature. It requires the latest Nest Learning... Read more
LG ThinQ: Everything you need to know about LG's smart platform
Last year, LG announced DeepThinQ, its own artificial intelligence technology to be employed in smart, connected home appliances.A year later, during CES 2018, it launched an all-new range of products under the name LG ThinQ. This trend is set to continue... Read more
Facebook's smart speakers: What's the story so far?
Facebook plans to give Amazon a run for its money.For the past few months, reports have claimed that Facebook is developing a touchscreen-enabled smart device, possibly called Portal. It's meant to compete with Amazon Echo Show. Facebook reportedly plans... Read more
Elgato's smart home range explored
How smart do you want your home to be? The current range of Eve gadgets from Elgato is wide and growing. So, whatever you want to do, well, you probably can. Let's start with the plugs, for many people the first contact they have with the smart home.... Read more
The best indoor wireless security cameras 2018: See inside your home anytime
A smart home consists of all sorts of exciting gadgets from app-controlled lighting and heating to robotic vacuum cleaners, but there is one gadget that is likely to be picked first for the smart home cool team - the camera.Smart home cameras will not... Read more
Amazon is doing a kids version of the Echo Dot that encourages 'please' and 'thank you'
Amazon is launching a new version of the Echo Dot that is more expensive but will be tailored specifically for use by children.Among other cool child-friendly features to keep kids entertained – like age-appropriate jokes - it encourages the use of... Read more
What are Amazon Key and In-Car Delivery and how do they work?
Have you ever had a package stolen from your doorstep?It can happen to anyone. There's not much you can do when you've ordered something to be delivered to your home and it arrives when you're not there, whether that's because you're at work or walking... Read more
LG WK7 ThinQ speaker initial review: LG's speaker has the smarts
With smart speakers taking many of the tech headlines in 2017, it's no surprise to find that LG wants a slice of this pie in 2018. Say hello to the LG WK7, or the ThinQ speaker as it was first announced at the turn of the year.Making its debut at CES... Read more
Five reasons you could use Elgato’s Eve Button instead of a smart speaker
The smart home takes many forms. You can control your lights, music, heating, doors and so on from your mobile phone. But what about situations when your phone isn’t there? When you’re out, say, but somebody else needs to turn the smart lights on?... Read more
What is IFTTT and how does it work?
The internet is a wonderful thing chock-full of fun and useful experiences, but it can also complicate our lives.With so many websites and apps in the world, you've probably experienced difficulty in managing them or even completing basic tasks. Luckily... Read more
It's finally happening! Amazon is working on a robot for your home
Does Amazon want to make Rosey the robot a reality?It is reportedly developing a home robot - and we can't help but think about The Jetsons. According to Bloomberg, which described the yet-to-be-announced effort as "top-secret", Amazon's robot project... Read more
Amazon Echo, Fire TV Stick and other great devices reduced for Prime members
Amazon has knocked money off some of its own top tier devices for customers with Amazon Prime membership.Prime members in the UK can get £30 off a Kindle Paperwhite, £40 off a Fire HD 10 Tablet, £25 off an Echo Spot, £20 of a second-generation Echo... Read more
Nest Cam IQ Outdoor review: Outside security camera gets smarter
The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is a version of the company's Nest Cam IQ smart home camera designed for the outside world, ideal to help keep a secure eye on your property. It's also the update for the original Nest Cam Outdoor. Nest Cam Outdoor review: Secure... Read more
How to use Alexa to make the perfect cup of tea
Today is National Tea Day and as usual on such occasions, Alexa has been in touch to let us know that we could all make better cups of tea if only we would ask her. Seriously though, Alexa's repertoire does include being able to answer various tea-related... Read more
Alexa Announcements now in the UK: How to broadcast your voice to all your Echos
"Alexa, tell everyone it's time to go!" Wouldn't it be nice if Alexa could help you hurry your family along or maybe announce that dinner is ready?Now, families with Echo devices in their home can do just that, thanks to a new "Alexa Announcements" feature... Read more
How to create custom Amazon Alexa skills without any coding knowledge
Amazon has opened up its Alexa platform so that anyone - and we mean absolutely anyone - can create a custom Alexa skill.Skills are Alexa apps that provide Amazon's assistant with additional features. For instance, there's a popular Jeopardy! skill, which,... Read more
Hive View review: Great looks, but one big video flaw
Hive is back with a second smart home camera. The original Hive Camera was a rebranded white label camera with a separate app, not integrated into the rest of the Hive system, which made it not worth buying.The Hive View is an entirely different thing.... Read more
How to solve Amazon Echo mic problems
Amazon Alexa is fun to use... when she can hear you.If you own an Echo device, especially one of the original models, you've likely noticed that Alexa picks up your voice when she feels like it. You can yell all you want, and Amazon's assistant will still... Read more
5 great reasons, that you’ve probably not thought of, to use a smart plug in your home
The smart home is a wonderful place, packed with so many innovations and ideas that it can be hard to know where to begin. One of the most popular ways into making your home smarter is through the smart plug - a simple device that slips between the plug... Read more
Anker's EverCam is a wireless, splashproof security cam with AI
Anker-owned Eufy just launched a Kickstarter for a security camera.Called EverCam, it's a water-resistant, HD-recording device pitched as a wireless indoor or outdoor home security camera. It doesn't need to be plugged into a wall outlet or even be mounted... Read more
Philips Hue lights are now fully integrated with Hive devices
Hive has added a new smart lighting product to its lineup, but, more interestingly, it's announced that Philips Hue lightbulbs are now fully integrated with its connected platform.The company's new lights are the HiveLight Dimmable GU10 spotlights. They're... Read more
Amazon slashes price of Ring Video Doorbell now that it owns Ring
Amazon has finalised its purchase of Ring, a maker of smart doorbells and outdoor security cameras, and as a result, it's cutting some prices.The first-generation Ring Video Doorbell now costs $100 (roughly £89), down from about $150 on Amazon and $179... Read more
How to connect and control your radiators via your iPhone
Keeping warm at home is important, especially at winter when a sudden snow flurry or rainy day means you arrive home bedraggled. Stepping into a cold house and waiting for it to warm up will not be what you had in mind.The joy of a connected home system... Read more
Nest Cam Outdoor vs Nest Cam IQ Outdoor: What's the difference?
Google-owned home tech firm Nest has announced a redesigned smart home security camera. It which sees the power, and intelligence of its Nest Cam IQ moving outdoors.This new model is the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor which improves upon the Nest Cam Outdoor... Read more