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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
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
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
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
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
How to set up Spotify on Google Home and control it by voice
You can voice control your Spotify on Google Home - and you don't even need the premium version of the music service.Google has been promising to make its Home line of speakers compatible with more music streaming services. And, at I/O 2017, it said we... Read more
Netatmo Presence review: Right off the ugly tree and straight into our hearts
Think of a leading smart home device and most will mention the connected thermostat. For us, however, the smart home security camera has become just as successful – and as if to prove it there are at least 10 or 20 decent models out there, each worthy... Read more
How to connect Spotify to Alexa or Amazon Echo
You can change your default music service for Alexa, so that it'll play from whatever service you prefer.That's handy if you don't subscribe to Amazon Music and maybe prefer, say, Spotify. Luckily, changing the default option to Spotify is super easy.... Read more
How to create and edit music playlists with Alexa commands
Amazon is constantly adding new features to its Alexa voice assistant, and the latest is the ability to create playlists.You will now be able to ask Alexa to make and edit a playlist through an Alexa-enabled device. This includes asking the assistant... 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
Apple hires Google Assistant guru: is this the move that can make Siri better?
Apple needs to beef up Siri’s capabilities fast and has hired Google’s head of search and artificial intelligence (AI) to get the job done.Scot John Giannandrea will run Apple’s “machine learning and AI strategy” according to a report in the... Read more
Hive's latest subscription plan sets you up with smart home essentials
Hive has launched a new starter kit to encourage more people to get set up with smart home gear.Called the Warm Welcome Home Plan, it provides you with Hive Active Heating, two Hive Active Lights, an Active Plug, Hive Motion Sensor as well as an Amazon... Read more
How to set-up an Alexa smart home
A few years ago, the coordinated smart home felt like a pipe dream, but Alexa has changed all that. Thanks to increasing compatibility with smart home devices, Alexa and the Amazon Echo is now the ideal hub of your connected home.Where previously it was... Read more
Putting the Home in HomePod: The new housing development that’s smart from day one
"And over here is the HomePod…" explains Ken Forster, Managing Director of Trivselhus UK, to Pocket-lint.It is not a phrase you expect to hear on a tour of a show home up for sale, but then the house that Forster is showing us isn't any ordinary home.It's... Read more
Amazon Alexa Easter Eggs: Your complete guide to funny Alexa commands
Alexa, Amazon's virtual assistant, has an answer for just about everything. And, at the same time, she's loaded with hilarious responses for all sorts of hidden commands.These are "Alexa Easter Eggs" - an unexpected feature in software - and they range... Read more
Amazon Echo tips and tricks: The ultimate guide to Alexa
The Amazon Echo needs no introduction, that gateway to a world of connected fun. Posing as a cylindrical speaker, the Amazon Echo is was one of the hottest gadgets of 2016, and with a continuously expanding set of Alexa skills, it's a hot product for... Read more
Apple is trying to hire hundreds of AI engineers to make Siri smarter
Nobody likes Siri.Apple launched its voice assistant years ago, and yet, it's miserable to use, especially compared to Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, both of which are extremely smart, well integrated with third-party services, and available on... Read more
Apple HomeKit and Home app: What are they and how do they work?
HomeKit is basically Apple’s framework for home automation.Apple wants to make it easier for smart accessories - like Philips Hue lights, Wink lights, and other smart speakers, thermostats, detectors, plugs, blinds, locks, sensors and so on - to communicate... Read more
Facebook delayed unveiling its smart speaker due to recent data scandal
Facebook is delaying its entry into the hardware business.For the past few months, reports have claimed that Facebook is developing a video chat device possibly called Portal or Aloha. It's meant to compete with Amazon’s Echo Show and other Echo devices.Facebook... Read more
How to make Google Home play music through a Bluetooth speaker
Google has rolled out a new feature to its Google Home lineup that allows you it to play music on other Bluetooth speakers in your house.The feature, which works on Google’s Home, Home Max, and Home Mini speakers, is particularly useful if you own the... Read more
Foxconn to acquire Belkin for $866 million
Foxconn, the Taiwanese manufacturer responsible for manufacturing the Apple iPhone, has announced plans to acquire Belkin and its Linksys and Wemo subsidiary brands for $866 million in cash, by way of a merger.The deal is actually being carried out by... Read more
Secure your house for less with £50 off the Ring Floodlight Cam
Adding a connected security camera to your home is one of the best ways to deter burglars and Ring's Floodlight Cam is one of the best we've come across. Better yet, it's been discounted by £50 in the Amazon Easter sales.The Floodlight Cam normally costs... Read more
Panasonic GA10 review: Google Home, but better
The beauty about Google allowing its voice-controlled Assistant to be added to third-party speakers and headphones is great for multiple reasons: it widens the market with more than just one choice; meaning you'll be able to get the sound and design you're... Read more
Virgin Media's ludicrously fast 350Mbps broadband now available
Virgin Media has announced that it's top level broadband speed of 350Mbps is now available to customers. Around 15 million UK households now have the infrastructure to receive the fastest broadband service from the company and some might have noticed... Read more
Google Home Mini bargain: Add Google Assistant to your home for £34
Google has knocked £15 off the Home Mini smart assistant until 4 April, so you can add Google Assistant to your home for less this Easter. The nationwide discount means the Google Home Mini can now be had for a very reasonable £34.The Home Mini deal... Read more
Echo bargains! Easter Sales offer £15 Echo and £10 Echo Dot discounts
The Early Easter sales have hit Amazon.co.uk, bringing with them a couple of hot discounts on Amazon Echo models.The Amazon Echo - that's the smaller second-gen model with a changeable cover - has a discount of £15, bringing it down to £74.99 (it's... Read more
Massive Netgear Arlo security camera deal will save you £160
Arlo is one of our favourite home security systems, giving you smartphone-controlled cameras, motion detection, night vision and all with free online video storage for a week.It's an expensive system, but you can save 39 per cent today thanks to Amazon's... Read more
Amazon Echo review: The best way to experience Alexa?
The Amazon Echo and its Amazon Alexa voice-control system has been a break-away hit for smart home speakers over the past few years.When it launched - way back in 2014 in the US - the at-home voice-assistant forged a whole new category, leaving rivals... Read more
Shush, Alexa! Amazon tests 'brief mode' so Alexa will beep, speak less
Have you ever wished Alexa would just shut up?The Future Today Institute, which forecasts how emerging technology will disrupt business, said in its recent 2018 Tech Trends Report that traditional smartphones are on the way out, and that over the next... Read more
Somfy One review: Sound the alarm, smart home security gets serious
When it comes to protecting your home and your family, there are plenty of smart home security camera options to choose from. So many, that it might be hard to decide which one is right for you. Which is why manufacturers are working hard to deliver powerful smart... Read more
Nest unveils Temperature Sensor, launches video doorbell and lock
Nest has announced a new device, and it'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
Google Assistant routines: How to do multiple actions with one command
Google Assistant now supports multi-step routines.Copying Amazon, Google first announced it would add multistep smart home routines last October. The feature allows you to do several actions, such as turn off the lights and change the temperature on... Read more
Dyson 360 Eye robot vacuum cleaner review: Finally, a robotic vacuum that really works
Let's be honest, none of us like cleaning. So when robot vacuum cleaners started appearing on the scene a number of years ago, the idea that we would never have to do any vacuuming again got a lot of people excited.The problem is most robo-vacs don't... Read more