Smart controllers are breeding like rabbits with so many major home tech vendors, startups and energy companies getting in on the act. Opening up your home to the possibilities of automation and smart technology is easier than you’d think, but picking the right one is essential to allow for the right type of technology in your home, and how you play to expand it. Home … [Read more...] about Homeseer vs VeraLite – Which is the Better Smart Controller?
Holmes Eco Smart Heater Review: All You Need to Know
Not everyone has the need for a full smart home heating system with a space-age smart thermostat and the funky cooling solutions. However, most people have the odd room that needs warming, and there has to be a better way than the old fashioned oil, fan or electric heaters. So, for a cold bathroom, or if you just have a corner of a room that the central heating can’t quite … [Read more...] about Holmes Eco Smart Heater Review: All You Need to Know
Hue Bloom Review – What’s to Like About this Smart Light
Last year we reviewed the Hue Go, Philips’ portable fancy smart lighting unit. As we arrive in 2016, here’s the Hue Bloom, another addition to the company’s growing range. While the Hue family remains very much premium priced, this is another opportunity to have fun with your lighting, syncing it to music, creating lighting patterns and generally splashing out with … [Read more...] about Hue Bloom Review – What’s to Like About this Smart Light
Contrasting the Arlo vs Dropcam – Which Device Wins?
Smart home security cameras sound like a great idea. However, until we have some Roomba-like bot patrolling the home, checking for unusual sounds, disturbances and other alerts, we’re stuck with the current batch of fixed point cameras. Aside from their limited point of view, they are also prone to false alarms and have limited night or zoom capabilities, but for now they’re … [Read more...] about Contrasting the Arlo vs Dropcam – Which Device Wins?
Review: Petzi Treat Cam – Remote Pet Treat Automation
Petzila was founded in 2013 with the goal of bringing together pets and their owners by using some of the most popular tech trends. With the help of a very successful crowdfunding campaign, Petzila released their Petzi Treat Cam- a pet nanny cam that allows you to check in on Fido when you're away from home. The Petzi Treat Cam is a well-designed device made for pet owners … [Read more...] about Review: Petzi Treat Cam – Remote Pet Treat Automation
Digging into the VeraEge Home Controller – VeraEdge Review
There are so many companies wanting their technology and services to be the brains of your smart home devices that it is almost getting scary. Is there some ulterior ambition they all have to spy on everyone or hit us with subscription services? Whatever their cunning plans, the VeraEdge is just one of many of the new generation of smart home controllers that can help manage … [Read more...] about Digging into the VeraEge Home Controller – VeraEdge Review
Comparing the Insteon vs Z-Wave Protocol – Which is Best?
For the home user, the range of smart home automation radio systems provides a major source of confusion and a challenge to anyone planning their smarter property. So many devices use this protocol, or that WiFi - why couldn’t they all just get along? Given that the number of protocols is increasing, rather than shrinking with WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy becoming … [Read more...] about Comparing the Insteon vs Z-Wave Protocol – Which is Best?
Blossom Smart Sprinkler Review – Smart Enough?
With all the climate change debate going on, whatever your view, no one can argue that there’s a need to save water, and for homes to use this precious resource in a smarter way. Enter a range of smart irrigation and sprinkler systems like the Skydrop we’ve covered previously and now the Blossom Smart Sprinkler. The Blossom uses the weather forecast and your own settings … [Read more...] about Blossom Smart Sprinkler Review – Smart Enough?
Comparing the Blossom vs Rachio Smart Sprinklers
With droughts and crazy weather patterns hitting many parts of the world, being in control of garden watering is now legislated in some places and a very good idea in any smart home environment. Providing the appropriate amount of water for the right type of plants, saving water when there is plenty of the stuff falling from the skies and keeping your lawn or vegetables in … [Read more...] about Comparing the Blossom vs Rachio Smart Sprinklers
A Review of the New Braava Jet 240 Floor Mopping Robot
iRobot may be best known for their robot vacuums, but they also have a strong lineup of floor mopping robots as well. While the robotic vacuum space is pretty crowded with new brands and models, iRobot really runs away with the floor mopping category. You probably are curious about the new Braava Jet 240 floor mopping bot and how it stacks up to its predecessors. In this … [Read more...] about A Review of the New Braava Jet 240 Floor Mopping Robot