Sometimes the best thing you can do is to not overthink a solution… and sometimes it happens anyway! Join your two favorite geeks to learn about Catalina tweaks, AirPods tips, iOS scanners, and more. Plus, listen as John and Dave troubleshoot a network issue in real time with just tools available on every Mac!
Search: smart home
Eve for HomeKit Updates for iOS 13
Eve is a smart home company that builds products that work with Apple’s HomeKit. The company recently updated its app to version 4.0 for iOS 13. It adds dark mode, easier access to your favorite views, and other refinements.
Eve works with all HomeKit-enabled accessories. See your home at a glance. Customize your ecosystem down to the finest detail. Activate scenes in a snap. And easily create automations using timers and rules. With Eve, you’re at the forefront of connected home control – and guided – every step of the way.
App Store: Eve for HomeKit – Free
Ikea Smart Blinds Suffer From Second Delay
The Ikea smart blinds Fyrtur model have suffered a second delay. The after the first delay they were supposed to be released on October 1. But now the company says “later this year.”
The delay is already obvious to anyone who has been feverishly refreshing the US listing, hoping their local Ikea suddenly shows in-store availability. The blinds are on sale elsewhere. In the UK, for example, the Fyrtur blackout blinds are available for home delivery. Moreover, they’re also selling the less expensive, and more translucent, Kadrilj model that won’t be on sale in the US.
Facebook Launches New Surveillance Devices For Your Home
Today Facebook launched Portal video chatting devices that definitely won’t be used to spy on you and your loved ones. They will let Facebook users watch television together over a video call. Andrew Bosworth, VP of AR/VR at Facebook, said:
I think that in a couple years’ time, if you have a smart streaming device that doesn’t have a camera allowing you to video call people, you’re not going to have a competitive product. I think this is the killer feature for a device like this.
Bosworth also touted privacy protections like local processing of smart features on the devices, which means most user data will not be sent back to Facebook servers.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
The Case For Apple to Make Home Robots Just Got Stronger
The profitability of cars is low. And Apple is a mass-market consumer electronics company that maintains high margins. Seeking Alpha argues that Apple should use its AI tech for home robots instead.
Bose Launches Home Speaker With Air Play 2 Support
Bose unveiled a new portable Home Speaker with AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect support, set for release in September in two colors.
5G Could Revolutionize Home Broadband
Most of use are excited about what 5G will enable us to do on a smartphone, and how fast it will enable to us to do it. However, as CNET noted, the effect could be just as significant in the home broadband space.
Consumers often see prices rise in areas where there’s only one provider, yet many Americans continue to lack competitive home internet options. Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint have all hyped up home broadband as one of the many uses of 5G to solve this problem by offering a viable and speedy alternative. Verizon’s first 5G network rollout focused on the home, while T-Mobile CEO John Legere railed against “big cable” while pitching regulators on his company’s $26.5 billion merger with Sprint.
Smart Speakers Could Increase Your TV's Power Usage
If you use a smart speaker to wake up and control your TV, you could be adding an extra US$200/year on your electricity bill.
Arlo Cameras Get HomeKit Support
Smart camera firm Arlo has added HomeKit support to some of its products, DigitalTrends reported. Interestingly, the top-of-the line Arlo Ultra 4K was not amongst the cameras that got the update.
Unfortunately for buyers of the company’s top-of-the-line cameras, the new connectivity to HomeKit only applies to select Arlo cameras, specifically the popular Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 systems. Owners of the VMB5000 model and the corresponding Arlo Ultra 4K will have to wait a bit longer to add their smart cameras to Apple’s smart home ecosystem. On the bright side, the firmware update reduces the need for Apple HomeKit users to use the Arlo app or its corresponding remote control. The select models of Arlo smart cameras will appear in the directory of other HomeKit accessories in a user’s Home app and can also be controlled using Apple’s digital assistant, Siri, via an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch,or Mac computer.
Apple's AR Glasses, HomeKit Hardware – TMO Daily Observations 2019-07-12
Andrew Orr and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to talk about the state of Apple’s AR “glasses” and the new wave of HomeKit hardware.
IKEA Adds More HomeKit Compatible Light Bulbs to Line
IKEA has expanded its range of HomeKit compatible light bulbs and released its Floait line of smart light fixtures in the U.S.
Smartwatch Market Dominated by Apple in Coming Years
Apple will continue to lead the field in smartwatches, with new research indicating it will have over a quarter of the market in 2023.
EvaSMART 2 Smart Personal Air Conditioner: $199
Check out the EvaSMART 2, a personal air conditioner that combines the functionality of a humidifier and air conditioner into a single device. It uses natural evaporative cooling to lower the temperature around you, and filters out dust particles. And, it can be operated via an on-board touch pad, mobile app, or simply your voice. it’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Home. Plus, it consumes just 12.5 W of power. This device is $199 through our deal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90FTZ0Vlgnk
How to Choose the Best Mesh Wireless System For Your Home
Sorting through the mesh wireless systems available today can be tricky. Read on, and we’ll teach you how to decide which one is best for you. [Update: Anti-malware is a theme of this update, with Plume SuperPods, Orbi, and Linksys Velop all joining the club with solid offerings in this regard. eero and Plume both solved their LAN persistence problems, keeping your Wi-Fi alive even if your Internet connection goes down. AmpliFi is doing some cool things for IoT users with regards to setting up separate SSIDs for that, too. See Changelog – Dave]
Princeton IoT Inspector Tells You When Your Smart Speaker Spies on You
An app called Princeton IoT Inspector is a new app that can tell you if/when your smart speaker spies on you.
Apple Cuts HomePod Price by $50, Now $299
Apple is cutting the price of the HomePod a bit. It used to be US$349 but now it costs US$299.
Apple today cut the price of HomePod on its online store by $50, with the smart speaker now listed for $299, down from $349. The price drop follows recent promotional discounts at several third-party retailers across the U.S.
LG TVs getting AirPlay 2 and HomeKit Support 'Mid-Year'
A firmware update that will give LG TVs AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support is coming mid-2019, the company announced.
Apple Acquires Patents From Failed AI Powered Home Security Startup
Apple acquired patent’s from Lighthouse AI in late 2018, it has emerged. Apple purchased 8 patents from the smart home security startup. They related to, amongst other things, computer-vision based security, visual authentication, and incident sharing. Lighthouse AI closed down in December 2018. The purchases are another indication of the renewed seriousness with which Apple is approaching AI. 9to5Mac wondered if we could see the technology associated with the patents used to improve Face ID.
The patents in question (via Patently Apple) relate to technology used for computer-vision based security, visual authentication, and more. In total, Apple acquired eight patents and patent applications from Lighthouse. Lighthouse AI officially shut down in December of last year after it failed to achieve commercial success. Lighthouse focused on using augmented reality and 3D sensing to make it easier for users to understand and sort through security footage.
A Great Explanation of Apple's HomePod Semi-failure
It’s not hard to figure out that Apple’s HomePod hasn’t been as successful as the Amazon Echo. But figuring out the exact cause is harder. It’s not the price.
Google Turns Down Volume on Apple Music for Google Home Rumours
It looks like Google Home users are not going to be able to get Apple Music on their device, despite recent rumours.
Apple Music Will Be On Google Home Devices
Apple Music is heading to Google Home devices. It is now listed as an option in the Google Home app on iOS devices.
Department of Homeland Security to Investigate Foreign VPNs
Senators Ron Wyden and Marco Rubio are worried about the possibility of foreign VPNs used to spy on U.S. government employees.
HomePod Coming to China and Hong Kong January 18
Apple’s HomePod is finally going to make it to Hong Kong and mainland China, nearly a year after it was originally released.
CES - Kwikset Shows New Aura and Halo Smart Locks
LAS VEGAS – Kwikset is showing three new smart locks, the Aura using Bluetooth, and their first Wi-Fi product, the Halo.