News/Smart Home
Google replaces Assistant with Gemini on Home devices this October
Google is replacing Google Assistant with its more advanced AI model Gemini on Google Home devices starting in October, marking a significant upgrade to the company's smart home ecosystem. The transition will bring more natural language processing and enhanced integration capabilities to devices like the Google Nest Hub, potentially transforming how users interact with their connected homes. What you should know: Gemini will be available for both free and paid Google Home users, though specific pricing and feature tiers haven't been announced yet. The update launches in early access in October, with Google promising to "share more details soon" about...
read Aug 18, 2025Eufy S350 4K security camera drops to $99 with AI tracking
Anker is offering its eufy S350 Security Indoor Camera at $99.99, down from its usual $140 price tag, marking a 29% discount that saves buyers $40. The camera stands out with its dual-camera setup featuring both 4K wide-angle and 2K telephoto lenses, delivering 8x hybrid zoom capabilities and 360-degree pan-and-tilt coverage for comprehensive home monitoring. Key features: The S350 combines superior imaging technology with intelligent tracking capabilities for enhanced home security. The dual-camera system provides 4K UHD resolution with an impressive 8x hybrid zoom, allowing users to capture detailed footage from various distances. Complete 360-degree pan and tilt functionality eliminates...
read Aug 13, 2025Apple developing year-long battery cameras to challenge Ring and Nest in the smart home cul-de-sac
Apple is reportedly developing an ecosystem of home security devices including smart cameras and doorbell systems to compete directly with Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest products. The initiative represents Apple's broader push into AI-powered robotics and smart home automation, with plans for multiple hardware and software products designed to integrate seamlessly across the home environment. What you should know: Apple's home security ambitions extend far beyond the Face ID-enabled doorbell Bloomberg first reported in December.• The company is developing battery-powered security cameras that could last "from several months to a year on a single charge."• These devices will feature facial...
read Aug 12, 2025LG C5 OLED TVs hit record-low prices with up to $900 off
LG's premium OLED TV lineup just became significantly more accessible, with the company's latest C5 series hitting record-low prices across multiple screen sizes. The 55-inch model, originally priced at $1,800, has dropped to $1,299 on Amazon—a substantial $500 discount that represents the deepest price cut since the series launched earlier this year. This pricing shift extends across the entire C5 range, with savings reaching over $900 on larger models. The timing is particularly notable given that OLED displays, which use organic light-emitting diodes to create perfect blacks and vibrant colors, typically maintain premium pricing throughout their first year on the...
read Aug 6, 2025Researchers hack Google Gemini through calendar invites to control smart homes
Security researchers have successfully hacked Google's Gemini AI through poisoned calendar invitations, allowing them to remotely control smart home devices including lights, shutters, and boilers in a Tel Aviv apartment. The demonstration represents what researchers believe is the first time a generative AI hack has caused real-world physical consequences, highlighting critical security vulnerabilities as AI systems become increasingly integrated with connected devices and autonomous systems. What you should know: The attack exploits indirect prompt injection vulnerabilities in Gemini through malicious instructions embedded in Google Calendar invites. When users ask Gemini to summarize their calendar events, the AI processes hidden commands...
read Aug 1, 2025Putting the AI in Chai: India’s first cooking robot sees 243% sales boost after TV debut
Upliance.ai has launched India's first AI-powered smart cooking assistant, a robotic appliance that can chop, stir, knead, blend, and heat ingredients with minimal human intervention. The device, which sells for approximately $319, gained significant traction after appearing on Shark Tank India in 2024, leading to a 243% increase in sales for the Mumbai-based startup. How it works: The Upliance device combines a robotic cooking pot with AI-powered software to automate nearly the entire cooking process. The system includes a tablet with over 500 recipes and customization options, along with kitchen tools like measuring spoons, a spatula, and a scale for...
read Jul 14, 2025Apple delays smart home hub until 2026 over Siri AI setbacks
Apple's highly anticipated smart home hub has been delayed until 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The iPad-like device, designed to control smart home gadgets similar to Google Nest or Amazon Echo speakers, was originally targeted for a March 2025 release but now faces a significant postponement tied to delays in Apple's AI-powered Siri upgrade. What you should know: The smart home hub's delay is directly connected to Apple's broader AI strategy and Siri overhaul. Apple delayed its Siri upgrade back in March, with the smart home hub reportedly reliant on many of those new AI features to function properly....
read Jul 11, 2025Last chance! Anker’s eufy S350 dual-camera security system drops to $85 for Prime Day
Anker's eufy S350 Security Indoor Cam is currently available for $84.99 during Amazon's Prime Day sale, marking a significant discount from its usual $130-$140 price point. The camera features dual 4K and 2K cameras with 8x hybrid zoom, 360-degree pan and tilt capabilities, and AI tracking technology, making it particularly suitable for monitoring children and pets. What you should know: The S350 stands out from competitors by incorporating both a 4K wide-angle and 2K telephoto camera system that work together to deliver enhanced zoom capabilities. The dual-camera setup provides 8x hybrid zoom functionality, offering superior detail compared to single-camera security...
read Jul 7, 2025Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum drops to $298 in Amazon sale
Amazon is offering the Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot Vacuum with a 60-day capacity bagless station for $298, down from its regular $599 price tag. This deal represents a 50% discount on a premium robot vacuum that combines advanced mapping technology with extended autonomous operation, making high-end home cleaning automation more accessible to consumers. What you should know: The Shark AI Ultra features sophisticated navigation and cleaning systems designed for comprehensive home coverage. The robot uses 360-degree LiDAR vision (laser-based mapping technology) to map homes and clean in a precision matrix grid pattern, taking multiple passes over dirt and...
read Jun 25, 2025Ring’s AI cameras now describe what they see instead of just detecting motion
Ring has launched Video Descriptions, a beta AI feature that provides detailed text descriptions of what security cameras detect during motion events. The feature aims to reduce false alerts by distinguishing between routine and unusual activity, learning each property's normal patterns to only notify users when something genuinely noteworthy occurs. What you should know: Video Descriptions transforms basic motion alerts into detailed, contextual notifications that explain exactly what cameras are seeing. Instead of generic "motion detected" alerts, users receive specific descriptions like "A person is walking up the steps with a black dog" or "Two people are peering into a...
read May 24, 2025Gemini AI powers smarter automation and camera features in Google Home
Google is expanding Gemini integration across its smart home ecosystem, creating new ways for users to interact with and automate their connected devices. This AI-powered upgrade to Google Home represents a significant shift in how consumers can manage their smart homes, moving from manual setup to conversational creation of complex automations and enhanced camera capabilities that leverage Gemini's intelligence for improved home monitoring and control. The big picture: Google is integrating Gemini AI into Google Home APIs to transform how users interact with their smart home ecosystem, particularly focusing on simplified automation creation and enhanced camera features. The upgrade enables...
read May 23, 2025Samsung AI washer/dryer combo $1,300 off for Memorial Day
Samsung's Memorial Day discount on its Bespoke AI Laundry Combo slashes $1,300 off a machine that combines cutting-edge AI technology with energy efficiency. This all-in-one ventless washer/dryer system represents Samsung's push into smart home appliances that blend convenience with sustainability, appealing to space-conscious consumers who want high-tech laundry solutions without separate machines or complex installation requirements. The big picture: Samsung has reduced its premium Bespoke AI Laundry Combo Electric Ventless Heat Pump Washer/Dryer to $1,999 during its Memorial Day Sale, down from its regular $3,299 price point. The current sale price represents a significant discount compared to typical sales that...
read May 21, 2025Yielding to Amazon? Smart home action nowhere to be found at Google I/O
Google's retreat from smart home innovation signals a concerning shift in priorities, with AI taking center stage while once-flagship Nest products fade into the background. At Google I/O 2025, the complete absence of smart home announcements marks a stark contrast to previous years when the category received significant attention. This trend raises questions about Google's commitment to competing with Amazon in the connected home space and whether its AI focus might eventually reinvigorate or further diminish its smart home ecosystem. The big picture: Google's smart home division has become noticeably absent from major announcements, with Google I/O 2025 featuring no...
read May 14, 2025Restful Recon: AI-powered Eight Sleep Pod 5 smart bed offers biometric tracking and more
Eight Sleep's Pod 5 represents a significant advancement in sleep technology, transforming the concept of a bed into an intelligent sleep optimization system. This fifth-generation smart bed combines biometric tracking, adaptive temperature control, automatic elevation adjustments, and integrated audio to actively enhance sleep quality and physical recovery. For health-conscious consumers and performance-oriented individuals, the Pod 5 offers a comprehensive approach to sleep as a fundamental component of overall wellness and longevity. The big picture: Eight Sleep's Pod 5 reimagines the traditional bed as an AI-powered sleep performance system that actively responds to your body's needs throughout the night. The system...
read May 12, 2025Arlo’s new home security system uses AI to detect sounds and describe events
Arlo's latest home security system introduces AI-powered event recognition and search capabilities, marking a significant advancement in smart surveillance technology. The Arlo 6 platform enhances home monitoring by automatically detecting specific sounds like screams or glass breaking while generating searchable descriptions of captured events. This expansion of AI features places Arlo in direct competition with Google Nest and Amazon Ring, who introduced similar capabilities within the past year. The big picture: Arlo Security is launching its sixth-generation home security system with expanded AI capabilities that can automatically describe events and detect specific audio cues. The new system will begin rolling...
read May 8, 2025AI-powered Anker eufy S350 indoor cam offers 4K tracking for $100
Anker's eufy S350 camera brings 4K dual-use camera technology to indoor security with AI-powered features at a significant discount. This latest addition to the smart home security market combines high-resolution capabilities with intelligent tracking functionality, addressing the growing consumer demand for comprehensive indoor monitoring that goes beyond traditional single-camera setups. The current pricing represents one of the most accessible entry points for premium indoor security cameras with advanced AI capabilities. Key features: The eufy S350 indoor security camera combines dual-camera technology with AI tracking for comprehensive home monitoring. The device integrates both 4K wide-angle and 2K telephoto cameras that work...
read May 1, 2025Roborock’s AI-powered robot vac hits $1,100 low with pet-friendly features
Roborock's latest AI-powered robotic vacuum represents a significant advancement in home cleaning automation, combining powerful suction capabilities with sophisticated navigation technology and an all-in-one dock system. The substantial $500 discount on this premium cleaning device highlights the growing accessibility of advanced smart home technology, as manufacturers compete to deliver comprehensive autonomous cleaning solutions that address both vacuuming and mopping needs with minimal human intervention. The big picture: Roborock's Qrevo Edge Robot Vacuum and Mop is now available at $1,099.99 shipped, matching the direct brand website pricing and offering a substantial 31% discount from its regular $1,600 price point. Key features:...
read Apr 18, 2025Agora unveils AI toolkit to power IoT device conversations
Agora's new ConvoAI Device Kit represents a significant advancement in bringing conversational AI capabilities to IoT devices, robots, and interactive toys. By partnering with chip-maker Beken, the company has created an integrated solution that enables more natural, responsive voice interactions—potentially transforming how consumers interact with smart devices across educational, emotional support, and entertainment applications. The big picture: Agora is expanding beyond its core real-time engagement solutions to enter the growing AI-powered robotics and interactive toys market with a comprehensive toolkit for developers. The ConvoAI Device Kit combines Beken's AI chip modules with Agora's conversational AI technology to enable intelligent, voice-driven...
read Apr 10, 2025(Not) Just Between Us: Amazon is killing Echo’s local voice processing, forcing all commands to the cloud
Amazon is forcing a significant privacy change on Echo users by eliminating local voice processing capabilities, requiring all voice commands to be processed in the cloud starting March 28, 2025. This shift represents a growing tension between advanced AI features and user privacy controls, as companies increasingly centralize processing to support more sophisticated capabilities. The change affects even privacy-conscious users who had specifically opted to keep their voice commands processed locally on their devices. The big picture: Amazon is removing the "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" option from Echo devices, forcing all user voice commands to be processed in the...
read Mar 25, 2025How to integrate ChatGPT with your Alexa devices in 5 simple steps
Amazon's integration of ChatGPT with Alexa devices offers a powerful way to combine the intelligence of OpenAI's chatbot with Amazon's widespread smart home ecosystem. This DIY integration brings enhanced conversational capabilities to the more than 100 million Alexa devices currently in use, allowing users to access ChatGPT's advanced features through familiar hardware without waiting for Amazon's official Alexa+ upgrade. 1. Required preparation resources You'll need an Amazon Developer Account to create and deploy the Alexa Skill that serves as the bridge between your devices and ChatGPT. An OpenAI API key is necessary to authenticate and access the ChatGPT functionality. The...
read Mar 14, 2025Apple delays AI Siri features as iOS 19 redesign and foldable iPhone plans advance
Apple's ambitious AI plans for Siri have hit a significant roadblock with the indefinite delay of new features, while rumors point to sweeping design changes coming to iOS 19 and a potential foldable iPhone launch in 2026. These developments signal Apple's struggle to keep pace in the competitive AI landscape, highlighting the challenges the company faces in delivering on its promised Apple Intelligence ecosystem while simultaneously pursuing hardware innovation to maintain market leadership. The big picture: Apple has officially delayed its "more personalized" version of Siri indefinitely, creating uncertainty around the company's AI strategy. This setback follows a string of...
read Mar 10, 2025Beyond vacuums: Move Digital expands with home robotics for the affluent, AI manufacturing push
Move Digital is expanding beyond its blockchain and AI expertise to enter the home robotics market, signaling a significant diversification for the B2B technology firm. This strategic pivot represents a growing trend of technology companies leveraging their AI capabilities to develop physical products for consumer markets, potentially reshaping how households interact with automation technology. The company's dual focus on manufacturing in Asia while targeting high-net-worth clients in global financial centers highlights its ambitious approach to market penetration. The big picture: Move Digital, primarily known for blockchain-based business solutions, is launching AI-powered robots for home use that will be manufactured in...
read Mar 7, 2025Samsung’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo now 33% off during limited-time sale
Samsung's new Bespoke AI Laundry Combo is seeing significant discounts during the current Discover Samsung sale, offering consumers a chance to purchase advanced laundry technology at nearly one-third off its regular price. This all-in-one washer-dryer unit represents how smart home technology is evolving beyond convenience to incorporate energy efficiency and AI-driven optimization, addressing both environmental concerns and practical household needs. The deal specifics: Samsung's Bespoke AI Laundry Combo All-in-One is currently available for $2,199, a substantial reduction from its regular $3,324 price tag. This represents the fourth-lowest price tracked overall and the third-lowest price directly from Samsung. Buyers receive a...
read Mar 5, 2025Autel’s AI-powered EV charger drops to $399, bringing smart home charging to more users
For the EV lover who has everything...except this. Autel's latest smart EV charger brings AI assistance to home charging, marking a significant advancement in residential electric vehicle infrastructure. The MaxiCharger AC Lite Home combines voice-controlled operation with robust charging capabilities, representing the growing intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainable transportation technology. The big picture: Autel has dropped the price of its MaxiCharger AC Lite Home 40A Smart AI Level 2 EV Charger to $399 on Amazon, down from its regular price of $470 since its September launch. Key features: The ENERGY STAR-certified charger delivers comprehensive smart charging capabilities with AI...
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