Amazon introduced us to Echo Buttons last year amidst its annual September blitz of new Alexa gadgets. They seemed like kid-friendly novelties at best -- colorful Bluetooth buttons that sync with your Echo speaker to let you buzz in during things like Alexa trivia games. Aside from a few software upgrades aimed at getting developers to find new uses for them, we haven't heard much about them since.That changed today, as Amazon upgraded the Alexa app to allow users to trigger their Alexa Routines at the press of an Echo Button. That makes for a lot of sneaky new utility for those Echo Buttons, which sell in a 2-pack for $20.Possible uses include triggering smart home scenes or lighting changes with a single button push, or tapping a Button to instantly send a message to every Echo device in the house saying that dinner is ready. Routines can also trigger music playback, including songs and playlists from Spotify, as well as custom Alexa responses.In short, there's a lot of room for … [Read more...] about Alexa’s Echo Buttons can trigger your smart home routines now
Smart home
Newegg’s Black Friday deals include discounts on PC components, TVs, and smart home products
Newegg’s Black Friday ad is out, and it has a pretty robust selection of deals on TVs like LG’s OLED, smart home products including the Nest Thermostat and Indoor Camera, and PC gaming components like motherboards, GPUs, and Intel i7 processors. Most of Newegg’s deals begin on November 19th at 12PM ET, more deals will kick in on November 22nd (Thanksgiving), and a few select deals will only be available on November 23rd (Black Friday). You won’t have to stand in line for these deals since Newegg is an online-only store, so you can attempt to grab your preferred deal once the clock hits midnight (PT). Newegg is the latest company to release its Black Friday ad early, following Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart, so check out the others to make sure this is the best deal for the product you’re after. PC components Starting November 19th: ASRock Z390 PHANTOM SLI/ac gaming motherboard is $119.99 (Usually $167.99) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB Series 16GB … [Read more...] about Newegg’s Black Friday deals include discounts on PC components, TVs, and smart home products
Purple Heart recipient receives mortgage-free “smart home” from veterans’ foundation
A wounded veteran and his wife, both retired Marines, got the gift of a lifetime on Saturday, just ahead of Veterans Day. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation gifted the couple with a brand-new "smart home," built for them on their 15-acre farm in upstate New York. Lance Corporal Mark Beyers is a Purple Heart recipient. He lost his right arm and leg in an IED blast in Iraq in 2005. He needed 39 surgeries and months of rehab before he could return home to his wife, Denise, the foundation writes on its website. Corporal Denise Beyers also served in the Marines and worked stateside. The two high school sweethearts enlisted together in 1998. After retiring from the Marines, they settled in East Aurora, New York, where they make and sell maple syrup, honey and seasonal poultry and produce on Beyers Maple Farm. The couple sacrificed a lot to defend our country, and now the foundation – which is dedicated to honoring military and first responders who "make the supreme sacrifice of life … [Read more...] about Purple Heart recipient receives mortgage-free “smart home” from veterans’ foundation
Best outdoor smart home cameras: See outside your home anytime
There are plenty of smart home security cameras available to help you keep an eye on the inside of your home from wherever you may be, but there are also a number of options for keeping check on the outside too.Some offer built-in speakers so you can speak to the postman if you aren't home, while others feature built-in floodlights to deter any intruders when motion is detected.Here are some of the best outdoor smart home security cameras we have come across. You can also read our separate feature on indoor cameras if you are looking to keep an eye on the inside of your home too.Nest Cam IQ OutdoorView offer for £329 on store.nest.com/uk | View offer for $379 on store.nest.com/us Measurements: 128 x 93 x 93 mm, 568g Features: Night vision, weatherproof (IP66 rated), 12x digital zoom, speaker, three microphones, compatible with Google Assistant Camera: 8MP, 4K sensor, 1080p video recording, 130-degree wide angle Power: Wired Operating temperature: … [Read more...] about Best outdoor smart home cameras: See outside your home anytime
John Lewis Oxford Street has a Google smart home you can try out
If you found yourself in John Lewis’s flagship store on Oxford Street this weekend, you might have noticed a new robotic staff member in the form of the Google Assistant. The high-street retailer has opened an interactive 827 sq ft Google-powered smart home so customers can try out some of the tech giant’s products first hand. The space has been established to demonstrate how people can use Google Assistant products in their home, whether its in the living room, kitchen or bedroom. The new Google Home Hub makes an appearance, which is essentially the Google Home smart speaker but with a screen, as well as the Google Home Max speaker, the Chromecast Ultra and Nest security products including the Nest Hello doorbell. There are also some accompanying smart products from other companies that work alongside the Google Home range, including Philips Hue smart lightbulbs and the LightWave smart sockets. John Lewis’s smart home buyer, Katrina Mills, said the space is … [Read more...] about John Lewis Oxford Street has a Google smart home you can try out