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Chicago Tribune
5 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Best wireless doorbell
Wireless doorbells have become relatively cheap, making them a great option to replace the traditional doorbells that don't offer as many useful features. The wireless versions are also easier to install as no wiring is required. They also come loaded with features such as adjustable volume and a large selection of chimes. Some high-end models offer smart features that connect the doorbell with your smartphone for notifications and video surveillance. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is the best high-end wireless doorbell, offering high-definition video, motion detection alerts and connectivity with Alexa. Range The receiver unit needs to be within the doorbell range for it to work. Most wireless doorbells offer at least 100 feet of range, while premium models can extend up to 400 feet. Please note that the actual range may differ from the product specifications, as interference can occur. You can expect the real-life range to be around 30% less than the manufacturer's specifications. Volume Some wireless doorbells come with adjustable volume, which is a helpful feature to have. After all, if you don't hear the chime, there isn't much point in having a doorbell. You can expect good-quality doorbells to offer a maximum volume of more than 90 decibels. However, not all doorbells come with decibel ratings, so you might have to rely on customer reviews. Power The receivers typically plug into an outlet, while the doorbells are battery-powered. Receivers with lithium batteries offer the fastest recharging. Some models come with battery-powered receivers, which means regular battery replacement. You might want to consider getting rechargeable batteries. For more premium wireless doorbells that offer smart and video features, you might need to connect them to the household supply. Smart features A high-end wireless doorbell will offer smart features. This includes video monitoring, motion detection, smartphone connectivity and night vision. For video monitoring features, some doorbells come with a separate monitor unit. The video recording is either stored on the cloud or the device's built-in storage. Proximity sensors on the doorbell trigger the motion detection features. The night vision features use infrared imaging to add extra security to your home. Lighting It is helpful to have an illuminated push-button on the doorbell for use in the dark. Some doorbells also have motion detection lights triggered when someone approaches your house. Some receivers units also have lights that blink when the doorbell is triggered. This feature is particularly useful for customers that have hearing difficulties. Sounds In most good quality wireless doorbells, you have the option to select from a wide range of chimes based on your preference. This feature allows you to pick a chime that is pleasant for you. For a good quality doorbell with basic features, you can expect to spend around $25-$35. For a wireless doorbell with smart features and video recording capabilities, you can expect to spend more than $150. Are wireless doorbells weatherproof? A. Not all wireless doorbells are weatherproof, but some can withstand colder temperatures, rain and snow. A battery-powered doorbell might freeze in subzero temperatures, so make sure you check the temperature rating. Also, keep in mind that some doorbells that are labeled as weatherproof are not waterproof and require installation in a covered porch. Will you be able to hear the doorbell if you are in your backyard? A. The best way to check the range and the volume is to have the doorbell set at its maximum settings and try listening to the chime from different areas of your house. You don't want the doorbell to be uncomfortably loud when you're in the house, so you'll have to find the right balance between volume and range. Top wireless doorbell Ring Battery Doorbell Plus What you need to know: This wireless doorbell can be synced with a smartphone for two-way conversations and used as a security camera. What you'll love: It comes with motion detection features, Wi-Fi connectivity and cloud storage of recorded video. You can view the recorded video for up to 180 days. It also connects seamlessly with Alexa and Echo devices. What you should consider: The price is high, and you need to pay for a Ring Home subscription to view stored recorded video and alerts. Top wireless doorbell for the money Honeywell Home Portable Wireless Doorbell What you need to know: This wireless doorbell is portable, easy to use and has some innovative features. What you'll love: It is loaded with useful features such as adjustable volume, MP3 tunes, visual alerts and sleep mode. The battery lasts up to five years and the range is 450 feet. Eight built-in tunes can be played at a volume of up to 90 decibels. What you should consider: Customers have reported a lag between pushing the button and triggering the sound. Worth checking out Avantek Waterproof Door Chime Kit What you need to know: This waterproof doorbell is simple and reliable, offering several useful features. What you'll love: The lightweight design means you can use double-sided tape to stick it to the wall. It comes with two plug-in receivers and has over 50 chimes with a maximum volume of 115 decibels. The waterproof feature adds extra durability for outdoor use. What you should consider: Changing the battery can be challenging. Some users have complained about inconsistency in the volume. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Fire TV Stick is on sale for under $35 ahead of Amazon Prime Day — but is it worth it? Here's my honest opinion
If you want to level up your home entertainment system, Amazon Canada is a great place to browse for epic deals on TVs, laptops, headphones and more. And while smart TVs make it super easy and convenient to stream your favourite shows and switch between streaming services, but they can be quite costly. That's where the Amazon Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote Pro comes into play — it's a great, affordable way to upgrade your regular TV. And the best part? You can snag it on sale for under $35 ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2025. Amazon shoppers love this "intuitive" streaming stick. This magical little device will unlock access to more than 700,000 movies and shows (talk about variety!). But that's not all — it has so many cool features. Intrigued yet? Keep scrolling to check out my pros and cons, as well as what other Amazon shoppers are saying. Save 29 per cent on this "game-changing" streaming stick on Amazon Canada. This bestselling Fire TV Stick turns any television into a smart TV and instantly gives you access to thousands of channels, music and apps, including Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+. It also lets you use your voice to search movies, shows and more with Alexa. The latest generation of the streaming stick is 50 per cent more powerful than the previous version, allowing for speedy streaming in full HD. Additionally, you can use the remote to stream music and podcasts, view live camera feeds, check the weather and more. Easy to navigate User-friendly interface Small and compact Easy to set up Voice control is convenient Quick app buttons speed search up If I can confidently recommend any product to you, it's this Fire TV Stick. I have multiple in my household (yes, it may seem excessive, but we just love them that much). They're convenient, easy to use and have a top-tier interface. I love how effortless it is to search for shows, movies, apps, songs and even specific YouTube videos with the Alexa voice function and quick app buttons. It's super helpful when it comes to accessibility, which we appreciate in my household. Navigating everything is pretty straightforward, from apps to settings. It's also painless to set up, and that's something I value in a tech product. All you have to do is plug two things in, and you're good to go! I also prefer how small it is — who wants a big remote anymore? Not me! Sometimes slow/laggy Gets lost easily (I might be the problem) This product definitely has more pros than cons for me and everyone in my house; however, it's not entirely flawless. While I do love how small it is, I will say I often lose these little remotes. That might entirely be a me-problem, but I figured it'd be something to note. So, be sure to make a mental note of where you last left it — and don't let it get lost in the depths of your couch. The biggest downside that I've noticed is that it can be laggy when searching on the homepage, which can get annoying. It's nothing that would stop me from purchasing another, though (clearly). More like this: One year later, I still swear by the Fitbit Charge 6 — and it's on sale ahead of Amazon Prime Day These 'very impressive' earbuds are 81% off on Amazon Canada — seriously! I couldn't wait until Prime Day, so I bought a TCL TV from Amazon for $280 ⭐️ 4.6/5 stars 💬 1,900+ ratings 🏆 "Best remote and in my opinion, the only remote." This Fire TV device has lots of users praising its functionality. Many can agree that it "works great" and is "easy to use." And more specifically, the Alexa Voice Remote Pro features a remote finder function that shoppers describe as "game-changing." One reviewer said the cool features "made my TV-watching experience much more enjoyable," adding that the remote has "exceeded my expectations." They did note, however, that it's "incompatible with Fire TV (1st and 2nd Gen), Fire TV Stick (1st Gen), Insignia HD/Insignia FHD, or Echo Show 15." "I love how this remote lights up with movement," writes one person. They said it's "very convenient at night." However, one person stated that the "pre-programmed buttons" are "a massive pain because they are so easy to push by mistake." A few people have also complained about frequently "changing batteries." If you're in the market for a new streaming device or want to upgrade your old Fire TV Stick, this 29 per cent off deal is worth it. I am obsessed with my streaming stick, and I really appreciate the experience it offers. As most shoppers say, it's easy to use and a breeze to navigate. While it can get laggy at times or require some reboots, it's not something that deters me from the product — but that's just me! At just $32 ahead of Prime Day 2025, you can't really go wrong.
Gizmodo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
This Ring Doorbell Drops to 50% Off, Now $10 Below Its Black Friday Price for a Limited Time
Grant yourself peace of mind in your own home. The Ring Doorbell is comprehensive home security solution. With its enhanced video quality, precise motion detection, and seamless integration with Alexa, the Ring Doorbell offers unmatched convenience and security. Upgrade your home security today and allow yourself top-tier home monitoring with the Ring Doorbell, which happens to be part of a limited time deal at Amazon. That's right, for a the time being, you can save an even 50% on the battery-powered Ring Doorbell. It's normally priced at $100, but after the discount, you can nab it for just $50. That's a savings of—you guessed it—$50. See at Amazon Unmatched Security Ring's premier battery-powered doorbell camera is equipped with an HD camera, offering an expansive field of view that ensures you see more of what's happening at your front door. The 2024 model of the Ring Doorbell utilizes 66% more vertical coverage than the previous model. A larger field of view means you'll you'll have coverage head to toe of anyone stepping onto your property, and then you can zoom in anytime for closer look. This high-definition video quality delivers exceptional clarity, allowing you to identify visitors and packages with ease. Security doesn't stop when the sun goes down. Thanks to its enhanced imaging sensors, the Ring Doorbell delivers clear color and clarity even in low-light conditions. This means you'll have peace of mind knowing that your home is protected day and night. See at Amazon Never miss a delivery again with the Ring Doorbell's Person + Package Alerts. This exclusive feature, available with a Ring Protect subscription, notifies you when your package is detected within a specified zone. Say goodbye to stolen packages and hello to that new expensive Breville espresso maker you finally ordered. The Ring Doorbell is designed for convenience, powered by a Quick Release Battery Pack that allows for quick and easy recharging. No more dealing with hardwiring or complicated installations. Simply recharge the battery pack and keep your doorbell running smoothly. Seamless Integration with Alexa Enhance your home automation setup by connecting the Ring Doorbell with Alexa on compatible Echo devices. This integration enables announcements and Two-Way Talk, allowing you to communicate with visitors directly from the comfort of your home. Whether you're in the kitchen or upstairs, you'll always be connected to your front door. For a limited time, you can get the newest-model of the Ring Battery Doorbell for just $50 (down from $100). You'll be saving a nice $50 on your purchase. See at Amazon
Mint
9 hours ago
- Mint
Waiting for Alexa+? Make your Echo speaker smarter with these 3 hacks
Amazon's new Alexa Plus upgrade is gradually making its way to Echo users, with the rollout expanding since its launch in late March 2025. According to Amazon spokesperson Eric Sveum, more than a million users now have access to Alexa Plus, a significant jump from the 'hundreds of thousands' reported just a month ago. Sveum confirmed to The Verge that Alexa Plus is being deployed to compatible Echo speakers and smart displays 'at an increasing pace,' and will continue to be 'more broadly available over the summer.' Despite this progress, many Echo users are still awaiting the update. While Alexa Plus promises a more conversational, generative AI-based assistant experience, the staggered rollout means not everyone will get it at the same time. In the meantime, there are still several ways to get more from your current Echo setup. Here are three features users can activate today to enhance their Alexa experience while waiting for Alexa Plus. 1. BBC Sounds integration for podcasts and radio Echo speakers work seamlessly with streaming services, but adding the BBC Sounds skill offers a wider variety of live radio and podcast content. To enable it, simply go to the 'Skills & Games' section in the Alexa app and search for 'BBC Sounds.' Once signed into a BBC account, you can access BBC Radio stations or resume podcast episodes by voice commands. You can try voice commands like: 'Alexa, play BBC Radio 1' 'Alexa, launch BBC Sounds' BBC Sounds is especially great for listeners who enjoy music-focused channels, current affairs or entertainment podcasts 2. Control your TV using Alexa, no remote needed If you own a smart TV and an Amazon Echo speaker, you can control your TV completely hands-free using Alexa voice commands. It's a simple setup that can make everyday entertainment more convenient, from turning on the TV to launching apps like Netflix or YouTube, all with just your voice. To get started, open the Alexa app on your smartphone, tap the '+' icon in the top-right corner, and select 'Add Device.' Choose 'TV' from the list and select your TV brand. You'll be guided through a few steps to link your TV with Alexa. Most brands require enabling a specific Alexa Skill to complete the process. If you have a Samsung TV, you can use the Samsung SmartThings, likewise, for an LG TV, you can use LG ThinQ. Once your TV is paired and recognised, it's helpful to rename your device to something easy to remember, like 'Living Room TV' or 'Bedroom Screen.' to make your commands sound more natural. 3. Get daily news in seconds with Custom Flash Briefings Don't have time to scroll through news apps every morning? Alexa's Flash Briefing feature is a simple and effective solution. It delivers short, personalised audio news updates directly through your Echo speaker with a single voice command. To set it up, open the Alexa app, go to Settings, scroll to News under the 'Alexa Preferences' section, and tap My News Channel. Here, you can choose from a range of news sources, including BBC News, NPR, CNBC and more, depending on your region and preference. Once set, you can simply say: 'Alexa, what's my Flash Briefing?' Or, 'Alexa, play the news.' Alexa will then play a short summary of the day's top headlines from your selected source. You can even add multiple sources for a more diverse update and Alexa will play them one after another in a single briefing.
CNBC
10 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
10 things to watch in the stock market Friday including the AI race and dealmaking
The Club's 10 things to watch Friday, June 20 — Today's newsletter was written by Zev Fima, the Investing Club's portfolio analyst 1. Wall Street is on pace for a higher open this morning as investors await President Donald Trump's decision on direct U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict. Oil futures gave up earlier gains, while natural gas hit its highest level since early April. Fed Governor Christopher Waller said the central bank could cut rates as early as July. 2. Club name Home Depot has submitted a bid to acquire building products and solutions provider GMS Inc , The Wall Street Journal reported . This follows a $5 billion offer from QXO on Wednesday. It's unclear what Home Depot offered. We aren't fans of bidding wars. 3. Google is using YouTube videos to train its AI models, CNBC reported , showing how tech giants are leveraging their own platforms to gain model-building advantages. Consider: Meta has social media data. Alphabet has Google Search and YouTube. Amazon has shopping and Alexa data. Apple has phone usage data, but we still need to see more from them. We own Meta, Amazon and Apple for the Club. 4. Meta is also using its wallet to gain an AI talent edge. After poaching Scale AI's Alexandr Wang , the Instagram owner is planning to hire Safe Superintelligence CEO Daniel Gross and former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman, CNBC reported . That comes after Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI co-founder, rejected Meta's attempt to acquire Safe Superintelligence earlier this year. 5. SoftBank's Masayoshi Son is looking to partner with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to build a $1 trillion AI and robotics factory in Arizona, Bloomberg News reported . TSMC is already building its chipmaking campus in the state. 6. Sticking with robotics: Club name Nvidia and Foxconn are in discussions about deploying humanoid robots at the contract manufacturer's factory in Houston that's set to produce Nvidia AI servers, Reuters reported . 7. Club name Dover acquired a German maker of hygienic pumps called IPP and is folding it into the company's Pumps & Process Solutions segment. The acquisition expands Dover's presence in industries including food and beverage and pharmaceuticals. Dover also made a deal last month for Sikora. 8. Club name Eli Lilly said the launch of Mounjaro in India has been "positive" since it began in March, Reuters reported . Sales of the diabetes and weight-loss drug appear to have increased 60% from April to May, the report noted, citing data from PharmaTrac. 9. Shares of Olive Garden owner Darden rose more than 2% this morning after the restaurant operator's fourth-quarter sales and earnings edged out estimates. Earnings guidance for its fiscal 2026 looks a bit short, while same-store-sales guidance appears to be in line with expectations. 10. Morgan Stanley said it is "tactically bullish" on Micron into its earnings report next week due to an acceleration in AI spending. Still, analysts kept their hold-equivalent rating on the chip stock, which has soared nearly 90% from its tariff-driven low in early April. Wedbush lifted its price target on buy-rated Micron to $150 a share from $130, citing positive pricing trends. Sign up for my Top 10 Morning Thoughts on the Market email newsletter for free (See here for a full list of the stocks at Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
