Latest news with #smarthome
Digital Trends
12 hours ago
- Digital Trends
How to set up and install smart lights
Plain-jane bulbs are so yesterday. Smart lights are in, not only because they're one of the easiest ways to enter the world of smart home tech, but also because they're one of the most affordable. Most smart lights operate in the same fundamental way; while specific instructions might vary from one to another, the following steps will hit the highlights for most brands of lights. Recommended Videos Difficulty Easy Duration 10 minutes What You Need Smart lights Mobile device Even if you aren't tech-savvy, don't worry. Setting up these lights is easy; in fact, I often recommend smart lights for first-time smart home users, as they're a great way to get started and familiarize yourself with the technology. How to set up smart lights Setting up smart lighting follows a similar process, whether you're installing a smart bulb, a set of light panels, or a light strip. The on-screen instructions in the apps will guide you through any brand-specific requirements. Step 1: Download the app and create an account. Note: Use a single account for all of your smart home devices. Many brands allow you to log in using your Gmail account. Step 2: Open the app and look for an option to "Add device" or "Set up new light." Phrasing will vary from app to app. For this example, we're using the AuraScape Smart Hexagon Panels from AIDot. Step 3: Select the device you want to set up. Depending on your app, you might be able to scan a QR code, search for nearby devices, or choose from a list of options. If your lights are not available as a selection, make sure they are in pairing mode. Step 4: After you've chosen your lights, proceed to the next step. In this case, that means connecting them to your home Wi-Fi network. Step 5: (For smart light panels only.) Select the number of panels you have connected. Step 6: Select the position of the controller in your lighting layout. Step 7: After this, some devices will prompt you to connect with a smart home assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also do this later. Smart lights are incredibly convenient. There's nothing like saying, "Alexa, turn off the bedroom" after you've snuggled under the covers. You can also set schedules (for example, my office lights turn on automatically at 7 AM each morning) or even have your lights react to motion. Beyond that, smart light panels and strips enhance the ambiance of a room. They can change colors, react to music, and so much more. Even in the last five years, smart lights have come a long way.
CNET
2 days ago
- CNET
Today Only: Keep Your Cat Hydrated and Healthy With This $59 Petlibro Smart Fountain
Making sure your cat drinks enough water isn't always easy, and monitoring the amount they do drink can be just as difficult. One way to fix both issues is to treat you and your furry friend to a smart water fountain -- they get a drink, and you get a new smart home toy to play with. Sure, it isn't the cheapest way to hydrate your cat, but right now you can grab it for just $59 at Best Buy. The only catch that you need to be aware of is the fact this is a one-day deal, so it'll end tonight. This Petlibro fountain means you won't have to worry about refilling your cat's drinking water multiple times a day. It features a 2.5-liter water tank and has two modes for continuous water flow or intermittent refills to suit your cat's preference. Plus, it's equipped with a four-stage filtration system to help get rid of dirt, heavy metals and other harmful substances. Plus, with Wi-Fi connectivity, you can use your phone to get helpful info about your cat's drinking volume, frequency and duration. The smart fountain will also send you a notification whenever the water level is getting low. It's made of food-grade stainless steel with a safety snap lid, and has a chew-proof cable to help protect it from more mischievous kitties. Why this deal matters This Petlibro smart drinking fountain is a convenient solution for cat owners with a busy schedule, or anyone who wants a better understanding of their pet's health and habits. It has a durable design, 2.5-liter water tank, multiple flow modes and the app makes it easy to track your pet's water intake. Just make sure to get yours now, before this deal comes to a close.
CNET
3 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Score $500 Off This Yeedi M12 Pro Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop Today
Your smart home probably already has smart lights, smart speakers and smart plugs. So now it's time that you added a smart robot vacuum to the mix, too. It'll do all the dirty work so you don't have to, and some even mop your floors as well. Right now, Amazon is offering you the chance to ditch your old vacuum by slashes you a full $500 off a robot vac. And yes, it mops, too. This deal gets you the Yeedi M12 Pro Plus robot vacuum and mop for just $400, the lowest price that we've seen this product sell for so far. You don't even have to enter any discount codes or clip any coupons to get this price, but we can't promise it will last for long. These limited-time deals often disappear without any notice, so factor that into your buying decision before it's too late. In our breakdown of the best robot vacuums, CNET editors write, "The base station and robot vacuum are both loaded with features. The dock self-empties and includes a water tank to refill during mopping. It also has built-in hot air drying to sanitize the mopping pad between cleanings. And speaking of the mop, like many new robot vacuums, the M12 Pro Plus will lift up its mopping pad if it encounters carpet. The mopping pad is even pressurized, giving you a bit more elbow grease when cleaning." Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Given how big of a discount this is, this is easily one of the best vacuum deals available right now. Sure, there are cheaper options on the market, but they don't offer the same premium features that the M12 Pro Plus can boast. If you want to truly leave your robot vacuum to do everything for you, we suggest this might be the answer to your dreams. Why this deal matters Chances to get really good robot vacuums for cheap don't come around very often. The Yeedi M12 Pro Plus is currently on our list of the best robot vacuums because it just does so much and does it so well. So, a chance to get it with $500 off shouldn't be missed. This is the lowest price we've seen since it launched.
CNET
08-06-2025
- CNET
Smart Home's Secret Tech Is Geofencing: Here's What It Is and How I Use It
If you search through your smart home app or feature list, you'll often run into the word "geofencing" or something like automatic home/away settings. That signals a powerful, useful feature that far too many users don't even bother turning on. I'm trying to change that. My experiments with smart home technology have shown me all sorts of ways to tap into geofencing technology. If you're interested in saving time and finding clever new ways to use your tech, I highly recommend it -- although there are some data tracking details you should know, too. I'll explain Read more: What is a Smart Home, Anyway? Geofencing: Mapping your location Geofencing requires giving an app location data, such as your address. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Geofencing is a mobile technology that taps into location-based data (usually via GPS and other map app tricks). It allows users to fence in a specific spot and create rules about what happens when they leave that spot, as tracked by the location of their phone. Different companies have different types of geofencing methods but the end result is the same. In smart homes, the geofenced area is typically a home. When a user moves away from their home with their phone or other device that's tracking their location, it dings when it reaches a certain distance away, which causes connected devices to do things. More complex geofencing allows users to literally draw on a digital map to set its boundaries but in most cases, you just give the app your address and it does the rest for you. An important note: Consumer-focused geofencing should not be confused with marketing or law enforcement geofencing, which shares the same name but is a completely different practice. In law enforcement, for example, geofencing refers to requesting user data from all mobile devices in a specific area. Courts are currently in disagreement on whether this growing practice is legal. How smart homes use geofencing Smart home apps have a number of ways to get started with geofencing and some are very simple. Tyler Lacoma/CNET So, what does geofencing actually do? It can change how home devices act when someone is away from home vs. when they are at home or arriving home. This has several practical, time-saving capabilities. For example, users may be able to set routines that turn off the lights, lock the door and close the garage when they start driving away from home. Or, if they regularly get home in the dark, they may be able to link up smart lights to turn on as they're approaching the house. That's just the start of what you can do with geofencing and a smart home. Other people may prefer to focus on their smart thermostat, letting it automatically ease off heating and cooling when they leave their home, then make things more comfortable when they get back. Getting started with geofencing capabilities ADT's new hub has a few extra tricks and supports features like geofencing. Tyler Lacoma/CNET You don't have to arrange complex smart home routines or draw lines around a map to take advantage of geofencing. In fact, it's best to start small when first using this feature and see how it works in your own home. One of the easiest ways to begin using geofencing is to get a smart plug that supports home/away modes. The plug will simply turn off a connected device when you're gone, which can help save electricity. You could connect it to a light, a fountain, fan or air purifier and see if it turns off as you leave and starts working again when you arrive home. That may give you other ideas about what technology you'd like to control based on leaving or arriving home. Home and away settings are a particularly easy way to use geofencing, especially when arming security devices. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Or, if you have an existing security system, you can check to see if it supports home/away modes that use geofencing. It can be very handy to set your security system up to automatically arm and disarm based on whether you are out of the house. Plus, you may not even need to purchase any new devices, just change some settings in your app. I recently tested these sorts of services with ADT and the ADT+ platform, which also allows you to integrate smart lock behaviors and more. If you're looking for new tech that includes geofencing, look for devices that support Matter or that work with major platforms like Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home. Geofencing isn't guaranteed, but this makes it more likely. Is geofencing safe and private? Geofencing will let companies know when you're leaving home. RerF via Getty Geofencing is generally considered safe. In my years of smart home testing, I've never heard of consumer geofencing being misused or landing anyone in danger. The worst that can happen is that geofencing stops working because of bugs or app problems, which could leave a security system disarmed or require reboots and patches (as people have reported on Reddit). Well, that's the worst for individual consumers, anyway: If you're a government, geofencing apps may accidentally show secret military bases. On the privacy front, things are more complicated. Geofencing does require enabling various location-based tracking data. That gives apps -- and the companies that own them -- access to info about where you live, when you leave or arrive at a location and possibly other data. They may use that data for internal analysis and marketing purposes, or even sell it to third parties (although that usually requires some kind of warning or consent). Apps generally need to enable location-based data on demand to use geofencing correctly so you can't usually set it to only activate once like you can with other apps. That's a privacy concession not everyone is willing to make. To learn more, visit our pages on the best smart home devices, security practices to keep your home safe and the cheap smart devices CNET editors are still using.
CNET
27-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Home Security Cheat Sheet: I Gathered All Our Best Expert Advice
CNET Smart home solutions abound for home security and safety, from alarm systems to guides on Wi-Fi hacking and stopping porch pirates. It all gets overwhelming for newcomers looking to protect their home, especially if they don't know a lot of tech terms or product specifications. But this is a great place to start. Below, I've collected our top guides on the best tips and products for your security from our CNET experts and literally hundreds of hours of testing. I cover important topics like video doorbells and smart locks as well as recommendations for maintenance, vacation safety, pets and plenty more. Don't worry renters, there's also lots of practical security advice for tenants below. Take a look and find what you need. (You can also check out our home internet cheat sheet and our solar panel cheat sheet.) Is DIY or a professional home security system best? Arlo sensors can do nearly anything and are easy to move whenever you want. Arlo There are pros and cons to each home security option. DIY home security setups are often more affordable, customizable and compatible with other smart home devices, but you'll likely have to do the installing, setup and constant monitoring yourself. A professional home security service, though it's typically a bit more expensive and may require a monthly subscription, can save you the trouble of installing and setting up your equipment and help suggest the best devices to get. However, they may also lock you into contracts. Professional home monitoring is often available for either type of system, but it's more likely to be standard on a professional installation. Here are some resources to help you decide which system will work best for your home. What's the best home security system? Simplisafe/CNET If you're going with a fully home system that includes separate sensors and a hub to arm or disarm, you'll need to consider different package options that may include an assortment of devices including cameras, alarms, window sensors and motion detectors. (And if you prefer to build your own custom setup, virtually any home security device can be purchased separately.) We've got tested reviews on all of the major players in the security system space: What's the best video doorbell? Porch piracy is becoming more common; did you know that 1 in 6 people were victims of porch theft in the past year? If you're looking for a video doorbell to monitor your front door and deter porch pirates from stealing packages, there are tons of options available for under $200. They all function largely the same, so the best one for your home may come down to design, brand preferences and compatibility with any existing smart home devices or hubs you may have. You may also want to compare extra features like free cloud storage, customizable door chimes or color options when selecting the best smart doorbell for your home. Here are our reviews of some of the video doorbells you may be considering: The Arlo video doorbell is one of several strong options on the market. Chris Monroe/CNET What's the best home security camera? Blink's Outdoor 4 cam is easy to mount and reliable for watching an outdoor space. CNET/Tyler Lacoma Like video doorbells, the best home security camera may come down to price and brand preferences, but you'll also want to consider where you'll be placing the camera and the desired field of view. Some cameras have the ability to pan and tilt and can track motion. Others are built to withstand the rain, wind and temperature extremes of being outdoors. Almost all have motion detection, object recognition and two-way audio. If placing a camera outdoors, keep in mind that some cameras have a wired power source, so you may have to run an extension cord to plug it in. Here are our tested reviews of home security cameras for you to consider: Where should I put a home security camera? Home security cameras can help you keep an eye on things while you're away. Molly Price/CNET While you'll naturally want to put your home security camera in a spot that gives you the view you want, there's more to it than that. Corners are often the best spot for indoor cameras as they'll give you a wider view of the room, but if your camera has 360-degree panning, a central location may be best. As for outdoor cameras, try to install it 10 feet or so above the ground and in a spot where it won't take consistent exposure to direct sunlight or rain. Also, avoid installing any camera in a position that may compromise your neighbor's privacy. Video doorbells, meanwhile, should be installed about four feet up from the bottom of the doorframe. How can I give the impression someone is home while I'm away? Ikea's affordable smart lights. Ikea You can use smart plugs and lighting to make possible intruders think twice about whether or not your home is unoccupied. Schedule single light fixtures, such as a lamp, or a whole group of lights to turn on or off at various times while you're away. Plugs and lights won't watch your home the same as a camera or motion sensor will, but they could prevent an intruder from targeting your home in the first place. Also, they're a downright convenient way to turn the lights out at night. Can I get a home security system without a monthly subscription? Most DIY home security systems do not require a monthly subscription and come with live feed viewing, push notifications and alerts, local storage options and more at no extra cost. Several features often require a monthly fee, but this varies a lot between brands. Ring charges for object detection and smart alerts, while Nest doesn't. Nest offers limited free cloud storage, but most brands make you pay a subscription for online video storage. Lorex and Eufy specialize in local storage with less emphasis cloud data. With a little work, you can quickly find devices and whole systems that don't require any kind of subscription. The one caveat is professional home monitoring, where an agent at a security center can respond to your alarms or alerts. That's always going to cost you extra, and usually only becomes available at the higher tier plans. Ring's live views are easily accessible by users, but they're unlikely to be hacked. Ring/Amazon Can my home security system get hacked? Any kind of technology can have security vulnerabilities. However, your home security system isn't going to get hacked. Cybercriminals don't go around trying to hack doorbells or smart locks. They don't have the tools, the know-how or the time. Instead, home security can be "hacked" by people who already have the login information, like a jealous ex or a divorced spouse. That's why it's always a good idea to stay on top of your password management. The closest we've seen to home hacking is the use of security system jammers, but there are barely any reports of criminals actually using these devices and if they do, they usually have first-hand knowledge about the security system beforehand. Most burglars are simply going to test for unlocked doors and maybe smash a window if they're desperate. Instead, your information is more likely to be hacked in a massive data breach on a security company's servers, or stolen by a company employee, which is why we constantly watch for companies that have a track record of poor security practices. Leak detectors, especially battery models, can go nearly anywhere. Eufy How do I prepare for a home emergency? Home emergencies can include anything from raging wildfires to floods, earthquakes or really bad sewer system problems. The best way to handle events like these is with the right preparation. Even if you're caught off guard, keeping a cool head and contacting the right experts can keep the woes at bay. These guides are a great starting place. For more information about home security products and tips for creating and maintaining the best home security setup for your home, check out the CNET Home Security page.
