Smart Home

The latest news, reviews, and discussions about everything related to your home. From Amazon’s Alexa-powered smart speakers to cooking apps to connected lights and security cameras, Digital Trends has the inside scoop on the latest happenings in the smart home space.
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How to make your Amazon Echo bark like a dog to scare off intruders
Do you have a smart security cam and an Echo device? Then we have a cool security trick that you can enable to scare away potential intruders. It’s the ability to make your Echo bark loudly like a dog at just the right times to protect your home. If you’re interested, here’s exactly how to set it up!
How to set up boundaries and virtual barriers for robot vacuums and mops
Robot vacuums are amazing. They can keep pet hair at bay, mop up small spills, and otherwise keep your home tidy and dust-free between regular thorough cleanings. But what if you have a pesky rug, pet feeding areas, or odd-shaped piece of furniture that keeps snagging your bot until it runs low on battery and dies without completing its mission?
Amazon Echo vs. Echo Dot: Battle of siblings!
The Echo and the Echo Dot are two of the most prominent smart speakers around. And you know what? It’s no surprise that Amazon continues to update both Alexa-powered speakers, with the Echo (4th Generation) and the Echo Dot (4th Generation) being the company’s newest models. Should you go with the fuller sized Echo or its smaller sibling, the Dot? Which device is better? We break it all down!
Got multiple Alexa devices? Here are are some die-hard features to try
The phrase “quality over quantity” can be applied in numerous situations. When it comes to vacationing, it’s important to relish in the smaller moments of a long-planned trip. Enjoy your family’s reactions to scenery and new discoveries, as opposed to cramming in too many activities. The same can be said for a good meal. Instead of splurging on the biggest platter on the menu, maybe opt for a smaller-sized dish prepared with higher-grade ingredients.
7 things we wish Amazon Alexa could do!
Launched in 2013, Amazon Alexa quickly became one of the most recognizable voice assistants for smart homes the world over. It’s built into the core engineering of many popular Amazon products, like the Echo and Echo Show, along with industry-leading third-party hardware from the likes of Sonos, Ecobee, FitBit, and more. First- or third-party, one thing is for sure: Alexa continues to dominate the digital land of savvy voice assistants. But what else should Alexa be able to do!?
Google Nest Mini vs. Amazon Echo Dot
Google and Amazon are well-matched competitors in the smart speaker space, with both boasting a slew of feature upgrades, device integrations, and a robust hardware lineup for any budget. The Nest Mini, an upgrade of the original Google Home Mini from 2017, is a great companion device that can also act as an independent assistant, with the same Google Assistant controls that larger Nest devices leverage.
7 things you didn’t know a smart lock could do
Innovative, easy to install (in most cases), and engineered for your peace of mind, smart locks have quickly become a major staple in the world of residential home security. While some smart lock features, such as on-the-go monitoring and remote locking/unlocking are standard functions that most consumers will expect from their new gear, box-art and brand website specs are merely the surface level. Putting things another way: Smart locks are capable of so much more.
Amazon Echo vs. Echo Dot: Battle of siblings
The Echo and the Echo Dot are two of the most prominent smart speakers around. And you know what? It’s no surprise that Amazon continues to update both Alexa-powered speakers, the Echo (4th Generation) and the Echo Dot (4th Generation), most recently during its September 2020 event. Should you go with the Echo or its smaller sibling, the Dot? Which device is better? We break it down!
7 things you didn’t know a video doorbell could do!
A video doorbell can be one of the most powerful items in your home security arsenal; after all, it’s impossible to know whether someone is inside the home or not since you can speak through the doorbell. It’s also an easy way to keep an eye on the goings-on around your home. Better yet, with online shopping bigger than it’s ever been, you can keep an eye out for porch pirates. But did you realize there are a lot of features that go overlooked?
The best outdoor motion sensor lights
Motion sensor lights are an easy way to save energy while making sure you have enough light to see when you walk outside after dark. They also help discourage anyone who might want to creep around at night. We’ve put together a list of our top picks for best outdoor motion lights that will save you on your energy bill and give you a sense of safety too. The lights on our list are durable, provide excellent light, and are reasonably simple to install.
The Best Digital Photo Frames for 2021
There are several noteworthy digital photo frame makers out there, so we’ve put together this roundup of the best digital photo frames to help you hand-pick a frame that’s best for you and your home. Let’s get things started with our favorite frame of all (that just so happens to be a smart display).
7 things you didn’t know Alexa could do on an Amazon Echo smart speaker
There’s no doubt that an Alexa-powered smart speaker is useful. After all, the ability to control your smart home, play games, and choose music with your voice is phenomenal — but did you know there are a lot of abilities that go overlooked? Alexa is jam-packed with features that don’t get as much time in the limelight. Some will keep you entertained, while others can help you give back to the world around you.
The funniest things to ask Alexa!
If you ask Alexa, “tell me a joke,” she’ll often tell a pun or silly joke like, “Why was the airplane flight so stinky? There was a strong tailwind” or “What did Han Solo name his clone? Han Duo.” But, Alexa is hit and miss, and some of her jokes and Easter eggs are funnier than others. Our humorous guide tells you some questions to ask Alexa to trigger a few laughs. While many of the jokes resemble corny dad jokes, it’s the electronic voice that makes the answers even more fun.
Why privacy shutters on security cameras make all the difference
When you’re away from home, a security camera is your best friend. Just the knowledge that you can check a live stream at any time to see what’s happening in and around your home gives a lot of peace of mind, especially if you have motion alerts set up for cameras that are strategically positioned.
You HAVE to check out these vacuum robots!
In a market saturated by many players, Dreame Technology has announced the launch of a dream team of household cleaning appliances, just in time for spring cleaning (the products will be available in May 2021).