Digital assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Siri are very useful, but there’s a catch: They generally don’t provide information unless you ask for it. That approach only solves half of the assistant equation. A truly effective assistant … [Read more...]
Routines are nice, but Automations are what make the smart home smart
Routines, scenes and automations, oh my! These are some of the advanced smart home features that our digital assistants have or recently gained, but what are they and which are making our homes smarter? Let’s start with what I think are the lowest … [Read more...]
The time is right for Google to make a Home hub
Although I wasn’t very impressed by the smart home smarts of Apple’s HomePod, the device does share something in common with the latest Amazon Echo product: It works as a smart home hub. Surprisingly, Google doesn’t have a hub product even though its … [Read more...]
Can’t find your phone at home? Let your Amazon Echo or Google Home help
Surely this has happened to you or to someone you know: You put your phone down at home, walk away and a few minutes later, you’re wondering where you left it. There are a number of services, apps, third-party skills and Bluetooth trackers to help in … [Read more...]
Tips for using Alexa’s multi-room audio
On this week's Internet of Things Podcast (play or download above), Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel give a hands on review of the Amazon Echo's new multi-room audio feature and provide some tips for you to get started using it. They also … [Read more...]