I make no secret of my love for Nanoleaf light panels. Sure, they don't solve a problem or add convenience like much of my smart home gear. They also aren't cheap. And yet, I still want to cover my walls in them as tech-inspired wall decor. The … [Read more...]
Switching from Google Home to Apple HomeKit: A costly, privacy-centric change
After a solid few years of running my smart home on Google’s platform, I’m starting a transition to Apple HomeKit. For several reasons, it’s not going to be a cheap or seamless endeavor. And it’s going to take some compromises on my part as … [Read more...]
Can you use Apple HomeKit’s adaptive lighting with Lutron switches?
On our most recent IoT Podcast, Tom called in to our voicemail hotline with a HomeKit question. He currently has Lutron switches but was thinking about swapping out the standard bulbs those switches control with smart bulbs. Why? Because he's hoping … [Read more...]
How to use your phone’s GPS location to change a Nest thermostat between Home and Away mode
On our most recent IoT Podcast episode, Dean called in to our podcast hotline with a question about having his Nest thermostat automatically turn on when he gets near his home. He used to use IFTTT for this, but it no longer works. He’s wondering how … [Read more...]
Apple HomePod mini review: A good option for iOS and HomeKit smart homes
Until recently, if you wanted Siri in a smart speaker, you had to pay several hundreds of dollars to choose from one and only one option: Apple’s HomePod. Last month, the $99 Apple HomePod mini became available, providing a second, less-expensive … [Read more...]