Tag Archives: Amazon Alexa

The 6 Best Smart Home Hubs of 2024

Posted on 23 February 2024 by Stewart Wolpin

There are dozens of smart devices—light bulbs, locks, displays, doorbells, security systems, indoor/outdoor cameras, thermostats, appliances, plugs, blinds and shades—that are all vying for a place in your 21st century home. Read the rest of this roundup here at Popular Mechanics’ sister site … Continue reading →

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SmartTechCheck Podcast Twitter, What We Expect at CES 2023, Matter Smart Home Standard

Posted on 23 December 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

I join host Mark Vena and fellow tech journalists Rob Pegoraro and John Quain to discuss the ongoing saga at Twitter, what we expect to see at CES 2023, and details and opinions of the Matter smart home standard. Watch … Continue reading →

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New Year, New Tech: CES 2023 Sneak Peeks

Posted on 23 December 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

CES serves as A crystal ball, an Ouija board, tea leaves, or a deck of tarot cards, providing a view of the future – if you can correctly interpret the symbols, signs, and sales pitches. At CES 2023, signs, symbols, and … Continue reading →

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The Best Cheap TVs to Buy Now

Posted on 24 January 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

Sofas, mattresses, perfume, wine—skimp on these and you’re likely to have regrets. TVs, though, can be bought for a low price and happily meet your “good enough” expectations without any buyer’s remorse. In TV land, cheap usually means a set that … Continue reading →

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SmartTechCheck Podcast: Social media algorithms, Matter and Samsung, FCC nominations

Posted on 27 October 2021 by Stewart Wolpin

My October 27, 2021, appearance on the SmartTechCheck podcast with host Mark Vena and fellow tech reporters John Quain and Rob Pegoraro. This week we discuss social media regulation, the Matter smart home standard, and adding the last FCC commissioners. … Continue reading →

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Review of the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus

Posted on 6 April 2021 by Stewart Wolpin

There’s a reason why Ring is the king of doorbell video cameras, other than the fact that the company essentially invented the category. From easy installation to high-end performance to best-in-class ecosystem accessories and services, Ring’s products reek of experience, … Continue reading →

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The Best TV Under $1,000

Posted on 20 January 2021 by Stewart Wolpin

Regardless of your budget, your first consideration when buying a TV is image quality. But with so many high-quality sets to choose from, setup, operation, and ease-of-use should factor into your decision as well. Read the rest of this review … Continue reading →

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How To Overcome Consumer Smart Home Compatibility/Security Concerns

Posted on 26 October 2019 by Stewart Wolpin

Just how private are voice-activated smart speakers? Just how secure is footage captured by Wi-Fi cameras? Just how compatible – and smart – are smart homeproducts?  These are just a few questions retailers trying to sell fancy new smart home products … Continue reading →

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Harman/Kardon Allure: Alluring Sound, Short on Features

Posted on 2 May 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

Let’s get right to the point: The Harman/Kardon Allure 360-degree Amazon Alexa-enabled speaker ($249.95) is alluring, both aesthetically and aurally. It’s got an unusual Star Trekprop-like smoky opaque plastic topped design with an interior tube that lights up when sound … Continue reading →

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6 Best Alexa-Enabled Speakers (Beyond the Amazon Echo)

Posted on 17 April 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

A review roundup of the 6 best Amazon Alexa-enabled speakers on Techlicious, which you can read here.

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