Security

Is it Dumb to Build a Smart Home?

June 23, 2016 7 Eric Murrell

If you enjoy reading tech journalism or watching HGTV, you probably know there’s a bit of a renaissance and a backlash occurring at the same time in the smart home/IoT (internet of things) world right now. The renaissance is coming…

Gadgets

REVIEW UPDATE: Canary Home Security

August 12, 2015 0 Eric Murrell

Better every day. We originally took at look at the Canary home security system earlier this year; at that time, we recommended it on a trial basis as we experienced some outages and bugs related to early software for a…

Automation

REVIEW: XY Find It Beacon

June 5, 2015 17 Eric Murrell

Disclaimer: The folks at XY Find It very kindly provided several bluetooth tags for this review. As always, the opinions are my own. It’s human nature to be forgetful. Although Evernote, Google Calendar, and 1Password have whipped my digital life…

Audio/Video

REVIEW: Canary Home Security

March 30, 2015 8 Eric Murrell

Home security systems have almost become a joke. They come with most new home these days, but I can’t think of a single person I know who uses theirs on a regular basis. From false alarms to forgotten pass codes,…

Automation

First Look: Chamberlain MyQ Garage

February 24, 2015 2 Eric Murrell

For the forgetful. Generally speaking, I’m a creature of habit. I try to keep the same morning routine. I like to leave work at the same time every day. I leave my keys on the same plate every time I…

Automation

REVIEW: Quirky+GE Tripper Door/Window Sensor

January 26, 2015 4 Eric Murrell

Always in the know. Sensors are a key component of the smart home. Almost every smart home gadget you buy these days includes at least a few sensors; thermostats can detect motion, locks detect tampering, and wall switches can detect…

Audio/Video

REVIEW: Dropcam Pro

January 16, 2015 1 Eric Murrell

Your eye in the sky (er, cloud). Disclaimer: The folks at Google very kindly provided a Dropcam Pro for this review. As always, the opinions are my own. Wouldn’t it be great to instantly know if everything’s fine at home?…

Reviews

REVIEW: Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt

December 29, 2014 4 Eric Murrell

Smart lock. Smarter purchase. Disclaimer: The folks at Schlage very generously provided a Connect unit for this review. As always, the opinions are my own. If you’re considering the journey to a smart home, one of the first components you’ll…

Reviews

REVIEW: Kwikset Kevo Bluetooth Deadbolt

December 15, 2014 1 Eric Murrell

Step away from the keychain. Disclaimer: The folks at Kwikset very kindly supplied a Kevo unit for this review. As always, the opinions are my own. As I mentioned in my First Look at the Kevo, I really hate carrying…

First Look

First Look: Dropcam Pro

December 3, 2014 0 Eric Murrell

Always on the lookout. There’s a certain appeal to home surveillance that has long eluded the casual nerd. About 10 years ago, I picked up a (then top-of-the-line) web cam in an effort to keep any eye on my apartment…