featured

How I Made My Internet Connection 10x Faster

April 28, 2015 9 Eric Murrell

Get what you’re paying for. Netflix was dropping out constantly, and that was the final straw. Like many of you, Netflix has become the focal point of entertainment in our house. It’s what the kids watch when they need a…

Gadgets

Apple Watch and the Smart Home

April 6, 2015 0 Eric Murrell

Yes, I’m getting an Apple Watch. It may not be the first “wearable” computer on the market, but it’s probably the first one that matters. The Apple II made computers accessible. The iPhone made them a constant companion. The Apple…

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,…

Lighting

REVIEW: Leeo Smart Alert Nightlight

March 2, 2015 4 Eric Murrell

Both bright and smart. Disclaimer: The folks at Leeo very kindly provided a Smart Alert Nightlight for this review. As always, the opinions are my own. Everyone wants to keep their family safe. From security gadgets to smart alarms, home…

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?…

Gadgets

REVIEW: Seek Thermal Camera

January 12, 2015 1 Eric Murrell

It turns out my nose is cold. Smart phone cameras keep getting better and better. A device that used to take blurry images the size of a postage stamp can now take 40 megapixel panoramas, high definition video, and macro…

Gadgets

The State of the Smart Home: January 2015

January 8, 2015 0 Eric Murrell

If you follow home tech at all, you’ve probably been hitting the big tech sites this week to follow all of the craziness that comes out of the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Like years past, CES 2015 has been…

Automation

REVIEW: Wink Relay

January 5, 2015 3 Eric Murrell

A little polish away from something great. Controlling your entire home with your phone is great… until you can’t find your phone. The smart phone is as close to the ideal remote as we’ll get for our homes, but it…