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REVIEW: LIFX Color 1000 Bulbs

August 8, 2016 3 Eric Murrell

Disclaimer: LIFX kindly provided the Color 1000 bulbs for this review. As always, the opinions and conclusion are my own. A lot has changed in the smart lighting space since I originally reviewed the original LIFX color changing bulb. The…

Audio/Video

FIRST LOOK: Nucleus Smart Intercom

August 5, 2016 10 Eric Murrell

Can you hear me now? As much as I love reviewing smart home gadgets, there’s a sense of “sameness” that has emerged in the marketplace over the past year or so. Maybe it’s just part of living in a more…

Gadgets

REVIEW: SnapPower Charger USB Outlet Cover

August 3, 2016 5 Eric Murrell

No more wall warts. If you’re looking to upgrade your outlets after reading our recent review of SnapPower‘s awesome Guidelight product, you might find yourself considering one of their Charger units for your bedroom, kitchen, or office. Does the Charger…

First Look

FIRST LOOK: Awair Air Quality Monitor

July 29, 2016 9 Eric Murrell

Take a deep breath. I don’t know how it happened, but I seem to have made it through life without any allergies; that’s worth mentioning only because everyone live with and work around seems to be dramatically effected by the…

Automation

10 Cheap Ways to Upgrade Your Home

July 26, 2016 0 Eric Murrell

Big changes with small money One of the most common objections to building a smart home is a lack of funds; thankfully, there are quite a few upgrades you can make to your home that won’t cost you an arm…

Automation

REVIEW: Philips Hue 2.0 w/HomeKit

July 21, 2016 8 Eric Murrell

Life in living color Disclaimer: The folks at Philips kindly provided a Hue kit for this review. As always, the opinions are my own. Some gadgets have become synonymous with their function in the smart home space. When folks think…

Audio/Video

FIRST LOOK: Nest Cam Outdoor

July 18, 2016 1 Eric Murrell

Keep an eye on the outdoors The Nest Cam (formerly the Dropcam Pro) is easily one of the most popular surveillance/streaming cameras on the market. Its ease of use and consistent quality have made it a go-to for families who…

Automation

6 Reasons Apple Shouldn’t Run Your Smart Home (Yet)

July 14, 2016 7 Eric Murrell

Not quite magical. I’m an Apple guy. I was raised on a Power Mac in the 90s and our home currently houses 2 MacBook Pros, 3 iPads, 2 iPhones, 2 Apple Watches, and 2 Apple TVs. It’s safe to say…

Automation

FIRST LOOK: Flic Wireless Smart Button

July 11, 2016 4 Eric Murrell

A shortcut for your smart life. Smart devices are cool, but sometimes controlling them can be an absolute pain. Although it sounds convenient to control your home with a bunch of apps, it can be kind of maddening in practice.…

Lighting

REVIEW: SnapPower Guidelight Outlet Cover

July 7, 2016 8 Eric Murrell

It’s time to upgrade your outlets. Disclaimer: The folks at SnapPower very kindly provided Guidelights for this review. As always, the opinions are my own. I don’t know if it’s just me, but a few months ago I began seeing…