Amazon slashes prices on Smart WiFi Power Strip with four Alexa-compatible plugs

Teckin's Smart Power Strip WiFi Plug with four Alexa and Google Home compatible plugs and four USB charging plugs is on sale on Amazon with a special coupon deal for a limited time. The four power plugs also work with IFTTT devices. No hub is required to control the plugs in the surge-protected strip.

B. Brown     April 21, 2022

Walmart slashes price of the Google Home Max in half for Black Friday

If you're looking for a great deal on the Google Home Max smart speaker this Black Friday, look no further than Walmart. The company has cut the original price from $399 to $199. The Max comes in two colors, charcoal and chalk and it is available for next-day shipping and payment plans.

Alina Bradford     April 21, 2022

How to use Home and Away status for Google Home routines

Google Home's routines are much easier to use when you focus on Home and Away options. Here's what these smart Routines do and how to set them up quickly.

Tyler Lacoma     April 21, 2022

How to stereo pair your Google Home speakers

Have two Google speakers? This guide explains how to stereo pair your Google Home speakers and enjoy more room-filling sound, plus additional tips for use.

T. Lacoma     April 21, 2022

Best deals on Amazon Echo and Google Home Nest devices for Father’s Day

Save on a wide range of devices for Amazon Echo and Google Home Nest smart homes for Father's Day. The majority of smart homes use devices compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Here are the best discounts on smart speakers, smart displays, video doorbells, and smart outdoor security cameras.

B. Brown     April 21, 2022

7 Labor Day smart home deals you can’t afford to miss this weekend

Planning on upgrading your home into a smart abode? Do so without breaking the bank with these Labor Day sales we found on different smart home devices.

Erica Katherina     April 21, 2022

Google is smart for skipping yearly smart speaker updates. Here’s why

Amazon drops new smart speakers like they're going out of style, but Google takes a slower approach. Google's release schedule is slower, with a heavier focus on back-end improvements. There are several reasons why Google is smart to minimize refreshes for its line of smart speakers.

P. Hearn     April 21, 2022

How to use IFTTT with Google Home

Take your smart home to the next level by integrating Google Home into productivity powerhouse IFTTT. Learn how to use IFTTT with Google Home.

Kelly Hodgkins     April 21, 2022

Google Nest Audio review: Big muscles, strong results

After several years waiting for a successor, the Google Nest Audio is poised to make an impact as a powerful, room-filling speaker perfect for the smart home.

John Velasco     April 21, 2022

Lenovo Smart Display 7 is still the most underrated smart display

The recent announcement of the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) drives home the notion that the Lenovo Smart Display 7 is the most underrated smart display around.

J. Velasco     April 21, 2022

Amazon and Walmart match lower prices on Echo Dot and Google Home Mini

Amazon and Walmart just resumed their price competition on the entry-level smart speakers for the Amazon Echo and Google Nest Home smart home ecosystems. The price cuts have started again, with 40% discounts on the third-generation Echo Dot and the Google Home Mini.

B. Brown     April 21, 2022

Why smart lights are the perfect entry point to the smart home

Start building your smart home on the right foot. Smart lights are painless, easy to set up, and highly affordable.

Simon Sage     April 21, 2022

Amazon Echo Studio vs. Google Home Max

Which smart speaker is best for entertainment? We're taking a look at two top contenders -- Amazon's Echo Studio and Google's Home Max and how they match up.

Tyler Lacoma     April 21, 2022

Google Nest Cam (wired) review: Keeping watch with confidence

Keeping a watchful eye out is important for any security camera. The Google Nest Cam (indoor, wired) has you covered so you only get meaningful alerts.

John Velasco     April 21, 2022

What are you really missing out on when buying a cheap, $20 security camera?

Security cameras are continually becoming cheaper to buy. But, what are you exactly gaining or missing when buying them over more expensive options?

J. Velasco     April 21, 2022

Facebook Portal vs Google Nest Hub Max

When it comes to the best smart displays, the new Facebook Portal and the Google Nest Hub Max are two great choices. This can make choosing the right one for you difficult. To help, we've pitted the two against each other in a head-to-head battle to find out which one is the better pick.

Alina Bradford     April 21, 2022

Google Nest Doorbell is $50 off today

With two-way communication, clear HDR video day or night, a wide field of view and smart recognition features, the Nest Hello Video Doorbell competes with Ring.

Jacob Silver     April 21, 2022

What to look for when buying a smart coffee maker

A smart coffee maker lets you choose brew strength, timing, and much more. You can even start brewing with voice commands. Here's what to look for.

Patrick Hearn     April 21, 2022

The best Google Home Mini accessories

The Google Home Mini is small, functional, and powerful, but these accessories can further improve the look and sound of the smart assistant. Wall mounts, pedestals, battery packs, and even Mickey Mouse ears expand the Mini's function beyond what it can do just out of the box.

Patrick Hearn     April 21, 2022

Get the Google Nest Thermostat for $100 at Best Buy today

Best Buy has discounted the Google Nest Thermostat all the way down to only $100, a savings of $30, with 3 months of free YouTube Premium included.

Andrew Morrisey     April 21, 2022

Google Nest Hub (1st Gen) vs. Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

Thinking of picking up a new smart display for your web-connected home? In this head-to-head, we compare the first-gen Google Nest Hub to the second-gen.

Michael Bizzaco     April 21, 2022

Amazon Echo Show vs. Google Nest Hub

Shopping for a smart display? The choice is an especially hard one to make when it comes to Amazon versus Google, which is why we've put together this guide.

Michael Bizzaco     April 21, 2022

What you need to know about all Google Nest products

Interested in getting a Nest product? Start with our guide to all available Nest products and valuable information on the current Google models.

Tyler Lacoma     April 21, 2022

Lenovo Smart Display vs. Google Nest Hub

We pit the Lenovo Smart Display against the Google Nest Hub. Both sport similar features and work with Google Assistant. Which model comes out on top?

Erin Lawrence     April 21, 2022

Is it feasible to go all-in with one smart home ecosystem?

What is the true cost of choosing only one smart home ecosystem? Whether HomeKit, Alexa, or Assistant, we tackle what it will take to invest in just one.

K. Riddick     April 21, 2022

Govee Aura Smart Table Lamp review: Animated light show on your desk

The Govee Aura Smart Table lamp uses RGB colors to light up the darkness, and a smart app to control those colors.

Adam Doud     April 21, 2022

Google Nest Doorbell (2021) vs. Nest Hello Doorbell

The new Nest Doorbell (2021) is now an alternative video doorbell to the Nest Hello. We're taking a look at all the most important differences to help buyers.

Tyler Lacoma     April 21, 2022

Let Alexa and Google Assistant help you celebrate Mom on Mother’s Day

Need to make last-minute brunch reservations for Mother's Day? Forget to order her flowers? Let Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant help you with that. Both voice assistants have rolled out some new features just for mom.

K. Matthews     April 18, 2022

Celebrate dad on Father’s Day with the help of Alexa and Google Assistant

There are many different ways you can celebrate your dad on Father's Day this year. Alexa and Google Assitant are getting in on the festivities, too! Use your Echo or Google Home smart speaker to tell dad jokes, play games, and more. Keep reading to find out more.

K. Matthews     April 18, 2022

Google kills semi-hidden assistant feature, Snapshot

The Google Assistant Snapshot feature wasn't used by many, but it certainly was helpful before Google recently ended its service.

Peter Hunt Szpytek     April 15, 2022

The best smart faucets

A smart faucet is a dream come true for your kitchen sink, allowing for touchless controls and impressive spray tech. Here are our favorite faucets of 2021.

Michael Bizzaco     April 12, 2022

Updates to Google Assistant could make it the most natural digital helper yet

Google is launching a number of awesome new updates to Google Assistant that could help make it the most natural digital helper so far. The updates include visual changes to Assistant on your phone, as well as the ability to actually call businesses to book appointments.

Lulu Chang     March 27, 2022

Google Assistant can now finally talk like a (John) Legend

Google Assistant's voice is about to get a whole lot smoother. After months of delays, Google has finally announced that John Legend's voice is coming to Assistant, meaning you'll be able to get the R&B singer to answer all your burning questions about the today's weather forecast and why the sky is blue.

Christian de Looper     March 25, 2022

What is Google Duplex? The smartest chatbot ever, explained

People were shocked earlier this year when Google debuted Google Duplex, an artificial intelligence feature for Google Assistant that will make phones calls on your behalf using an extremely life-like voice. Here's more detail on what Duplex is.

Erika Rawes     March 25, 2022

Xiaomi finally heads to the U.S. with a little help from Google Assistant

Xiaomi has yet to establish a foothold in the United States, but at Google I/O 2018, the company revealed it would be adding Google Assistant support to three new smart home products, all bound for American shores. Google and Xiaomi previously joined forces for an Android One smartphone in 2017.

Lulu Chang     March 25, 2022

Google Assistant can now book movie tickets for you all by itself

Google has released a new feature to Google Assistant on your phone -- the ability for Assistant to navigate through movie-booking websites and book tickets for you. The feature works with a range of different cinemas and movie-booking services in both the U.S. and the U.K.

Christian de Looper     March 25, 2022

Google goes all-in on Nest with a total rebrand of its smart home devices

Google and Nest have been together since 2014, but now they're really together as Google Nest. Products like Google Home Hub are being rebranding as the Google Nest Hub. Other changes to Nest accounts and privacy and security measures are also underway, but that could spell trouble for IFTTT users.

J. McGrath     March 25, 2022

Google Lens adds unprecedented intelligence to your smartphone camera

Google Lens is a sophisticated image recognition technology that lets you analyze what the camera sees, simply by pointing it at an object.

Les Shu     March 25, 2022