It’s been a little over a year and a half since the Logitech Harmony home remote was introduced. Back then, we dubbed it “the magic wand for your house,” allowing users to control their home devices through the convenience of an app or the handy remote. Now, Logitech launched a new version of the app, specifically designed to work let you do all that from your Android television.
The new Harmony app, which is still in beta, is built to work with a smart television to control devices around your home. While connected to the Logitech Harmony Hub, you can control nearly everything in your smart home. Switch on the lights, adjust the thermostats, turn on the home entertainment system, and also or lower your blinds, right from your TV.
Once you install the app on your Android TV and sign into your Harmony account, the app will then prompt you to a screen displaying your personalized Harmony Activities in an accessible layout. You’ll be able to use the controls without having to pause what you’re watching, according to Logitech.
Users are able to add Harmony Activities to the Discover user interface and can be quickly accessed through the television remote’s Discover button. The app is compatible with any Logitech Harmony hub-based remote, and it is specifically designed for Sony’s Android TV. The app, available at the Play Store, is also compatible with the Nexus Player and ADT-1 but doesn’t support the NVIDIA Shield as of yet.
Since so many people watch TV with their phones out anyway, it might seem unnecessary to add smart home controls to the biggest screen the home, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes more and more common.
Few things ruin a quiet evening faster than a robot vacuum roaring through the living room. Most of us end up pausing the cleaning run, which defeats the whole purpose of owning one. Matic thinks it has the answer with its new Serene robot vacuum, and the big selling point is how little noise it makes.
The Matic Serene runs at 52 decibels even when cleaning at full power. To put that in perspective, Matic compares it to the hum of your refrigerator. It is available now for $1,695, which is $200 more than the original Matic’s current price.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.