#smart home

A Memorial Day discount on Birdfy’s smart feeder is more than a sales hook: it shows how computer vision and connected cameras are pushing a traditional outdoor hobby into mainstream consumer tech.

Wired’s review of the Oto Smart Sprinkler points to a simple but important shift in lawn tech: cutting the power cable by using an integrated solar panel.

Gizmodo’s testing of the $1,500 Deebot X12 OmniCyclone found a machine with strong mopping, quiet operation, and ambitious AI features, but too many practical flaws for its price.

A new guide from WIRED argues that the smartest way to pick a home platform is to follow the devices and services people already use every day.

HVAC startup Quilt is using an upcoming Honolulu home electrification event to promote its ductless heat pump system and a new technician-focused software tool aimed at simplifying installations.

A practical ZDNET guide points to a broader shift in the connected home: aging tablets are being repurposed into always-available smart home dashboards that centralize control and extend the life of idle hardware.

Testing cited by WIRED found that smart smoke alarms typically rely on photoelectric sensors alone, improving connectivity but often leaving out ionization detection for fast-burning fires.

A ZDNET test of allergy-focused smart home devices highlights a growing consumer-tech use case: using connected indoor equipment to manage pollen exposure during peak allergy season.

Google Home’s April 2026 update focuses on making Gemini feel less interruptive and more reliable, while also expanding parental controls and improving camera and thermostat features.

A little-known Android Auto feature lets drivers trigger personalized voice actions from the dashboard, and Gemini is making those shortcuts more useful for multi-step routines.

Amazon has introduced three personality options for Alexa+ subscribers: Brief, Chill, and Sweet. The styles adjust how the AI assistant communicates across five underlying traits, giving users control over whether their voice assistant is blunt, laid-back, or enthusiastic.

The Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum is $250 off right now, making it one of the best deals on a premium self-emptying robot vacuum this year.