Smart Home

Facebook announced an update to its Portal line of smart displays this week, including a revamped version of its 10-inch smart display, as well as the addition of a Portal Mini 8-inch display and Portal TV, a set-top device that uses your television as a screen. They join the first-edition Portal Plus, which has not been updated. The devices are designed primarily with video calling in mind and are controlled using Facebook's own "Hey, Portal" voice service, as well as via built-in Alexa functionality.With 2018's Cambridge Analytica scandal still stirring up controversy, Facebook says it has made the Portal more private this year by keeping the microphone and camera turned off by default. Conversations over privacy have eclipsed sales of Portal devices over the last year, making clear the social networking giant is battling its own reputation for market share. Not to mention, stiff competition from the likes of Apple, Google and Amazon have further thwarted Facebook's attempt to stake … [Read more...] about Facebook Portal refresh: 7 things you need to know in 2019

Deals on Wyze products are exceedingly rare, because they're already exceedingly good deals. I'll tell you about some of the others below, but for now let's get to the star attraction.For a limited time, and while supplies last, Amazon is offering the Wyze Cam Pan 1080p smart-home camera with 32GB microSD card for $37.98. The camera alone usually sells for that price; this combo typically runs $50-54. Note that CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.See it at AmazonWords can't adequately describe my fondness for this product, which rivals others costing considerably more. The Wyze Cam Pan does pretty much everything you'd want from an indoor camera, and then some. It can rotate a full 360 degrees on its mechanical base. It can pan-and-scan a room and notify you if it detects motion. And thanks to a recent update, it now supports person detection as well.Arguably the most amazing feature of all? You get 14 days of rolling cloud storage at no … [Read more...] about Get a Wyze Cam Pan and 32GB microSD card for $38

Google will be launching a refreshed Wi-Fi router under the Nest branding, a report says. It could be unveiled at Google's Pixel 4 event on Oct. 15, 9to5Google reported Tuesday, citing sources. It'll come with one main router and "smart bacons," according to the report. The original Google Wifi was launched in 2016. Google and Nest combined forces into a single smart home brand called Google Nest in May this year, with products being launched under the new name.According to 9to5Google, the Nest Wifi router could also come with Google Assistant speakers, and launch in three different colors. Google didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The Google Wifi is the best way to extend your home network 9 Photos Google Pixel Review • Our Google Pixel review: Pure Android at its absolute best Preview • Pixel and Pixel XL unveiled: Google's post-Nexus phones come out swinging (hands-on) News • Google Pixel 3A: Where is AT&T? … [Read more...] about Google is planning a Nest Wifi router, report says

Well, here we are again. A while back I made the joke that if this trend continues, the Google Home Hub (which was recently renamed the Nest Hub) will soon be free. Because for months now, each week seems to bring another $1-2 discount.Like this week: For a limited time, and while supplies last, Altatac via Rakuten has the Google Home Hub for $55.99 when you apply promo code ALT9 at checkout. You also need to be signed into your Rakuten account (assuming you have one; if not, you'll have to sign up).See it at RakutenThe Home Hub originally sold for $149, but then Google lowered it to $129. Even before that, it started showing up from resellers for around $80, and every couple weeks it seems to drop another a buck or two. Today marks the lowest price I've seen yet. The Home Hub takes the Google Home smart speaker and adds a 7-inch touchscreen. That opens the door to things like guided recipes, song lyrics, appointment calendars and so on -- all the same stuff your phone … [Read more...] about How low can it go? The Google Home Hub is now just $56

A few days ago, I tried and failed to install Google's smart smoke detector -- the Nest Protect -- at the CNET Smart Home. After nearly two hours on the phone with the help desk, the Nest App and device still refused to connect. Why? Well, I finally discovered, a problem on the iOS version of the Nest App won't allow a Nest Protect to be installed after a Nest Hub Max, Google's shiny new smart display. Eventually, following a suggestion from Google, I had to dig up an old Android-based Galaxy Note 6 to properly install the smoke detector.If Google's own smart home products act like embarrassed step-siblings, many erstwhile Works with Nest gadgets seem like they won't even visit for the holidays anymore. And it's not their fault: It turns out Google is a terrible parent.How did we get here?Along with the Amazon Echo, the Nest Learning Thermostat was among the first smart home products to gain widespread notoriety: The thermostat was a certified hit. Nest opened up its API to third-party … [Read more...] about Google’s smart home ecosystem is a complete mess