https://www.pocket-lint.com Welcome to Pocket-lint, for the latest electronic product reviews, including news on gadgets, digital cameras, home cinema, audio, cars and mobile phones. Thu, 19 Oct 2023 12:11:30 GMT en-US hourly 60 Some smart tech feels like it's smart just for the sake of it. When the concept of the Internet of Things first appeared, one of the most popular examples was of a smart fridge that would be able to tell you when you'd run out of milk. Is that something that's really solving a pressing need?

]]> Fri, 20 Oct 2023 20:30:24 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-fridge/ Smart security cameras and floodlights provide the ideal way to keep an eye on your property. Combine them into one unit, and you get the best of both worlds. These devices leave nothing in the dark since the strong floodlights work together with the camera to provide high-definition footage without relying on grainy night vision.

]]> Fri, 20 Oct 2023 19:15:21 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-floodlight-security-camera/ Robot lawn mowers are probably not super high on your "need to buy" list, but that doesn't mean they can't be top of the "things you'd love to buy." They are a luxury purchase, but having been testing various models for the last couple of months, I have to say, I'm absolutely sold on owning one, despite their particularly high price tags.

]]> Thu, 19 Oct 2023 12:11:30 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/husqvarna-automower-aspire-r4-review/ Even years after the technology first came out, using a Voice Assistant still feels a bit like magic. You can just talk to your voice-enabled device and ask it to do something - for example, play your favorite playlist - and it’ll easily do it, treating you to the music in a matter of seconds.

]]> Wed, 18 Oct 2023 18:10:35 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-alexa-how-to-change-default-music-service/ Home security is an increasingly important subject as we head into holiday travel and package season. We're not trying to be alarmist, but as cities become more chaotic, and you step away from your home more frequently, it never hurts to invest in smart security. So, if your front door is still protected by an old-fashioned mechanical lock, it might be time to upgrade. And with $133 off the retail price, this Sifely keyless entry door lock is a great pick.

]]> Tue, 17 Oct 2023 16:56:58 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/upgrade-your-homes-security-with-this-well-rated-smart-lock-at-its-best-price-yet/ Some smart home tech can give you options that previously would have required expensive purpose-built systems to achieve. For example, a multiroom audio system that allows you to play the same music across multiple rooms of your home used to require a lot of wiring and complex control systems to make reality. Now you can get the same effect just by chucking a few Echo Dots around your home and asking Alexa to play music everywhere.

]]> Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:12:32 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-security-camera/ Amazon unleashed a whole new, convenient way to control smart devices and automation when it first launched the Echo. Finally, we had a futuristic product that only needed a simple voice command to play us music, switch our lights on, search the internet or check the weather. Despite it feeling futuristic, however, it still relies on a relatively old-fashioned piece of technology to work: a microphone. And sometimes those microphones don't always work properly.

]]> Mon, 16 Oct 2023 19:00:35 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-solve-amazon-echo-mic-problems/ Since the first Amazon Echo smart speaker was introduced all the way back in 2014, the range has diversified enormously. There's an Echo device for almost every need imaginable, from the Echo Flex, that's basically Alexa in a plug to the upcoming Echo Hub that lets you control your entire smart home from a touchscreen display.

]]> Sun, 15 Oct 2023 11:01:34 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-echo-show-5-2023-review/ Google launched a second generation Nest Hub in 2021, which succeeded the original Nest Hub that was announced in 2018. The second generation model sits alongside the larger Nest Hub Max that launched in 2019, and the newer Google Pixel Tablet that arrived in 2023.

]]> Sun, 15 Oct 2023 09:00:34 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/google-nest-hub-2nd-gen-vs-nest-hub-1st-gen-differences-compared/ In an update to its popular small smart speaker range, Amazon enabled the ability to add an Echo to your Eero network. In doing so, you're effectively using your Echo as a mesh network router, increasing the network's reach and all without having to buy another expensive Eero router.

]]> Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:01:34 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-add-amazon-echo-eero-mesh-network/ The October Prime Day has come and gone, but there are still some devices that are heavily discounted, and you can snatch up today. Whether you're looking for a new TV, tablet, laptop, or some other cool gadget, we have you covered. Take advantage of this time while it lasts to beat the Black Fridy and Cyber Monday holiday shopping frenzy. With that, check out some of the best deals still around below:

]]> Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:52:47 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-deals-still-available/ Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event is over. After two days of great deals and discounts, the majority of offers are now no longer available. However, you can still snap up some real bargains on home security tech, including the popular Ring range of smart video doorbells and security cameras, as some of the bundles remain at the discounted prices that we saw during the Prime Day event. With many of the individual products returning to their original prices, some of the bundles below are absolute steals, as many are priced at the same price or lower than the cost of the one of the bundled items alone.

]]> Thu, 12 Oct 2023 11:00:33 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-ring-deals/ If you're in the market for a robot vacuum cleaner but have been putting it off because of price, then it is definitely time to get your wallet out - and get it out quickly. Amazon's October Prime Day sale - officially called Amazon Prime Big Deal Days - has now ended but that doesn't me your hopes and dreams of a new robot vacuum cleaner has to.

]]> Thu, 12 Oct 2023 10:30:31 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-robot-vacuum-deals/ It's Big Prime Deal Days on Amazon and a perfect time for the company to discount its range of Echo smart speakers and Echo Show smart displays. So, whether you're toying around with bringing a smart display onto a table or shelf near you or are actually looking to replace some already in your house, you might want to consider this deal on this year's Echo Show 5, which takes more than half off the MSRP. The ecommerce giant launched its third-gen Echo Show 5 just a few scant weeks ago at a price of $90. During this event, however, you can get one for just $40 - a savings of $50.

]]> Thu, 12 Oct 2023 03:30:33 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-echo-show-5-3rd-gen-big-prime-deal-days/ It's never been easier to set up your own home security system. One of the simplest options in installing smart security cameras inside and outside your home that allow you to monitor your property no matter where you are. You can also set up motion alerts that will inform you when movement is detected by any of your cameras.

]]> Thu, 12 Oct 2023 03:00:32 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/prime-day-blink-mini-security-camera-deal/ This Amazon Prime Deal Day, there's no need for your wallet to take a hit to improve the safety of your home. The 2-pack of Alexa-compatible LaView Bulb Security Cameras has been marked down to $56 from the original listing of $110, a great deal to take advantage of - while it lasts. Also known as October Prime Day, these deals only last through 11 October, snag this 54 per cent discount before it's over.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:00:35 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/2-pack-of-wireless-laview-bulb-security-cameras-prime-day/ Outside of deal days like Amazon Prime's Big Deal Day, also dubbed October Prime Day, smart home devices can be prohibitively expensive. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 may be packed with cutting edge features, for example, but it costs $250 (although you can get your hands on one right now for $150 if you're quick). The good news is that you don't need to break the bank to get the benefits of a quality smart video doorbell. The Blink Video Doorbell is already one of the best-value video doorbells on the market, but if you grab one before the end of the day, you can get it insanely cheap. With 50 per cent off, it's currently available for just $29.99.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 18:00:34 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/the-low-cost-blink-video-doorbell-is-now-ludicrously-cheap-at-50-off/ We use the Amazon Echo Show 8 for almost everything -- because it can do almost everything. And with Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days coming to an end, it's a good idea to snag one now while the massive discount lasts. The original price was $130, which we thought was a bargain to begin with, and now the limited-time offer slashed the price down by 54 per cent to a meager $60. So if you want to score a one-stop-shop for both entertainment and your digital home toolkit, now is the perfect time.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:51:33 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/echo-show-8-smart-display-prime-day/ Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days is on its second and last day, and we're still finding some amazing deals to share with you. This Roomba is available for its best price ever, and we think you should definitely check it out if you've been eyeing a helper for your cleaning routine. Also interesting to see is that this isn't a Prime-exclusive deal, so you won't need a subscription to access the discount. Truthfully, however, it wouldn't hurt to have one because there are so many cool deals available during October Prime Days.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 15:31:31 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/irobot-roomba-j6-prime-day-deal/ There isn't a single bit of smart home tech more recognisable across the world right now, I'd argue, than the Ring Video Doorbell. It's completely revolutionised how we take deliveries and look after our homes.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:31:33 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/ring-video-doorbell-deal-amazon-prime-big-deal-days/ Smart outdoor security cameras are a great way to protect your home. Not only do they allow you to see what is happening outside your home no matter where you are, but they can also give you alerts when motion is detected so that you can check up on what the cause might be. The Blink Outdoor (3rd Gen) isn't the latest model of this product, but it's still packed with features and is currently discounted by 40 per cent at just $59.99.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:15:32 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/blinks-tiny-security-camera-offers-2-year-battery-life-for-just-60-today/ We're seeing deals and slashed prices all over Amazon Prime's Big Deal Days, also dubbed October Prime Days. One that caught our eye for your home could get you savings now, and down the road - Google's Nest Thermostat. A smart thermostat can save you money on your energy bills by ensuring that you're never heating or cooling an empty home. The Google Nest Thermostat isn't as smart as Nest's more expensive models, but it can still save you a significant amount of money. And right now, you can save twice, by getting the Google Nest Thermostat for 30 per cent off the list price, at $89.99.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:15:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/save-twice-this-smart-thermostat-can-reduce-your-bills-and-is-now-30-off/ Philips Hue is probably the most recognisable brand in the world of smart home lighting. It was among the first to jump on the 'Internet of Things' bandwagon, giving us lighting in our homes that could be controlled with a smartphone at first and then - when smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google (Nest) Home came along - with our voices.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:00:35 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-philips-hue-deals/ I've had these light panels on my wall for well over a year now, and they still impress just as much as when I first installed them. While Nanoleaf might have better brand recognition, I'd argue that these panels look far more impressive and do so at a lower cost.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 12:30:33 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/govee-glide-hexa-deal/ If you didn't have time to take advantage of yesterday's Amazon Prime Big Deal Days no need to worry. The deals are still going on throughout today and we're still seeing loads of fantastic deals for Amazon's own devices. Some of these prices are the best we've ever gotten the chance to buy them for. The Kindle Scribe, for instance, has never been this affordable before. The same can be said about plenty of other Echo devices, Fire TV and Fire TV Sticks, Fire tablets, and Ring cameras.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 09:46:32 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-amazon-prime-day-deals/ It's not everyday something goes on sale for 50% off, and it's always nice to see it when it does. The iRobot Roomba i4 EVO is a good robot vacuum that can do at least some of your housework for you, which leaves you with more time to, well, not do housework. Isn't that what we all want? In any case, while $200 during October Prime Day certainly isn't cheap, it's a lot more palatable when that's the price instead of $400.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 05:28:36 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/prime-day-robot-vacuum-deal-irobot-roomba-i4-evo-sale/ Dyson's stellar reputation proceeds them when it comes to vacuums but the home appliance company also makes an array of other high quality items such as haircare products, air purifiers, headphones and more.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 00:30:34 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-dyson-deals/ With a dedication to privacy and constructed from sustainable materials, the Echo Pop is the latest and greatest smart speaker from Amazon that offers hands-free convenience at a bargain price. And with the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days event, that bargain just got better. Slashing the price from $40 to $18, it's a 55 per cent markdown that seems too good to be true. But the deals don't lie, and this is one deal we don't want to miss out on.

]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 22:08:17 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/half-price-and-full-of-features-the-echo-pop-is-55-off-during-prime-day/ In an increasingly connected world, the number of online devices we have in our homes is growing and growing. If you’ve got a home packed with smart home kit, streaming boxes, smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and computers, then your Wi-Fi is probably straining under the load. That’s where a high-speed Wi-Fi mesh can help, giving you high speeds in all corners of your home. With the Amazon eero Pro 6 mesh Wi-Fi 6 system, you can connect more than 75 devices and get blazing fast speeds across your whole home. Right now, you can save 40 per cent on a 2-pack or 3-pack.

]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 19:14:18 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/get-superfast-wi-fi-around-your-whole-home-with-40-off-these-eero-bundles/ I'm a Google Nest girl rather than an Alexa girl when it comes to smart home systems. My home is therefore kitted out with everything from the Nest Hub Max to Nest Cams, along with some Nest Minis dotted around for good measure. The reason any of those products exist in my home at all however, is the Google Nest Doorbell. I am obsessed with it and I have been ever since the original Nest Hello launched in 2015, though I've upgraded since then.

]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 18:46:32 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/i-love-my-nest-doorbell-and-its-got-a-cracking-discount-for-prime-day/ What's in a name? It's a question that Juliet asks herself in Romeo and Juliet, and one that Google probably should have asked before it decided to call an otherwise excellent smart security camera the Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor, Battery). Admittedly, it makes it very clear exactly what you're getting; a battery-powered security camera that you can install both indoors and out. If you can get past the name, this is really great smart security camera, and right now you can save up to 33 per cent on the list price.

]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:30:35 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/protect-your-nest-indoors-and-out-with-this-smart-security-camera/ As you have no doubt realised by now, Amazon has a big sale event. It's called Prime Big Deal Days and means - just like the summer Prime Day - you can get great prices on great products. Among them are a couple of different starter kits from Philips Hue.

]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 15:30:34 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/philips-hue-start-kits-deal-prime-day/ The Roborock S7 Max Ultra is now available at a $300 discount from its usual $1,300 price during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, or October Prime Day. This 23 percent reduction marks the first time the S7 Max Ultra has seen a price drop in 2023 on Amazon, as reported by the price tracker CamelCamelCamel.

]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 15:00:32 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/prime-day-robot-vac-mop-deal-roborock-s7-max-ultra-sale/ There are so many deals happening across Amazon's October Prime Day - also called Big Deals Day - that it's easy to get a little overwhelmed. In amongst the chaos, however, there are some excellent deals to be had, one of which is on the Kasa Smart Plug HS103P2 (I know, catchy name) that is discounted by 38 per cent to see it cost just $12.49.

]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:20:35 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/i-have-5-of-these-smart-plugs-and-ill-buy-another-thanks-to-this-amazing-prime-day-deal/ The Roborock Q7 Max+ deal is among the standout Amazon Prime Big Deal Days offers.

]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:40:33 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/prime-day-robot-vac-mop-deal-roborock-q7-max-plus-sale/ Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days is finally here and we're getting some impressive discounts for Amazon's Echo line-up. The second Prime Day event of the year is happening between 10 and 11 October so you have a bit of time to pick your favorite, but the deals are pretty awesome, so maybe don't take too long to decide.

]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 10:25:32 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-echo-deals/ Whether you are trying to save on energy bills or wanting to schedule tasks such as turning the lights and air-conditioning on before you get home from work, Amazon's Smart Plug is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get started. You don't need to be a tech whizz either because the Smart Plug is 'Certified for Humans' which is Amazon's way of saying that it's easy to set up - through the Alexa app on your smartphone or with an Echo, Fire TV, or Sonos One device. You can control household devices with the Smart Plug via the smartphone app or with voice commands for just $13 which gives a handy $12 saving off the $25 RRP (Recommended Retail Price).

]]> Mon, 09 Oct 2023 19:11:08 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/take-control-of-your-smart-home-with-amazons-versatile-smart-plug-for-13/ Dyson fans are known for one thing - being really expensive. You can pick up another brand of air blower for much less, so why is there so much excitement around Dyson? Sure, design has a massive part to play, because this isn't just a spinning blade rattling around behind a cage, the Dyson fan is a thing of beauty, with no moving parts.

]]> Sun, 08 Oct 2023 16:00:33 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/dyson-fans-are-worth-buying-because-of-this-one-amazing-feature/ Amazon's Eero brand recently made headlines with the announcement of its first Wi-Fi 7 router, the Max 7. However, it doesn't have a release date just yet. With the major news, you may have wondered: What is Wi-Fi 7? We're here to answer that question, along with a list of the new wireless standard's benefits, what devices already support it, and when we can expect mass adoption.

]]> Thu, 05 Oct 2023 19:01:34 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/wi-fi-7-802-11be-features-benefits-improvements-what-devices-are-available/ The Prime Big Deal Days is scheduled for October 10th and 11th this year, so we're days away from one of the biggest sale events of the year. As Prime Day draws closer, however, we're paying attention to new deals that pop up and this one for the Blink Video Doorbell and Mini Camera combination has definitely caught our attention. While this isn't the very best price we've seen for these two products, it's definitely super close to it - close enough to warrant our recommendation that you take advantage of the discount before the deal expires.

]]> Thu, 05 Oct 2023 16:48:10 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/dont-blink-twice-or-you-may-miss-out-on-this-video-doorbell-and-camera-bundle-at-50-off/ As we get ever closer to the holiday season you might already be thinking about putting up your Christmas tree and decorations. But maybe this is the year when you ditch those old and tired lights and replace them with something smarter. Smart lights are everywhere right now, so why not wrap your tree in them as well?

]]> Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:03:00 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/smarten-up-your-christmas-with-nanoleafs-holiday-string-lights/ Yes, we know that Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event is coming up, and we can expect deep discounts on a panoply of products across the mega-retailers categories. But here's the thing: if you wait too long, a deal that you need might just pass you by. For whatever reason, ahead of the big sale is a massive price drop on a ton of Amazon's many house brand products. Fire tablets, TVs, Ring security cameras, Echo speakers and more are all heavily discounted up to 71 per cent off. There's just too much stuff to list, but here are some of the top picks.

]]> Wed, 04 Oct 2023 21:51:33 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/prime-day-is-just-days-away-and-nearly-every-amazon-device-is-already-heavily-discounted/ The upcoming Amazon Prime Big Deal Days event is just a few days away, but we're already seeing some impressive discounts for the Ring lineup. In fact, these are some of the best prices we've ever seen for both video doorbells and security cameras, so now's the perfect time to get these added to your cart and installed in your home.

]]> Tue, 03 Oct 2023 16:03:22 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/ring-doorbell-ring-camera-deals/ With Amazon's October Prime Day, or Amazon Prime Big Deal Days as it's officially known, just around the corner, everyone's gearing up to get their hands on some excellent deals and discounts. However, the giant retailer's latest move has taken the excitement to a whole new level by slashing prices on Echo devices a week early.

]]> Mon, 02 Oct 2023 18:34:23 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-echo-device-sale/ Alexa is smart, funny, helpful, and, as it turns out, a game master.

]]> Sun, 01 Oct 2023 00:35:21 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-alexa-games-play-these-great-adventures-on-your-echo/ Google Home and Nest Audio products are useful things to have around your home. Whether they're just used for setting timers and alarms, answering questions or controlling smart home products, these speakers can be really nifty.

]]> Sat, 30 Sep 2023 16:33:35 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-fix-issues-with-google-home-and-nest-audio-speakers-not-playing-music/ We'd all like our homes to be a little smarter, but kitting yourself out with all the latest smart home gadgets can cost an arm and a leg. There is a huge range of smart home devices that you can control with your voice using Alexa, but a lot of these products come with premium price tags.

]]> Fri, 29 Sep 2023 14:30:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-budget-alexa-gadgets-smart-home-on-a-shoestring/ The Echo Show is the screened companion to the popular Alexa speakers that Amazon has offered for several years. There's an advantage in having a screen - it adds a visual dimension to Alexa, allowing touch controls while also allowing video playback to expand the entertainment options.

]]> Fri, 29 Sep 2023 14:00:17 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-amazon-echo-show/ Eufy Security, the smart home security portion of the Anker brand, has announced a new range of security cameras that make use of not one but two camera lenses, giving them new recording capabilities. But the additional camera is only part of the equation, with Eufy also announcing that it is launching a new AI-powered people-monitoring feature.

]]> Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:19:40 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/these-eufy-security-cams-have-two-lenses-and-use-ai-to-track-people-from-one-camera-to-another/ One of the most powerful features that Alexa offers is Routines. Routines are the special sauce that make different devices work together, allowing you to custom control your smart home.

]]> Tue, 26 Sep 2023 17:31:33 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-create-alexa-routines-and-share-them/ Believe it or not, Amazon’s Alexa devices have been around for almost 10 years. Since then, the voice assistant has come on leaps and bounds since then and Amazon has made some of the best smart speakers in the world.

]]> Tue, 26 Sep 2023 17:01:43 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/echo-show-8-3rd-generation-vs-echo-show-8-2nd-generation/ For many, Amazon Alexa was the inaugural voice assistant home device, and over the years, it's poised to be even more useful as Amazon introduces its own ChatGPT-esque LLM (large language model) into Alexa's bag of tricks. An Echo smart speaker isn't all cutting edge ambient computing, though. As a simple tool for playing audio, answering questions, or setting alarms, an Echo or Echo Show is also a great option for kids.

]]> Mon, 25 Sep 2023 20:39:49 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-kids-echo/ The variety of smart home tech is almost overwhelming. You can get everything from smart bulbs and smart plugs to smart vacuum cleaners and smart dishwashers. The trouble is most of these products come with their own proprietary apps, meaning you have to keep switching between all the different apps to control them.

]]> Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:15:31 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-home-hub/ If you're in the middle of renovating your home, have a larger home or villa that is difficult to manage, or have a detached house that makes communication difficult, then there's no need to look further than a video intercom system such as the HP7 from EZVIZ.

]]> Mon, 25 Sep 2023 11:00:31 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/ezviz-hp7-smart-intercom/ If you've invested in a smart home security camera, or a video doorbell for that matter, chances are that it'll have a microSD card slot.

]]> Sun, 24 Sep 2023 13:45:29 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-choose-a-microsd-card-for-smart-home-security-cameras/ The Amazon Echo Show has been through a number of iterations, with sizes from the dinky Show 5 up to the huge Show 15 designed for wall mounting. In the middle of the pack are two very different options, the Show 10 which offers a display that can swivel and this, the Echo Show 8.

]]> Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:00:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-echo-show-8-hands-on/ Robot vacuums have come a long way, from zigzagging randomly across rooms and dying out under furniture, to mapping out entire houses and self-cleaning. For the ultimate robot cleaner with all the cutting-edge conveniences that you would expect in 2023, check out the Yeedi Cube. This all-in-one hybrid robot vacuum can mop, self-empty, self-clean, and self-dry.

]]> Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:35:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/yeedi-cube-your-gateway-to-effortless-cleaning/ Of all the devices that Amazon announced at its September Devices and Services event, the Echo Hub is the most interesting. On one hand, this is an entirely new device designed for a single purpose, and on the other, it's a distillation of previous Echo offerings.

]]> Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:30:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-echo-hub-hands-on-first-impressions/ Alexa is one of the original and best digital assistants. Launched to support Amazon devices, Alexa is best known for interactions through the Echo speakers and, as such, has become a cornerstone of the smart home for many. The language used around digital assistants is evolving, with companies now talking more openly about artificial intelligence rather than softer terms of reference that might once have been used.

]]> Fri, 22 Sep 2023 11:16:34 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/alexa-has-been-supercharged-by-ai/ Sure, you can try to cover your entire house with just one wireless router, but why would you? Mesh networking technology distributes the signal over multiple devices and delivers increased speeds, better reliability and redundancy. Amazon's Eero line is the pioneer in the market, and they're offering doorbuster deals on their products right now.

]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:52:35 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/upgrade-your-home-wifi-for-less-with-up-to-40-off-eero-mesh-kits/ Alexa is one of the most popular ways to control smart home devices in your home. Hundreds of thousands of smart devices are compatible with Alexa, which means you can control your devices with just your voice using an Echo smart speaker.

]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:31:29 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/what-is-alexa-map-view-and-how-can-i-get-it/ There's been an explosion in smart home devices over the past few years. What was once referred to as "home automation" and still referred to as "Internet of Things" has now settled into a more friendly category we call smart home. We've got heating, lighting, cameras, sensors for just about everything, as well as new devices popping up every week to drag your home into a connected future.

]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:00:26 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/what-is-zigbee-and-why-is-it-important-for-your-smart-home/ If you have to take medication on a daily basis, it can be all too easy to forget. Missing your medication isn't just a nuisance; it can potentially have a harmful impact on your health. Pill boxes with daily compartments are useful for knowing that you've taken the right pills on the right day, but they can't tell you when you need to take them.

]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:59:14 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-pill-dispenser/ To control your smart home devices without having to wade through hundreds of different apps, you need a smart home hub. A smart home hub allows you to control all of your connected smart home kits from one place, making controlling your smart home a whole lot easier.

]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:00:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/what-is-amazon-echo-hub-and-what-can-it-do-for-your-smart-home/ Alexa is one of the most popular voice assistants on the planet, and whilst she's very good at understanding commands or questions, she's not the greatest conversationalist on the planet. All of that is about to change, however, thanks to a new feature called Alexa Let's Chat.

]]> Wed, 20 Sep 2023 22:00:29 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/what-is-alexa-lets-chat-how-does-it-work-and-how-do-i-get-it/ I've been building a smart home around Alexa for many years. While some have been asking whether Matter matters, watching Apple trying to get HomeKit off the ground, and every smart home brand trying to diversify and become a whole-home solution, Alexa has been building bridges and solving problems to make the modern smart home work.

]]> Wed, 20 Sep 2023 21:20:14 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/alexa-hub-is-exactly-what-the-alexa-smart-home-needs/ Hot on the heels of Apple's September hardware event, Amazon took to the stage to announce several new devices of its own. While the main focus was smart home gadgets, Amazon also announced tablets, wearables, and more. If you're an Amazon device user, there was almost certainly something for you. Here's everything the company announced along with when and how you can buy them for yourself.

]]> Wed, 20 Sep 2023 21:06:09 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/new-amazon-devices-everything-announced-and-how-to-pre-order/ At its September Devices and Services event, Amazon announced a sweeping range of updates across Fire TV, Echo and of course Alexa. Looking to dominate the smart home space, one of the new solutions is called Map View. It's designed to give you a layout map for your home, with all your devices on it, so you can see where they are, rather than them just being listed as grouped into a particular room.

]]> Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:44:49 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/alexa-map-view-is-only-available-on-iphone/ Amazon already controls a substantial amount of many people's smart homes. Now, the company is rolling out an Echo Hub device designed to control every aspect of your home. It's a control panel that looks like something Tony Stark would use to control his home.

]]> Wed, 20 Sep 2023 17:09:30 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazons-new-echo-hub-aims-to-control-your-entire-smart-home/ Amazon started its September hardware event by announcing a new version of the Echo Show 8. The new smart display makes some intelligent upgrades over the previous version, including better speakers, a relocated camera, and a smart home screen that adapts to the user.

]]> Wed, 20 Sep 2023 15:46:53 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-new-echo-show-8/ October will bring with it a new Amazon Prime Big Deal Days event, and we're quite excited to see what cool new savings we can find. In fact, we're already seeing some great deals pop up, although they're marked as "invitation only." Let's see what this all means and how you can get your hands on these fantastic deals.

]]> Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:37:13 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/some-of-the-best-fall-prime-day-deals-are-here-but-theres-a-catch/ We all need all the help we can get to keep our houses as clean as possible, and the Deebot T20 Omni is a great solution. Not only will this robovac vacuum your floors, but it will also mop them up with utmost care. This Ecovacs model has only been around for a few months now, so it's great to see a discount this big already.

]]> Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:13:54 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/ecovacs-deebot-t20-omni-deal/ According to the World Health Organisation, indoor air pollution was responsible for around 3.2 million deaths in 2020. Whilst the majority of these deaths were due to cooking on open fires or inefficient stoves, air pollution is a problem in all almost every household on the planet, with common househould items such as cleaning products or paint omitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to health.

]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2023 19:30:29 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-air-purifier/ The years before smart speakers seem like a distant memory now. Amazon Echo - for a lot of people - has become the default way to listen to music, and that means the days of manually pairing to a battery-powered Bluetooth speaker are long behind us.

]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2023 12:30:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/alexa-bluetooth-speaker-amazon-echo-setup/ Big tech launches are predictable. We've just seen the biggest tech launch of the year - the Apple September event - and that yielded almost zero surprises. Leaks, predictability, and intuition lead us to accurate conclusions about what will happen. But this year, Amazon looks decidedly different.

]]> Sat, 16 Sep 2023 10:31:18 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/what-to-expect-from-amazon-september-2023-devices-event/ There's nothing like a Wi-Fi dropout to hit you off your stride. Whether you're midway through a Netflix binge, or you work from home and can't afford to lose connectivity with your office, there's no good time for your network to have a wobble.

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 19:30:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-mesh-wi-fi-system/ A Ring Video Doorbell is a good deterrent against theft at your home, but unfortunately, it can't stop porch pirates from grabbing packages that have been left outside your front door. What it can do, however, is alert you when a package has been delivered so that you can bring it in or keep an eye on it on your Ring video feed.

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 14:40:30 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-set-up-package-detection-on-a-ring-video-doorbell/ Fall is around the corner, and with fall comes the ultimate trickster holiday: Halloween. If you’re more worried about tricks than treats this year from the local neighborhood kids, you can protect your home and save nearly 40 per cent on a video doorbell right now. In particular, the Ring Video Doorbell is on sale for only $39, saving you $26.

]]> Fri, 08 Sep 2023 16:06:49 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/protect-your-home-this-fall-with-40-off-the-ring-video-doorbell/ For years, we've been hearing about the Internet of Things and how it's going to revolutionise our lives. Our fridges will be able to tell us when we're running out of cheese and automatically order some more for us. And yet for many of us, the smart home extends to a couple of smart light bulbs and a smart plug or two and that's it.

]]> Fri, 08 Sep 2023 16:00:38 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/what-is-home-assistant-how-does-it-work/ An A/V receiver is often the centrepiece of your home theatre, acting as the wired middle-man between your television, speakers, and other audio and video equipment such as turntables, game consoles, Blu-ray players, etc. making for a nice integrated ecosystem. The thing that complicates that utopian, if complex, system from working is getting anything wireless working at the same time.

]]> Thu, 07 Sep 2023 17:57:52 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-airplay-receiver/ It's no exaggeration to say that your door lock may be some of the oldest technology in your home. We've been using tumbler locks since the times of the ancient Egyptians, and whilst the materials may have changed, the basics are still the same. If you're ready to replace this incredibly old tech with something that's band up to date, then a smart lock is the way to go.

]]> Thu, 07 Sep 2023 15:10:49 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-lock/ There is a wide range of indoor smart home cameras that can help you to protect your home or keep an eye on kids or pets. Smart home cameras can also be very useful for the outside of your home, too. Not only do outdoor smart home cameras boost your home security by providing a clear deterrent for anyone thinking about breaking into your home, but they also allow you to keep an eye on what's going outside your home, even when you're not there.

]]> Tue, 05 Sep 2023 21:59:48 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-outdoor-security-camera/ The rise of the smart home has radically transformed the way we interact with our appliances and devices. Gone are the days of trudging from room to room turn things on and off, replaced by simple networking, voice-activated assistants, automated scheduling and more. But some appliances stubbornly resist the modern era, and that's where Kasa's line of smart home devices come in. The company specializes in "smart plugs," Wi-Fi enabled power devices that let you manage the flow of electricity through apps or virtual assistants. Amazon has a huge deal on Kasa plugs and power strips right now, so here's a rundown on what you should pick up. If you want more information, we wrote an article about the best smart plugs on the market.

]]> Tue, 05 Sep 2023 20:01:07 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/kasa-smart-home-product-deals/ Google's Nest speakers are ideal for anyone looking to set up a proper smart home, with the tightest integration you could imagine with Google Assistant and Google Home.

]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2023 20:00:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-set-up-multi-room-audio-google-home-nest/ Labor Day is finally here, and the deals are flowing, with fantastic discounts for some of our favorite smartwatches and the best tablets. Whether you're looking for a new iPad or a Samsung tablet, Best Buy has you covered, offering some of the best discounts we've seen in a while. Of course, if you'd rather get your hands on a new pair of earbuds, some of our favorite earbud models are also on sale right now.

]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2023 16:01:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-buy-labor-sale/ Labor Day, often ubiquitous with the end of summer, also signals the start of savings season. Slashing prices off everything from big-ticket items like TVs and smart washing machines, along with hardware staples like headphones, earbuds, and internal SSDs, these Labor Day deals make some of our favorite tested and reviewed products even more tempting. Read below for the best deals we've found. For more great holiday savings, also be sure to check out the best deals going on at Best Buy's Labor Day sale right now.

]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:00:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-labor-day-deals/ Signify, the parent company of the Philips Hue brand, used IFA 2023 to announce the launch of Philips Hue Secure, a new system of products designed to leverage Hue's experience in smart lighting to offer a complete home security system for users.

]]> Thu, 31 Aug 2023 07:30:26 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/philips-hue-secure-everything-you-need-to-know/ A few years ago, the coordinated smart home felt like a pipe dream, but Alexa changed all that. Thanks to increasing compatibility with smart home devices, Alexa and the Amazon Echo is now the ideal hub of your connected home. Where previously it was a disparate mix of devices and brands, the Amazon Echo has pulled all this together.

]]> Wed, 30 Aug 2023 18:00:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-set-up-an-alexa-smart-home/ There's nothing more frustrating than when the wireless Internet drops out in certain parts of your house. No matter how many antennas your router has, it's going to struggle to beam signal through all of your walls, furniture and slow-moving pets. Fear not: Amazon's Eero line of mesh network routers is here to save the day.

]]> Wed, 30 Aug 2023 17:00:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/save-big-on-refurb-eero-routers-today-with-prices-starting-at-just-30/ Roborock has announced two new models being added to its flagship robot vacuum range, at two different price points, but with lots of smart features that should make cleaning your home quick, more convenient and more consistent than before.

]]> Wed, 30 Aug 2023 14:01:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/roborock-q5-pro-and-q8-max-launch/ With busy lives, it can be tough carving out some much-needed cleaning time for your home. So, why worry about it when you can use smart home technology to clean for you? That’s where a robot vacuum comes into play. And, if this sounds like a great way to save you time, you can also save $270 on the iRobot Roomba j7+ right now at Amazon. Currently, it’s priced at $530.

]]> Tue, 29 Aug 2023 16:16:26 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/this-massive-250-discount-on-our-favorite-feature-packed-robot-vacuum-is-too-good-to-miss/ When it comes to robot vacuum cleaner brands, Roborock is a force to be reckoned with. And wouldn't you know it, but it's the company's ninth anniversary, which means we're all getting access to some fantastic deals!

]]> Tue, 29 Aug 2023 10:00:26 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/roborock-9th-anniversary-sale-sponsored/ Did you know you can use Alexa to call and message others? Amazon's Alexa calling and messaging feature enables you to make and receive calls, as well as send messages between Echo devices, the Amazon Alexa app for iOS and Android, and Fire tablets. It's a neat way to contact family and friends. The best part? The feature is completely free to use, as it works over Wi-Fi on most Echo devices and into Alexa apps too.

]]> Tue, 29 Aug 2023 09:00:26 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-alexa-calling-and-messaging-what-is-it-how-does-it-work-and-where-can-you-use-it/ Robot lawn mowers have been around for a while now, but in that time, they've come along way in terms of what they offer and how easy they are to use. They are most definitely a luxury rather than a necessity - much like their robot vacuum cousins - but once you have one, you won't go back to digging that traditional mower out of the shed.

]]> Tue, 29 Aug 2023 08:00:26 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/segway-navimow-h1500e-robot-lawn-mower-review/ There are plenty of devices where incorporating smart tech makes sense. A smart plug, for example, is a no-brainer; the convenience of being able to control your plug from anywhere with your voice or your phone is a clear and tangible benefit. The benefits of some smart tech may not immediately be obvious, however. Is a smart dishwasher really necessary?

]]> Mon, 28 Aug 2023 22:31:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-dishwasher/ Ambilight is a popular technology on Philips TVs, allowing you to spread the colour from the screen across your walls. The aim is to increase the immersion and make more of an event of what's happening on the TV - and it also looks cool. Thanks to close ties between Philips TVs and Philips Hue, there's also the ability to sync Hue lights, to extend that Ambilight experience through more of the room. If you're the sort of person who already enjoys these coloured lights, this option turns the dial up to 11.

]]> Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:01:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-sync-philips-hue-bulbs-with-your-ambilight-tv/ Amazon's Echo devices support multi-room audio, but you need to use the Alexa app to group them up. This feature lets you play music across multiple Echo devices in your home at the same time. But there are caveats: the feature is only available in a few countries, and it only supports music, specifically, as well as certain devices and services.

]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2023 21:00:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-set-up-and-play-music-on-multiple-amazon-echo-devices/ A smart video doorbell is one of the easier ways to take your first steps into the world of smart home tech. They're simple to install and offer a vastly superior experience to their dumb counterparts. A smart video doorbell allows you to see who is at the door from anywhere, even if you're not at home. You can also hold a two-way conversation through the doorbell if you're not able to come to the door. We take a look at two popular smart video doorbell models, the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell, and the Ring Video Doorbell (4th Gen) to see how they stack up.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 18:00:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/arlo-video-doorbell-vs-ring-video-doorbell-which-is-the-best-wireless-smart-doorbell/ Roborock has exploded in the last few years, going from a niche manufacturer to one of the biggest names in the robot vacuum world, and it packs a heck of a lot of features into its devices.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 17:05:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-connect-roborock-to-alexa/ Amazon lets you do a fair bit with its Echo speakers, whether that's syncing them up for multi-room audio, or using an Echo speaker to control a Fire TV. But did you know that you can also link up Echo speakers and a Fire TV device to boost your TV sound?

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 13:01:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-create-an-alexa-home-theatre-system-with-your-echo-and-fire-tv-devices/