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. Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:00:28 GMT en-US hourly 60 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 Prime Day 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/ 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.

]]> Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:00:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-home-hub/ 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-smart-home-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/ Whether you're old or young, waking up is never easy.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 00:47:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-alarm-clocks/ If you're looking for a fun and easy way to clean the floors of your home, there's no reason it shouldn't be a robot that will do it for you. Robot vacuums have been around for a while now, and we've spent a good amount of time trying to find the best ones, but if cleaning your floors is just as important as keeping them dust free, you're going to need a robot that can vacuum just as well as it mops.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 21:30:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/the-best-robot-vacuum-and-mop-duo/ Blink recently announced the Outdoor 4, its newest home security camera. Similar to the third-generation Outdoor camera, the Outdoor 4 is completely wireless, has up to two year's worth of battery life, and for the first time, now includes person detection; something that up until now was only available on Blink's Wired Floodlight Camera.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 21:21:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/blink-outdoor-4-vs-blink-outdoor-3/ Dyson's fans are basically the absolute models for what you'd want from a fan, packing in the sort of efficiency and quietness that other brands can only dream of.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 14:22:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-link-dyson-fan-with-alexa/ Ring is one of the stars of the smart home, with the Video Doorbell being one of those connected devices that everyone wants.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 22:49:38 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/ring-video-doorbell-tips-tricks/ Amazon has announced a new Blink Outdoor 4 security camera with some exciting new features powered by its proprietary silicon for $119.99. Whether you want to watch your home in the middle of the day or during the darkest portion of the night, the new Blink Outdoor 4 seems equipped to handle the job easily.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 18:00:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-blink-outdoor-4-security-camera/ The Philips Hue name might be one that we're familiar with when discussing fancy multi-colored smart lights, but the Signify-owned brand is thought to be hard at work on its first smart security camera. We've seen Hue camera leaks before, but now it appears that the camera itself has already been through the FCC. That suggests that a launch might not be all that far off.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:22:52 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/new-philips-hue-camera-leak-confirms-key-features-and-multiple-versions/ The Amazon Echo is one of a range of hands-free speakers and devices from Amazon that can be controlled with your voice. The voice-controlled "personal assistant" on these devices is called Alexa, which will perform various tasks for you and control various systems. As well as being available on Echo devices from Amazon directly, Alexa is available on a lot of third-party devices like speakers from Bose, Sonos and others, or TVs - as well as through the Alexa app on phones. Alexa is also available in many cars and in some wearables - so it's very much seeping into all aspect of connected life.

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 18:00:29 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/what-is-alexa-how-does-it-work-and-what-can-amazons-alexa-do/ Smart home technology can make a laundry list of household chores and your home more efficient - from robot vacuums to smart thermostats, and even laundry itself with the help of smart washing machines. Using Wi-Fi connectivity, smart washing machines offer a variety of clever features, like the ability to pause a wash remotely or get a notification when your cycle is complete.

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 17:32:01 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-washing-machine/ Some smart home tech can feel like it's been made smart just for the sake of it, while not really offering a huge practical benefit. There are some products, however, that are a huge upgrade on their dumb counterparts and can genuinely make your life easier. Smart video doorbells fall firmly in the latter category. If you're trying to choose a video doorbell, we're here to help. We're stacking up two of the most popular models out there head-to-head; the Nest Doorbell and the Ring Video Doorbell (4th Gen).

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 22:30:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/google-nest-doorbell-vs-ring-video-doorbell-differences-compared/ Philips Hue smart lights are some of the most popular smart home products out there, with lighting products from smart bulbs and light strips, to standalone lamps and lighting controls. You can control the lights from your phone, but if your phone is in another room, and you want to turn the lights on, that's not much use.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 20:49:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-connect-philips-hue-to-alexa/ Sky might traditionally have just been a company you associated with satellite TV, but it's got its fingers in quite a few more pies than that these days, one of which is home insurance in the form of Sky Protect. This is everything you need to know about Sky Protect, including what it is, how it works, what it includes for the cost and how its features compare to other smart home security offerings from the likes of Google Nest and Ring.

]]> Sun, 20 Aug 2023 08:51:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/what-is-sky-protect-devices-specs-features-cost/ Google's Home and Nest devices aren't just speakers with built-in Google Search. They allow you to control compatible smart home devices, cue up a film on your TV, replace your desktop speakers, and plenty more.

]]> Sat, 19 Aug 2023 16:48:25 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/google-home-tips-and-tricks/ The Amazon Echo got off to a flying start when it launched, quickly establishing itself as one of the hottest smart home devices, assisted by the smaller Echo Dot, a capable sidekick that brings its connected skills in a smaller package. Amazon hasn't slowed, expanding its range of speakers - as well as the functions they offer.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 00:00:29 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-use-multiple-amazon-echo-and-dots-setting-up-and-using-multiple-alexa-devices/ Especially with kids going back to school, and we slip into the dog days of summer, life gets even more hectic. And if you're anything like me, my household chore to-do lists often pile up faster than the dust around my baseboards. Thankfully, over the past few years, the best robot vacuums have proven a smarter way of cleaning, so you don't have to do all the dirty work. While these smart devices are a bit pricier than your traditional hand-held vacuum, it can be a great investment that saves you time - and right now you can also save on price with this deal on the Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum and Mop thanks to this Amazon deal. Stacked with smart features and powerful suction, this vacuum-mop duo usually runs for $650, but today you can get it for almost half-off at $380.

]]> Thu, 17 Aug 2023 16:53:21 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/clean-your-house-not-your-wallet-with-270-off-the-roborock-s7-right-now/ The idea of LED TV backlighting that syncs with the action on screen has been around for a long while now. Philips popularised the concept with its Ambilight TVs, and many manufacturers have attempted to offer DIY versions that can work with any TV.

]]> Thu, 17 Aug 2023 11:52:18 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/nanoleaf-4d-screen-mirror-lightstrip-review/ Smart thermostats are one of the best smart home investments you can make. Not only is it highly convenient to be able to control your heating with an app, or even with your voice, but smart thermostats can also save you a signigicant chunk of money. For example, many models will automatically turn off the heating when you're detected as being away from home, ensuring that you're not heating an empty home.

]]> Wed, 16 Aug 2023 18:41:26 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-thermostat/ The Arlo Pro 5 is the latest home security camera from Arlo and is strangely called the Arlo Pro 5S in the US - but it's the same thing, no matter which region you're in. This boosted model looks a lot like the Arlo Pro 4 - identical in fact - with subtle improvements on the hardware side to make for a better camera experience.

]]> Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:56:54 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/arlo-pro-5s-5-review/ Amazon's lineup of Echo Show smart displays incorporates a few different options, and like many of its other Echo devices, you can pick up more than one generation at the same time depending on your needs.

]]> Thu, 10 Aug 2023 21:26:25 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-echo-show-5-3rd-gen-vs-2nd-gen/ Arlo has a growing range of security cameras, each offering something slightly different. Originally Arlo offered free cloud storage of HD video for up to five cameras, for 7 days, and this was one of the features that pushed Arlo into the spotlight - every pun intended. That's now changed with Arlo pushing its Arlo Secure subscription instead on its more recent models.

]]> Wed, 09 Aug 2023 18:00:24 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/arlo-vs-arlo-pro-vs-arlo-pro-2-vs-arlo-ultra/ Google Nest has several devices in its smart home portfolio from thermostats and cameras to doorbells and smoke detectors.

]]> Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:20:23 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/google-nest-learning-thermostat-tips-and-tricks/ I think we can probably agree that household chores like ironing, washing, and vacuuming aren't the most enjoyable. While yes, good cleaning is often necessary and sometimes even therapeutic, it's often hard to fit into a busy schedule.

]]> Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:48:46 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-robot-vacuum/ Our homes have never been smarter. From smart speakers that allow us to control devices with our voices, to smart home automation systems that can automate almost anything we can imagine, it truly does feel like we're living in the future sometimes.

]]> Mon, 07 Aug 2023 19:53:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-kettle/ Investing in a top biometric lock can help take your home or office security to the next level, with most requiring a matching fingerprint from people looking to enter a property.

]]> Mon, 07 Aug 2023 14:00:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-biometric-lock/ Smart lighting is one of the easiest ways to add smart tech to your home. Unscrew your light bulb, add a smart light bulb in its place, and your home just got a little smarter. The ability to use an app to turn the light on and off, change the brightness, or even change the colour all from the comfort of your armchair is appealing, but there is so much more that you can do with the right smart bulbs. You can set up automations to have your lights turn on at set times, set lighting scenes to change multiple lights at once, or even schedule your lights to come on and off when you're away to deter break-ins. If you're ready to get started in the world of smart lighting, then here are some of the best smart bulbs that you can get your hands on right now.

]]> Sat, 05 Aug 2023 21:17:26 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-bulb/ Best Buy seems like it's trying to rid of its entire Ring inventory, as the company is offering some absurdly low prices on Ring indoor cameras, Stick Up cameras, video doorbells, and more. If you want to make your home more secure with high-quality Ring products, this is the time to buy, as these deals are really good, and they're only here until August 6.

]]> Sat, 05 Aug 2023 02:35:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-buy-ring-products-blowout-prices/ Smart home technology can make your life a lot easier, but it can also be incredibly frustrating, too. That's because smart home tech isn't designed to play nicely together. You might use one app for your smart lights, and another for your smart plugs, and a third for your smart lock. You're soon lost in a mess of apps and your home feels far from smart.

]]> Fri, 04 Aug 2023 00:33:25 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-apple-homekit-device/ Google Nest first introduced a video doorbell in the form of the Nest Hello back in 2018. It was a wired doorbell, meaning installation wasn't suitable - or more difficult - for some households.

]]> Thu, 03 Aug 2023 16:31:25 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/google-nest-doorbell-battery-vs-nest-hello-vs-doorbell-wired-differences-compared/ If you're looking to add a layer of security to the outside of your home, installing a solar motion light - or several - can be a great way to achieve some peace of mind.

]]> Thu, 03 Aug 2023 12:17:28 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-solar-motion-lights/ Fans of the Philips Hue line of smart lights can apparently look forward to adding more kit to their homes, but it won't be anything like what the brand already sells.

]]> Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:04:14 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/philips-hue-to-expand-into-security-cameras-for-better-home-monitoring/ Smart tech can be incredibly useful, though there's a big problem with it. Different manufacturers produce devices that can be controlled with proprietary apps, but these apps and products don’t always play nicely together. You can turn on your lights with one app but have to switch to another to close your blinds.

]]> Tue, 01 Aug 2023 19:45:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/apple-homekit-and-home-app-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-work/ It looks like Google Assistant will soon have some generative AI technology (like seemingly everything else in the world). In an internal email obtained by Axios, two high-ranking Google executives spoke about the need for "assistive, conversational technology." Peeyush Ranjan, GM and VP of Google Pay and Next Billion Users, and Duke Dukellis, Director of Product Management, said the company should prioritize work to address "people's strong desire for assistive, conversational technology that can improve their lives."

]]> Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:00:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/google-assistant-generative-ai-technology/ Best Buy is offering a tremendous Amazon Echo Dot deal today. You can get the speaker for $22.99, which is $27 off the regular price. That is already a great deal, but to sweeten the pot, the company is throwing in a free Sengled multicolor smart bulb that sells for $14.99 by itself. This bundle would typically sell for $49.99, meaning you'll get a substantial 54% off. This is the 5th-generation Amazon Echo Dot, so you get all the company's improvements as it iterated and enhanced the smart speaker. From the solid sound quality to the easy-to-use Alexa support, this is a speaker worth buying.

]]> Tue, 01 Aug 2023 13:45:26 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/save-27-on-the-amazon-echo-dot-right-now/ Love it or hate it, 5G is here to stay. The incredibly-fast form of mobile internet you can get on your smartphone is also in your home. Several mobile carriers offer affordable home internet using a 5G connection instead of cable, DSL, or satellite.

]]> Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:30:27 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/what-is-5g-home-internet/ Some smart home devices can make you wonder how you ever lived without them. Watching a robot vacuum cleaner tidying your house for you is truly like living in the future and may give you the urge to make more of your home a little smarter.

]]> Tue, 25 Jul 2023 20:35:26 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-smart-plug/ Amazon Alexa can be great fun... when it hears and understands your requests reliably.

]]> Fri, 21 Jul 2023 09:00:24 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-solve-amazon-echo-mic-problems/ Cordless vacuum cleaners are getting more powerful and becoming more affordable every day. Is it time for you to ditch the annoying cable for good?

]]> Thu, 20 Jul 2023 14:00:24 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-cordless-vacuum-cleaner/ 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.

]]> Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:01:19 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/how-to-choose-a-microsd-card-for-smart-home-security-cameras/ Prime Day 2023 has brought us some amazing deals, and one that stands out is the offer on Google's Nest Wifi Pro mesh routers. These powerful routers are still available at a discounted price during the final hours of the sale. With a price tag of just $300 for a three-pack, this deal is too good to pass up.

]]> Thu, 13 Jul 2023 03:23:25 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/nest-wifi-pro-prime-day-deal/ If you're building your smart home system or seeking to add more smart devices into your living space, having a smart home assistant is a must-have. Recent years have seen the current devices on the market improve with better audio and more features to make your life easier. And if you're seeking to invest in a smart home device, Amazon just discounted its Amazon Echo Dot lineup, meaning you can score the Echo Dot (5th Gen) and the Echo Dot (5th Gen) with clock and save over 50%. Right now, they're on sale for $25 and $30, respectively.

]]> Thu, 13 Jul 2023 02:20:20 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-echo-dot-deal-prime-day-sale/ The Amazon Echo Show 15 features a wall-mountable 15.6-inch display, and all the Alexa features you could ever want. It normally sells for $280, but you can get it for $182 before Prime Day. That's a 35 per cent discount and the lowest price for which Amazon's big smart display has ever sold. You must be a Prime member to take advantage of this deal (and just about all the other Prime Day specials).

]]> Thu, 13 Jul 2023 02:16:19 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-echo-show-15-deal-prime-day/ Are you tired of spending countless hours vacuuming your floors? Well, get ready to say goodbye to that chore because Prime Day is here, and it brings you an incredible deal on the iRobot Roomba j6+ (6550) self-emptying robot vacuum. For a limited time, you can get this amazing vacuum at a whopping 50% off its regular price of $799.99, making it just $399.99.

]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 22:30:18 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/prime-day-robot-vacuum-deal-irobot-roomba-j6-plus-sale/ Prime Day is not done yet, and one of the most exciting offers that has caught our attention is the all-new Blink Outdoor security camera, which is available at an incredible 50% off during the sale. If you're looking for a home security camera, you don't want to miss this deal.

]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 22:08:25 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/prime-day-security-camera-deal-blink-outdoor-sale/ Even a little money can score you big deals on Amazon Prime Day. From tech to toys, there are a bevy of great products you can get on sale from now until July 12. To help you make the most of the short Prime Day window for savings, we've rounded up some of the best budget-friendly deals below. Everything listed here comes in under $25, and of course, because we're Pocket-lint, they're tech related.

]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:45:20 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-deals-under-25/ Amazon's Prime Day is nearly over and there are some incredible deals, and this one for Ring's entry-level smart doorbell is a cracker.

]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 17:02:33 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/save-45-percent-on-ring-video-doorbell-in-this-amazing-prime-day-deal/ Amazon Prime Day is finally here, with two days of deals and discounts confirmed for 11 and 12 July.

]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:54:53 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-ring-deals/ During Prime Day 2023, Amazon's own devices take center stage.

]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:06:34 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-amazon-prime-day-deals/ With Prime Day almost over, Amazon has big savings on the Alexa smart speaker that are still available. During these sales events, you'll usually find the best price on the Echo and other models, with the Echo Show getting healthy discounts too.

]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 12:03:22 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-echo-deals/ If you're in the market for a robot vacuum cleaner but have been putting it off because of price, then it may be time to ready your wallet. Amazon's Prime Day sale is happening right now, taking place until the end of 12 July with access to numerous bargains that includes some great deals on premium robot vacuum cleaners.

]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 11:31:20 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-robot-vacuum-deals/ Looking for a robot vacuum cleaner or robot mop to take some of the load off you? Look no further. iRobot has a great range of robot vacuum cleaners, many of which not only self-empty but they have some great designs too, so they look pretty good on display in your home. The company also does robot mops in the form of its Braava Jet series, and for those that want a two-in-one device, there's one of those in the portfolio too.

]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 11:11:19 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-irobot-roomba-deals/ 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, 12 Jul 2023 11:00:19 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-philips-hue-deals/ Whether you're looking for a Dyson cordless vacuum, haircare product, fan or air purifier, hunting down the best possible price can help save you some cash. Discounts and deals are offered by retailers in both the US and UK, particularly during sales holidays like Prime Day. While the discounts on Dyson devices aren't exactly free-flowing - as anybody who has had a Dyson product on their wish list will tell you - there are some deals to be had and a couple of them are great.

]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 10:20:20 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/best-prime-day-dyson-deals/ Amazon Prime Day is in full swing, and so is this deal on the Nest Thermostat, saving you $45 off MSRP. The best thing about this offer is that it beats the Google Store's own active discount by $5.

]]> Tue, 11 Jul 2023 17:34:53 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/google-nest-thermostat-prime-day-deal/ Amazon has been adding sensors to Echo devices for some time, expanding the range of capabilities that they offer and allowing them to serve functions above and beyond just playing music.

]]> Mon, 10 Jul 2023 20:26:09 GMT https://www.pocket-lint.com/which-amazon-echo-devices-feature-a-temperature-sensor/