The Echo Show (2nd Gen) has some interesting features that compete very well with the Nest Hub Max and make it a solid fixture for your smart home. However, in comparison to Amazon’s other models (Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8), the new Echo Show (2nd Gen) has a larger 10.1″ screen, bigger sound,… Read More Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen) FAQ
Google announced a number of new products from New York City at 10 AM EST this morning. Google made announcements for the new Pixel 4, new Pixel Buds, Google’s commitment to responsible sustainability, the improved Google Assistant, the new Nest Mini, and the new Nest WiFi. Google wanted to ensure that they have done their… Read More MadebyGoogle 2019 – Nest Mini, Nest WiFi, Pixel 4, Pixel Buds, and Sustainability.
In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving – October 14, 2019. I hope you can take a moment to think of at least one thing you are thankful for, to celebrate it and carry on with a heart of thankfulness. Here at Automate Your Life, we wanted to say Thank YOU, the automation community. You may not… Read More Happy Thanksgiving from Automate Your Life
There is a multitude of ways to ensure your smart home is equipped with the best products in 2019. We’ll be taking a quick look at three products: SmartDry Laundry Wireless Laundry Sensor Aeotec Garage Door Controller (Gen5) SmartThings WiFi Plug or SmartThings WiFi Outlet SmartDry Wireless Laundry Sensor The SmartDry Wireless Laundry Sensor is… Read More Review of the Smart Dry Laundry Sensor, Aeotec Garage Door Controller, and SmartThings WiFi Plug
I had the opportunity to see the Ikea SYMFONISK: I was taking my kids to Ikea to eat some meatballs and fish and chips. They love it. Ok, I was going to eat at Ikea and I decided to take the kids along: It was fun: Both statements are true. As we were walking to… Read More Ikea SYMFONISK WiFi Table Lamp and Bookshelf Speaker
Google says that you can move your music and video streams between devices. Google Stream Transfer allows you to play music from one speaker, then ask “Ok, Google, move the music to the family room speaker.” I just gave it a try today, it’s pretty slick. In the meantime, Google has said that you can… Read More Move Music or Video to Other Devices with Google Stream Transfer
Google is set to announce the Pixel 4 and a number of new ‘Connected Home products on October 15, 2019. Stating that there will be a number of new products may not subside your insatiable expectations of Google. However, I think that we will see Google’s hard work pay off into some amazing ways to… Read More What New Products Are Coming From Google On October 15th!
Microsoft announced a number of new Surface products today including: the Surface Laptop 3; Surface Pro 7, Surface Earbuds, Surface ProX, the NEW dual screened Surface Neo, and a surprise to many, the dual screened communication device, the Surface Duo. Microsoft has found ways to ensure that you stay in ‘Flow’. That you are able… Read More Microsoft 2019 Surface Event announces the Surface Laptop 3, Surface Pro 7, Surface Pro X, Surface Earbuds, Surface Neo, Surface Duo
If you’re in the middle of deciding whether or not you should upgrade to the Google Nest Hub Max from the Google Nest Hub, or if you’re trying to decide which of these smart displays to put in your smart home, then this is the comparison review for you. We will walk you through the… Read More Google Nest Hub Vs The Nest Hub Max
You’ve probably already been reading about Amazon’s latest push for Smart Home Automation-Domination. Amazon announced a number of new devices on September 25. These new products definitely bring more intrigue to how many items Amazon can integrate into. It also brings up another point, about how the technology behind the devices, are improving too. Microsoft,… Read More Amazon is reading the Playbook
Amazon announced lots of products today at the Amazon Hardware Event. From the new Echo dot with a clock to a miniature Echo Flex. Amazon also released some new kitchen appliances such as the Amazon Smart Oven. It’s pretty interesting how Amazon found more ways to get Alexa into your everyday life. You’ll find most… Read More Amazon Devices Event 2019 Echo Show, Buds, Studio, Frames, Loop and more announced
Looks like we’re going to see some new hardware from Amazon on September 25, 2019. Seattle will be abuzz of invited tech geeks and journalists. There are rumors of updated Echo’s and how many devices they released last year. The FireTV Cube was announced at IFA. The Google Hub Max Smart Home Display may need… Read More New Hardware from Amazon, September 25
I installed the Aeotec Garage Door Controller in my house last month. The Garage Door Controller runs on Z-Wave, so I needed to have a hub with it. I used the Hubitat Elevation Hub to get it running online. I will share my installation experience here on automatelife.net. Why do I need a Smart Garage… Read More Aeotec Garage Door Controller (Gen5) Installation Experience
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) about the Google Nest Hub Max. The Nest Hub Max was released in a few countries already in September. Hoping that you’re already making the most out of your Google Nest Hub Max. Enjoy the Nest Hub Max FAQ: 5MP Nest Cam: 5MP Nest Cam into the device.… Read More Google Nest Hub Max FAQ
The Best Smart Home Gadgets Under $50! We are going to go through all the best smart home devices that have are under $50 USD. We’ll go through smart home hubs, smart speakers, lights, switches, entertainment platforms, smart plugs, smoke and CO detectors, smart garage door openers, smart sensors, and more. Let’s hear Brian talk… Read More The Best Smart Home Gadgets Under $50!
Google Nest WiFi will be announced on October 15, 2019. Google Nest WiFi will most likely have WiFi 6, operate using Thread, and have built-in Google Assistant. I have a the Google WiFi 3-pack arranged in my home. They have made using Wi-Fi seamless. I can go anywhere in the house; no dead-spots. It’s fantastic.… Read More Google Nest WiFi with WiFi 6, Thread, and Google Assistant
There were a ton of new products announced at the IFA 2019 conference in Berlin. We’ll name a few here at automatelife.net: Now you can have a home smoke detection device with an air quality monitor. Bosch has created the Twinguard. It competes with the Nest Protect smoke detection system. The Twinguard will integrate with… Read More New Smart Home Products from IFA 2019
Your Google Home, Google Assistant, and Google Nest products have all kinds of new updates and new features that are ready for you to use. Most of the news and new updates for your Google Home are available on Android only right now, as iOS has fallen a bit behind. The Google Home application has… Read More Google Nest, New Updates and Features For September 8, 2019
Tile and Google Assistant are working together to help you find your things. Competitors such as Amazon and Apple have hinted they are finding ways to track lost items as well. Tile has been finding ways to integrate themselves into certain devices. They announced in 2018 that Skullcandy Venue headphones will have Tile built-in to their device. Tile also released… Read More Tile with Google Assistant
Aeotec announced their 700 Z-Wave Series (Gen7) products. It looks like Aeotec is the first company to create products that supersede the Z-Wave Plus platform – the new Z-Wave Plus Version 2, defined by the Z-Wave Alliance. The 700 Z-Wave Series boasts some superior performance standards compared to the 500 Z-Wave and 300 Z-Wave series… Read More Aeotec 700 series Z-Wave Gen 7, Z-Wave Plus Version 2
Imagine walking into a room that knows who is in the room and knows what the person wants to do. Intellithings has released the new generation home automation product – RoomMe. The RoomMe Personal Location Sensor will detect the specific user entering the room, using their presence to activate their devices automatically, rather than on… Read More RoomMe – Personal Location Sensor – Released
There have been recent studies by the Annals of Internal Medicine regarding the use of air conditioning or fans for cooling. Whether you’re in Toronto or New York with high humidity or in low humidity areas such as Johannesburg, or Sydney, there is one aspect of living that is required for survival – Cooling. It… Read More Managing Temperature and Humidity with Home Automation
It’s time for back to school for some. For some it’s back to elementary. For others it’s Post-Secondary. It was time to pick up our kid’s school supplies at Staples- We actually pre-order our supplies and it comes packaged – everything the kids need. Pretty good deal eh? One slight problem – the school supplies… Read More Home Automation for Back to School – Commentary
I enjoy driving hands free – Look at me mom! hands still on the wheel 🙂. However, I can’t take this for granted; I want to make sure I have access to a reliable navigation tool and music/radio application, and still stay focused on the road. I’m able to use my dependable car app –… Read More Driving with Android Auto
Featured Photos and Google Photos If you have the Google Chromecast or the Lenovo Smart Display, you know you can have the Featured photos show as the background display. The default featured photos are pictures from well known photographers from all over the world. The Lenovo Smart Clock will also give you the opportunity to… Read More Lenovo Smart Clock – New Features
The Teckin SB50 has been on the market for some time now. Just type in ‘Smart Bulb’ in the Amazon product search and you’ll see Teckin’s SB50 as one of the featured ‘Amazon Choice’ results. However, there is a new competitor creating a buzz in the marketplace – The new Wyze Bulb. Let’s take a… Read More Smart Bulb Comparison: Teckin SB50 vs. Wyze Bulb
When we think about creating a healthier home for our kids, we don’t usually think of the air we breathe. In fact, Household Air Pollution is a surprising news for many. It’s a dangerous enemy people are unaware of. EPA even states that air quality inside the home can be 5x more dangerous than the… Read More Create a Healthy Home with uHoo – The Smartest Indoor Air Sensor
The 70mai Smart Dash Cam Pro – lots of features, great images, nice videos. I have been using the 70mai Smart Dash Cam Pro for the past few months. It was my first time using a dash cam in a vehicle. I mounted it to the window of my truck and let the camera run… Read More 70mai Smart Dash Cam Pro
Many of us have probably installed a number of home automation devices such as the Amazon Echo or Alexa enabled device already in the house. You’ve probably already benefited from the number of services that Amazon has provided in some way. The number of commands at your disposable could be endless – maybe that’s the… Read More Amazon Alexa Privacy Concerns
Do you know Alexa? Alexa is the friend with many benefits. Amazon devices are out in the marketplace en masse. The competition for the home automation market is fierce. Amazon is trying to gain ground by getting Amazon services integrated into your thermostat, your TV, your speakers, mobile devices for cheap… and if it’s not… Read More Amazon Echo Show and Echo Show 5 – Prime Required
Wyze recently updated their cameras a new Person Detection feature. This is a significant feature for Wyze. Most cameras in the market that provide this feature are expensive and require you pay a subscription service fee to ensure your videos are stored properly. Wyze cameras give you the opportunity to keep your videos local. Wyze… Read More Person Detection Update – Wyze Cam
Prime Day 2019 is RIGHT NOW! (July 15 and 16, 2019). It’s tough to know just what to buy, so we’re sharing the Top 10 things we’re currently wishing for. These products hit the mark for our smart home, and they should fit yours too. Please note that we sometimes make money when you click… Read More Our Amazon Prime Day 2019 Wishlist