The Rachio 3 is a brilliant smart irrigation controller, and the first multi-zone controller to sport HomeKit support. I take a look a real world usage and how HomeKit fits in.

Smart speakers add a lot of utility to the smart home, but there are always privacy considerations when you have an internet connected microphone in your home. What controls does Amazon provide?

HomeKit compatible lighting continues to grow, but these two products offer portability and the ability to add a unique ambience or any situation in or out of the home. 

By using a suitable integration solution we can tie our smart devices together to create a smart home. In this example we look at using external weather data from the WeatherFlow smart weather station to drive better automation with tado Smart AC Control.

Sensibo and Cielo smart AC controllers both provide a way to add smart control your dumb AC units. Learn about the pros and cons of each before buying.

Smart devices are increasingly using big data and machine learning to help us get the results we expect from their use. But without an understanding of how they work, are we exposing our personal lives to faceless reviewers? How does this technology work, and what does it mean for our smart homes?

App Developer Sunya Limited addresses the question of Bluetooth troubleshooting by providing a handy Bluetooth scanner app called HomeScan. HomeScan is designed to quickly and easily identify your bluetooth devices, and provide a portable and data driven means of determining signal issues.

Consumer interest is ramping up in smart home devices in general, and we’re starting to see more options for control of non-ducted air conditioners and heat pumps. We take a look at the three models in the Cielo Breez range of smart AC controllers.

Home weather instruments have long been the province of weather buffs, with various levels of tracking and trending the usual weather data points simply out of interest. For smart home enthusiasts, the availability of external environmental data offers a great deal of practical use.

As your smart home gains devices management of those devices can become somewhat cumbersome without the assistance of logical hierarchies and other organisational tools. These tools vary with the platform and app of your choice, but in the case of Apple’s HomeKit there are a couple of useful features in this area that are overlooked by many users.

Amazon’s Alexa has some limitations when it comes to managing your smart devices in the app, but by using the Groups feature you can simplify your device naming, and organize your gadgets much more easily.

Motions sensors are essential for any smart home as they provide useful triggers for automations. Compare Eve and Hue options in this deep dive review.

A UK based survey of home router owners provides an eye-watering view of general user ignorance and lack of awareness of basic security requirements. 

Ring has had a pretty good reputation for security, employing best practices for encryption and firmware management, but the existence of this antuentication issue is a head scratcher.

Canary’s Flex indoor/outdoor security camera may not be new, but still offers some capabilities that are lacking from the competition. It’s worth taking a look at how things stack up before deciding on a home smart camera solution.

Do you have an established Z-Wave smart home. Wish you could use those fancy digital assistants to tell your stuff what to do? Well, this may be what you've been looking for.