Consumer Tech
Home robots, connected devices, automotive autonomy, and the AI products people actually use.
Latest Consumer Tech
Promptware Threatens Smart Homes
A single AI prompt can hijack your smart home. Promptware, or prompt injections, steer AI assistants and cloud services enough to alter how devices behave, reveal data, or slip past safety rails. Promptware describes prompt injections that push AI systems to follow hidden instructions. When attacker
iRobot's Roomba Electro Plus Is a Manual Floor Cleaner
iRobot just launched a floor cleaner you have to push. The Roomba Electro Plus marks a surprising pivot for a company known for autonomous robots. Priced at $399, it’s billed as a 5-in-1 hard-floor cleaner that vacuum, mop, and disinfect, but you’re the one doing the driving. In other words, it’s iR
Tiny bot flips switches to fight roaches
A tiny robot flips a switch to scare away roaches. The Verge’s hands on review introduces the SwitchBot Bot Rechargeable, a pocket-sized gadget priced at $33.99. The device sticks to a surface near a physical button with adhesive and uses a tiny robotic arm to press or pull the button on cue. In pra
Five devices keep my home cool without wrecking the wallet this summer
Five devices keep my home cool without wrecking the wallet this summer. The lineup spans basic smart cooling tools and a few more pragmatic gadgets, all chosen for a home that relies on window units rather than central air. The centerpiece in this editor’s test is the long-running LG Dual Inverter w
Schlage Sense Pro unlocks doors without a key
Your front door unlocks as you approach, no code or tap required. Schlage’s Sense Pro is the company’s boldest smart lock yet, pairing ultra wideband auto unlock with Matter over Thread and ditching the physical keyhole entirely. The Verge reviewer highlights it as a milestone for seamless entry, us
Home Assistant gains life with sound effects and USB upgrades
Home Assistant just got louder with new sound effects. The update turns routine automations into audible cues, letting you hear when a door opens or a routine completes without grabbing your phone. It’s a small touch, but it changes how users experience a smart home, adding an instant sense of “some
Google Home Adds Tap On Automations
One tap unlocks ready-to-use automations in Google Home. Google’s Home app just got a little easier to program. In version 4.20, the company rolled out pre-built automations you can switch on with a tap, a change the Digital Trends piece frames as a breakthrough for automation newbies who felt stuck
iRobot expands Roomba lineup with five new models
Five new Roombas land, and iRobot unveils its first non robotic floor cleaner. iRobot’s latest push marks its first major product expansion since the company was acquired by Picea last year, a signal that the new ownership is pushing hard on both robot vacuums and a broader floor cleaning strategy.
One solar powered smart lock finally solves the battery problem
Tom’s Guide recently tested two solar assisted smart locks that embed panels into the hardware so you don’t have to chase batteries or carry a key. The aim is simple: let the lock generate power and keep working even when you forget to swap cells or recharge. The Desloc V150 Plus and Lockin Veno Sol
Five odd automations Home Assistant users love
The lights flip on the moment I step into my home office. A How-To Geek piece dives into five weird Home Assistant automations that the author genuinely relies on every day, proving that DIY smart homes are not just about flashy gadgets but about practical, repeatable habits that simplify life. The
Shark CarpetXpert EX151 Tops Carpet Cleaners in July 2026 Snapshot
Shark CarpetXpert EX151 just snagged best overall and best value in Vacuum Wars' July 2026 carpet cleaner snapshot. Vacuum Wars says the EX151 earned top marks for a rare mix: powerful stain removal, strong extraction power, easy handling, and solid owner satisfaction, all while staying affordable i
Four smart home gadgets finally paid off
Four gadgets I once mocked now run my house, and the bill isn’t a joke. I spent years brushing off smart home features as gimmicks, then spent a year living with a quartet of devices I once considered stupid. The result isn’t a sci-fi dream, but a quiet daily convenience that reshaped my routines, f
Amazon slashes big deals on yard gear and power banks
Amazon has slashed prices on yard gear and power banks, cutting about $410 off a Worx 1/4 acre robot mower, slicing Anker SOLIX S2000 power station by roughly half, and pricing Autel’s Level 2 EV charger at $909. Electrek highlights three standout deals in one roundup, and the math reads like a cons
Matter set to make smart homes magical, says Espressif
A dozen gadgets suddenly understand each other, thanks to Matter. Espressif Systems, the semiconductor maker behind a wide range of low-cost IoT chips, is staking a bold claim for Matter: the standard could transform not just individual device control, but the entire smart-home experience by letting
Ecovacs Deebot Omni Shakes My Faith
I bought Ecovacs’ flagship bundle hoping for a flawless, set and forget companion that would steam through dust and pet hair without a second thought. The reality is a mix of high expectations and stubborn frictions. The T90 Pro Omni’s selling point is clear: a self contained dock that not only rech
Smart Home Savings: 5 Cheap Replacements That Work
Five budget smart devices can replace expensive gear, saving you hundreds. Building a smarter home doesn’t have to mean maxing out your credit card. A recent How-To Geek roundup argues you can swap pricey components for five budget-friendly devices that cover the same core functions. The premise is
Galaxy Watch NFC for smart homes locked by Samsung
Samsung's Galaxy Watch line packs plenty of capabilities, but one potential superpower remains mostly unused: NFC wrist taps to trigger smart-home actions. How-To Geek notes that the NFC feature on the Galaxy Watch 8 is largely out of bounds for smart home use, essentially locking away a convenience
Matic price jumps to $1,495 amid costs
A robot vacuum just got $250 more expensive. In September, Matic will raise the price of its robot vacuum by $250, moving from $1,245 to $1,495. The Verge reports that the company says the increase reflects rising costs for memory and other components, costs it claims have surged tenfold. The price
Briefing
Wall mounted dashboards finally won me over
Home Assistant reduces automation friction with update 2026.7
Three goofy Home Assistant stunts steal the show
Home Assistant Turns 3D Printing Into Remote Control
