we will have a look and some tricky new smart door locks an AI pillow!!! ( tinfoil hat wearers will be quaking in their boots!!) and an awesome ceiling light that doubles as a projector

Enough of the intro lets check some of the best new smart home tech of 2024

We love smart home tech right? i would literally have an app to control my entire house if i could and i probably could if i had enough money.

Roomba Combo® j9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop

Now I know this is a robot hoover and its not really smart home but if you have a house and it needs hoovering so whats smarter than getting a robot to hoover an mop it?

This J9 Hoover and mop is the top of the tree when it comes to smart robot floor cleaners, not only can it hoover your house when you’re out it can mop your hard floors and self empty!!! How cool is that? For a detailed look at robot floor cleaners check my post here

Motion A.I powered pillow!!!

Yes you read it right. this is an A.I powered pillow, don’t worry it wont kill you in your sleep i promise you!

An AI-powered pillow might sound like tech overstepping the mark, but bear with us – what if we said it might stop you or your partner from snoring? That’s the pitch behind the Motion Pillow

This inflatable pillow (don’t worry, it’s made of memory foam, like many of todays best pillows is joined by a Motion System Unit, which identifies snoring sounds and will slowly inflate the offending person’s pillow. This gently turns their head to the side, opening their airways to create some peace.

It won an award at CES2024 too

The companion app also handily gives you insights into your sleep as well as letting you adjust settings just like the sleep app on your apple watch

How does it work?:

If it identifies the sound as definitely a snore, the pillow itself is activated. It will slowly inflate, causing the sleeper’s head to turn to the side – a sleep position that opens the airways and is much less likely to induce snoring. The inflation process is designed to be quiet and gentle, to cause as little disruption as possible, and you can adjust the height to which the pillow inflates to suit the sleeper’s build. 

The whole thing is operated via a companion app (available for Apple and Android). As well as using it to adjust settings, the app will also provide you with data around how long you were snoring for and how often the pillow had to intervene to keep you quiet. And if you want an insight into your partner’s experience of spending the night with you, it’ll even play back a recording of your snoring sounds for you, which might cause problems but hey ho

Lockly Visage Facial Recognition Smart Lock

Ok we’ve all lost our keys at some point, need a solution for that? here you go the Lockly Visage Facial Recognition Smart Lock will recognise your face and unlock your door for you.

First thing I thought of when I saw this was, what happens if you’ve got a twin who you hate? What happens if you get your head kicked in on a night out and finally what happens if you go in for some plastic surgery but I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s thought of these things!! The Lockly Visage Facial Recognition Smart Lock is available now at about £350

Ring Always Home Cam

How Resident evil is this? The Ring Always Home Cam actually patrols your house in a customised flight path recording and or stream the footage. Features include:

• A new kind of camera – The Ring Always Home Cam is a first-of-its-kind flying indoor security camera for your home that flies along custom flight paths so you can see what’s happening around your home no matter where you are.
• Get better perspectives – See what’s going on in 1440×1440 HD video, with a built-in LED that automatically lights up the path when recording at night or in dim environments.
• Look in anytime – Left a window open or the stove on? Create custom flight paths ahead of time so you can manually check in with the Ring App from anywhere.
• Security when it’s triggered – If your Ring Alarm contact sensors or motion detectors are triggered, Always Home Cam will automatically fly to see what’s happening.
• For your privacy – Always Home Cam’s camera never records when the device is docked and only records during trained flight paths.

First reports are saying the noise of the drone is actually quite loud but the only way I can see this being a problem is if it spooks your dog out which depending on the temperament of your dog could be an issue

Think this is only available in Usa right now. Check the ring website for more details and pricing https://ring.com/always-home-cam-flying-camera

Kohler Smart Shower System:

This is the newest smart home tech for showering, features a ton of different customisable settings to provide you with the ultimate shower experience:

• Digital control with easy-to-read configurable colour touch screen
• Can control shower outlets, audio output, chromatherapy, steam and lighting
• Ability to upgrade to the KOHLER Konnect® platform for voice-enabled control of the showering system​​ ​​
• Can control one or two digital valves to provide two different shower temperatures
• Six user-definable presets for saving your favorite settings
• Integrated preprogrammed temperature and hydrotherapy programs for spa-like showering experiences
• System warm-up and pause feature
• Up to three interfaces can be connected to each system.

Philips Hue Sync Box Kit 2

into gaming or movie nights? then the Philips Hue Sync Box Kit 2 is your next purchase, you plug the smart box into your telly and the smart box syncs the light strip with the audio transmitted from your source which will give your gaming experience a new cool, although at £300 it seems a bit pricey when my under-cabinet led strip also syncs with audio it that certainly wasn’t £300!! but Hue has always been on the top end of smart lights.

The RCA Automatic Cat and Dog Feeder

No list of Best New Smart Home Tech would be complete without a device that makes our lives easier when we forget to do something, now you can set up a schedule for the RCA pet feeder to serve dry food to your pet at a pre-determined time or by the touch of a button via the app ( we love companion apps don’t we?) It also boasts a 1080p wifi enabled camera so you can see your pooch or moggy whilst they have their lunch. All we need now is something to clean up the poop from the garden!!!

This Concludes our Best New Smart Home Tech list

There is some pretty cool tech coming out this year, I really want the patrolling CCTV drone from ring, i think smarter home security could be a game changer in the next couple of years, would i buy a walking A.I powered robot walk the floor of my house? If it stops my house from getting robbed then my answer is Hell YEAH

The post Best New Smart Home Tech For 2024 appeared first on toptech7.com.

Do you trust Smart Locks? And what are they?

A smart lock is a replacement lock usually for your main access door they usually doesn’t require a key to gain entry to your house. They use the lock manufactures app and will use your phone’s N.F.C (near field communication) software to open the lock or you can type in a code.

This all sounds great, you know the deal, it’s pouring with rain, you have your hands full of shopping and you can’t find or grab your keys, just wave your phone in front of your door and you’re in! (or tap in a code!!) I’m sure you have questions , so let’s look at the main points.

Are They Safe Enough?

In short, yes, they can’t be ‘hacked’ as you might think, the only way of accessing your house is with the app, password or most locks have a manual, physical over-ride key. You can create different access codes for different people so you can see who’s coming or going, for example, you might give a access code to your neighbour whilst you’re on holiday to come in and water your plants.

Surely They Can Be Hacked

Not the locks themself. The only other way would be if someone would be able to gain access to your Wifi password but the chances of your average bally’ed up house robbed will not have the skill to crack a hexidecimal wpa2 wifi password I can imagine is pretty thin.

One thing that you do have think about is, if you buy one with a physical keypad, make sure you clean the button every week because the grease off your finger will make it obvious what numbers are used in your code.

There has been issues over certain bluetooth devices having a certain vulnerability, check that here But for extra peace of mind I’d follow these tips:

• Only buy a good quality lock from a well know manufacturer, like Yale, Schlang or August.
• Keep the firmware upto date and do any app updates as soon as they come out. for tips on securing your smart home tech check my post here
• Pick a monster password.

Ok, whats the good points. ❤️

• You don’t need to carry ( or worry about losing) you key when you leave the house.
• You can connect your lock to a smart hub or digital assistant so it can announcement. some one at your door or if they have a code Alexa can tell you who’s just walked in your house.
• Give out access codes to people you trust like dog walkers or family members, you can get notified when you they come in or out and you can pull access rights at any time and set times for certain people to come in.

And The Bad Points 🤬

• If you don’t have one with a over ride key and the power goes.. you’re screwed. If you lose your phone or the battery dies…you’re screwed. Internet down?…you’re screwed.
• You have to change the batterys.
• Looks, they’re not the nicest looking locks, they tend to make your door look like it’s off star trek.
• Might take some getting used to if some of your family aren’t as tech savy as yourself, you might here them say ‘It’s witchcraft” or ‘Whats wrong with a yale key’

How Much Are They?

Here could be the deal breaker, if you buy cheap are they more likely to let you down, I’d say so, cheap tech can ruin your whole day so beware. I wouldn’t buy a cheap one just to say i had one. So expect to pay anything from £90 for a simple one to well over £300 for a biometric one with key over-ride. Which is a considerable amount more that an insurance backed 5 level deadlock for about £50, but this is a gadget blog isn’t it and no-one said this obsession we share was gonna be cheap!

So Do We Run Out and Get One?

I’d consider everything we’ve said above and see if that fits, don’t not get one because you thing any 14 year geek with a laptop if gonna wonder in and out of your house, chances of that happening are pretty thin.

What I would say is, what are you gonna do if your internet or power go down? if that s the case make sure you get one with a key override, but then are you defeated one of the advantages of the thing in the first place…not carrying a door key. Maybe hide a lockable key box for that emergency.

Do you like the look of it? does it make your front door look like an office block?

Or at the end of the day so obsessed with tech that this is the last piece in your smart home jigsaw? And who carries keys about apart from a jailer right?

The post How Much Do You Trust Smart Locks In 2023? appeared first on toptech7.com.

Not to worry my tech hungry readers, we will keep you safe ( as much as we can !) and keep your ever expanding collection on smart wifi connected gear. For an explanation on smart devices check my post here

Smart home devices are vulnerable to cyber attacks, but there are steps you can take to secure them. Heres how to secure your smart home devices in 2023

Protect your router

Use a power surge protector,

it goes without saying if your router gets hit by a power surge it will get fried, and then ALL of your smart devices are useless. Power surges are unpredictable and they happen more than you think, ever had a circuit breaker just trip for no reason and doesn’t happen again? chance are that was a power surge but luckily your rcd kicked in and protected your gear.

Change Your routers SSid

If you leave your routers ssid as it came out the box it lets hacker know what type of router you have and potentially indicates you haven’t changed the user admin settings or password. This doesn’t have to be some military type code but remove the name whatever you do, and please don’t put your address in the ssid!!!! Also turn off remote management, it’s just another open door

Change Your Wifi Password

The default password (and ssid) will be on a sticker on the back of your new router or on the box it came in, you need to change this before you connect 1 single device to your home network. Use something long, mixed and complicated, It could be your date of birth with your dogs name with every other letter being a capital then the code on your gym padlock make sure you’re the only one who knows it. Use a mixture of caps, numbers and symbols of at least 16 digits in length but ultimately, unguessable.

Use Strong Passwords:

Use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts and devices. Avoid using default passwords, and consider using a password manager to help you remember them.

Keep Your Devices Up to Date:

Make sure your devices are running the latest version of their software and enable automatic updates. Outdated software has vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. It burns my head out when i see someones iphone and on the appstore icon theres like 34 apps that need updating!! For a great post on how to set up your smart home check my how to post here

Use Security Software:

Use a Firewall:

Install a firewall on your computer and enable it to protect your device from unauthorised access and brute force attacks.

Use Antivirus Software:

Install antivirus software on your computer and keep it up to date to protect your device from malware and other cyber threats, run regular scans or set the software to scan itself.

Install separate anti-spyware/Malware software

specialist anti spy/malware run deeper more focussed scans than regular anti virus.

Change Default Usernames and Passwords:

Change the default usernames and passwords on your devices to something unique and difficult to guess. If at all possible, try and use different passwords for every device, i know this is hard but you can use a password manager, if you’re super paranoid, write them on a piece of paper and stick it in your locked underwear drawer!!

Stick with Protected Devices Only:

Only buy smart home devices from reputable manufacturers that prioritise security. I’m going to get in trouble with this, but my job here to keep you informed and safe. But please, please, please don’t buy internet connected smart devices from places like wish or alibaba. I love alibaba, i use it for my amazon fba business, but unless youv’e heard of the smart tech manufacturer id stay well clear. if a massive firm like hikivision ( who make cctv) can get accused of security issues, then a company selling a £5 home assistant certainly can

Set Up a Guest Wi-Fi Network:

Set up a guest Wi-Fi network for visitors to use, separate from your smart home network. This can be found in your routers settings. Im not saying your visitors are all members of an underground hacking gang, but hey you never know!!

By following these tips, you can help protect your smart home devices from cyber attacks and keep your personal information safe. Smart home tech isn’t going away check my post on the stats here

The post How To Secure Your Smart Home Devices in 2023 appeared first on toptech7.com.

What is Smart Tech? A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding the Future of Technology

In today’s rapidly advancing world, you’ve probably heard the term “smart tech” thrown around quite a bit. I have made the mistake in my blog of assuming everyone who reads his knows exactly what i’m talking about!!! I spoke to my father in law about the geofence in my smart thermostat and he looked at me like i’d just fallen out the sky!! From smart TVs to smart thermostats, it seems like everything is getting a dose of intelligence. But if you’re scratching your head wondering what all the buzz is about, fear not! This beginner’s guide will walk you through the world of smart tech, breaking down the basics and helping you understand how it’s shaping our lives. For help on securing your smart home, check my post on smart home security here

Understanding the Basics

At its core, smart tech refers to devices, appliances, and systems that utilize cutting-edge technology to make our lives more convenient, efficient, and connected. These devices are designed to gather and analyze data, often via sensors and internet connectivity, to automate tasks, provide insights, and improve user experiences. Most new gadgets today employ some kind of smart tech even in it’s most basic form. Got an iphone? siri is smart tech! got a window laptop? Bing is smart tech. This is not tech to fear, if you can learn the basics you can be it’s master!! Also for the eco-friemdly of you, check out my post on the 7 best eco-friendly gadgets in 2023 here

Key Features of Smart Tech

1. Connectivity: One of the defining features of smart tech is its ability to connect to the internet and communicate with other devices. This connectivity allows devices to send and receive information, enabling them to be controlled remotely.
2. Sensors: Smart devices are equipped with various sensors that can detect changes in their environment. These sensors gather data, such as temperature, light, motion, and more, which the device uses to make informed decisions.
3. Automation: Smart tech is all about automation. Devices can be programmed to perform certain tasks without manual intervention. For instance, a smart thermostat can learn your preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly, saving energy and optimizing comfort. Smart Automation is built to benefit you by saving you time and prevent you from forgetting things, eg turning off the heating or lights.
4. Data Analysis: The data collected by smart devices is often processed and analyzed to provide insights or improve functionality. For example, fitness trackers analyze your physical activity to offer personalized health recommendations.

Common Examples of Smart Tech

1. Smart Home Devices: These include smart thermostats which know when you have left the house so it can either tunr down your heating or switch it off, then when you arrive inside a preset distance from your house (known as a geofence) will switch on your heating so you’re house is nice and warm when you get back. smart lights that can be set to switch on and off when you’re on holiday, smart locks, and even smart appliances like refrigerators (some new ones even have webcams in them so you can look in the fridge when you’re in the supermarket to see if you’ve got any milk left!) and washing machines. They can be controlled remotely through smartphone apps or voice commands, and many can learn from your habits to optimize their performance.
2. Wearable Tech: Fitness trackers, smartwatches, and health monitors fall into this category. They track your physical activity, heart rate, sleep patterns, and more, helping you make healthier choices.
3. Voice Assistants: Devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home respond to voice commands to perform tasks, answer questions, and control other smart devices in your home. Think everything you can type into your laptop or phone to ask a question, you can just ask your smart assistant and it can tell you!!
4. Smart TVs: These televisions connect to the internet, allowing you to stream content from various platforms and access a range of apps. Check my buyers guide for uhd tv’s here
5. Smart Cars: Modern vehicles often come equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems, GPS navigation, and connectivity features that enhance safety and convenience or even tell you if you have forget to lock your car and give you the option to lock it using the app.
6. Smart Secruity: Theres smart doorbells that can tell you through an app when some at your door or even walking up your drive and they give you the option to talk to your visitor, check my buyers guide for smart doorbells here

Benefits and Considerations

While smart tech offers numerous benefits, such as increased convenience and energy efficiency, there are also considerations to keep in mind. Privacy and security are important factors, as data collection and connectivity can expose vulnerabilities if not properly managed. It’s essential to choose reputable brands and devices with robust security features.

Do I Need It?

Smart tech is changing the way we interact with the world around us. From managing our homes to tracking our health, these intelligent devices are becoming an integral part of our daily lives. By understanding the basics and considering the benefits and potential challenges, you can make informed decisions about incorporating smart tech into your lifestyle. Embrace the future of technology and enjoy the convenience and connectivity it brings! As a tech writer and addict I’d say yes of course you do, would i be able to live my life without it? of course but is my life easier now i know how to control my tech ? 100% it is.

How Many Devices Connected?

You might want to considered upgrading your home network, and the one piece of tech that is super hot right now is Mesh Wifi By netgear. But what is it?

Read my post about it here

The post What is Smart Tech? A Simple Guide appeared first on toptech7.com.

Navigating Your Way: The Ultimate Smart Video Doorbell Buyer’s Guide

In the age of interconnected homes and seamless tech integration, the humble doorbell has evolved into a sophisticated gateway to safety and convenience. If you’re on the hunt for a smart video doorbell that combines security with cutting-edge technology, you’ve arrived at the right place. Welcome to our comprehensive Smart Video Doorbell Buyer’s Guide, where we’ll walk you through the essential features, considerations, and top contenders in the realm of smart doorbell solutions. Whether you’re seeking advanced security measures, real-time notifications, or the ability to greet your guests from anywhere, this guide is your compass in the world of intelligent doorbell systems. Join us as we unravel the choices, demystify the tech jargon, and empower you to make an informed decision that perfectly suits your needs.

Heres What you need to think about when buying your new video doorbell

Video Quality:

Video quality is a crucial aspect to consider when purchasing a smart doorbell. Look for doorbells that offer high-resolution video, preferably Full HD (1080p) or even 4K resolution. A higher video quality ensures clear and detailed footage of visitors and any events at your doorstep.

Field of View (FOV):

The field of view refers to the extent of the scene captured by the smart doorbell’s camera. A wider FOV allows for a broader perspective, ensuring more coverage of your doorstep area. Look for doorbells with a wide-angle lens and a FOV of at least 120 degrees to minimize blind spots.

Two-Way Audio:

Two-way audio capability enables communication between you and the person at your doorstep. This feature allows you to have real-time conversations with visitors or delivery personnel even when you’re not at home. Look for smart doorbells with clear and reliable two-way audio functionality.

 Motion Detection and Alerts:

Motion detection is an important feature that alerts you when someone approaches your doorstep. Look for smart doorbells with customizable motion detection settings, allowing you to adjust sensitivity levels and define specific areas for motion detection. Ensure that the doorbell provides timely notifications to your smartphone or other connected devices.

 Night Vision:

Consider the night vision capabilities of the smart doorbell. This feature allows you to see clearly even in low-light or nighttime conditions. Look for doorbells with infrared (IR) or other advanced night vision technologies to ensure visibility during all hours of the day.

 Video Storage Options:

Evaluate the video storage options provided by the smart doorbell. Some doorbells offer local storage through a built-in memory card or provide cloud storage services. Consider your preferences and requirements for storing recorded video footage.

Cloud storage offers the advantage of remote access and backup, while local storage provides more control over your data.Also remember most of the new systems are now charging for storage and alerts so bear this in mind when making your decision. I personally pay £3 a month for the ring storage plan. If you dont sub to that, then youll still get the alerts and you can see who’s at your door etc, but if someone decides to remove your prized garden Knome, it wont store that!!

Connectivity and Compatibility:

Check the connectivity options and compatibility of the smart doorbell. Most doorbells connect to your home Wi-Fi network for real-time video streaming and notifications. Ensure that the doorbell is compatible with your smartphone or other devices, including the operating system (iOS or Android).

 Integration with Smart Home Systems:

If you have a smart home setup, consider a smart doorbell that integrates seamlessly with your existing smart home ecosystem. Especially if you’re like me and need everything to ‘talk’ to each other!! Look for compatibility with popular smart home platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit. Integration allows you to control the doorbell using voice commands or through a centralized smart home app.

 Power Options and Installation:

Evaluate the power options and installation requirements of the smart doorbell. Some doorbells are battery-powered, offering easy installation without the need for wiring. Others require hardwiring to an existing doorbell system or a power source. Choose the option that best suits your preferences and the availability of power sources near your door.

Design and Durability:

Consider the design and durability of the smart doorbell, as it will be a prominent fixture on your doorstep. Look for doorbells that match your home’s aesthetic and are built to withstand outdoor conditions, including weather resistance and durability against tampering or vandalism.

 Brand Reputation and Warranty:

Research the reputation of the smart doorbell manufacturer and consider customer reviews. Established brands with a track record of producing reliable smart home products are generally

 a safer choice. Additionally, check the warranty provided with the doorbell to ensure adequate support and coverage in case of any malfunctions or defects.

 Price:

Set a budget based on your requirements and desired features. Smart doorbells are available at various price points, depending on the video quality, features, and integration options. Determine the features that are most important to you and find a balance between quality and price. You’re going to pay anything between £59 (if you catch the offer) to over £200 so do your research into what you really want it. Security? you need a durable good quality image just for convenience and checking what the neighbours are getting delivered? maybe not spend that much.

Conclusion:

Finding the perfect smart doorbell involves considering factors such as video quality, field of view, two-way audio, motion detection, night vision, video storage options, connectivity, compatibility, power options, design, brand reputation, and price. By evaluating these aspects and prioritizing your specific needs, you can select a smart doorbell that enhances your home security and provides convenient features for monitoring your doorstep. Research thoroughly, read reviews, and compare different models to find the smart doorbell that best suits your requirements. 

Confused about smart tech? check my simple guide here 

The post What to Look for When Buying a Smart Doorbell appeared first on toptech7.com.