It is easy to say that technology is bad for your sleep. With their latest mobile software, Apple and Google both incorporate features that reduce the emission of sleep-preventing blue light, help keep you from […]
Earlier this month, Apple released its new tvOS 12 software for the Apple TV set-top box. With this new software installed, the Apple TV 4K becomes the first media streaming device to offer both Dolby […]
Northeastern University in Boston has developed an Alexa skill that can help students keep track of everything from the time to tests. The university decided to give each student an Amazon Echo Dot after successfully piloting the […]
As the dust from another iPhone launch event settles, Apple’s own wireless charger, the AirPower, is still nowhere to be seen. In fact, the device is less prevalent on Apple’s website now than before the […]
Indoor air quality is important, but until recently, it was difficult to know how many contaminants like dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), were in your home’s air — and there was no way to automate a […]
Far be it from us to wish away the summer and start talking about autumn, but if you suffer from fall allergies, you may find it difficult to think of anything else. Not to worry — […]
Between playing music, reading the news, sounding morning alarms and playing games, the Amazon Echo smart speaker and its Alexa assistant can be useful all over the house. The kitchen, though, is arguably where Alexa […]
The battle between Amazon and Google for control of your smart home is about to kick up a notch — Google is preparing to sell Smart Displays. These devices give the Google Assistant a screen and will […]
Summer may be winding down, but it’s not over just yet. At GearBrain, our attention is still focused on keeping the smart home cool and comfortable. Air conditioning units have existed for years, and even […]
As fun as it is to switch lights on with your voice, activate your robotic vacuum cleaner and talk to the postman through a video doorbell, smart home technology offers more benefits than just everyday […]
If you’ve recently bought a Google Home smart speaker — or the Home Mini or Home Max, for that matter — then you probably know how useful and entertaining these devices can be. The Google […]
It’s all about the trickle-down effect. A glance at the prices of electric cars will quickly tell you something — they are all expensive. The latest vehicle to raise eyebrows is the Audi e-tron, an SUV and […]
At GearBrain we have have already talked about how Alexa and other smart home gadgets like Philips Hue lights can be used to wake you up gradually each morning. Now, Google Assistant on the Google […]
This is your complete guide to making phone calls and sending text messages on your Google Home smart speaker, by talking to the Google Assistant. Making calls is easy, so that’s where we’ll start, but […]
Most people’s idea of a smart home is adding a device that can control lights, plugs and door locks. But what if you wanted to make your entire home smarter? We’re talking about replacing every regular […]
Along with smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google Home, a common first step into the smart home world is lighting. These LED bulbs connect to your Wi-Fi network (either directly or via a […]
Autonomous driving, attractive software and assistants like Alexa are rewriting the rules of how we drive. A decade ago, if an automotive engineer talked about a car’s ‘human-machine interface’, they would likely have been laughed […]
Cybersecurity expert Graham Cluley has raised concerns about how Epic Games, developer of the hit game Fortnite, requires Android owners to disable a key security setting before being able to download it. Fortnite is already […]
Building a smart home from scratch might sound like a daunting and expensive process to undertake, but since smart speakers from Amazon and Google came onto the scene, it doesn’t have to be that way. […]
At GearBrain we have already covered how to build a smart home for various budgets – from as little as $100, up to the $1,000 range, and beyond to the circa $13,600 we estimate you […]
The company is tipped to release its first own-brand smartwatch later this year. Unless you are completely clued-up on the ins and outs of the smartwatch industry, the fact that Google is yet to produce […]
“Alexa, wake me up before you go-go.” Amazon Alexa can add an alarm clock to her list of tricks, able to wake people up with music thanks to a new skill. Apart from the Fire […]
As we explained in our recent Alexa guide, there are several reasons why two Amazon Echo smart speakers are better than one. For this feature, we will look at “Multi-Room Music.” Added to the Alexa […]
It’s one thing to have your lights, music, and television switch on with voice commands or the tap of a smartphone app, but to give your home a truly futuristic vibe you need motorized window […]
Not long ago, the idea of traveling by flying car was pure science fiction. The Jetsons made the concept famous, but turning such a machine into reality seemed like a step too far. How should […]
You probably know how Amazon Echo’s microphone and speakers communicate with Alexa, the virtual assistant. But that same hardware — and the Echo’s always-on internet connection — can also create a simple home intercom service. […]
On Dec. 19, the latest member of the Amazon Echo smart speaker range goes on sale. Called the Echo Spot, the device has a circular 2.5-inch display and access to the company’s Alexa personal assistant. […]
Google is about to make your smart home even more intelligent, with a whole range of updates set to hit Assistant, Android phones, and Google Home over the coming months. Revealed at the company’s massive […]
As you will surely know by now, the Google Home and Home Mini smart speakers can do much more than play music, look up things on the internet, and tell jokes. In fact, the Google […]
As fun as smart home technology can be, there is a more serious side: Security systems. These can start off as simple as a single camera in your hallway that’s focused on the door and […]