8 great apps for working remotely
You can’t make it through the work day without using at least two work-focused apps on your phone or computer. Apps like these are especially crucial for remote workers, who can’t access many of the functions […]
How Alexa can save you grocery money
You can use Amazon Alexa to find deals on groceries— and even end up shopping less. After years of effort, Amazon is finally in the grocery game. There are now a number of ways to […]
Kitchen gadgets that make back-to-school meals a breeze
While children may feel sad about summer ending, parents usually feel stressed about back-to-school, and that includes meals. Dinner time can be chaos with parents returning from work, children coming from practice and after-school programs […]
How wireless charging will power your smartphone through thin air
Imagine being able to charge your smartphone without plugging it in. Imagine a world in which you can sit in a restaurant or wander through an airport while your smartphone charges automatically. No wall jacks, […]
7 things your smartphone can save you from buying
My phone is my personal assistant and my boredom companion. I mean, for how much it cost, it better be. Thank to all the apps out there, it’s also a master of all trades. Free […]
19 ways Alexa brings the doctor to you
Want to ask medical questions whenever you think of them? Alexa can oblige. There are lots of Alexa Skills that can provide health tips and other information. Some skills now even record health concerns, provide first […]
Traveling to Europe? Leave this tech at home
It can be hard to decide what to pack and what to leave behind. Being away from the United States is pretty fun — you get to take a break from greasy food and expensive […]
9 ways Amazon Alexa can help you in the kitchen
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 […]
Everything you need to know about Google Smart Displays
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 […]
How to make your air conditioning smart with apps and Alexa
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 […]
14 smart home devices to save you money
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 […]
The Google Home starter kit: 6 Google Assistant devices to kickstart your smart home
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 […]
Let Google Home help you sleep with these soothing ambient sounds
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 […]
How to make calls and send SMS text messages with your Google Home
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 […]
Review: Free app turns your phone into a telescope
Ever wonder what constellations the stars form at night? Curious how the ancient Greeks decided that there was a person beaming back from a couple of bright dots? Stargazing can be a relaxing and fun […]
How much does it cost to turn the average house into a smart home?
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 […]
6 smart light platforms for transforming your home
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 […]
How smart voice assistants will help make us trust autonomous cars
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 […]
Saturday Night Live writers pen new Alexa Skill
Amazon’s Alexa has a new tool designed to keep burglars away — perhaps with a few laughs. Away Mode is an Alexa Skill that’s designed to ward people away from your home by playing a […]
Cybersecurity warning for Android users playing Fortnite
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 […]
Smart home tech for millionaires: Top devices to buy when money is no object
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 […]
Google Pixel Watch rumors and leaks: Everything we know so far
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 […]
Amazon Alexa can now wake up with music. Here’s how
“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 […]
5 summer apps to keep you safe outdoors
Summertime is the perfect time to head outdoors. The extra long days provide ample opportunity to explore the woods, head to the beach or even train for an upcoming marathon. While these adventures are the […]
How to play music in several rooms at once with Amazon Alexa
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 […]
What ‘smart dust’ may mean for your home and health
Chips are meant to be thin and small — but rarely can they be sprayed from an aerosol can. Yet that’s exactly the size of new microscopic chemical sensors developed by researchers, who imagine they […]
Installing automated smart blinds in your home: 5 options to consider
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 […]
These 10 companies are racing to make the flying car a reality
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 […]
Alexa Drop In: How to turn your Amazon Echo speakers into a home intercom system
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. […]
Amazon Echo Spot, Dot & Show: Here’s how they stack up
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. […]