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Philips' latest Hue kit gives you wireless light dimming
Dimmable lights can add an air of sophistication to your abode, but setting them up? Not fun -- not unless you enjoy messing with home wiring or paying a lot of money. Philips might have a better way, though. It's trotting out a wireless dimming kit that turns any white Hue bulb (one is included in the box) into a dimmable light. The only real challenge is finding a place to mount the holder for the battery-powered remote switch. After that, you can dim as many as 10 bulbs at once just by clicking buttons. The kit will cost you $40 when it arrives in North America this September. That's not a trivial outlay, but it's inexpensive enough that you may be tempted to skip plug-in dimming kits or in-wall installations.
Amazon's Echo speaker can control your Wink-powered smart home
If you've filled up your home with Wink-based lighting and similar smart appliances, you're about to get an easy (and official) way to manage it all with your voice. As of now, you can tell Amazon's Echo speaker to control Wink devices -- so long as they're paired, you only have to ask Alexa to "turn on the light" or "turn off the fan." Range limits will likely prevent you from using Echo's new trick around the whole house (you won't be putting on backyard light shows, for example), but this could still save you some hassles when you just want to relax after a hard day.
Nest's smart thermostat will warn if your pipes are going to freeze
Nest didn't just show off its first self-branded home monitoring camera and a revamped smoke detector at its big event. The home automation firm also gave its Learning Thermostat an update that, if you like, will warn you if the temperature falls outside of a preferred range. You'll know if it gets so cold that the pipes are likely to freeze, or if it's scorching enough that your pet will pass out. The climate controller also works in closer harmony with the Protect. It'll show carbon dioxide and smoke alarms that you might otherwise miss, and can shut off your air conditioning or heating to prevent smoke from spreading. It'll take about two weeks for Nest to push the thermostat upgrade to your home, but you can grab the necessary mobile app revamp (which unifies control for Nest's devices) as of today.
Dyson built a lamp that burns for 37 years thanks to satellite tech
Dyson has put its know-how to use improving vacuums, fans and more. Looking to tackle lighting woes, the British company built the CSYS line of lamps that'll burn bright for 37 years. Using Heat Pipe technology, the lamp uses a system similar to what's found on satellites to keep eight LEDs cool and prolongs their life. The heat is pulled away from the bulbs and directed through an aluminum heat sink that spans the length of the lamp's shaft. Each of those LEDs sits in a conical reflector to cut down on glare and added eye strain.
Nest's first home camera will look familiar, but its app won't
If you've been wondering what kind of home monitoring camera Nest would make after buying Dropcam... well, don't expect a revolution. Droid-Life has posted leaked details revealing that the companies' first joint product, nicknamed the Nest Cam, looks similar to earlier Dropcam models. The biggest hardware changes should be 1080p video streaming and simpler pairing through Bluetooth. This last part might have been confirmed in a recent FCC filing.
Mercedes-Benz takes on Tesla with a home battery of its own
Guess what, Tesla: you're not the only car maker getting into the home battery game. Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a personal energy cell that, like Tesla's Powerwall, uses giant batteries to store surplus power from your home's solar panels and keep you off the conventional energy grid. The German firm is taking a more modular approach than its American counterpart, though. Each pack only holds 2.5kWh of electricity, but you can combine up to eight of them to hold 20kWh, or twice as much as a Powerwall. That potentially suits it to certain businesses, not just your own abode. Whatever you think of Mercedes' pack, it may be your best hope of getting some clean energy storage in the near future. With Tesla's unit already sold out through mid-2016, you may have little choice but to register for the Mercedes equivalent and wait until it ships in September.
This superheated knife toasts bread as you cut it
Tired of having to slice up your fresh bread before you drop it in the toaster? Colin Furze feels your pain. The homebrew inventor just built a toasting knife that -- you guessed it -- toasts whatever you're cutting. It ultimately amounts to a modified microwave transformer sending loads of heat to a blade, but it singes your soon-to-be meal about as well as you'd hope. You can even use it to melt butter as you spread it, like a kind of culinary steamroller. Is this practical for your kitchen? Probably not, but there's no denying that it'd be convenient for those hectic mornings when every second of breakfast-making counts.
All of Logitech's hub-based Harmony remotes now control your home
You no longer have to be quite so picky about which of Logitech's Harmony remotes you use to control your smart home. The company is trotting out an update this month that gives the Harmony Ultimate Hub the same home automation support as the Home Hub. Once you've upgraded, you can use the Harmony Ultimate, Smart Control or Smart Keyboard to flick on the lights or change the temperature without leaving the couch. You'll need to own all those connected devices for this software to make a difference -- it's not a free update in the strictest sense, then -- but it's nice to know that your home theater remote is suddenly that much more powerful.
ADT partners with LG and Nest to pair home automation with security
ADT already dipped its toe in the home automation waters, but the company plans to make an even bigger splash in the months to come. It announced today that it'll leverage tech from LG and Nest to add to its connected home tool set. First, ADT and LG are working on a so-called all-in-one "Smart Security" device (pictured above) that'll offer not only video monitoring, but it will act as a hub for connecting other gadgets as well. As you might expect, this means you'll be able to control the whole lot from ADT's app; however, the device isn't schedule to launch until this fall.
Genie transforms food pods into meals in 30 seconds
If you've seen an episode of Star Trek, you're likely familiar with the Replicator device on board the USS Enterprise that synthesized meals and beverages on demand. Well, a company in Israel created the modern-day equivalent to that appliance with Genie. The counter-top gadget uses food pods to create the recipe you desire, and claims it's like having a personal chef around all the time. What's more, it does the cooking in under a minute. The company doesn't disclose the "patented technology" that makes this possible, but once a food pod is chosen and placed inside the Genie, 30 seconds is all the device needs to create "a freshly baked dish."
Logitech remotes can turn down Hue lights before movie night
Logitech's Harmony remote just got considerably more useful when you're setting the mood for a movie. A recent hub firmware update (available through the Android and iOS apps) for its Smart Control and Ultimate remotes lets you adjust Philips' Hue lights at the start or end of an activity. You can set a colorful backdrop before kicking off a house party, for instance. Frankly, this makes Logitech's Hue integration considerably more useful -- you can now light up a dark room and turn on your TV before you even reach the couch.
Keurig revives refillable K-Cups following disappointing sales
Following its first disappointing holiday sales numbers since its coffee machines hit shelves, Keurig will bring back refillable K-Cups. So far, the Keurig 2.0 machines haven't taken off like the company thought they would, partially because new brewers don't allow users to add their own beans with a so-called My K-Cup filter. The machine -- capable of brewing more than one cup at a time -- also costs $200 while other Keurig options have price tags around $100. In an attempt to revive interest, a version of the My K-Cup for the pricier new brewers is in the works. CEO Brian Kelley said on an investor call this week that Keurig "underestimated the passion" customers had for the DIY option. What about the unpopular DRM requirement that nixed some third-party pre-filled pods? It's staying. The company wants to convert all unlicensed cup to official products, adding to the 500 varieties of coffee, tea and hot chocolate from 70 brands.
Solar-powered grill cooks your food no matter the weather
However much you may like grilling food on a warm day, you probably don't like dealing with gas tanks or other typical grill hassles... and most solar cookers won't help much if it's overcast outside. The upcoming GoSun Grill might be a smarter way to handle those backyard shindigs, however. It can bake, boil and roast meals for eight people using a sunlight-powered thermal battery that will keep cooking no matter how gloomy it gets outside. Yes, you can have some grilled chicken at the beach even if it starts raining. The reflector-based system also doesn't require you to flip your food, and it shouldn't dry out your moister meats and veggies.
Tesla will reveal a battery for your home at its April event
You don't have to wonder any longer as to what Tesla will unveil at its April 30th event -- the company just spoiled things in advance. In an email to investors, the company states that its shindig will reveal both a previously-teased battery for your home and a "very large," utility-oriented battery. Details aren't forthcoming (those are for the big show!), but there's a good chance that the hardware will build on the concepts behind existing home batteries, which are often used to store excess solar power and provide backups during outages. The real questions are whether or not Tesla can improve on personal powerplants like it did electric cars, and how much you'll pay versus the competition. You'll likely get the answers to both riddles in just over a week.
IKEA's future kitchen tells you how to cook
For IKEA, your future kitchen shouldn't just have the occasional smart appliance -- it should be a technology hub. The furniture store's Concept Kitchen 2025 includes tech and other helpful additions meant to save both time and resources, such as a pantry with induction cooling (to preserve food longer) and a disposal system that automatically packs your recyclables. The highlight, however, is the Table For Living. It packs a camera-equipped projector that both shows recipes on its surface and recognizes ingredients, giving you an idea of what to make with what you have on hand. There's an induction cooktop hidden in the table, too, so you wouldn't have to run between counters to get that hot stew ready. This is just a vision rather than something you can actually buy, but all of IKEA's technology is realistic enough that you could find some of it in your home within the next decade.
LG and Samsung end their war over broken washing machines
LG and Samsung just can't stay mad at each other over a few broken washing machines. The two electronics giants have agreed to end the legal disputes that emerged after Samsung accused an LG exec of willfully wrecking its washers at the IFA trade show last year. As LG explains to us, it was in the "best interest" of not just the companies, but South Korea. The country is dealing with a rough economy, you see, and the two sides would rather focus on more appealing products than tearing each other down in court. The truce doesn't let LG off the hook -- South Korean law still lets authorities dole out punishment even if the plaintiff withdraws. Both LG and Samsung have asked for leniency, however, so it won't be surprising if this washing machine war ends without any casualties.
Amazon is ready to offer pro services for your home
Need a plumber, or a tire swap? Amazon is ready to help. The internet giant has launched its promised Amazon Home Services, a one-stop shop that lets you order professionals in categories ranging from home maintenance to tech support -- there's even goat grazing, in case you need to clear an overgrown field. The offering promises to be more trustworthy than what you'd get just by searching the web or the phone book, since Amazon is relying on hand-picked pros that deliver up-front pricing. You also won't pay until the job is done properly, so workers shouldn't be tempted to cut corners.
Withings' sleep helper now uses Nest's thermostat to keep you cool
Withings' Aura sleep system can only do so much to help you rest by itself. Wouldn't it be nice if it could keep the climate just right, too? It can now -- the Aura just got support for Nest's learning thermostat. When they're linked up, the Nest will maintain an ideal temperature for sleep (around 64F to 68F, or 18C to 20C) once you're unconscious, and revert back to its earlier settings once you've woken up. It's a simple addition, and it won't be cheap at about $550 for the pair. Still, that cost might be justified if you frequently jolt awake because you're freezing or roasting.
Sesame's smart door lock lets you in with a simple knock
There's no shortage of smart door locks, but they typically require that you bring out your phone or enter a code to get in. Wouldn't it be nice if you could just knock, like you're visiting a friend? Candy House thinks that's a decent idea. It just unveiled Sesame, a smart lock that lets you get in with a secret knock on either your door or your phone -- you don't have to pull out a device, tap a number pad or even speak a command (though that's available) to open things up. The design should fit on your existing deadbolt lock within "seconds," and an optional WiFi bridge gives you both remote access as well as an easy way to determine which friends are allowed inside.
Electric toothbrush mates simplicity with low-cost subscriptions
You could easily argue that many attempts at modernizing the toothbrush are overkill -- motion tracking and smartphone tie-ins are a bit much for cleaning that should only take a couple of minutes if you're doing it right. Quip (no, not that Quip) thinks there's a better solution. Its newly unveiled combination of a toothbrush and subscription service is just smart enough to keep your teeth in pristine shape. The electric brush's only proper trick is a vibrating handle that stops when it's time to scrub another section of your mouth. The real cleverness comes through the low-cost subscription model: you pay $25 to $40 for a starter kit ($5 to $20 for a non-electric brush) and $10 every three months for both new bristles and two tubes of toothpaste. It's decidedly cheaper than Goodwell's recently unveiled subscription model ($69 before the plan kicks in), and you can buy things piecemeal if you're not down with regular payments.
