While digging through the Arlo app earlier this week (hello Chime 2), I also uncovered the Arlo Essential Indoor. Although the 1080p camera had been announced at CES, I missed it… suggesting many others did as well. Taking a page from SimpliSafe, the new Arlo cam features a retractable privacy shutter. Beyond that, there’s a … Read more
I opened the Arlo app for the first time in months, as a former customer, and discovered the ability to add the unannounced, unreleased Arlo Chime 2 to my account. Aside from a slight visual refresh, what seems to really set this Arlo video doorbell accessory apart from the original are its musical capabilities — … Read more
By way of the FCC and a deep dive into the company’s Android app, we learn SimpliSafe is poised to close a conspicuous gap in their home security ecosystem by soon offering an outdoor camera. The sleek looking (in renders, at least) SimpliSafe outdoor camera features an LED spotlight, magnetic dome mount, 2.4GHz WiFi communication, … Read more
Thanks to the FCC, we learn that Belkin is poised to release the WeMo Stage Scene Controller. And, unlike the Hue Dimmer retrofit, the WeMo Stage is a purpose-built HomeKit switch. As in: no pre-existing functions are being replaced as button presses (short or long) are programmed. Of course, as the name suggests, Belkin intends … Read more
Wyze has officially expanded their smart lighting footprint with the release of a color bulb. And the new Wyze Bulb Color joins the existing 800 lumen tunable white bulb. Beyond the requisite palette expansion (of 16 million colors), Wyze also bumps max lumens to 1100. However, if the hubless WiFi and Bluetooth bulb is anything … Read more
By way of reddit, we learn Roku has soft launched a new $30 ‘Roku Voice Remote Pro‘. Beyond the obvious “voice” recognition functionality, maybe now always listening for wake words, the new and notable feature here is Roku swapping out the copper top for a rechargeable battery – non-removable and charged over micro-USB according to … Read more
The Discovery network of channels continues to abuse its cable customers with incessant commercials (for those who cannot skip) and excessive ad overlays, that obscure our paid content, to pitch Discovery+ – a competing $4.99/mo streaming service… that’s noticeably incomplete and subject to commercial interruption. While there are a few Food Network and HGTV shows … Read more
Having acquired the rights to Quibi’s subscriber list (and most content), Roku has made first contact. With a suggestion users review their privacy policy, which was lasted updated in 2020. Hello, Quibi has recently become part of Roku. As a result, your account information will now be governed by the Roku Privacy Policy. Please familiarize … Read more