Latest Posts - 25
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- Rafael Carmichael
- Jan, 20 2022
Smart Home: Trends and Ideas of 2022 There is no doubt our homes are getting smarter each year. But slow evolution still did not show that killer feature for a smart home. Let’s not go far: in many households, vacuum robots are completely standalone units, not even controlled by phones! In 2022, though, trends are already seen that may change the situation for the better. That is, for the smarter.
Robots: Not Only Vacuums
While cleaning floors remained the number one priority for home robots this decade, this year two new robots may arrive to change your perception of what robots can do at home. The most expected one... -
- Ronan Blackwood
- Jan, 18 2022
How to Listen to Apple Music on Speakers by Google Let’s imagine a situation where you live in two ecosystems at the same time. Your smart home is by Google, controlled by Nest speakers, but your computers and phones are by Apple, so your music streaming service is Apple Music, not YouTube Music. Great as it is, can it be used on Nest without extra tricks? Yes, it can, and here is how to activate it.
Since recently, Apple Music is officially supported by Google smart speakers. To set it up, you will need a speaker connected to your home Wi-Fi and an iPhone/iPad in the same network, with Google Home... -
- Hazel Donovan
- Jan, 14 2022
Samsung Created Smart Home Controller A smart home dashboard made by Samsung sounds like a great idea for Google or Apple. It is called SmartThing and it is a perfect controller for the smart home. Home Hub from Samsung has to be in the center of the house to control all the devices in the smart home. You don’t need to buy the smart fridge for $4,000 to use the controller.
This software already has a pre-installed Bixby voice assistant that listens to your commands and sends them to the devices you need. The touch screen tablet is 8.4 inches with AI will help you to... -
- Freya Beaumont
- Jan, 12 2022
Google Smart Speakers Affected by Sonos Victory Now you need to adjust the volume on each speaker manually. After Sonos won the case and the US International Trade Commission, owners of Google smart speakers faced more changes. From now on, device users have to forget about the group volume controller. Instead, they need to adjust the volume of each speaker separately and by hand. There is no group volume controller anymore.
Before Sonos won the case, users were able to navigate the volume of the speaker using the volume rocker on their phones. However, the option disappeared after the legal ruling. Once the rules came out on the... -
- Aria Leighton
- Jan, 06 2022
The Sims 5: Coming Out in 2022? The Sims franchise has been dominating the niche of life simulator games for over 20 years already. Perhaps, that allowed EA and Maxis to slow down the pace of development and keep milking The Sims 4 for 8 years in a row. The current generation of the game includes 9 kits, 18 stuff packs, 11 expansion packs, 10 game packs. Besides, the modding community has generated thousands of free mods. So, yeah, The Sims 4 is still exciting to play, but we are all starving for a new generation with revamped graphics and gameplay.
But Will it Come Out in 2022?
The... -
- Rafael Carmichael
- Jan, 04 2022
Russia Makes Streaming Apps Add Local Channels Russia is launching the second wave of requirements for foreign tech companies. This time, the country approved the law that requires foreign video streaming platforms to provide viewers with a selection of Russian federal TV channels. The law has been recently announced by Russia’s local regulator of communications Roscomnadzor and will come into force in March 2022.
Add 20 Channels!
According to the new law, all streaming platforms will be required to add 20 federal Russian TV channels to their platforms to stay available in the country. The list of channels includes a local news channel “Channel One,” an official channel of... -
- Hazel Donovan
- Dec, 30 2021
Samsung to Build a Smart Home Zone in Busan South Korea is among the most technological countries in the world, and it proves it again. This week, the most famous Korean hi-tech vendor – Samsung – has demonstrated a pilot zone for its smart home cluster.
To show the possibilities of its SmartThings system, Samsung has made a demonstration zone where one can see how home appliances by Samsung interact within SmartThings. This IoT complex solution works with refrigerators, air conditioners, vacuum robots, counters, sensors, and whatever devices one might need at home.
Not only does this system cover the home itself. It can also connect a nearby farm to check... -
- Aria Leighton
- Dec, 28 2021
See Your Metaverse Version with Snapchat Metaverse is probably the word of the year (and what Facebook gone Meta promises may be just the beginning). A virtual space that embraces all the aspects of our online existence is an incredibly fruitful idea. But what will we look like there? Snapchat probably has the answer, and with its new Avatar Lens we can see it today.
As you get it and apply it to your face (or someone else’s), you will see a version of you that would fit well in the world of The Sims 4. The skin is unnaturally smooth, with no stains, acne, or scars.... -
- Rafael Carmichael
- Dec, 24 2021
Meet ‘Netflix Hub’ on Spotify Spotify music streaming platform has gained a big amount of listeners during the years of the pandemic. The service is pretty popular around the globe, and it has recently launched a new hub, which will present the users with the option to listen to all the official playlists, soundtracks, and podcasts from different Netflix shows.
You can add the playlists from such shows as “Bridgerton” and “Money Heist” with the Netflix Hub, and there you can also find the official soundtrack from the recent hit “Squid Game”. Right now, this feature is available to all listeners, premium or free.
If you are... -
- Ronan Blackwood
- Dec, 22 2021
Google Says Goodbye to the Home Mini The Google Home Mini first saw light in October of 2017 but, unfortunately, didn’t hold long on the market and, after two years, was replaced by the Nest Mini. The speaker was still available to buy, and right now, its stock has finally reached the end on the Google Store.
Users have recently noticed that on the Google Store the Home Mini became “No longer available”. The speaker held its place near Nest Mini, which was supposed to be more popular, and had the same price. In November, they both cost $24.99 but, gradually, all four colors (Coral, Chalk, Aqua, and... -
- Freya Beaumont
- Dec, 15 2021
Smart Shopping With Google Maps: How the App Can Help You Christmas is here again. Naturally, it means that the shopping craze is also around the corner. And Google Maps is here to help you make it less hectic.
For starters, the Google Maps app can offer the “crowd control” feature. We are talking about the Busyness tool. This handy option demonstrates how crowded a certain place — store, café, bowling alley — is packed at the moment.
This might be super useful if you’re worried about catching an infection shortly before Christmas.
The feature will alert you that a certain boutique or steak-&-beer diner best be avoided. Or approached with precaution, face mask,... -
- Hazel Donovan
- Dec, 13 2021
Big D: Google Home App Got a D-Pad The Google Home app version 2.47.10 received a D-Pad control. Now, your interaction with smart gadgets and TVs is more gamified.
The D-Pad was anticipated a while ago. The first suggestions to introduce the feature to the Google Home were voiced probably at its very dawn since 2016.
Then, the update numbered 2.46 introduced a digital remote control. Previously it was an all-exclusive Google TV know-how, but now Google Home can also boast of it, luckily.
So, D-Pad is fully at your service. Here’s how to activate it:
Tap the kebab menu (three vertical dots).
A D-Pad control option will pop up.
Choose it and enjoy!
What...