smart home Archives

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

Google improves camera playback in Home app, but some are still frustrated

Google has released an update to its Google Home app, version 3.33, which improves the experience of scrolling through video history on Nest cameras for Android devices, enhancing framerate and loading times. The update, dated May 28, introduces a general release of a limited-access member tier for sharing smart home setups while maintaining control over visibility and management. It also includes several bug fixes for stability, addressing crashes in areas like the Automations tab, Wi-Fi and Climate categories, and notification permissions, as well as issues with inviting household members and accessing service settings. User feedback has been mixed, with some expressing satisfaction and others noting ongoing performance issues.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

I’ve used a lot of Windows launchers, but this is the best one by far

Flow Launcher is a desktop productivity tool for Windows 11 that excels in speed, opening instantly with a keyboard shortcut and providing audio cues. It features an extensive library of plugins, allowing users to enhance functionality with ease, including pre-installed plugins for searching bookmarks, managing files, and executing system commands. The plugin store offers a variety of extensions, catering to diverse needs, including tools for OneNote, Spotify, and gaming. Flow Launcher is highly customizable, enabling users to adjust extension functions, search result priorities, and activation shortcuts. It also allows the creation of custom hotkeys for quick access to frequently used tools, such as an enhanced clipboard history.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Samsung snuck in a surprise for its latest SmartThings app update

Samsung has released an update to its SmartThings mobile application, version 1.8.33.25, which includes several new features: - Home Life Survey: A survey for users to provide details about their household and interests to receive tailored recommendations. - Flexible Routine Configurations: Enhanced control over routines, including notifications before initiation and delays between actions. - Galaxy Tag Location Sharing: Temporary links to share the location of Galaxy Tags with options for expiration (12 hours, 24 hours, or a week). - Enhanced Map View Navigation: Map View is now the default interface, with simplified navigation between Map View and the Home tab. - Support for SmartThings in the Now Bar and Live Notifications, allowing toggling SmartThings on or off from the Now Bar settings. The update is being rolled out in phases to ensure smooth performance across the platform.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

6 new Android features that are tailored to you

Six innovative features have been introduced for Android users to enhance personalization. One feature is an AI-generated audio show that curates content based on individual interests. Google Home Favorites have been updated to allow users to customize selections across devices, making favorite playlists, news sources, and smart home controls easily accessible. These features are designed to adapt to users' lifestyles and preferences.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Six new Android features just dropped, and you can try them out today

Android 16 introduces several new features, including enhancements to RCS group chats, a redesigned Google Photos editor, and improved functionality in the Google Home app. RCS group chat updates allow users to customize group chats with unique icons and names, check RCS status of friends, and mute notifications for specific groups. The Google Photos app features a new image editor with AI-driven suggestions, a Reimagine feature for creative expression, and an Auto frame function for better image cropping. The Google Home app now includes device-specific shortcuts for easier management of smart devices and an upgraded Safety Check feature for scheduling check-ins. WearOS smartwatches can now tap city transit cards even when the Google Wallet app is closed, provided the feature is activated.

AppWizard

June 9, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Roundguard, Front Armies, LIMBO, more

Today's Google Play store features significant app deals and hardware discounts. The 8Bitdo Hall Effect Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller is on sale, enhancing the mobile gaming experience. The Google Nest Cam with Floodlight offers improved security and lighting for homes. The WF-1000XM5 Wireless ANC Earbuds provide advanced noise cancellation and immersive sound. The Lenovo Snapdragon X Elite Copilot+ PC is available at a notable discount. The Google TV Streamer 4K is also offered at a reduced price. Highlighted apps include: - Roundguard: A mix of roguelike and pinball mechanics. - Front Armies: A strategic military simulation game. - LIMBO: A puzzle-platformer known for its storytelling. - Skel: An adventure game with intricate puzzles. - Defense: A tower defense game.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

5 Android apps I run on my Raspberry Pi to improve my home

Running Android on a Raspberry Pi allows users to enhance their smart home experience by utilizing Waydroid to execute Android applications. The Shelly Smart Control app provides a user-friendly interface for managing Shelly devices, offering local control and cloud syncing. The Home Connect app enables control of smart appliances from brands like Bosch and Siemens, allowing centralized monitoring and automation. Fully Kiosk Browser turns the Raspberry Pi into a wall-mounted dashboard for displaying smart home information. The Aqara Home app facilitates local control of Aqara sensors and hubs, integrating with Home Assistant for device management. The Home Assistant Companion app provides seamless access to Home Assistant functionalities, including notifications and custom dashboards.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

I put McAfee and Norton head-to-head in an antivirus showdown, and the results were quite surprising

McAfee and Norton are two leading antivirus providers known for their robust online safety solutions. Both offer essential security features such as real-time threat detection, firewall protection, identity theft protection, VPN services, password management, and parental controls, but they differ in implementation. McAfee uses advanced machine learning for real-time threat detection but has a higher rate of false positives and shows room for improvement against ransomware and phishing. Norton excels in malware detection and has a strong performance against ransomware, blocking 95% of phishing links in tests. McAfee's firewall monitors incoming threats and protects connected devices, while Norton’s firewall prevents untrusted applications from accessing the internet with extensive configuration options. In identity theft protection, McAfee offers comprehensive features with live agent support, whereas Norton partners with LifeLock for enhanced services, including credit monitoring and up to one million dollars in compensation for identity theft losses. McAfee provides unlimited VPN access with basic functionality, while Norton’s VPN includes advanced features like split tunneling and a kill switch. Both include password managers, but McAfee's lacks some functionalities, whereas Norton’s is user-friendly and supports data import from other managers. For parental controls, McAfee allows website blocking and app restrictions, while Norton offers detailed content filtering and monitoring of online activities. In system performance, both have received high marks, with McAfee showing a superior impact score in tests. User experience varies, with McAfee being more accessible for non-technical users and Norton catering to more experienced individuals. Recent testing indicates both effectively blocked nearly all threats, but McAfee had more false positives. Both brands received high ratings from SE Labs for protection and accuracy. The choice between them depends on individual needs, with McAfee being user-friendly and Norton offering advanced features and enhanced identity protection.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Wind Peaks, Ailment, Raiders of the North Sea, more

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is available at a [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Your Thursday edition of Android game and app deals has arrived, bringing with it a wealth of opportunities for savvy shoppers. As you explore the offerings, take a moment to consider some enticing hardware deals that have surfaced today. Hardware Highlights Among the standout deals is the Galaxy Watch Ultra, now available at a remarkable 0 discount, accompanied by a complimentary wall charger. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to enhance their tech collection. Additionally, the Insta360 Link 2 4K Webcam has reached a new low price, making it an attractive option for content creators and professionals alike. If you're in the market for smart home devices, be sure to check out the discounted Google Nest Doorbells, which offer both security and convenience. Moreover, Amazon has launched a sale on Sonos home theater systems and speakers, with prices starting as low as 9. This is a perfect chance to elevate your audio experience without breaking the bank. App Offerings Turning our attention to the app landscape, several titles are making waves this week. Highlights include: Wind Peaks - A captivating adventure that invites players to explore a beautifully crafted world. SpongeBob SquarePants - Dive into the whimsical universe of Bikini Bottom with this beloved character. Ailment - A thrilling journey through a retro-style world filled with challenges and excitement. Raiders of the North Sea - A strategic game that takes players on a Viking adventure, combining resource management and exploration. These app deals, along with the hardware discounts, present an excellent opportunity for both gamers and tech enthusiasts to enhance their digital experiences. Be sure to explore the complete list of offers below." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] discount with a complimentary wall charger. The Insta360 Link 2 4K Webcam is at a new low price. Discounted Google Nest Doorbells are available. Amazon has a sale on Sonos home theater systems and speakers starting at . App highlights include Wind Peaks, SpongeBob SquarePants, Ailment, and Raiders of the North Sea.

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

Google Home kicks off a Gemini-backed ‘Voice Assistant’ test for Android

Google Home's app on Android is rolling out a Public Preview test called "Voice Assistant," which allows users to control access to the experimental AI feature, Gemini, on their smart home devices. Gemini was first tested on Nest devices last December and is now being integrated into Google Home with improved AI-generated automations and new features. The "Voice Assistant" experiment enables users to manage how household members can access Assistant experiments, but requires "Voice Match" setup for access. Gemini enhances the Assistant's capabilities by providing more comprehensive answers and allowing follow-up questions. At the I/O 2025 event, Google announced additional features for Google Home, including a "Home Summary" widget for Pixel devices and improvements to the "help me create" feature for automation.