smart home devices

Tech Optimizer
June 4, 2025
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
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'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.
AppWizard
May 15, 2025
This afternoon, there are new deals on Android games and applications, coinciding with the launch of Sony's XM6 headphones. Discounts are available on smart home devices like ecobee’s HomeKit and Google Home Smart Video Doorbell Cam, and Ring’s Battery Doorbell Pro. The Galaxy Tab S10+ has dropped in price, along with the ASUS 2024 Chromebook CX1. The game "Down in Bermuda" invites players to help an aviator named Milton navigate challenges on six unique islands while solving puzzles and collecting magical orbs. Subscribing to the 9to5Toys YouTube Channel offers updates on technology and gaming.
AppWizard
May 3, 2025
The author has at least 35 different smart home devices, leading to a fragmented experience with multiple apps and services. They are considering using Home Assistant as a central hub for device control, which supports various protocols like Matter, Thread, Zigbee, HomeKit, and Nest. Home Assistant can be installed easily on devices like Raspberry Pi or Virtual Machines, requiring a constant network connection. Once set up, it consolidates controls into one interface, allowing for custom dashboards and automations. Recent developments, such as Google discontinuing support for older Nest Thermostats, have prompted users to seek alternatives like Home Assistant for a unified control experience. The introduction of customizable lock screen shortcuts in Android 14 allows users to replace the Google Home app with Home Assistant. Users are encouraged to start simple and gradually expand their system.
Winsage
April 18, 2025
Microsoft is encouraging users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and suggests trading in old PCs that cannot be upgraded. However, trading in may not provide significant discounts, and there are various ways to repurpose old hardware. 1. Install Linux: Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Pop! OS can extend the life of older PCs due to their low system requirements and long-term support. 2. Make it a retro gaming machine: Using Emulation Station, an old PC can be transformed into a retro gaming machine, allowing access to thousands of classic games. 3. Make it a media server: Old PCs can be converted into home media servers using platforms like Plex and Jellyfin, enabling offline viewing of shows and movies. 4. Use it as a game server: An old PC can host game servers for titles like Minecraft, allowing for a unique gaming experience with friends. 5. Power your smart home: Turning an old PC into a Home Assistant server can help manage smart home devices from a single interface. 6. Turn it into a NAS: An old PC can be transformed into a Network Attached Storage (NAS) solution for centralized data backup across multiple devices. 7. Kickstart your home lab: Setting up a home lab using dedicated operating systems or platforms like Docker can turn an old PC into a multifunctional server for various services.
Tech Optimizer
April 15, 2025
A hardware firewall enhances network security by monitoring and filtering all traffic, preventing unauthorized access based on pre-defined rules, and analyzing traffic patterns for anomalies. It employs Next-Generation Firewall technology for deep packet inspection, utilizes GeoIP restrictions, and runs Intrusion Prevention/Detection Systems (IPS/IDS). Implementing a Zero Trust architecture minimizes device access, and notifications alert users to new device connections. Segregating IoT devices onto a dedicated VLAN reduces security risks. A multi-layered security approach, including rules-based and deep packet inspection, is essential for comprehensive protection. Hardware firewalls often run on Linux or FreeBSD, allowing additional functionalities like ad blocking through services such as Pi-hole. Cataloging devices improves troubleshooting and network management. The adoption of hardware firewalls is increasingly necessary due to the rise of connected devices in homes.
AppWizard
April 14, 2025
Google is removing direct access to Assistant settings from the Google app on Android devices as part of a strategy to transition users to its AI-powered platform, Gemini. Users will now need to use the Google Home app or system settings to manage Assistant preferences. This change was implemented in Google App version 16.12, where the Google Assistant option was removed from the profile menu settings. Features previously accessible through the Google app, such as routines and voice settings, will now require navigation through the new methods. The rollout of Gemini is occurring in phases, starting with Pixel smartphones.
AppWizard
March 4, 2025
Google Play is introducing enhancements to improve the visibility and accessibility of Android widgets, including: - A dedicated widget search filter to help users find apps that offer widgets. - Widget badges on app detail pages to indicate which apps feature widgets. - A curated editorial page showcasing standout widgets. These updates aim to make it easier for users to discover and utilize widgets, potentially increasing user engagement and encouraging developers to invest in widget development. The rollout of these features is expected to occur soon across Android devices.
Search