The best
Smart surge protectors
immoral
2020
Smart power strips give you the ability to control the devices that are connected to it with an application. They even support Alexa or Google Assistant, allowing you to use voice controls as well. Here at iMore, we know all about the small upgrades you can add at home, and smart power strips are perfect for giving you more control over connected devices.
This handy electric tape is compatible with Amazon Echo and Google Home. It comes with a free app that you can use to control each individual outlet and whether or not they will receive electricity. You can even program programs to control when your outlet will power connected devices. With four AC outlets and four USB outlets, you won't have to worry about losing the charging cube again.
Amazon's own smart outlet is compatible with Alexa and ready to add voice controls to power outlets. Since this is a single AC adapter, it is perfect for the sockets on the kitchen countertops you use for coffee pots or toasters. This way, you can control the power that goes to these devices from a useful application, no matter where you are.
The CRST socket offers you four AC outlets and two USB outlets. In the app, you can tag all devices that are plugged in and you can control whether or not they receive electricity. With mounting straps, along with Alexa, IFTTT or Google Assistant voice control capabilities, plus an app to remotely control it, this socket is here to improve your home.
What if you don't want all your devices connected to one place? If you do not need all the sockets an electric tape can provide, these mini sockets may be just what you need. Place them around the house as needed. You can still take advantage of smart capabilities such as voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant and remote controls through the Smart Life app.
When a power strip is too large and a single socket is too small, this package of two double sockets is what you need. Small sockets are perfect for counters or kitchen sockets just above the computer desk. While working with Alexa or Google Home, it will even monitor the energy you use through the Smart Life app. If you find that you are using more energy than you would like, you can always turn off the tape in the app, no matter where you are.
When it comes to a complete electric tape, you can't go wrong with T TECKIN. With the four AC and four USB ports, there is plenty of room to connect everything you need in your home office, including portable devices. Set a stopwatch if you like; you can create a program so that it looks like someone is home. This can save electricity because the devices can only be run when you need them.
The ability to turn off connected devices through the app, Alexa or Google Assistant will serve as one of the best little help. Whether you're in the middle of it when you realize you haven't stopped your coffee pot or forgot to unplug your tablet fully charged, this electric tape has your back.
Karen S. Freeman is a teacher, writer, social person and family woman. She enjoys traveling, playing with technology, drinking coffee, discovering amazing new restaurants and experiencing new things. But not the powers. They are not fun.
Essa Kidwell Essa Kidwell is an expert in all VR and mobile devices that can always be found with Oculus Go, Pixel 2 and iPhone 7+. They took things aside only to restore them together for some time. If you have a troubleshooting problem with your technology, these are the ones you want to access!
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The best
HomeKit accessories for work from home
immoral
2020
While HomeKit may not be part of your normal day-to-day routine for most, it certainly can be if you work from home. Imagine that you can light your lights according to the time of day or if your workspace is set to the right temperature when you sit in the office. You can do this and many more with HomeKit accessories. Here are some of our favorites that can bring a little comfort and convenience to work from home experience.
Favorite staff
Santala's Smart LED desk lamp is a sleek, foldable lamp that includes a wireless charging area for the iPhone. This lamp has four levels of maximum brightness of 800 lumens, ten color temperature adjustments, touch controls and, of course, works with Apple's Siri and HomeKit voice controls. Combine all of these with the affordable price tag and you'll get an essential part of the connected home office.
$ 43 on Amazon
Eve's Energy Strip combines the classic power band with smart controls, while protecting against over-voltage, over-voltage and over-current. This tape has three smart sockets on board, each operating independently of the others using device controls or individual controls in the Home app. Eve Energy Strip also tracks energy consumption and offers a stand-by mode to help save money in the long run.
$ 100 at Amazon
$ 100 at Best Buy
Eero routers are the only game in town when it comes to HomeKit support, but they happen to be some of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems around. Eero routers provide fast and reliable wireless and Ethernet connections, making it an easy choice when it comes to upgrading. This 3-pack can cover up to 5,000 square meters and has additional services such as ad blocking, threat scanning and more.
$ 199 from Amazon
$ 200 at Best Buy
Everyone knows that HomePod can fill almost any high-quality sound space in the Apple Music catalog. However, did you know that there are tons of parts and applications that work great to maintain focus or provide ambient noise? HomePod can do everything. Plus, he always listens to "Hey, Siri," so it's great for just calling HomeKit commands.
$ 300 at Best Buy
$ 284 at Walmart
The Vocolinc Smart Aroma Wi-Fi speaker is more than just a connected speaker. To start with, this wonderful accessory has a bright LED light, which can "push" or "breathe" all the colors of the rainbow. HomeKit automation works with this speaker to allow humidity control, which can turn it on or off depending on the amount of humidity in the air. The speaker itself has percentage adjustments, allowing you to form the perfect level of flavor after adding the essential oils.
$ 50 at Amazon
Kaiterra Laser Egg + CO2 takes things further from traditional air quality sensors, you guessed it, by measuring the carbon dioxide levels in the area. Studies suggest that high levels of CO2 can have an impact on concentration or sleep mode, which could translate into hard days at work. This monitor has a built-in LCD for privacy and has an 8-hour rechargeable battery, which allows it to tag from room to room in your home.
$ 199 from Amazon
LED light strips are an easy way to add color and comfort, and the Z-LED LIFX light strip is one of the brightest on the market. This light strip connects to your Wi-Fi network without the need for a hub and can illuminate any area with millions of colors and bright white, up to a high brightness of 1,400 lumens. A shell and stick design makes it installed on something like the back of the desk or monitoring a breeze.
$ 90 from Amazon
$ 100 at Best Buy
While macOS includes the Home app, it is sometimes easier to press a physical button to complete things. The Eve button offers three distinct buttons (single, double and long), which can move scenes or HomeKit accessories without having to skip another application. When combined with a bright colored light bulb or light strip, you can use this button to notify others in the house that you are on a simple push call.
$ 41 from Amazon
$ 50 at Walmart
Working from home can also mean getting the dual function if you have kids, so a HomeKit room is a must. Logitech Circle 2 is simply one of the best available, because its flexible design allows placement almost anywhere. 1080p video, night vision, two-way audio and HomeKit Secure Video are all on board, and the Home app on your Mac can take a look at the happenings in your home while you work.
$ 187 on Amazon
Smart plugs are a great way to add smartphones to a "mute" device, such as a coffee maker or a fan. The Wemo Mini compact is one of the few on the market that is so small that you can fit two in the same store. This opens the door to all kinds of possibilities, such as a fan on one side of the desk, with a heater on the other, each of which can be switched on or off at will.
$ 18 on Amazon
$ 18 at Best Buy
If your home office space has an older ceiling fan or one that you just want to replace with the latest technology, then you should consult Hunter Symphony. This beautiful, modern fan gives you full remote controls, start / stop switches, speed control and even reverse directions is just a touch or shout. This fan comes in several finishes that fit almost any decor.
$ 300 on Amazon
$ 300 at Walmart
For the latest climate control, the latest SmartThermostat from Ecobee allows you to heat or cool your home from the comfort of your office chair. It is not, however, because the ecobee also includes a completely wireless room temperature sensor, which can be placed in your home office. This sensor works to provide maximum comfort, having the climate of your home depending on the room you are in and not on the basis of the room where the thermostat is.
$ 249 on Amazon
$ 250 at Best Buy
The work experience at home may certainly be a bit of a hassle at first, but HomeKit accessories can help you settle down. If you are just getting started, you may need essentials such as a desk lamp or a phone charger, so why not go with one that has HomeKit? We like the Santala smart LED desk lamp, because it works only with Siri and automation, but has a built-in wireless qi charger, integrated even perfect for iPhone.
Miss the office sounds? Apple's HomePod can play tracks that simulate a typical working day through Apple Music or applications like Dark Noise. Do you want the same reliable Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection you have at work? Then check out the eero WiFi system. This 3-pack packs your home in powerful Wi-Fi and can help keep your home secure through automatic updates and HomeKit Secure Router integration.
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Wyze today released a special firmware update for its v2 cameras, which can convert the smart home trap into a webcam for Windows and MacOS. Seen by Dave Zatz On Twitter, the update, which can be found by accessing a dedicated Wyze support page, requires the v2 camera firmware flash using a MicroSD card.
When used as a webcam, Wyze Cam v2 supports built-in microphone, speaker and, of course, video, and works with popular applications such as Skype, Hangouts and Zoom. However, the company warns that the camera was not designed to be a webcam and the update is released only to help those who need a conference camera. Wyze has stated that it does not plan any bug fixes or enhancements for this feature, so it is certainly used at your own risk.
- Wyze Cam v2 was not designed to be used as a webcam. This firmware is intended for people who need a webcam but can't buy one.
- This solution should be used "as is". We do not plan for continuous improvements or bug fixes.
- After the Wyze Cam is turned on in the webcam firmware, it will not be able to connect to the Wyze application unless you manually flash it back to the firmware in stock.
- This may or may not be compatible with your computer operating system. We tested and confirmed that it works on Mac OS 10.13, Windows 7 and 10.
- This solution has been tested and works with Zoom, GoToMeeting, Blue Jeans, Google Hangouts, Skype and Cisco.
Once converted, Wyze Cam v2 will no longer function as a security camera and will not work with the Wyze application. However, users can return to the original firmware using a similar method if they wish to return. Here is what the process involves:
- Windows 10: Right-click the folder and select Extract All.
- Mac OS: Drag and drop the folder from the root directory of your microSD card.
- For both Mac and Windows, rename the file to demo.bin.
- Disconnect the Wyze Cam from power and insert the microSD card.
- Press and hold the Setup button, and then connect the USB cable. Continue to hold the setup button for 3-6 seconds until the light is solid blue, then release the button.
- Wait 3-4 minutes. The room will restart, and the light state will change during this time.
- Once completed, the status light will flash yellow and blue at the same time (not alternating).
- Connect the USB cable A to A to the Wyze Cam (USB port, not the micro USB port) and the USB computer port.
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