Lifestyle Smart Home

The convenience of smart home technology has taken the world of home design by storm. Often, the first smart home technology that many households adopt are smart speakers with AI assistants like Alexa. These small, yet powerful devices can answer your questions, set timers, and more. Most importantly, they can easily play your favorite music on command.

Ring doorbells are one of the most popular ways to keep a digital eye on your home, but they have one major issue: glare. Glare from sunlight can make it hard for your doorbell’s camera to do its job. In fact, it can even obscure an entrant’s face. That’s pretty bad for security. How can you reduce that glare?

Deciding whether or not to upgrade your lighting to smart lighting is a big decision. There is, of course, the initial investment. At $30 or $40 a bulb, switching your entire home over to smart bulbs is no small price to pay. But the benefits are numerous.

Honeywell is one of the top names for thermostats and smart home equipment. As one of the top smart thermostat companies in the world, you should expect your thermostat screen to be reliable. When your screen stops responding, it’s a major blow. What can you do when your smart thermostat’s screen is not responding?

When it comes to trying to pare down the high price of energy, people are getting crafty. They’re getting eco-friendly materials for their homes. They’re adding insulation. Oh, and they’re also getting some devices that make it easy to help curb your energy use, such as energy monitors. You might be wondering what’s getting your bill high. Should you get a Smappee or a Sense?

A Ring Doorbell is an excellent device that provides you with live video footage of your front door. On an average day, this video is crystal clear. However, the quality might be poor. This issue can be a confusing and frustrating problem. What causes poor video quality? How can you fix this problem to take advantage of all your Ring has to offer?

You may have a brand new Vizio TV or have purchased a used model. Now you want to mount that Vizio TV on the wall in your home. You may even have an existing mount already in place. If this is the situation and you can’t find the screws that came with the mount or the Vizio TV, you have a slight problem. What size crews do you use to mount your Vizio TV?

You have made the decision to get a home security system. There are plenty of options out there but which one do you go with? In the end, you have chosen SimpliSafe for their reputation and comprehensive offerings.

Roku TV lets you access an international library of streaming content. It’s generally convenient and easy to use, but it can be frustrating when your Roku TV keeps disconnecting from WiFi.

Troubleshooting a thermostat can be tricky between all of the messages and error codes that they display. Many homeowners have scratched their heads the words “cool on” flash on the display yet the thermostat won’t work. So, what does this message mean, and what can you do to fix it?

The continued boom of home security options has made it easier and easier to keep a home safe, and the owner informed. Smart technology allows you to see who is ringing your doorbell with a video on your cell phone.

Nest is one of the most trusted smart thermostat brands in the world, and it’s a reliable one at that. That’s why people tend to freak out when they notice their Nest thermostat not cooling. Could it be a busted Nest or something worse? Oh, it all depends on what your diagnostic reveals.

Nothing can be quite as frustrating as trying to watch a show and it keeps skipping forward. Unfortunately for Hulu users, this can be a common issue. There are a handful of different reasons for why this happens, and we’re here to talk about them all. So, why does Hulu keep skipping forward, and what can you do to stop it from being an issue in the future?

If your Arris SURFboard modem is showing a “Sync Timing Synchronization Failure,” it can be confusing, to say the least. Why is this happening, and what’s the recommended plan to fix it?

Prime Video not working on your Roku device can be earth-shattering. I mean, how are you supposed to watch the latest season of Billions?

With the advancement in technology, many businesses are starting to accept a wide variety of payment options including Apple Pay. While Home Depot did accept Apple Pay at one point, many people are wondering if they still do.

The Ring Doorbell is a great device that can come in handy for both security and casual purposes. Sometimes, however, you can run into problems with the technology. One common confusion with the Ring Video Doorbell is when a solid white light appears. With so many lights, this can be confusing. What causes it, and how can you fix it?

The Amazon Fire Stick is more than just a passing tech fad or an alternative cable option like satellite TV. And the Amazon Fire Stick has been the source of many questions too. From what can it do to how does it work. Many of those questions also derive from folks who already have cable service. That includes questions like the ability to use the Fire Stick with cable or being able to plug the  Amazon Fire Stick  into the cable box.

Kasa is a brand that is hellbent on making smart homes easier to access than ever, and it’s a system that works with most major hubs. Unfortunately, it still has its kinks it occasionally deals with. One of the more common annoyances that we tend to see is an alert saying that there’s a “device unreachable” in your system. What gives?

Roku TVs are a convenient way to stream your favorite platforms, connect to your cable, and watch free over-the-air channels. Setting up and connecting to these various outlets is easy and only requires you to follow the on-screen instructions. However, a common issue with Roku Tv antenna channels is they tend to go missing, even after set up.

Ordinarily, we don’t have to do too much to our Comcast  cable box. And most of the time, it requires very little knowledge to operate and use. From time to time, however, it is good to understand what our magic little box is doing. Like when it has a flashing blue light.

If you’re like me, your wi-fi is your life. You want to make sure that your router gives the best signal possible. Unfortunately, routers don’t exactly look stylish. They can be a major eyesore. That’s why people often try to make them easy to hide. Cabinets are a common method, but is this really the best possible method?

Thermostats are a modern convenience, but they are only useful when you understand what they do. The fan setting on a thermostat can make all the difference when it comes to energy bills, air circulation, and indoor comfort. So, what does the fan setting on a thermostat do?

Recognized as a leader in  high-end tech televisions, Vizio has become a household name. That also means that we can usually rely on our Vizio TV whenever we turn it on, plug in a game, or prepare to watch a program or movie. This doesn’t mean, however, that things don’t and can’t go wrong or stop working.

I’ve often found myself going to ask Alexa a question only to realize I was nowhere near one. Smart devices make life much more convenient, don’t they? Ecobee is a home automation company that specializes in smart home devices. One such device is their smart thermostat.

Frequent ringing is a common complaint with Ring Video Doorbell owners. There are two ways in which the Ring doorbell may keep ringing, or ring too frequently. In the first case, the Ring itself is constantly sending alerts, even false alerts. In the second case, the house door chime keeps ringing when the Ring Video Doorbell is hooked up to it.

One of the most commonly praised aspects of  Vizio TVs is the experience they offer. From excellent picture screen quality to great sound quality, Vizio TVs have found a home in homes all across the country.

Nothing is more frustrating than when your power goes out, except for when your thermostat won’t work when the power comes back. Many modern thermostats can work during a power outage, but not all homeowners are so lucky. So, what should you do when your thermostat is not working after a power outage?

Wired connection is slowly becoming a thing of the past, although it is still semi-popular for its reliable speed. Why all of a sudden isn’t it delivering the results you’ve come to expect? Here’s what to do when your wired connection is slower than WiFi.

The Ring Doorbell is designed to be hardwired into the existing doorbell transformer. This does two things. It allows the Ring doorbell to activate the home’s interior chime, and it trickle-charges the Ring’s lithium-ion battery pack.

Having a smart home means that you’re going to need to find software that helps manage your safety and security. Blue Iris is one of the top home security camera software kits out there, and it lets you see all the things that go on in your home. Every feature comes at a fee, though, and those fees add up. Did you ever wonder what the most popular alternatives to Blue Iris are?

Ring doorbells have made countless homeowners feel safer and gain peace of mind. They require little to no maintenance and work reliably, although certain aspects can be confusing. So, what does a Ring light flashing blue when charging mean?

For as smart as they are, smart thermostats occasionally do some silly things. Ecobee users noticed their thermostats sometimes blew cold air instead of hot air. When you’re expecting heat on a chilly day, cold air is most unwelcome. So, why does this happen?

The invention of smart thermostats like Nest has made home life more comfortable and convenient. You can enjoy power-saving settings, quick performance, and an easy user interface. So, what are you supposed to do when your Nest thermostat keeps restarting?

Honeywell thermostats have helpful, user-friendly, and visually appealing display screens. They tell you your program settings, temperature, fan setting, and can display many messages. These messages are helpful, but what does it mean when your Honeywell thermostat says “Wait”?

As a loyal Spectrum customer myself, I know how annoying internet interruptions can get. There are a few simple techniques I learned over the years to prevent this from reoccurring!

POV: You just sat down to veg out on a Friday night, and unfortunately, Hulu activate isn’t working. What can you do to fix it?

Installing smart devices into your home is a great way to make your life easier and upgrade your space. Products such as Nest make it easy and convenient to manage your home’s temperature.

Verizon is a great service provider, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always be free of problems when it comes to their internet. There are many things that can happen when you have hardware or wireless service involved, which is why there are indicator lights on the router and modem. But what if there is a red globe on your Verizon router? How do you fix it?

Nest thermostats are great for people who want to have a little extra efficiency. They keep your home warm and nicely climate controlled. However, things don’t always work the way they should. There are going to be times when your Nest thermostat won’t heat up your home. What gives, anyway?

The best way to catch up on your favorite shows is by recording them when they air and saving them for a later date. However, you need your recording device to be working properly for this to happen.

It’s hard to imagine a world without smart thermostats now that we’ve had them for several years. The Nest thermostat is among the best on the market because it is easy to program and maintain, but even it can be confusing. So, what does it mean when a Nest says it’s heating but it’s not?

Like any electronic device, your Wi-Fi router won’t last forever, and its performance will suffer as it ages. The average homeowner replaces their router every 3 years, but they can last 5 or more years. How long your Wi-Fi router lasts depends on factors such as its location, condition, and usage.

So, your television starts flashing an error message- don’t hit the panic button just yet! Why is your Sony TV blinking red 4 times, and what can you do about it?

Signal codes are a series of numbers technicians use to diagnose and troubleshoot DISH network problems. A common DISH signal code is 11-11-11; knowing what this means will help you better understand the problem and how it can be fixed!

Nest is famous for its learning technology. Its sole purpose is to learn your routine so you don’t have to worry about programming it. We as users are at a disadvantage when it comes to learning about our Nest. After all, we have many more things in our brains than just the workings of our thermostat.

Nowadays, a home isn’t a home without modern technology infused throughout. There are smart thermostats, security systems, curtains, and even smart light bulbs. Smart light bulbs are becoming more popular these days. After all, they have several benefits, including increased security and lower energy costs. But if you are looking to install new lights outside your home, you might wonder if you can use smart bulbs outdoors.

Your new HVAC unit is installed and tested. Everything looks good. The HVAC service technician was pleased to see you chose a Braeburn thermostat and told you these were some of the best on the market. Now the Braeburn thermostat flashes COOL, but the HVAC system isn’t responding. What could be the problem?

Televisions can be found in virtually every home today. And they have come a long way since those 12-inch black and whites that our parents’ parents talked about. Yet, with all our technology and advancements,  televisions can still be just as quirky as they have ever been. From screen size issues to upside-down pictures, sometimes America’s oldest beloved electronic device (sorry iPhones), is an occasional headache too.

Seeing a yellow light on your Verizon router may seem like the start of a long, complicated issue, but the truth is it’s a pretty straight forward fix. The loss of internet connection on a router can really only be caused by a few different things. Typically, it will either be a problem with your internet service or the router itself.

It’s disappointing when you’re trying to watch something on TV, and the Comcast cable box flashes the message, ‘Not Authorized.’ What went wrong?

We have been taught to unplug electric items and appliances during storms. And we are advised to use power strips with breakers to help protect appliances and equipment from getting damaged. When the storms pass, and we get ready to turn everything back on though, there is always that moment of hesitation. Then we have those “what if” thoughts, such as what if the  cable box doesn’t turn on?

With the advancement of smart technology and software, smart homes are becoming extremely popular. Whether you want to go all out with a smart home or simply include one or two pieces of smart technology, a Nest thermostat is a great place to start. While they offer many advantages over other thermostats, Nest thermostats still have their fair share of problems. One of these problems is when you suddenly have no power to the Rh wire.

Thermostats have as much of a variety and wide selection as any other household appliance. It can be difficult to navigate the world of thermostats with so many options between smart, analog, and programmable thermostats. So, what exactly is the less widely known millivolt thermostat?

Chances are if you have a newer ASUS router, you’ve probably never heard of B/G protection. Regardless, can it be advantageous to turn the setting on?

Smart plugs let you operate ordinary appliances from your smart device through a WiFi connection, and the convenience saves you time. Gosund smart plugs are known for being easy to set up. Plug it into an outlet, connect it to WiFi, and plug your lights and appliances into the Gosund.

The Pro 1 t705 is an effective and versatile thermostat that is ideal for many homeowners. It can run solely on batteries, a hardwire, or a combination of both for consistent performance. With that said, what are you supposed to do when your Pro 1 t705 thermostat is not working?

Arris is a company that manufactures and sells modems, among other telecommunications equipment and software. While it is a renowned business, the biggest user complaints lie within the Arris modems continuing to reset (and without warning). Why is this happening, and how can you fix it?

Alexa is one of the most popular smart home hub services in the world, with thousands upon thousands of different products being made for use with it. Hue is one of the most popular smart light series in the world, and of course, it’s designed by Philips. Having owned Hue bulbs, I can tell you that they can be pretty hard to pair with Alexa.

Home security has advanced significantly in the last several years now that it is affordable and accessible. Companies such as Google Nest and Ring allow you to add a layer of security to your home without spending a fortune. So, is it possible to record a Nest cam locally?