Lifestyle Smart Home

Ring doorbells are great, and are some of the easiest smart home security systems to install. Unfortunately, things can happen that can screw you out of a good installation session. One of the worst things that you can have happen is a stripped screw that’s either stuck to your doorbell or that came with your install package. So, what can you do?

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.

As we continue to progress into the future, the regular use of smart technology throughout homes and businesses has steadily increased across the globe. In fact, there are around 40 million Alexa users in the United States alone and over 100 million around the world as of 2021.

SimpliSafe has a line of home security products that are meant to keep you protected whether you are home or not. One of their products is a  digital keypad that can be used on any of the doors in on your home.

There has never been a time when more advanced smart devices are available for homeowners.

There is little argument that Samsung Smart TVs are some of the most popular on the market. The reliability and quality of these TVs are unquestioned. However, like any appliance, Samsung TVs are subject to their share of problems and issues. One of the most often asked about problems is the black screen of death.

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.

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.

A loud blast from your Samsung TV is enough to send you through the roof. If the volume’s stuck on 100, how are you supposed to comfortably catch up on Virgin River?

Cox Communications is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that offers dial-up, DSL, and cable internet service to homes and businesses across the United States. Regardless of their reach, no service provider is error-free (although we wish that were the case). What should you do when your Cox modem is blinking orange?

Today, it’s hard to imagine a world without WiFi. As great as WiFi is, it isn’t always as reliable as one would hope, especially considering how expensive it is. So, why is my WiFi so bad at home?

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.

It’s frustrating when you take time to install an Ecobee thermostat only to have it not power on. It’s even more frustrating when the thermostat was already working and suddenly loses power. In either case, there is always a reason.

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.

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 Video Doorbell is a wildly popular doorbell option because it combines home security with front-door alerting. However, when it starts a random buzz after only weeks or months of use, it becomes quite an unparalleled annoyance. This buzz can be in the outdoor unit itself, which is not as bad, or it can be in the home’s doorbell chime which is unbearable.

The Internet plays such a pivotal role in our everyday lives. One of the biggest modern inconveniences is when it stops working. Why does your Internet go out every night at the same time, and what can you do to fix it?

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.

Having a Google Nest thermostat can help you live comfortably and conveniently from season to season. However, as is the case with most technology, you’re likely to run into technical issues along the way. One of these issues involves the battery inside your thermostat.

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.

One of the advantages of an Ecobee thermostat is the ability to control it remotely. But to do this, the Ecobee needs a strong and secure Wi-Fi connection. So what happens if your Ecobee won’t connect to your Wi-Fi?

The SimpliSafe brand offers a wide variety of high-quality home security products, including smoke detectors, flood indicators, and alarm systems. Their equipment features innovative smart technology that’s designed to enhance user control in an easy and discreet way.

POV: You’re watching Ted Lasso, and you can’t help but notice the picture on your TV seems unusually dark. Why does your Samsung TV keep dimming?

All Ring doorbells, except for the Ring Doorbell Pro and the Ring Doorbell Elite, run on batteries, even if they are hardwired to the home. The battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion pack that charges via a USB cable. The battery charge should last an average of 6 to 12 months, but frequent use discharges them sooner.

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?

Braeburn has produced reliable and user-friendly thermostats since 2001. They are easy to use, energy-efficient, and highly affordable. With that said, they can sometimes act up and stop working effectively or at all.

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.

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?

The Ring Video Doorbell is made to be mounted outside of a home, typically underneath eaves or under a porch where it will be subjected to some weather but not the full force of soaking rain or driving winds. It is also assumed that it will not be regularly sprayed by landscaping irrigation sprinklers or doused by splashing pool water.

The Vivint Smart Thermostat plays an important role in the brand’s home security lineup. It uses sensors to determine when you’re home or away. With that information, it adjusts the temperature in your house. But what happens when your digital thermostat stops working?

When it works perfectly, AirPlay allows users to stream content from Apple devices to other multimedia devices. If you have a Vizio TV, you can display audio, video, photos, and anything else from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop directly to the TV. Unfortunately, technology rarely seems to work perfectly. That’s why we’re going to talk about what to do when Vizio AirPlay is not working.

As the proud owner of an Amazon Echo, I can tell you that Alexa became a pretty good part of my nightly routine. The majority of the time, it makes my life easier. Once in a blue moon, though, you’ll hear it say “Sorry, something went wrong.” When this happens, we’ll have to troubleshoot ourselves before we call Amazon’s customer service.

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?

One of the great features of Samsung TVs s the HOME button on the Samsung remote control. Pressing this button allows you to your favorite entertainment channels, useful TV features, and much more from this option. However, when the HOME button on your Samsung remote quits working, you can reach frustration quickly.

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?

The Sony TV blinking a red light 6 times is usually an indication of error. While there are many possible causes and fixes, some require the user to be more technically inclined than others.

Samsung TVs have a good reputation for the quality and clarity of the images on their TV screens. However, like any electronic device, the complicated systems in these Samsung TVs are subject to problems. One common problem seems to be dark streaks or areas on the TV screen.

The high-tech Ring™ is a video doorbell that helps enhance the security of any home. It captures data. It records movement. It makes residents feel safer. So, is it appropriate for people who live in apartments?

RiteTemp is a new name in HVAC tech at just under 10 years old. Their thermostats are easy to use, energy-efficient, and reliable. With that said, what could be the problem if your RiteTemp thermostat suddenly isn’t working?

Many consumers choose Vizio products for the reliability and quality of their electronic products. However, one documented problem appears to plague Vizio TVs. Many users report their Vizio TVs turn off suddenly after only a few seconds.

Have you ever felt that the room temperature was cooler than what your thermostat showed? Nest users have reported issues with their thermostat thinking it’s warmer than it is. A difference of a degree or two is perfectly normal. Anything more than that, though, and there may be a problem.

If you can’t use your LG TV for more than a few minutes before the menu pops up, “Houston, we have a problem.” Cheesy references aside, this is extremely irritating. Luckily there are some ways to stop this issue from happening again.

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.

When I used to be in my twenties, I lived in really sketchy neighborhoods. One was an apartment building that had doors on the inside of the building. It was a time before Ring doorbells. Since then, I’ve wondered whether or not people there installed them inside the building. Is it even possible?

It is common for Ring Video Doorbells to have trouble keeping the lithium-ion battery pack fully charged. There are a few possible reasons for this, most of which can be solved by the Ring owner. 

With an average rating of 4.5 stars, both Nest and Honeywell Smart Thermostats perform well in the eyes of customers. However, they have their differences.

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?

Xfinity is one of the most popular cable providers in the United States. With their huge selection of channels and packages, they’ve got something for everyone. However, sometimes things can go wrong- like when your Xfinity remote isn’t working correctly.

There are modern, smart equivalents to almost any household device, and that includes light switches. Wemo switches are smart light switches that are infinitely useful, that is unless it is blinking orange. So, what are the best ways to fix Wemo switches that are blinking orange?

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?

You turn off your Samsung TV and leave the room. You come back, and the TV is back on. That can be a little spooky. You may notice that your Samsung TV restarts itself intermittently while you are watching a show. This interruption can be highly frustrating. What causes a Samsung TV to restart itself, and can this situation be remedied?

Vizio is one of the most respected brands of TV on the market. Many people prefer Vizio TVs because of the high quality, clean pictures, and reliable service. However, even Vizio TVs can have their issues. One common issue is the Vizio TV power light blinking with or without an image on the screen.

If you have a Google Assistant, you can utilize routines to make your day-to-day life easier. In fact, 72% of people who own voice-activated technology say that it is an integral part of their daily routine.

In today’s world, there are so many different devices to plug into your Vizio TV. Many people have an Xbox or PlayStation they use via an HDMI port. So, how do you stop your Vizio TV from constantly changing inputs?

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.

With modems, we feel like there’s always something wrong- so, what is it this time? If you notice your Spectrum modem ‘Online’ light is blinking, there are a few quick remedies to apply.

Your Google Home Mini is a helpful and handy pocket-sized piece of technology. It can play your favorite music and podcasts, and help you accomplish all your tasks on time as dictated by your calendar.

It’s no secret that we need reliable internet in this day and age. This fact makes it all the more frustrating when your WiFi unexpectedly stops working. If you have an Altice One router that is not working, you’re in the right place to learn about how to troubleshoot issues with WiFi connectivity.

Thermostats have come a long way in a relatively short time. Central air itself is still a relatively new invention in the grand scheme of things. The way that we control the settings have changed throughout the years, with smart thermostats currently being the best option out there.

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?