The age of the smart home is now fully upon us. Smart speakers were just the start and, now, we’re seeing an influx of smart lights, smart plugs, smart sensors and smart cameras. All of the newest TVs seem to have smart features and operating systems. And this year, fueled by Amazon and Google, we’ve seen smart home devices that we’ve never seen before. Yes, even smart microwaves are now a thing. Here’s our 2018 guide to getting smart.
This $299 Security Camera Isn’t Made by Nest or Amazon, But It May Be the Best
Lighthouse costs just as much as the Nest Cam IQ and shares similar facial recognition abilities. But it could be the smartest security camera yet.
Philips Is Bringing Its Popular Hue Smart Lights Outside
Illuminate your outdoor pathways.
Forget Your WiFi Router, These Lights Create Their Own Internet
The largest lighting producer in the world just announced it's getting into the internet-making light game.
Google Home Can Now Control Your Bluetooth Speaker — How’s That Different from Chromecast Audio?
You can't control multiple Bluetooth speakers with one Google Home, for starters.
This Home Security Camera Has An Impressive 365-Day Battery Life
This is Anker's first home security camera.
The Most Versatile Home Security Camera You Can Buy?
It comes integrated with Alexa so you can ask it questions and stream music the same way you would with an Amazon Echo.
Amazon Echo Auto Connects Alexa to Your Car for Only $25
While it won't grant you access to HOV lanes, Amazon Auto allows you to take Alexa with you on the road.
Alexa Can Now Help Guard Your Home, Lock Your Doors, Link to Security Cameras and More
As Amazon's presenter said at the company event today, no one is going to complain about having a safer home in 10 years.
Amazon Adds Smart Functionality to an Otherwise Classic Wall Clock
This fairly simple device should be a valuable tool for busy home cooks.
Why Amazon’s New $60 Microwave Matters, Even Though You Might Not Buy One
Amazon's latest product release is an exceptionally boring microwave with one very promising feature.
Can Facebook Kill FaceTime? Its First Smart Speakers Want To
Facebook's first hardware products, Portal and Portal+, are smart speakers with screens that aim to change the way we video chat. Will they?
Google Home Hub Wants To Replace Your Alarm Clock
This new device from Google allows users to search YouTube with only voice commands -- and it costs a lot less than you think.
Just like that, 2018 has come and gone. Take a look back at the best of what the past 365 days had to offer in This Year in Gear
