Home Assistant, a free open-source smart home platform with over 1,500 device integrations, officially supports installation on the Raspberry Pi 4 and 5, requiring at least 2GB RAM and a 32GB microSD card. The software carries no subscription or feature paywall, though add-ons like cloud remote access are optional paid extras. Once installed, users can automate their homes based on triggers like location, power usage, NFC tags, or device state changes.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-19
Smart locks replace either a full deadbolt or just its indoor thumb turn, connecting to home Wi-Fi so owners can lock, unlock and monitor doors remotely via a smartphone app. Many models add features like keypads, fingerprint readers, temporary guest passcodes and real-time lock-status alerts.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-19
A Taiwanese husband suspected his wife of an affair after finding a stray toothbrush and garage footage of an unknown man driving her to their holiday home. Months later he opened his robot vacuum's companion app hoping to talk to his wife remotely and instead watched a live camera feed capturing her with another man. The incident highlights how ordinary smart-home devices now silently collect footage and data that can become unexpected evidence in personal disputes.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-19
Android Auto users report that Gemini has stopped controlling smart home devices like AC units and lights while driving, with the assistant now replying that it cannot control such devices through Google Maps. The issue follows similar complaints on Wear OS, which Google said it had already fixed, though it's unclear if the two problems are related. Some users say the same commands still function inside the standalone Gemini app.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-18
Google has updated its Pixel Weather app to include a refresh button on the larger home screen widget, letting users manually pull the latest conditions instead of waiting for background updates. The company also removed the left/right arrow buttons previously used to scrub through hourly and daily forecasts within the app. The changes appear in version 1.1.20260716.979549101 of the app.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-18
A tech reviewer who had been happily using Visible switched to Spectrum Mobile after being offered two unlimited lines plus 1Gbps home internet for $100 a month total. After roughly four months of activation errors, a broken eSIM setup, and unhelpful live chat support, he canceled the service and returned to Visible.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-18
A new home theater buying guide explains that while projectors can technically display images on any wall, dedicated screens significantly improve brightness, smoothness, and contrast. The guide notes that even inexpensive screens outperform painted walls by eliminating surface texture and better reflecting light back toward viewers.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-18
Leaders from a major automaker and a large home-goods retailer discussed how they are deploying artificial intelligence to enhance customer interactions rather than replace human judgment. Both executives emphasized designing AI tools that support employees and shoppers, building on the industry's evolution from physical stores to online shopping to more advanced digital experiences.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-17
A TechCrunch reviewer spent two weeks using Tovala's connected oven and pre-portioned meal deliveries to see if the system could rival the ease of ordering takeout. The oven, priced at $299 or $349 for the Pro model with steam capability, automatically adjusts cooking modes when users scan a QR code tied to each meal. Results were mixed: some dishes impressed while others fell short of a traditional home-cooked meal.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-17
Google announced that Google Home will now support third-party AI agents beyond its own Gemini, using Model Context Protocol technology. Anthropic's Claude, open-source agents OpenClaw and Hermes, and Google's Antigravity coding platform were named as early integrations, letting these AIs control devices and access event history within the Google Home ecosystem. The feature is rolling out in early access to US Google Home Premium subscribers, who pay $20 for the tier.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-17
Cricket Wireless has introduced a 5G home internet service running on AT&T's network, offering unlimited data for $60 a month plus a $50 gateway modem purchase. Bundling with a mobile line costs $75 for new customers or $45 for existing Cricket subscribers, and the service includes taxes in its advertised pricing with no contract required.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-16
At the Fast Company Innovation Festival, Martha Stewart discussed her decision to invest in artificial intelligence as a tool for home upkeep. She's channeling decades of homemaking expertise into an app designed to guide homeowners through maintenance tasks using AI.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-16
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