Sometimes the simplest way to understand the cause-and-effect nature of automation is to start with the effect. Scenes are ...

Can you DIY a smart lock or do you need to hire a locksmith? I'm breaking down all the costs you should know about. For more than 10 years Tyler has used his experience in smart home tech to craft how ...

I've had Alexa, Amazon's cloud-based voice service, in my house for the better part of a decade. I had the original rounded tower in my first post-grad apartment, and now the second-generation Echo ...

Ever set a goal with the best intentions, only to find yourself losing steam a few weeks in? You’re not alone. I’ve been there too – staring at a half-finished to-do list, wondering where my ...

My sister got locked out of her house for the third time in six months last spring. She called from her porch, frustrated and embarrassed, waiting for a locksmith to charge $200 for ten minutes of ...

I bought a new-build home this year. It seemed like every property that I had looked at in my budget had a massive (and massively expensive) repair issue. Sometimes it was as simple as outdated ...

Amanda Blum is a freelancer who writes about smart home technology, gardening, and food preservation. Previously, Amanda has worked as a technology strategist specializing in problem solving and ...