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Tech FAQ: What is the best smart speaker?

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Smart speakers have been dominating the markets recently and it’s no surprise that almost everyone has one in their home. However, with the proliferation of different speakers available for consumers, it can get really confusing about which one you should buy and which one is the best. So, what’s the verdict?

It’s no small wonder that the smart speaker who pioneered the entire category is still on top three years into its existence. The Amazon Echo had more time to incubate than the Home has and a whole lifetime of experience over Apple’s still unreleased Apple HomePod smart speaker.

Not only does the Echo play music, it can connect to a multitude of other smart devices as well.

Well, for one, it supports dozens and dozens of smart home devices including the most popular ones to date: the Nest and Honeywell Smart Thermostats, the Philips Hue and LIFX smart light bulbs, Belkin smart outlets and even the Samsung SmartThings platform that extends to even more devices.

The Google Home comes in at a close second and it actually has a slightly better sound than the Amazon Echo.

What might put the Home ahead of the Echo is the pace at which it’s catching up to the market leader. In less than a year’s time, the Google Home has learned quite a few new tricks, including the ability to recognize different users and be able to call anyone anywhere. Stranger, however, the Home will soon have the ability to connect to Bluetooth devices, a feature Google is adding via a firmware update despite nothing changing on a hardware level.

Found at TechRadar.

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Tech FAQ: Is a smart thermostat worth it?

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I find that my utilities bills are sometimes more than I expect and then spend the next month in either the extreme heat or extreme cold because I don’t want to adjust my thermostat. I understand this is a problem and can probably benefit from a smart thermostat to save energy and therefore money. But is a smart thermostat really worth it and can it save more money than its initial cost? The answer depends.

Smart thermostats are marketed as having the ability to easily save you money on your energy costs, and they certainly can.

However, that’s really only because the thermostat can learn your adjustment habits and optimize the heating and cooling, turning down the A/C during the day when you’re at work and turning it back up when you get home. A basic programmable thermostat can do the exact same thing, but it’s much more of a hassle to program using those clunky buttons. Smart thermostats are much quicker and easier to program, and some (like the Nest) can do it all automatically, making it even easier.

Saving money on your bills probably just takes a little effort:

So on their own, smart thermostats probably won’t save you any more money than a basic, programmable thermostat. And, if your house isn’t optimized for airflow and ventilation, then you have much bigger problems than just the thermostat.

But if you aren’t going to take the time to program the thermostat you already have–because it’s just too much of a pain–a smart thermostat could be a wise investment, since it can program itself for you (or at least make it a lot easier than a traditional thermostat).

Found at HowToGeek.com

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Tech FAQ: Which smart bulb is best for my home?

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In order to be more energy efficient in my own home, I decided to take the first step and replace all of my light bulbs. However, with so much on the market, I wasn’t sure which one was the best for my specific needs. I wanted something that wouldn’t break my budget but still be “smart” enough for my home. I found out that the TikTeck Smart Bulb was probably the best choice:

On an extreme budget but still want more than a regular light bulb? Consider TikTeck Smart Light Bulbs. Costing only $10, they’re in high demand given they’re the ideal introduction to the smart lighting world.

And just because they’re cheap doesn’t mean that they’re lacking on other features:

Do, however, enjoy being able to set your lights to change according to the beat of music, and play a rudimentary Match-3 game that changes your lighting as you match.

Found at PasteMagazine.com

Check back for more Tech FAQ’s as we continue to collect information to create the ultimate Tech Homeowner’s Guides.