AUTOMATION
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Windows bring light into the home and connect us to the outside world with views of trees, flowers, wildlife, and fri...
It’s unwise to leave power needs up to chance—especially during an emergency situation or while enjoying off-grid adv...
Most homes have a lawn that needs mowing, but many homeowners dislike mowing. The good news is that a robot can take ...
When the power goes out, we have options. Prior generations weren't just inconvenienced; they also had to deal with t...
When the smart-home invasion began some 10 to 15 years ago, who would’ve thought we’d start automating toilets? But t...
A cheap robot vacuum is an affordable and low-effort floor cleaning solution for anyone short on time. Robot vacuums ...
Smart homes, or homes where a variety of home functions can be controlled from a panel display, mobile app, voice ass...
Put your lawn care routine on autopilot with the Husqvarna Automower 430X Robotic Lawn Mower. With GPS-assisted navig...
When modern video doorbells first hit the market, they seemed like no-brainers. Other than being unbelievably expensi...
High-speed WiFi networks and smart home devices make our lives easier by providing us with entertainment, security, a...
For most folks, slow internet is a nightmare from the past. Needing 15 minutes to load a video or several hours to do...
At this point, many folks have had internet in their homes for decades. In that time, they’ve been using modems and r...
For added convenience and security, a garage door keypad allows for keyless entry into a garage. For times when a hom...
Some people may remember home intercom systems from the 70s, while others may have encountered them as door-entry dev...
One lesson we learned during the pandemic was the importance of recreating our favorite experiences at home. Many peo...
Electronics are so pervasive in our modern world that you can find devices for an incredible range of functions, from...
It used to be that a garage door opener’s controls were pretty basic. It raised or lowered the door with the push of ...
Robot vacuums for hardwood floors get your wooden floors sparkling clean without leaving damage in their path. Modern...
For those who forget to turn lights off, a motion sensor light switch offers an excellent solution for empty rooms th...
Being left in the dark during a power outage, after a severe weather event, or while on an outdoor adventure can lead...
A reliable AM radio is a convenient way to stay updated with the local news and weather. It also can double as an ess...
Many tools, children’s toys, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and other household gadgets rely on 9-volt (9V)...
A video doorbell is a home security product and also means of being alerted that there’s a visitor—all rolled into on...
A screen door keeps flies, mosquitoes, and other bugs outside while allowing airflow to cool down the home and cleari...
A personal solar panel lets you enjoy the freedom of the great outdoors without worrying about your camping gear or y...
While outdoor security cameras and driveway alarms alert you to the presence of visitors on your property, they won’t...
Whether you are safe at home or out on a camping trip, it can be daunting when the lights go out and you are left in ...
Even with a 4K TV, a coaxial cable is necessary to get the best performance. A coaxial cable carries the signal from ...
Don’t wait until the electric bill arrives to find out how much energy you use. The bill shows only your total energy...
Smart light switches are a way of configuring a home's lighting to respond to verbal commands, program light timers, ...
Thermostats have come a long way from those early models with manual temperature dials that may or may not accurately...
Home security is of paramount importance, but fumbling with your keys while juggling packages, especially in nasty we...
In an automated smart home, the best keypad door lock blends seamlessly with a home setup. Many work via Bluetooth, c...
Slowly but surely, more and more of our home operations are becoming automatic—and, with each advancement, life becom...
Living in small spaces or rooms with knee walls can make it a challenge to find a place to mount a flat-screen TV. Fo...
Modern interior design leans toward the sleek and minimalist, banishing the “stuff” of yesterday in favor of clean li...
Answering machines were much more prevalent before the advent of smartphones and voicemail technology, yet they still...
Whether you plan on cutting the cord completely or just want access to local channels, a TV antenna is an affordable ...
Modern cordless phone technology has allowed for better signal security, sound quality, and extended ranges, with som...
When you’re in bed, you might find it necessary to roll over, sit up, or crane your neck to view the time displayed o...
Do you run a small business from your home? Can’t leave the house often due to caring for young children? Maybe you’d...
It’s well known that a bright light deters would-be thieves and ne’er-do-wells, but home dwellers either had to have ...
A portable power station stores an electrical charge in an internal battery to charge various devices, such as a tabl...
Modern lifestyles can be so busy, with various household members all on different schedules, so it’s high time for an...
Broadcast television channels, like local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates, public television stations, and many oth...
Hidden cameras offer an easy and affordable way to monitor your home and keep an eye on your valuables. These tiny ye...
Smart light bulbs are a great place to begin making your home, well, smarter. You can turn them on and off, set timer...
Even if you live in an area with a low crime rate, having an extra level of protection between your kitchen and the o...
Home automation has taken huge leaps in recent years. Through apps and voice commands, smart devices help people make...
Instead of subscribing to streaming services, you could be pulling in free TV channels from the airwaves around your ...
Motion sensors, security cameras, refrigerators, heating and cooling systems, door and window locks, light bulbs and ...
Because their growing medium can dry out quickly, container plants require frequent watering to remain healthy, espec...
Portable generators supply power to a home, appliances, small electronics, and even an RV in the event of a power out...
With our busy lives today, it’s no wonder everyone’s looking for ways to speed up—or eliminate—daily chores. Topping the list of time-saving tools is the robotic ...
High-tech appliances and state-of-the-art home gadgets shouldn't come at the cost of safety and security. Learn the risks of upgrading to smart-home systems and f...
You’ve heard of LEDs. You’re aware of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). So what’s the next big idea in home illumination? They’re called smart bulbs, and they co...
While today's fast-paced world leaves little time for food prep, we still want to enjoy delicious home-cooked meals. In that battle to get a tasty, healthy meal o...
The smart homes imagined in movies and shows from decades ago are essentially reality now thanks in large part to our phones. Ever-improving technology make it po...
Futurists are known for getting more wrong than right, but they do occasionally strike gold, predicting technological advancements and societal changes decades be...
It doesn’t always pay to become an early adopter of the latest and greatest technological advancements. In fact, some home tech products just aren't worth the inv...
Thanks to modern technology and digital commerce, homeowners are acquiring increasingly large numbers of gadgets. It seems everyone has— or knows someone who has—...
Browse the app store and you'll find dozens of useful apps for homeowners—but most of us don't have the phone storage for them all. So which ones are worth the do...
Most people nowadays own thousands of dollars' worth of laptops, smartphones, tablets, and countless other devices that play crucial roles in our everyday lives. ...
Humans have long harnessed the power of machines to help us work better, faster, and smarter. Many of these technologies work in the background of our home, heati...
It may seem like a paradox, but sometimes you have to spend a little money to save a lot of green. Investing in just a few little upgrades like energy-efficient l...
With the holidays right around the corner, it's time to start making your gift list and checking it twice. But with so many gadgets on the market today, weeding t...
Smart-home technology has been developing for years now, with forward-looking manufacturers pioneering ever more inge...
How'd you like to cook your dinner from your desk and have a hot meal waiting for you when you get home? Sounds pretty good, and it can easily be a reality for an...
In our high-tech world, keeping your home fully protected is easier than it's ever been. Vastly more sophisticated than those blaring door alarms of yesteryear, t...
Whether you want to watch TV, write a screenplay, or simply enhance your shower experience, these high-tech upgrades are sure to propel your bath into the 21st ce...
Bob checks out a Sears garage door opener-- at 3/4 horsepower, it's among the strongest on the market.
Brent Thompson (from IceBox) joins Bob in the kitchen to talk about a new Internet appliance.
Bob and Tim Woods (of Internet Home Alliance) discuss the basics of structured wiring and connectivity in the basement of the Vermont farmhouse.
Bob meets up with Tim Woods (of the Internet Home Alliance) in the basement of the Quechee home to hear about the progress made integrating the connected home tec...
Bob checks email from his truck using GM OnStar's Virtual Advisor functionality. He then meets with Tim Woods (from the Internet Home Alliance) to check out the P...
Bob explains how the Kinetico water purification system works and reviews the A.O. Smith ProMax 75 gas-fired water heater.
Bob experiences the Panasonic Replay TV with the show-stopper feature and he tours the master bedroom suite, admiring the space, scope, and the view.
Bob joins Tim Woods (from Internet Home Alliance) in the basement to look over the network connection center, the area responsible for the homeowners' internet, t...
Bob looks at the beech flooring in the key hall, before moving to the media room to discuss the carpeting with Gary Johnston (from DuPont) and the electronic comp...
Bob visits the Global Solar factory in Tucson, AZ to see how they company manufactures its unique solar-electric (photovoltaic) devices.
Bob Ryley meets with Ken Frankel (from Lucent Technologies) to discuss the new HomeStar wiring system.
Bob meets with Tom Morgan (from Home Automation) to view and discuss the "brain" of the home automation system. Next, Bob checks in with the wiring contractor to ...
Bob inspects the remote device, controlling the PA system, HVAC, lighting, and entertainment systems. In the basement, Bob Ryley is exploring the wires and cables...
Bob meets with James Gilmore, the governor of Virginia at the time of the executive mansion's restoration. Gilmore stresses the practical and symbolic importance ...
Carpenter Bob Ryley works on the mahogany deck, while new kitchen appliances are installed and the lighting and cabinets undergo examination.
The garage door openers are installed on the automotive end of the garage. Bob reviews the brackets and beams used to mount the opener's drive, as well as the cha...
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley install a Craftsman garage door opener.
