I'm Sick of Smart Security Cameras, Here's Why

February 15, 2023

When smart security cameras first appeared on the tech scene, many embraced them because it meant they could keep their homes safer. However, many discovered that outfitting your house with cameras came with more pain than they were bargaining for. In our top story, Andrew lays out his growing frustration with the technology, why it’s such a hassle to deal with, why it’s so expensive, and if the tradeoff of privacy over peace of mind. Chances are, there are a lot of people out there who are feeling the same.

Other Highlights:

• Internet Explorer is dead, dead, dead, really dead now.
• Someone made a VR headset that actually fits the human face.
• Bing’s search AI can’t be trusted to yield accurate information.
• … and more!

— Danny

Smart security cameras should help us protect our privacy and property. But cloud computing, the cornerstone of today’s smart home tech, is a machine that must stay in motion. It violates user privacy, and it intentionally creates friction to sell subscriptions, upgrades, and other nonsense. Read More »

Check out the Hideout Hoodie from Big Blanket Co. - the ultimate cozy companion for those cold and lazy days! Made with ultra-soft Sherpa fleece, this hoodie has a built-in eye mask, kangaroo pouch, and cuffed sleeves with thumb holes for extra comfort. Plus! if you use the code VDAY at checkout, you can save $25 off on your purchase. But don't wait! This limited time sale only lasts until Thursday.

If you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle for your next car, there is no shortage of options. These days you can choose from a gas car or all-electric, but you’ll also want to consider a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or a full hybrid vehicle. Read More »

The Wizarding World doesn’t just have to exist on the pages of your favorite Harry Potter book. You can bring home the magic and build your favorite Harry Potter scenes and characters with help from LEGO. We know it can be a little overwhelming to select just one or two of the Harry Potter LEGO sets. To help you narrow it down, we’re here with a list of our top picks. Read More »

Electric bikes are everywhere in all sorts of form factors and price points. Velotric is a relatively new brand, but its latest Nomad 1 fat tire e-bike offers a comprehensive list of features, a stylish yet rugged design, plenty of power at an affordable price point, and loads of fun to ride. Read More »

Wordle was just too easy, wasn’t it? You probably left that behind and moved on to Quordle, the true “hard mode” of the word-guessing game format. But now you’re stuck and so close to failing. Don’t worry, we’re here to help with a hint—and if you really need it, today’s Quordle Answers. Read More »

Years ago, an editor told me about his nearly-invincible scratching post. It was made of a durable sisal material, as opposed to that crappy carpet stuff that you find on most scratching posts. I had to give it a try, so I bought the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post at his recommendation.

This is genuinely the best scratching post I’ve ever owned. It’s surprisingly affordable, and after four years of abuse, it still looks brand new. Plus, it keeps my cats from ruining my furniture!

Are you a huge fan of Wordle and absolutely stuck today? Let me guess; you’re hanging out on guess four or five and feeling the pressure. We get it entirely: nothing feels worse than losing your streak. If you’re not ready to outright cheat, we have you covered with hints and today’s Wordle answer. Read More »

If your friends and family started yelling at each other to find the remote during Super Bowl LVII in 2023, you weren’t alone. Tubi’s Super Bowl commercial tricked us all and won the ad war this year, as people all over the internet can’t stop talking about it. Read More »

Internet Explorer had a great run, but the writing has been on the wall for years. Microsoft officially said goodbye to the long-running browser back in June. Today, it confirmed that a new Microsoft Edge update would permanently disable Internet Explorer on Windows 10 and send it into retirement. Read More »

We’re deeply impressed by Samsung’s new Galaxy Book 3-series laptops, which debuted during the Unpacked event on February 1st. These machines weigh just a few pounds, but they offer 13th Gen Intel Core performance and introduce a new generation of OLED display technology. Read More »

Bigscreen VR is best known for its “virtual living room” software, but the company could make waves with its first virtual reality headset. Somewhat ironically, the Bigscreen Beyond is the “world’s smallest” VR headset, prioritizing comfort and a bespoke design—yes, it’s customized for each customer. Read More »

Joby, an electric aviation company based in Northern California, is leading the charge on electric aircraft and air taxis. After completing several 150-mile test flights and getting its first FAA approval in 2022, the team is gearing up for a commercial launch. Read More »

In a blog post, AI researcher Dmitri Brereton documented the numerous errors made by Microsoft’s new chatbot during its demo—mistakes nobody noticed at the time. Brereton starts out by highlighting factual inaccuracies displayed by Bing AI in making pet vacuum recommendations. The chatbot stated that Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum had limited suction power, a short cord, and was noisy enough to scare pets. However, none of that is true. The pet vacuum in question has no cord, and the cited review doesn’t say anything about alleged noisiness or limited suction power. Read More »

The One UI 5.1 update is now rolling out to Samsung Galaxy smartphones, and it includes an exclusive feature for new S23 devices—the ability to remove a photo’s background in a single tap. This feature was shamelessly stolen from iOS, but you won’t hear me complaining. Read More »

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are pretty great, but they’re not without problems. However, it looks like Google finally acknowledged one of its biggest issues and claimed a fix is coming soon. Read More »

With the release of the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition in 2021, Amazon introduced the first Kindle with wireless charging. If you have any other Kindle, here’s how to add wireless charging to it. Read More »

Dogs are amazing companions, but their playful behavior can sometimes make it challenging to keep your home clean and tidy, to say the least. Shedding fur, drooling, spilling water, and food can be a constant source of frustration for many dog owners. That being said, there are many products out there that can make your home a little less messy. Read More »

There are so many features built into your iPhone that it can be easy to overlook some of the more useful ones. But these tricks can make using your iPhone simpler, faster, and more pleasant, so they’re worth a second glance. Read More »

Whether you’re looking for a reliable temporary power source or the best solution to going off the grid, BLUETTI’s AC200MAX Expandable Power Station is a fantastic choice with two major caveats—price and size. Read More »

Brushing your teeth seems like a simple activity, right? But as it turns out, there are all sorts of things to know like if you really need to brush your tongue. Read More »

If you didn’t know about the Oxford comma before the band Vampire Weekend arrived on the music scene in the mid-2000s, you probably did afterward; their third single was centered around the hotly debated piece of punctuation. But have you ever wondered why the Oxford comma is called the Oxford comma in the first place? Read More »

You’ve probably heard people talking about eating seasonally for the health benefits, but when it comes to your grocery budget can the practice be beneficial? As it turns out, eating seasonally might just be a good idea all around. Read More »