Smart Home Tech You Shouldn't Waste Your Money On

March 4, 2023

Smart Homes are the future of domestic living. But that doesn’t mean everything in your house needs to be connected to the internet or even your smartphone. In our top story, Andrew details all the smart devices that you can probably skip. From appliances to lawnmowers and indoor cameras and more, he lets you know why each smart device isn’t a good idea or investment.

Other Highlights:

• Meta starts to backtrack its Quest 2 price hike.
• Mark gives you his thoughts on the LatticeWork Amber X Personal Cloud Storage Device.
• Andrew points out a common scam involving Google Drive and lets you know how to avoid it.
• … and more!

— Danny

Some smart home products are a gift from the heavens, while others are just plain weird. But we don’t spend a lot of time talking about mediocre smart home devices—products that are useful but not worth buying. These devices are usually overpriced, excessive, creepy, or doomed to an early death. Read More »

Do you want to learn how to protect your organization from cyber threats in the cloud? Look no further than "Cloud Security for Dummies"! In this eBook, you'll learn how to establish effective security protocols for your cloud application, network, and infrastructure as well as how to manage and use the security tools provided by different cloud vendors. Embrace the cloud and kick hackers to the curb with this accessible guide on cloud security.
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If you love Funko Pop! collectibles and the Netflix hit titled Squid Game, you’re in for a treat. Funkoverse: Squid Game is a fun strategy game that lets you play with Funko Pops! instead of preserving them inside their boxes. Read More »

In many cases, personal cloud storage comes in handy; for the most part, the Amber X Smart Personal Cloud Storage Device satisfies them all. The consumer-friendly cloud storage device is quick to set up and relatively easy to use, but its user interface could do with a few tweaks. Read More »

Whether you plan on traveling for work or pleasure this year, you’ve likely thought about the high roaming fees that can add up during international trips. Instead of relying on your standard data plan, you can harness the technology of a Holafly eSIM to use your phone’s embedded hardware and avoid extra charges. 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 »

If you’re a road warrior who is always on the go, you’ll love this portable steering wheel table that doubles as a laptop tray. While parked, rotate your car steering wheel, attach the wheel table, and enjoy a meal from the driver’s seat.

There’s a built-in cup holder, or you can flip the entire tray over and take advantage of the laptop stand side with an included pen (or stylus) slot. You’ll love this little accessory if you’re always in your car or working from the road.

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 »

When it comes time to buy power tools for a DIY project, you’ll find an array of choices at multiple retailers, and things can get expensive fast. You’ve probably noticed HART Tools recently, an affordable new option from Walmart. So, who makes HART power tools, and are they worth buying? Read More »

The Google Drive app for Android app now features built-in PDF annotation tools. You can highlight PDF text within the Google Drive app, or scribble all over a PDF with a digital pen. Previously, this functionality required a third-party app, such as Adobe Acrobat. Read More »

Last August, Meta (formerly Facebook) increased the price of its popular Quest 2 VR headset by $100, which was a significant jump. The company then released an expensive $1,499 Meta Quest Pro headset. Today though, Meta confirmed both are getting a significant and permanent price drop. Read More »

The last two years have been awful for any number of reasons. But along the way, we briefly attempted an experiment: what if movie theaters shifted to streaming instead? Now things are slowly shifting back to the status quo. And you know what? There’s no way I’m ever going back to the theater. Read More »

Have you ever wished your smartphone had a battery that could last for a week or two, like those old Nokia phones? I think everyone would agree that sounds amazing. One Redditor took it upon himself to make a phone do precisely that, but you won’t want to use it. Read More »

If you want Google Drive cloud storage, you need to buy it directly from Google. Scammers often try to sell Google Drive storage through unofficial channels, such as eBay, Twitter, and Reddit—do not fall for this scam, as it’s a waste of money that may compromise your privacy. Read More »

2023 appears to be the year of AI search. Since the start of the year, both Microsoft and Google have launched AI-augments to their flagship product. Now, a small but notable competitor, Brave, is joining them. But Brave appears to be taking a more cautious approach to the 2023 AI trend. Read More »

Targeted ads are everywhere. Do one simple search for computer mice and now they’re following you from Instagram to the sidebar of your favorite blog. These ads can sometimes be helpful, but not when I’ve already purchased the product. Read More »

Brushing your teeth is good for your oral hygiene. That’s not exactly news. But is it possible to over brush your teeth? If you’re feeling a bit of tooth and gum sensitivity, you might want to rethink your routine. Read More »

Have a PlayStation 5? You can make your experience even better with customizable controllers, charging stations, and official headsets. These PS5 accessories will upgrade your gaming experience. Read More »

Most of us vacuum our homes as part of a weekly cleaning routine, but should cleaning your vacuum itself be part of that chore list? Apparently, yes, you do need to clean your vacuum. Read More »

If you’ve been hitting the gym hard, chances are your muscles are starting to feel sore. But getting closer to your goals means giving your muscles time to recover, too. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to give your sore limbs a break. Read More »

If you’ve been to a Crossfit class or done any sort of group high-intensity interval training, there’s a good chance you’ve been asked to do a burpee. The plank meets jump squat meets push-up exercise is a dreaded move for most, so should you be doing them? Are burpees actually good for you? Read More »