I'm Done Waiting for Matter's Smart Home Standard to Matter

May 17, 2023

Did You Know?

Plucky adolescent Bobby Hill, from the animated TV show King of the Hill, was voiced by Pamela Adlon—a woman who was in her 30s and 40s during the filming of the show.

Happy Wednesday! A tech startup is giving away free smart TVs, paid for by a dedicated ad screen and questionable features. Meanwhile, Apple just released the Beats Studio Buds+ and HP has a new tiny PC with 13th gen Intel CPUs.

– Corbin

Matter was supposed to be transformative. I bought a house in early 2022 and decided to wait for Matter to launch and become widespread before I started investing in smart home gear. One year later, I’m done waiting. Read More »

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Have you ever played video games and wondered how they’re made or how they even work? The secret is in the game engine, the complex set of software tools that lies at the heart of every modern video game today. Read More »

With the rise of AI technology, there’s never been a better time to start protecting your personal online data. AI has given scammers easier ways to create more sophisticated and convincing scams, making personal data removal tools like Incogni a huge advantage in the fight to hide your private info and to keep you safer, both online and in the real world. Read More »

Do you enjoy drawing on your iPad? It’s a lot of fun, but you might start to feel a crick in your neck if you’re staring down at the tablet too long. The solution for those neck and shoulder pains (other than ample breaks, of course)? A nice iPad stand made for drawing.

The Max Smart Tablet Stand is perfect for drawing. With six different angles, you can pick what is most comfortable for your hand while sketching. Also, it works with all iPad sizes (even the iPad Mini!) so no matter what sort of tablet you use, this stand will work for you.

Microsoft has sought to position Bing‘s new AI chat feature in a dominant position right as the generative AI wave began raging on. With the latest updates, it’s also becoming more accessible for everyone. Read More »

If you recognize and dismiss all these SSD myths and misconceptions for what they are, you’re ahead of most people. And if not, there’s no time like the present to update your SSD knowledge. Read More »

The Nintendo Switch is one of the best-selling game consoles of all time. Its success has seen the platform flooded with titles, from first-party Nintendo bangers to indie darlings. The Switch is clearly a solid investment, even for the casual gamer—but which Switch should you go for? Read More »

Free and ad-supported streaming services like Pluto TV and The Roku Channel have become more popular over the past few years, but what if the TV itself was free too? That’s what “Telly” is trying. Read More »

Amazon Prime is full of classic and recent TV series available free for subscribers. If you’re looking to pick up a new show or revisit an old favorite, here are some great shows you can stream for free with Amazon Prime Video. Read More »

Many think of passkeys as the future of online authentication. Someone else knowing your password can be catastrophic to your online life, and while two-factor authentication helps, there are ways to secure yourself even further. Now, one of the main password managers is supporting passkeys. Read More »

When thinking about Apple-made earbuds and headphones, AirPods might come to mind. Beats is still alive as an Apple brand, though, and now there’s a new Beats Studio Buds+. Read More »

Looking to up your photo game? A new, camera-focused smartphone will do wonders for your social media pictures. These are the best Android camera phones that will make sunsets sparkle, food look irresistible, and nighttime landscapes dazzle. Read More »

One of the great things about Android phones is how many models there are to choose from. That can also be overwhelming, as it can be hard to choose the right one. We’re here to help! Read More »

The Linux command line traces its family tree all the way back to 1969, and it’s still the most efficient way to perform certain tasks. Just make sure you avoid these common mistakes, if you’re just starting out. Read More »

Scrolling away the hours while relaxing in bed is a habit many fall into. But it can lead to nasty consequences like sleep disruption, neck pain, and eye strain. Here are the top reasons to shut down your phone at bedtime. Plus, some tips to mitigate the damage if you just can’t stop. Read More »

Beats’ original Studio Buds are among my favorites from the brand, offering stylized minimalism that’s equally convenient for both Android and iPhone users. The Beats Studio Buds+ build on that formula to keep up with the market, with improved noise canceling and features for a modest price increase. Read More »

If you’ve ever wanted to add a bit of color to the outside of your home, this week, LifeSavvy is giving away Lumary Smart LED Outdoor Landscape Lights! Read More »

Tea and coffee, they’re both so good! But for those of us who like fueling our bodies with good foods and beverages, we may find ourselves wondering…is tea or coffee healthier? Read More »

Finding yourself tossing and turning in the night? A nighttime stretch routine might be exactly what you need to ease your body and your mind. Read More »

One of Android’s best features is the ability to use third-party keyboards, but Google’s own Gboard keyboard might be the best one—and the most popular. There are tons of features hidden inside Gboard to help improve your typing experience. Read More »

CyberGhost is a VPN provider that’s been around for a while and has gone through several incarnations. Currently, it seems mainly focused on being a streaming-friendly VPN that offers long-term plans for decent money. I took it for a spin to see how it fares. Read More »

It’s not rare to come across tiny PCs that are rather underpowered. If you want something powerful, and the price is not a problem, HP just released what could very well be some of the most powerful tiny PCs out there. Read More »

Google Docs is constantly changing, with new features and improvements. There’s a new feature on the way that might make managing templates and copying documents easier: building blocks. Read More »

Photomator is a popular tool for photographers, allowing you to do simple, yet powerful edits to your photos. The app was previously exclusive to iPhone and iPad, but now, you can check it out on your Mac as well. Read More »

With the rise of AI technology, there's never been a better time to start protecting your personal online data. AI has given scammers easier ways to create more sophisticated and convincing scams, making personal data removal tools like Incogni a huge advantage in the fight to hide your private info and to keep you safer, both online and in the real world. Read More »

Ever created a throwaway Google account and never used it again? Did you leave the Google ecosystem to find greener pastures elsewhere? If you stopped using a Google account for whatever reason, you should know that Google is now planning to delete it sooner than later. Read More »

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is coming up on May 18, and Apple is marking the occasion by showing off future updates to iPhones, iPads, and Macs aimed at improving accessibility. From AI-generated voices to simplified home screens, there are some great features on the way. 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 »