#smart-home

Google Home Speaker Review: Good Hardware Waiting on Gemini

Google's first new smart speaker in six years is a handsome, Thread-ready $99.99 orb with solid sound, but slow Gemini responses and paywalled features hold it back.

Daniel OkaforSep 14, 20268 min

The Best Smart Home Deals Right Now: September 2026

Labor Day markdowns on Echo displays, Ring and Blink security gear, Nest thermostats, robot vacuums, and Matter smart plugs, plus how to tell a real deal from a fake one.

$189.99was $249.99Amazon

Daniel OkaforSep 3, 20269 min

Schlage Sense Pro Review: Hands-Free Unlocking Done Right, for a Price

Schlage's $399 Sense Pro uses ultra-wideband and Apple Home Key to unlock as you walk up. It is fast, sleek, and secure, but the cheaper Aqara U400 does nearly as much.

Maya ChenAug 22, 20268 min

How to Build a Matter Smart Home: A Step-by-Step Setup Guide for 2026

Pick the right Matter controller, pair devices with a QR code, share them across Apple, Google, Alexa and SmartThings, and fix the pairing failures that trip people up.

Daniel OkaforAug 20, 202611 min