Home Automation

Belkin Wemo Insight Smart Outlet with Energy Monitoring – Review

The Wemo Insight is an external outlet that you plug into an existing wall outlet.  Then plug your device (lamp, coffee maker, etc.) that you want to and monitor the energy usage of, or to power it on

Ecobee3 – The Smart Thermostat for Everyone – A Review

The Ecobee3 thermostat is smart, it integrates with your home automation, including SmartThings, Lutron, Amazon Echo/Alexa, and Apple HomeKit/Siri voice control

Lightify GardenSpot Mini RGB Outdoor Lighting – A Smart Home Review

The coolest outdoor RGB lighting yet: The Lightify GardenSpot Mini RGB is controlled by Wifi, works with Belkin WeMo, Amazon Echo, SmartThings…

SureCall EZ 4G Cell Signal Booster Antenna Review

The EZ 4G indoor cell signal booster works with all carriers, five bands, great for smaller condos, apartments and houses

Zipato RGBW Smart Color Light Bulb Review – Z-Wave Compatible

A Next Gen smart bulb – RGBW – red, green blue, and white LEDs – for better whites, brighter light

Philips Hue Personal Wireless Lighting Review

Our Hue review takes a close look at the industry’s best known smart RGB bulbs including brightness, quality of white light…

MagicLight Smart RGBW Bluetooth Light Bulb Review

The MagicLight RGBW Light is an impressive Bluetooth and bright color smart bulb able to do good bright whites, and vivid colors. There’s a very capable app.

Nexia Bridge – A Z-Wave Home Automation Controller Review

A Nexia Bridge controller replaced the HomeSeer controller I had been using, we found the Bridge to be capable…

Kwikset SmartCode 916 Z-Wave Front Door Lock Review

With this review of the Kwikset SmartCode 916, we have entered the world of networkable smart door locks.

SengLED Pulse – Smart Flood LED Light with JBL Speaker – Review

The Pulse puts smart Dimmable LED lighting and JBL sound in your ceiling! Other places too!

SengLED Pulse – Smart Flood LED Light with JBL Speaker – Sound

Pulse offers room filling sound, easy operation, but,  as expected, no serious bass.  Use one Pulse for mono, or two for stereo sound

Kwikset Kevo Deadbolt Lock Review – Bluetooth, FOB, and Key – Summary

KEVO BY KWIKSET – PAGE 2:  Installing and Configuring the Kevo lock, FOB and Keys, Cosmetics, the Kevo Experience and Summary (The Bottom Line)

Kwikset Kevo Deadbolt Lock Review – Bluetooth – No Front Door Key Needed

Meet Kevo! Kevo by Kwikset is a unique security focused home automation product. It’s a Bluetooth enabled dead bolt that also can use keys and FOBs. Need a “smart” deadbolt for your front door, or any

Honeywell WiFi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control – Operation and Conclusions

Honeywell 9000 WiFi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control:  Menus, Software, Conclusions

Honeywell WiFi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control – Installation

Honeywell 9000 WiFi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control:  Installation First we’ll look at one came in the box, then it’s time to transition from the old thermostat to our new Honeywell Smart Thermost

Honeywell WiFi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control – Home Automation Review

This smart thermostat – aptly named the Honeywell WiFi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control, is the newest addition to our Dream Home Project. In this review, we’ll start with an overview, then look at

Home Automation Review: Belkin WeMo Switch + Motion with Wifi

The WeMo Switch + Motion is the 2nd Belkin device added to our Smarter Home Automation Dream Home project.  Belkin provided us with two of the WeMo Switch + Motion packages.  We’re still deciding on t

Belkin WeMo Light Switch – Smart and Simple

WeMo Light Switch – Easy to use, Wifi based Belkin’s WeMo Light Switch, smart by way of Wifi, is the first piece of home automation to be installed in our Dream Home “Smarter Home Automation” Project.

Smarter LED Lighting such as Philips’ Hue, Saves Money, Creates Scenes, Changes the way we use Lighting!

LED lighting is great.  RGB LED lighting is even better, and making them Smart, allows one to completely rethink how one uses  lighting in both home (and commercial) environments.  Good implementation

Home Theater: Projector, sources power up, lights dim, screen lowers…

For those of us who are home theater enthusiasts, it’s the home theater itself that is most likely to be the first part of a home to get some home automation.  Solutions for motorized screens coming d