Lifestyle Smart Home

Countless homeowners have done everything that they can to transform their houses into smart homes. It’s easy to overlook certain simple devices that make it easier to go about your day as a homeowner, such as smart plugs. So, do smart plugs save energy?

Those who have  Vizio TVs love their televisions. And there is a good reason for that because Vizio has become recognized as a leader in TV technology. Just ask the thousands upon thousands of satisfied Vizio customers, and they will tell you, from the screen quality to the interactive technologies, that these are wonderful TVs.

Countless homeowners will do anything to update their technology and appliances. Smart technology has crept into every aspect of the home, and that includes lighting fixtures. So, can smart bulbs be used in any lamp?

When it works perfectly, AirPlay allows users to stream content from Apple devices to other multimedia devices. If you have a Vizio TV, you can display audio, video, photos, and anything else from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop directly to the TV. Unfortunately, technology rarely seems to work perfectly. That’s why we’re going to talk about what to do when Vizio AirPlay is not working.

The Wink Hub is a genius piece of smart home technology. This smart hub router syncs up with other smart home appliances on your Wi-Fi network. It streamlines your ability to talk to all compatible smart home equipment through one device. Using the Wink App, you can control all connected appliances with voice or touch.

Why is your Insignia TV blinking red? This is an aggravating circumstance indeed; whether you’re experiencing a minor or major issue, there are a few troubleshooting techniques that you can do at home.

For as smart as they are, smart thermostats occasionally do some silly things. Ecobee users noticed their thermostats sometimes blew cold air instead of hot air. When you’re expecting heat on a chilly day, cold air is most unwelcome. So, why does this happen?

It’s time to watch your favorite shows on TV. But suddenly, your Roku volume stops working. A big scene is coming up, and it’s about to get loud. So, how can you enjoy the entertainment without waking up the whole house?

Thermostats have as much of a variety and wide selection as any other household appliance. It can be difficult to navigate the world of thermostats with so many options between smart, analog, and programmable thermostats. So, what exactly is the less widely known millivolt thermostat?

One of Amazon Alexa’s most popular skills allows users to play their choice of music on command. However, it seems some people have been experiencing issues with Alexa performing this task a bit too well.

Whether you’re listening to music or watching a movie, an LG soundbar is a great way to enhance your experience. That is until your soundbar subwoofer keeps cutting out for no reason. This problem is extremely annoying and inconvenient. If you want to get back to your listening experience, you’ll have to solve it in a timely manner.

Samsung TVs have a good reputation for the quality and clarity of the images on their TV screens. However, like any electronic device, the complicated systems in these Samsung TVs are subject to problems. One common problem seems to be dark streaks or areas on the TV screen.

It’s hard to imagine a world without smart thermostats now that we’ve had them for several years. The Nest thermostat is among the best on the market because it is easy to program and maintain, but even it can be confusing. So, what does it mean when a Nest says it’s heating but it’s not?

Many satisfied Vizio TV users are willing to tell you how much they love their TVs. However, you will also hear some stories about problems. Often these complaints detail high-pitched sounds coming from inside the Vizio TV.

Picture it: Winter, 2021. You live in a cold-climate area and temperatures are dropping. You decide to ask your Nest thermostat to kick up the heat a few degrees and . . . it won’t even turn on!

Many typical issues come with getting a new TV. Those common issues can include things like connection and setup to  mounting the television. In most cases, these are less like problems and more like learning curves. And like every new television, often even with the same manufacturer, there are new things to figure out. That includes learning how to deal with issues like when Vizio TV legs are too wide.

A loud blast from your Samsung TV is enough to send you through the roof. If the volume’s stuck on 100, how are you supposed to comfortably catch up on Virgin River?

The SimpliSafe brand offers a wide variety of high-quality home security products, including smoke detectors, flood indicators, and alarm systems. Their equipment features innovative smart technology that’s designed to enhance user control in an easy and discreet way.

Smart thermostats like Ecobee allow you to control them from an app on your phone. No longer must you walk over to the thermostat to change it. But in our question for convenience, some may ask, “Does it work with Google Home?”

I love the idea of video doorbells, don’t you? It’s so nice to see a video of who’s outside your home and actually have proof of porch pirates. Video doorbells are a smart investment in home security, but most require you to pay a monthly subscription. Want to get a video doorbell that doesn’t need one? We have you covered.

Installing smart devices into your home is a great way to make your life easier and upgrade your space. Products such as Nest make it easy and convenient to manage your home’s temperature.

There is little argument that Samsung Smart TVs are some of the most popular on the market. The reliability and quality of these TVs are unquestioned. However, like any appliance, Samsung TVs are subject to their share of problems and issues. One of the most often asked about problems is the black screen of death.

If you have recently bought a Vizio smart TV and have taken a look at the remote, you have probably noticed something a little strange right off the bat: there is no menu button on a Vizio remote.

Roku is easily one of the most popular streaming platforms currently on the market. Users swear by Roku’s easy-to-use features and a wide variety of free movies, TV shows, music, and more. But it can be frustrating when it stops working — like when you notice your Roku remote blinking a green light.

DirecTV is a popular satellite TV service that offers more than 240 channels in most areas. A big downside of DirecTV, though, is that it sometimes it freezes.

Nest has several error codes that may appear on the screen to let you know something is amiss. While it can be alarming, there are usually plenty of ways to troubleshoot the problems yourself.

There’s nothing more important than your security. That’s why doorbells help implement some added protection when you’re at home or while you’re away. When you’re waiting for a package delivery, you want to ensure it’s left where it’s intended to.

When summer rolls around, your home’s air conditioner is one of the only things that can offer you respite from the heat. As far as smart thermostats go, the Alarm.com thermostat is a strong contender. However, as is the case with many thermostats, its cooling capabilities can malfunction.

The Internet plays such a pivotal role in our everyday lives. One of the biggest modern inconveniences is when it stops working. Why does your Internet go out every night at the same time, and what can you do to fix it?

It’s not unusual to experience issues with your WiFi, which is why it’s important to know how to fix the problems as quickly as possible. One of the common issues you may run into is your Cox Panoramic modem blinking a different color. In this article, we’ll be talking about what to do if a Cox Panoramic WiFi green blinking light.

I’ve often found myself going to ask Alexa a question only to realize I was nowhere near one. Smart devices make life much more convenient, don’t they? Ecobee is a home automation company that specializes in smart home devices. One such device is their smart thermostat.

POV: You’re watching Ted Lasso, and you can’t help but notice the picture on your TV seems unusually dark. Why does your Samsung TV keep dimming?

Magnavox universal remotes simplify your life by combining controls for all of your audio-visual equipment in a single device. As convenient as this is, when the remote stops working, things get a bit complicated. You have to juggle individual remotes or manually adjust each piece of equipment.

Smart televisions and the remotes that accompany them are vastly more sophisticated than ever before. Samsung TVs and their remotes are known to be both finely crafted and long lasting. For this reason and others, it can be downright frustrating when your Samsung TV remote is blinking red and not functioning properly.

It is common for Ring Video Doorbells to have trouble keeping the lithium-ion battery pack fully charged. There are a few possible reasons for this, most of which can be solved by the Ring owner. 

Nest thermostats are great for people who want to have a little extra efficiency. They keep your home warm and nicely climate controlled. However, things don’t always work the way they should. There are going to be times when your Nest thermostat won’t heat up your home. What gives, anyway?

With modems, we feel like there’s always something wrong- so, what is it this time? If you notice your Spectrum modem ‘Online’ light is blinking, there are a few quick remedies to apply.

An Echo remote is a pinnacle of convenience. It allows you to communicate with Alexa and easily control your home entertainment system using only your voice. But what do you do when the remote you use to make modern life more convenient stops working?

A Ring Doorbell is a valuable asset to many people, providing convenience and protection from your front door. If you consider this item for your home, you might wonder what a few of the pros and cons are. It can be tricky to find this information on the internet without extensive searching.

If your Arris SURFboard modem is showing a “Sync Timing Synchronization Failure,” it can be confusing, to say the least. Why is this happening, and what’s the recommended plan to fix it?

Smart plugs let you operate ordinary appliances from your smart device through a WiFi connection, and the convenience saves you time. Gosund smart plugs are known for being easy to set up. Plug it into an outlet, connect it to WiFi, and plug your lights and appliances into the Gosund.

If you’re an AT&T customer, you already know how quickly you can reach the limit on your personal hotspot. This can leave you without internet connection when you may need it the most and potentially saddle you with extra money on your bill. For many people, the solution to this problem has been simply to switch service providers and be rid of AT&T once and for all. That said, if you’re not wanting to go through the hassle, we’ll tell you how to bypass an AT&T hotspot block.

Unlike old TVs with one aspect ratio available, Vizio TVs offer you several options for viewing programs at the best aspect ratio. Most times, your Vizio TV adjusts the display’s aspect ratio for the best with the program you watch. However, you may experience your Vizio TV getting stuck in the Wide Mode aspect ratio.

Xfinity is one of the most popular cable providers in the United States. With their huge selection of channels and packages, they’ve got something for everyone. However, sometimes things can go wrong- like when your Xfinity remote isn’t working correctly.

Nowadays, a home isn’t a home without modern technology infused throughout. There are smart thermostats, security systems, curtains, and even smart light bulbs. Smart light bulbs are becoming more popular these days. After all, they have several benefits, including increased security and lower energy costs. But if you are looking to install new lights outside your home, you might wonder if you can use smart bulbs outdoors.

TVs are wonderful additions to your home — when they work correctly. There are many issues that can come up, from TVs being too loud or too quiet,  being too dim, all the way up to the dreaded ‘black screen of death’. But luckily, many of these issues are relatively simple to fix.

There’s nothing worse than when your Vizio TV keeps turning off after a few seconds in the middle of Monday Night Football. It’s time to get to the bottom of this before you lose your cool.

Televisions can be found in virtually every home today. And they have come a long way since those 12-inch black and whites that our parents’ parents talked about. Yet, with all our technology and advancements,  televisions can still be just as quirky as they have ever been. From screen size issues to upside-down pictures, sometimes America’s oldest beloved electronic device (sorry iPhones), is an occasional headache too.

Heater season is upon us! If you have an Ecobee thermostat, you may notice an alert pop up after running the heater for a few weeks: “Aux heat running too long.” It should be noted that “Aux” stands for auxiliary, a secondary heating system. Once the temperature outside reaches a certain low point, your compressor switches over to auxiliary heat.

All Ring doorbells, except for the Ring Doorbell Pro and the Ring Doorbell Elite, run on batteries, even if they are hardwired to the home. The battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion pack that charges via a USB cable. The battery charge should last an average of 6 to 12 months, but frequent use discharges them sooner.

The Vivint Smart Thermostat plays an important role in the brand’s home security lineup. It uses sensors to determine when you’re home or away. With that information, it adjusts the temperature in your house. But what happens when your digital thermostat stops working?

Deciding whether or not to upgrade your lighting to smart lighting is a big decision. There is, of course, the initial investment. At $30 or $40 a bulb, switching your entire home over to smart bulbs is no small price to pay. But the benefits are numerous.

Ring Doorbells are an advancement in technology that many people want to get their hands on. Unfortunately, this has led to an uptick in the number of doorbells that get stolen off of doorsteps. If you are concerned about this or it has happened to you, you might be curious how you can prevent this case of theft.

The Pro 1 t705 is an effective and versatile thermostat that is ideal for many homeowners. It can run solely on batteries, a hardwire, or a combination of both for consistent performance. With that said, what are you supposed to do when your Pro 1 t705 thermostat is not working?

With the advancement of smart technology and software, smart homes are becoming extremely popular. Whether you want to go all out with a smart home or simply include one or two pieces of smart technology, a Nest thermostat is a great place to start. While they offer many advantages over other thermostats, Nest thermostats still have their fair share of problems. One of these problems is when you suddenly have no power to the Rh wire.

It’s frustrating when you take time to install an Ecobee thermostat only to have it not power on. It’s even more frustrating when the thermostat was already working and suddenly loses power. In either case, there is always a reason.

The Amazon Fire Stick is more than just a passing tech fad or an alternative cable option like satellite TV. And the Amazon Fire Stick has been the source of many questions too. From what can it do to how does it work. Many of those questions also derive from folks who already have cable service. That includes questions like the ability to use the Fire Stick with cable or being able to plug the  Amazon Fire Stick  into the cable box.

You can get all of your programming needs met online and pay a fraction of the price while still enjoying your favorite shows! How can you get rid of the pesky broadcast TV fee? Is it possible?

If you’ve ever come into my home, you already know that I’m a huge fan of Spotify. Specifically, I’m a fan of playing my Spotify on Alexa. The thing is, I’m married and my husband has an account too. That leads us to a question many people have wondered: can you have multiple Spotify accounts on a single Alexa?

The best way to catch up on your favorite shows is by recording them when they air and saving them for a later date. However, you need your recording device to be working properly for this to happen.