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CNET
2 days ago
- Business
- CNET
I Hesitated at This Thermostat's Price Tag, but It's Paying for Itself by Cutting My Energy Bills. Here's My Experience
CNET's key takeaways $250 for a smart thermostat may sound like a tough deal, but mine is set to pay for itself this summer thanks to lower heating and cooling payments. Automated Eco Modes make energy saving easy, even if you don't have time to plan out your schedule. Local utility rebates may also help make the thermostat more affordable. My Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 4 is astonishingly beautiful -- I've had people stop in my hallway just to look at the shifting rain and sunset animations. But that beauty, and all the smart features inside, is pricey: At around $250, it's one of the most expensive smart thermostats I recommend. So why take the plunge? Because Nest's Eco modes are so effective, my Nest smart thermostat is set to pay for itself this summer through electricity savings -- and I barely had to do anything except set it up. Here's how it all works, and why I'm glad I kept this Nest smart thermostat around. Read more: One Tiny Gadget Is the Unsung Hero of Today's Smart, Energy-Saving Home My experience with the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th-gen A Nest Thermostat showing lightning. Google Nest With a larger dial than ever, the Nest Learning Thermostat 4 is well-suited to showing off, both aesthetically and with data-backed insights on indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity and more. My favorite customization is putting the outside weather at the forefront of the display, which shows moving weather graphics that capture the current state of the skies, from falling snow to twinkling stars. Google's research indicates people save around 10% to 15% on their energy bills with a smart thermostat, which works out to an average savings of $132 to $145 per year. Nest's reports help you chart savings and troubleshoot energy problems. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Those numbers reflected my results fairly well. From early fall to the colder winter months, I saved around $10 to $15 per month with Nest's tweaks and by balancing my electricity usage with less costly natural gas heating. As the months warm up that number is growing higher, and I expect to save around $20 per month in the summer heat -- enough to pay for my thermostat sometime this year. After that, it's all gravy. Smarts behind a pretty face Nest Thermostat 4th-gen showing app controls, sensor settings and more. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Given permission, the thermostat learns my habits and adjusts heating and cooling levels in response. Auto-Eco mode, for example, will turn the thermostat down automatically if it senses there's no activity in the house, which saves more money. Adaptive Eco will take care of the details for me, while Eco Hold will stick to a money-saving temperature that I choose manually. The Auto-Scheduling function does something similar, since it learns how I adjust the thermostat throughout the day and mimics my comfort preferences over time so I don't have to keep tweaking the settings. Google Home makes it easy to apply weekly schedules in moments. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Adjust the temperature manually at any time and when you see the green leaf icon appear, you'll know you're in savings mode. That makes it easy to adjust on the fly when the temperature feels about right, but you'd like to squeeze more savings out of the thermostat. Nest's Eco Modes also generate reports so I can see monthly progress and note any sudden problems or unexpected energy use. If there's a strange jump in energy use, the scheduling may be off, or you may be using electricity-hungry devices too much (my space heater and I are guilty of this). There's also a gamified "leafs" competition against other users that I don't care much about, but it's there for those interested. Satellite sensors and other ways to save Thermostat satellite sensors are one of the best inventions for home heating. Tyler Lacoma/CNET My Nest model also came with a satellite sensor, a little white puck that wirelessly transmits the temperature where it's placed to the thermostat. I can tell the Nest Learning Thermostat 4 to turn on or off based on its own built-in readings, on the readings of the satellite sensor, or a combination of both. Sensors like these help thermostats be more accurate based on where you actually spend time. For example, if I'm going to be spending the evening in a movie session at my TV or computer, I can bring the sensor along and when those heat-exhaling electronics heat up my personal space, the thermostat will take that as a sign to shut off early. The Nest thermostat smart home integrations are very limited, but that does make it easier to set up. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Then there are the peak hours programs, under names like Peak Perks, Rush Hour Rewards, Nest Renew from Google and other labels that indicate a partnership with utility companies. If your local utility supports these programs, you can join up and your Nest thermostat will make additional small changes throughout the day, avoiding the often-pricier peak hour energy use when possible. You give up some control of your thermostat with programs like these, which may displease some users, but it does enable you to save more. Many energy providers will also offer bonuses or rebates you can use to recoup the cost of an expensive thermostat even faster. A quick note about setup: If you're worried about installing the thermostat in your home, there's not much to fear from the process. I have a full guide here, but as long as you practice electrical safety and snap a picture of your current thermostat wiring, setting up the Nest Thermostat Gen 4 and getting it connected to Wi-Fi shouldn't be a problem, especially with Google Home app walkthroughs. The specs for the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th-gen Diameter: 3.9 in (98 mm) Depth: 1.1 in (29 mm) Weight: 5.7 oz (161.8 g) Display: 2.7 inch (68 mm) diameter circular liquid crystal display (600 x 600 pixels) Sensors: Soli sensor for Motion Sense, Temperature, Humidity, Ambient light Power consumption: Less than 1 kWh/month Power source: HVAC system wiring C (common) Wire: Not required Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11n (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) HVAC system compatibility (Check your Nest compatibility here): Most 24V systems, including gas, electric, oil, forced air, heat pump, and radiant. It can control: Heating 1, 2, and 3 stages (W1, W2, W3); Cooling 1 and 2 stages (Y1, Y2); Heat pump with auxiliary and emergency heat (O/B, AUX, E); Fan (G, G2, G3); Power (C, RH, RC); Humidifier and dehumidifier (HUM, DEHUM); Ventilation (VENT). Smart home: Works with Google Home and Matter Warranty: 2-year standard for retail, 5-year standard for HVAC Pros Certifications: Energy Star-certified CNET's buying advice Nest's thermostat is one of the best high-end models I've seen. Tyler Lacoma/CNET It turns out a $250 to $280 smart thermostat isn't such a tough sell when I can see how mine will pay for itself in just about a year. It offers a plethora of energy-saving modes that users can pick from to rack up monthly savings -- most of them automated without requiring tinkering or calculators. I've even seen it available with rebates and free installation to speed up that payoff date. While Nest's circular thermostats have always had a flair for the dramatic, the Gen-4 model blows away the competition with a larger design that makes the most of its beautiful LED lighting and presence sensing to light up whenever someone walks past. The bright green leaf icon always shows instant savings for those who don't want to dive too deep into app management. Those who do want to explore the app will find settings for seasons, learning behaviors, weekly schedules and lots more.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Amazon slashes 'reliable' robot vacuum that's 'worth every penny' by 22%
Shoppers are hailing this discounted robot vacuum a 'game changer'. Housework is boring, and many of us spend hours cleaning the house every week in an endless cycle of hoovering. But luckily, we live in an age where the latest technology can take on some of the most tedious tasks. And Amazon is currently offering a generous 22 per cent discount on the Vexilar Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Cleaner with Mop, slashing its price tag from £289 to £225.24 This bit of tech promises to offer 'up to 60 days of hands-free cleaning' thanks to its spacious 2L dust bag providing uninterrupted cleaning cycles, which is perfect for busy households always on the go. The robot vacuum removes dust, debris and pet hair from a variety of surfaces, and has many customisable features, including suction power, water level, and cleaning frequency, reported Birmingham Live. The gadget connects to an app and is compatible with Alexa, Google Home and Siri. It maps every corner of the home, ensuring it navigates around furniture and any no-go zones that are set up. The robot vacuum offers up to 180 minutes of runtime in quiet mode. When its battery is low, the gadget automatically returns to its charging station and resumes cleaning once sufficiently recharged. People looking to browse the market for other robot vacuums may be interested in the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop for £399.99. This gadget offers CleanEdge Detect technology, however it provides less runtime from a single charge at 110 minutes. And Hoover is offering a £50 discount on its 2-In-1 Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop, bringing the price down to £249. It can be used on carpets and hard floors, and can climb onto rugs up to 2cm tall. The Vexilar Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Cleaner with Mop has received high praise from Amazon customers, earning an overall rating of 4.5 from over 1,000 buyers. Vexilar Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Cleaner with Mop £289 £225.24 Amazon Shop Product Description One impressed shopper wrote: "This Robot Vacuum Cleaner is an absolute game-changer for keeping my home clean with minimal effort. The 2L self-emptying station is a lifesaver. It truly delivers on its promise of up to 60 days of hands-free cleaning, making it perfect for busy households like mine. No more constant emptying. "It quickly mapped my entire home with pinpoint accuracy, navigating around furniture and obstacles with ease. I love how it creates optimised cleaning paths for thorough coverage. It picks up dust, debris, and even stubborn pet hair from both carpets and hard floors. The adjustable suction levels and quiet operation are fantastic bonuses. "Setting no-go zones and scheduling specific cleaning times via the app is a breeze. The auto-recharge and resume function ensure it always completes the job without a hitch. "This vacuum cleaner has exceeded my expectations in every way, combining top-notch technology, strong performance, and ease of use. If you're looking for a reliable, high-quality robot vacuum, this is worth every penny." A second happy customer commented: "What a great robot vacuum at a great price. It comes out every night and cleans the whole house. The level of suction is great and the mopping feature is a great bonus. It has mapped the whole house accurately and never puts a foot wrong. The self emptying feature is absolutely brilliant and just another reason to buy this vacuum. It goes about its work quietly and efficiently." Unfortunately one Amazon shopper was left disappointed, as they explained: "Stopped working after one week. It would not leave the room and just hoovered the same bits over and over." On the other hand, another buyer was thrilled with the Vexilar Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Cleaner with Mop, saying: "I saw this on offer and decided to go for it as the battery on my five-year-old robot vacuum was on the way out. "For roughly the same price I paid five years ago, I now have a self emptying, smarter vacuum that maps out the rooms and supports multi level. "I've also noticed it's able to access more areas and can climb over the kitchen bench legs. It hasn't gotten stuck yet after two weeks of use and I've not had to empty it once. Fantastic value for money, I'm glad I went with this rather than the more expensive brands costing double or triple." The robot vacuum can be purchased here. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Hisense extends ITS ConnectLife platform to third-party devices via Google's home APIs
QINGDAO, China, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, announced today the integration of Google's new Home APIs into its ConnectLife app, enabling users to bring their third-party smart home devices into the ConnectLife ecosystem by this fall. This move enables Hisense's ConnectLife app users to seamlessly onboard and control not only Hisense products, like TVs, refrigerators, and air conditioners, but also a wide array of popular third-party smart home devices, creating a more integrated smart home experience. This announcement coincides with Google I/O 2025's smart home announcements, where Hisense is featured as a launch partner for Google's new Home APIs. This integration leverages Google's Home APIs' access to over 750 million devices, including Matter, "Works with Google Home" certified, and Google Nest devices. The expanded connectivity brings enhanced device compatibility and sophisticated automation capabilities, enabling users to control both Hisense products and third-party devices, such as smart plugs, lighting, doorbells, curtains, and more, all within a single app. ConnectLife users will be able to seamlessly bring third-party devices to enable experiences that will enhance entertainment, pet care, air quality, and more. One-touch modes and customized automations can blend Hisense products with third-party devices to create intelligent home responses, such as air conditioners automatically adjusting based on third-party air quality sensors, or smart lights providing visual notifications when the Hisense refrigerator's VersaTemp drawer reaches the ideal temperature for chilling drinks. While visual notifications via smart lights have existed, Hisense's integration allows users to easily configure these detailed cross-device interactions directly within the intuitive ConnectLife app. This simplifies setup for benefits like having third-party smart lights visually alert users who are hard of hearing, when hands are busy with tasks around the house, or when people prefer to keep their phones silenced, providing a seamless, unified smart home experience without the need to juggle multiple third-party apps for configuration. "At Hisense, we are committed to simplifying smart living for everyone," said Miguel Becerra, Director of Smart Home Experiences, Hisense Americas Region. "This integration enhances ConnectLife to create seamless experiences that make everyday life more convenient and enjoyable for our consumers." The enhanced ConnectLife app with Google Home APIs integration will be available this fall for both Android and iOS platforms. About Hisense Hisense, founded in 1969, is a globally recognized leader in home appliances and consumer electronics with operations in over 160 countries, specializing in delivering high-quality multimedia products, home appliances, and intelligent IT solutions. According to Omdia, Hisense ranks No. 2 worldwide in total TV shipments (2022-2024) and No. 1 globally in the 100-inch and over TV segment (2023-2024). As the first official partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, Hisense is committed to global sports partnerships as a way to connect with audiences worldwide.
Cision Canada
23-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Hisense extends ITS ConnectLife platform to third-party devices via Google's home APIs
QINGDAO, China, May 23, 2025 /CNW/ -- Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, announced today the integration of Google's new Home APIs into its ConnectLife app, enabling users to bring their third-party smart home devices into the ConnectLife ecosystem by this fall. This move enables Hisense's ConnectLife app users to seamlessly onboard and control not only Hisense products, like TVs, refrigerators, and air conditioners, but also a wide array of popular third-party smart home devices, creating a more integrated smart home experience. This announcement coincides with Google I/O 2025's smart home announcements, where Hisense is featured as a launch partner for Google's new Home APIs. This integration leverages Google's Home APIs' access to over 750 million devices, including Matter, "Works with Google Home" certified, and Google Nest devices. The expanded connectivity brings enhanced device compatibility and sophisticated automation capabilities, enabling users to control both Hisense products and third-party devices, such as smart plugs, lighting, doorbells, curtains, and more, all within a single app. ConnectLife users will be able to seamlessly bring third-party devices to enable experiences that will enhance entertainment, pet care, air quality, and more. One-touch modes and customized automations can blend Hisense products with third-party devices to create intelligent home responses, such as air conditioners automatically adjusting based on third-party air quality sensors, or smart lights providing visual notifications when the Hisense refrigerator's VersaTemp drawer reaches the ideal temperature for chilling drinks. While visual notifications via smart lights have existed, Hisense's integration allows users to easily configure these detailed cross-device interactions directly within the intuitive ConnectLife app. This simplifies setup for benefits like having third-party smart lights visually alert users who are hard of hearing, when hands are busy with tasks around the house, or when people prefer to keep their phones silenced, providing a seamless, unified smart home experience without the need to juggle multiple third-party apps for configuration. "At Hisense, we are committed to simplifying smart living for everyone," said Miguel Becerra, Director of Smart Home Experiences, Hisense Americas Region. "This integration enhances ConnectLife to create seamless experiences that make everyday life more convenient and enjoyable for our consumers." The enhanced ConnectLife app with Google Home APIs integration will be available this fall for both Android and iOS platforms. About Hisense Hisense, founded in 1969, is a globally recognized leader in home appliances and consumer electronics with operations in over 160 countries, specializing in delivering high-quality multimedia products, home appliances, and intelligent IT solutions. According to Omdia, Hisense ranks No. 2 worldwide in total TV shipments (2022-2024) and No. 1 globally in the 100-inch and over TV segment (2023-2024). As the first official partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, Hisense is committed to global sports partnerships as a way to connect with audiences worldwide.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- USA Today
These smart gadgets can enhance your at-home experience
These smart gadgets can enhance your at-home experience Show Caption Hide Caption How to clean your phone, laptop safely Get the dirty fingerprints, crumbs and more off of your tech with these simple cleaning tips. Nearly 65 years ago, the popular animated sitcom "The Jetsons" burst onto the airwaves, giving us a glimpse into the future of smart homes and other high-tech gadgets. With visions of things such as flying cars and fully automated homes, these futuristic concepts seemed far-fetched at the time. A quarter-century into the new millennium, some of the devices seen in the series have found their way into our reality. As flying cars make their way to market and Waymo self-driving cars currently transport people in select U.S. cities, it's clear technology is rapidly evolving before our eyes. We've entered an era of readily available products and appliances that make home life a breeze, and often with a simple verbal command or touch on your smartphone. According to Parks Associates, a longstanding market research brand, 45 percent of households in the United States with internet have at least one smart home product and 18 percent of households have six or more. If you've been considering adding a few smart gadgets to your home, here's a curated list of some of the market's best products. From high-tech thermostats and AI-enabled refrigerators to colorful LED lights that work at your voice's command, these gadgets will certainly make your home feel more futuristic: Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Voted one of the best options on the market by "PCMag" and "The New York Times," this plug has the ability to take your regular gadgets from basic to smart with little to no effort. Plus, it's compatible with major home hubs like Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home. Have you ever dreamed of being able to control the fan in your room while you're sleeping, without having to do so manually? With smart plugs such as this, you can not only put most of your gadgets on a timer, but you can operate them via your smartphone or by voice as well. $41.99 for a four-pack, Ring Battery Doorbell Cam Long gone are the days of having to get up every time your doorbell rings or missing a delivery when you're not home. With the introduction of doorbell cameras, such as Ring's, we've entered a new era of home security and monitoring. This brand is loved because you can not only see who's at the door from a compatible device, but you can reply or set auto replies, too. You can even pair it with the Ring-branded security system that offers 24/7 professional monitoring as an add-on, giving added peace of mind even while away on vacation. $59.99, Google Nest Learning Thermostat Now in its fourth generation, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat has been a go-to for homeowners since launching more than a decade ago. Controlled manually or via the Google Home app on your smartphone, the device picks up on your preferred temperature settings over time and automatically adjusts even when you aren't home. With the help of AI, the newest iteration of the Adaptive Eco feature is also able to determine the right settings for optimal energy saving, which often means lower energy bills for you as well. $239.99, ROKU Plus Series Smart TV Smart televisions have truly revolutionized the game. ROKU's Plus Series is not only equipped with a QLED screen and preloaded with popular streaming platforms, but the TV can be controlled by your voice using the accompanying remote. This means you can play your favorite show by simply speaking, or even find the remote if it gets lost. The Plus Series models are compatible with most major smart home hubs such as Alexa and Google Home and can be paired with other ROKU-branded products, too. Starting at $398 for a 55-inch model, Philips A19 LED Smart Color-Changing Light Bulb The Phillips A19 LED bulb is reasonably priced and has a range of colors perfect for any mood. The light can be controlled via voice through your smart home hub, or you can activate it through the WiZ app from your smartphone. $12.97 for a 60-watt bulb, LG 16H Prime Home Backup Battery Though not 'smart' in the sense of the other products mentioned, home backup batteries are among the things you didn't know you needed, until you actually do. Essentially a new-age generator, these high-powered energy sources provide the necessary output to keep your home running, especially in the event of a power outage. This particular model is touted as being designed with the average homeowner's needs in mind, meaning it's not overly complicated to use, has just the right amount of power for everyday needs like running an air conditioner while also being affordable in comparison to similar models on the market. $3,999,
