Latest news with #SmartHome
Associated Press
9 hours ago
- Associated Press
Smart Door Locks Explained: How to Pick the Perfect Model for Your Home
MIAMI, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / August 11, 2025 / A Smart door lock is one of those upgrades that instantly makes life easier and more secure. These devices eliminate common frustrations like misplaced keys, uncertainty about locked doors, and the need to be physically present to grant access. But with so many models on the market, figuring out which one is right for your home can be confusing. This guide breaks down the essentials, lock types, features, compatibility, and setup so you can choose a smart door lock that works for your door and how you live. Choosing the Right Smart Door Lock Choosing a smart door lock starts with compatibility. The type of locking system your door uses will determine what kind of smart door lock will fit and function correctly. Most residential doors either use a multipoint lock or a standard mortise lock, and each requires a different approach. If your door has a multipoint locking system, which secures the door at several points along the frame, a retrofit smart door lock is typically required. These are designed to work with the door's existing internal mechanism. Our Smart Door Lock Slim is designed to support many common multipoint setups, allowing for smart access while retaining the existing lock hardware in compatible cases. Doors with a standard mortise lock are typically replaced entirely when upgrading to a smart door lock. In this case, the smart door lock includes its own mortise hardware and is installed in place of the existing mechanical lock, rather than working with the original parts. To determine which smart door lock is the correct fit, it's important to first confirm the type of lock your door uses. Our Size Inquiry tool can help by providing guidance based on your door's measurements and hardware. Taking this step early can reduce the risk of compatibility issues during installation. Matching the Smart Door Lock to Your Daily Use Once you've confirmed compatibility, it's worth considering how the smart door lock fits into your daily routine. Think about who needs access and how they'll use the lock, whether that's through a keypad, a mobile app, or scheduled codes for family or guests. Features like auto-locking, face recognition, and activity logs can add convenience, especially for busy households. Choose functions that match your habits, not just what looks impressive. The right smart door lock should simplify access without changing how you live. Final Thoughts Finding the right smart door lock isn't just about picking a model with the most features, it's about choosing one that fits your door, suits your daily needs, and installs without unnecessary complications. By starting with the basics, your door type, hardware compatibility, and how you plan to use the lock, you can narrow your options and avoid common pitfalls. A smart door lock should make everyday access simpler, more secure, and better suited to how you live. With the right fit and features, it becomes a natural part of your routine, not something you have to think twice about. Contact Information Suzane Chavez Press & Affiliates Manager 305-330-3424 SOURCE: Connected Shop Inc. press release
New York Times
3 days ago
- New York Times
Alexa Got an A.I. Brain Transplant. How Smart Is It Now?
For the last few years, I've been waiting for Alexa's A.I. glow-up. I've been a loyal user of Alexa, the voice assistant that powers Amazon's home devices and smart speakers, for more than a decade. I have five Alexa-enabled speakers scattered throughout my house, and while I don't use them for anything complicated — playing music, setting timers and getting the weather forecast are basically it — they're good at what they do. But since 2023, when ChatGPT added an A.I. voice mode that could answer questions in a fluid, conversational way, it has been obvious that Alexa would need a brain transplant — a new A.I. system built around the same large language models, or L.L.M.s, that power ChatGPT and other products. L.L.M.-based systems are smarter and more versatile than older systems. They can handle more complex requests, making them an obvious pick for a next-generation voice assistant. Amazon agrees. For the last few years, the company has been working feverishly to upgrade the A.I. inside Alexa. It has been a slog. Replacing the A.I. technology inside a voice assistant isn't as easy as swapping in a new model, and the Alexa remodel was reportedly delayed by internal struggles and technical challenges along the way. L.L.M.s also aren't a perfect match for this kind of product, which not only needs to work with tons of pre-existing services and millions of Alexa-enabled devices, but also needs to reliably perform basic tasks. But finally, the new Alexa — known as Alexa+ — is here. It's a big, ambitious remodel that is trying to marry the conversational skills of generative A.I. chatbots with the daily tasks that the old Alexa did well. Alexa+, which has been available to testers through an early-access program for a few months, is now being rolled out more widely. I got it last week after I bought a compatible device (the Echo Show 8, which has an eight-inch screen) and enrolled in the upgraded version. (Prime members will get Alexa+ at no cost, while non-Prime members will have to pay $19.99 per month.) Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bell MTS Smart Home service offloaded in alarm deal
BELL MTS's parent company is selling its home security and monitored alarm branches to an Ontario firm. On Thursday, BCE Inc. announced it'd sell the assets to a.p.i. Alarm Inc., which markets itself as North America's largest privately owned full-service security and alarm monitoring company. Bell MTS's Smart Home service is part of the deal. 'Customers will experience a seamless transition,' David Marcille, Bell's senior manager of media relations, wrote in a statement. The acquisition could close in the latter half of 2025. BCE expects a $90 million transaction with additional proceeds of up to $80 million 'contingent on the achievement of certain performance obligations,' a second-quarter shareholder report reads. All of Bell's home security and alarm companies, including Bell Aliant's in Atlantic Canada, will be affected. Bell pointed to its 'ongoing strategy' of focusing on its core telecommunications, enterprise solutions and media businesses as the reason for the sale. It will keep managing installations, equipment servicing and repairs until Sept. 30. The next day, a.p.i. Alarm Inc. will take over monitoring and servicing. Customers will retain access to their existing apps and portals, Marcille wrote. 'No action is required from customers,' he emphasized. Billing will transition to a.p.i. Alarm; monthly rates won't change for two years, Marcille said. A.p.i. Alarm Inc. didn't respond to interview requests by print deadline. The home security industry has grown increasingly competitive with the arrival of self-monitoring equipment, said Wenlong Yuan, the University of Manitoba's Stu Clark Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. 'We've started to use all these kinds of cameras for monitoring,' he added. It's possible BCE wasn't seeing a sufficient future or profit in the business, leading them to sell, he speculated. Also, services like Bell MTS's Smart Home diverge from the traditional phone and internet offerings Bell provides, he noted, highlighting BCE's stated reasoning. In 2018, BCE purchased AlarmForce Industries — which had more than 100,000 subscribers — for approximately $182 million. A year later, it later sold 30,000 AlarmForce customer accounts to Telus for some $66.5 million. For a.p.i. Alarm, the new deal is likely a chance to scale, Yuan said. The company began in 1983 and employs between 201 and 500 people, per its LinkedIn page. BCE's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) declined 0.9 per cent year-over-year this second quarter. Its adjusted EBITDA was $2.67 billion, down from $2.69 billion. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
The Verge
3 days ago
- The Verge
This three-pack of fast Wi-Fi 7 routers is under $200 for the first time
Having a solid set of Wi-Fi routers is essential, whether you're working from home, playing online games , or streaming a movie. I've used this three-pack of TP-Link's Deco BE26 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Routers for months without any issues, and I'm eager to recommend them, especially since it's currently on sale for $188.89 ($90 off) at Amazon (with an on-page promo code) or $199.99 ($80 off) at Best Buy. TP-Link claims this array of routers can create a network that covers up to 6,600 square feet, with speeds up to 5Gbps, and with support for over 150 devices at once. The speeds you actually get will, of course, depend on the service you pay for, the layout of your home, and lastly, the kind of Wi-Fi chip that's in your devices. While I don't own any Wi-Fi 7 gadgets yet, these routers have worked wonderfully in a three-floor 3,000-square foot condo. I've got a mix of gadgets connected to them, including ones that support Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, along with smart home accessories. So far, I haven't noticed network congestion issues or dropped connections. Even stress tests, like streaming multiple 4K movies while downloading a larger video game on various gadgets, didn't pose a problem. Similarly, I've never had an issue with a smart thermostat, robot vacuum, speaker, or TV randomly losing its connection. It took me about half an hour to set up the routers using the required TP-Link Deco app. It may take a little longer than that to tinker with router placement — an annoying, but worthwhile process to get the best speeds. In case you're new to mesh Wi-Fi routers, one of the three in this kit must be wired directly to your cable modem, then the others can be installed anywhere there's a power outlet. Sign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we've tested sent to your inbox weekly. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Brandt Ranj Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Deals Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Fitness Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gadgets Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Samsung Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Smart Home Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Wearable
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
SKYX Updates Time of Corporate Update Call to 4:30 PM ET on August 12, 2025
Company to Provide Corporate Updates Including New Developments, Second Quarter 2025 Overview and Financial Results; Conference Call to be Held Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time Time of Event changed from 10:00 AM EST to 4:30 PM EST MIAMI, Aug. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SKYX Platforms Corp. (NASDAQ: SKYX) (d/b/a "SKYX Technologies"), a highly disruptive advanced and smart home platform technology company for homes and buildings, with more than 100 issued and pending patents globally and a portfolio of over 60 lighting and home décor websites, announces today that it will host a Corporate Update call and present its second quarter 2025 overview and financial results. The conference call will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. SKYX Participating Members will include: Rani Kohen, Founder and Executive Chairman Steve Schmidt, SKYX President, (former CEO of Nielsen Data Corporation and former President of Office Depot International) Lenny Sokolow, Co-CEO SKYX Platforms – Q2 2025 Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Time: 4:30 PM Eastern Time U.S./Canada Dial-in: 1-412-317-5180 International Dial-in: 1-844-825-9789 Call me™ link for instant telephone access to the event: Passcode: 1488921 Please dial in at least 10 minutes before the start of the call to ensure timely participation. Webcast link: A playback of the call will be available until September 12, 2025. Replay Dial-In: 1-844-512-2921 or 1-412-317-6671 Replay Pin Number: 10202040 About SKYX Platforms Corp. As electricity is a standard in every home and building, our mission is to make homes and buildings become safe-advanced and smart as the new standard. SKYX has a series of highly disruptive advanced-safe-smart platform technologies, with over 100 U.S. and global patents and patent pending applications. Additionally, the Company owns over 60 lighting and home decor websites for both retail and commercial segments. Our technologies place an emphasis on high quality and ease of use, while significantly enhancing both safety and lifestyle in homes and buildings. We believe that our products are a necessity in every room in both homes and other buildings in the U.S. and globally. For more information, please visit our website at or follow us on LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this press release are not based on historical facts, but are forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "can," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "evaluate," "forecast," "guidance," "intend," "likely," "may," "might," "objective," "ongoing," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "predict," "probable," "project," "seek," "should," "target" "view," "will," or "would," or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements reflect the Company's reasonable judgment with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which have outcomes difficult to predict and may be outside our control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include statements relating to the Company's ability to successfully launch, commercialize, develop additional features and achieve market acceptance of its products and technologies and integrate its products and technologies with third-party platforms or technologies; the Company's efforts and ability to drive the adoption of its products and technologies as a standard feature, including their use in homes, hotels, offices and cruise ships; the Company's ability to capture market share; the Company's estimates of its potential addressable market and demand for its products and technologies; the Company's ability to raise additional capital to support its operations as needed, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to execute on any sales and licensing or other strategic opportunities; the possibility that any of the Company's products will become National Electrical Code (NEC)-code or otherwise code mandatory in any jurisdiction, or that any of the Company's current or future products or technologies will be adopted by any state, country, or municipality, within any specific timeframe or at all; risks arising from mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other collaborations; the Company's ability to attract and retain key executives and qualified personnel; guidance provided by management, which may differ from the Company's actual operating results; the potential impact of unstable market and economic conditions on the Company's business, financial condition, and stock price; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. There can be no assurance as to any of the foregoing matters. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws.
