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CNET
2 hours ago
- CNET
Smart Home's Secret Tech Is Geofencing: Here's What It Is and How I Use It
If you search through your smart home app or feature list, you'll often run into the word "geofencing" or something like automatic home/away settings. That signals a powerful, useful feature that far too many users don't even bother turning on. I'm trying to change that. My experiments with smart home technology have shown me all sorts of ways to tap into geofencing technology. If you're interested in saving time and finding clever new ways to use your tech, I highly recommend it -- although there are some data tracking details you should know, too. I'll explain Read more: What is a Smart Home, Anyway? Geofencing: Mapping your location Geofencing requires giving an app location data, such as your address. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Geofencing is a mobile technology that taps into location-based data (usually via GPS and other map app tricks). It allows users to fence in a specific spot and create rules about what happens when they leave that spot, as tracked by the location of their phone. Different companies have different types of geofencing methods but the end result is the same. In smart homes, the geofenced area is typically a home. When a user moves away from their home with their phone or other device that's tracking their location, it dings when it reaches a certain distance away, which causes connected devices to do things. More complex geofencing allows users to literally draw on a digital map to set its boundaries but in most cases, you just give the app your address and it does the rest for you. An important note: Consumer-focused geofencing should not be confused with marketing or law enforcement geofencing, which shares the same name but is a completely different practice. In law enforcement, for example, geofencing refers to requesting user data from all mobile devices in a specific area. Courts are currently in disagreement on whether this growing practice is legal. How smart homes use geofencing Smart home apps have a number of ways to get started with geofencing and some are very simple. Tyler Lacoma/CNET So, what does geofencing actually do? It can change how home devices act when someone is away from home vs. when they are at home or arriving home. This has several practical, time-saving capabilities. For example, users may be able to set routines that turn off the lights, lock the door and close the garage when they start driving away from home. Or, if they regularly get home in the dark, they may be able to link up smart lights to turn on as they're approaching the house. That's just the start of what you can do with geofencing and a smart home. Other people may prefer to focus on their smart thermostat, letting it automatically ease off heating and cooling when they leave their home, then make things more comfortable when they get back. Getting started with geofencing capabilities ADT's new hub has a few extra tricks and supports features like geofencing. Tyler Lacoma/CNET You don't have to arrange complex smart home routines or draw lines around a map to take advantage of geofencing. In fact, it's best to start small when first using this feature and see how it works in your own home. One of the easiest ways to begin using geofencing is to get a smart plug that supports home/away modes. The plug will simply turn off a connected device when you're gone, which can help save electricity. You could connect it to a light, a fountain, fan or air purifier and see if it turns off as you leave and starts working again when you arrive home. That may give you other ideas about what technology you'd like to control based on leaving or arriving home. Home and away settings are a particularly easy way to use geofencing, especially when arming security devices. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Or, if you have an existing security system, you can check to see if it supports home/away modes that use geofencing. It can be very handy to set your security system up to automatically arm and disarm based on whether you are out of the house. Plus, you may not even need to purchase any new devices, just change some settings in your app. I recently tested these sorts of services with ADT and the ADT+ platform, which also allows you to integrate smart lock behaviors and more. If you're looking for new tech that includes geofencing, look for devices that support Matter or that work with major platforms like Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home. Geofencing isn't guaranteed, but this makes it more likely. Is geofencing safe and private? Geofencing will let companies know when you're leaving home. RerF via Getty Geofencing is generally considered safe. In my years of smart home testing, I've never heard of consumer geofencing being misused or landing anyone in danger. The worst that can happen is that geofencing stops working because of bugs or app problems, which could leave a security system disarmed or require reboots and patches (as people have reported on Reddit). Well, that's the worst for individual consumers, anyway: If you're a government, geofencing apps may accidentally show secret military bases. On the privacy front, things are more complicated. Geofencing does require enabling various location-based tracking data. That gives apps -- and the companies that own them -- access to info about where you live, when you leave or arrive at a location and possibly other data. They may use that data for internal analysis and marketing purposes, or even sell it to third parties (although that usually requires some kind of warning or consent). Apps generally need to enable location-based data on demand to use geofencing correctly so you can't usually set it to only activate once like you can with other apps. That's a privacy concession not everyone is willing to make. To learn more, visit our pages on the best smart home devices, security practices to keep your home safe and the cheap smart devices CNET editors are still using.
CNET
27-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Home Security Cheat Sheet: I Gathered All Our Best Expert Advice
CNET Smart home solutions abound for home security and safety, from alarm systems to guides on Wi-Fi hacking and stopping porch pirates. It all gets overwhelming for newcomers looking to protect their home, especially if they don't know a lot of tech terms or product specifications. But this is a great place to start. Below, I've collected our top guides on the best tips and products for your security from our CNET experts and literally hundreds of hours of testing. I cover important topics like video doorbells and smart locks as well as recommendations for maintenance, vacation safety, pets and plenty more. Don't worry renters, there's also lots of practical security advice for tenants below. Take a look and find what you need. (You can also check out our home internet cheat sheet and our solar panel cheat sheet.) Is DIY or a professional home security system best? Arlo sensors can do nearly anything and are easy to move whenever you want. Arlo There are pros and cons to each home security option. DIY home security setups are often more affordable, customizable and compatible with other smart home devices, but you'll likely have to do the installing, setup and constant monitoring yourself. A professional home security service, though it's typically a bit more expensive and may require a monthly subscription, can save you the trouble of installing and setting up your equipment and help suggest the best devices to get. However, they may also lock you into contracts. Professional home monitoring is often available for either type of system, but it's more likely to be standard on a professional installation. Here are some resources to help you decide which system will work best for your home. What's the best home security system? Simplisafe/CNET If you're going with a fully home system that includes separate sensors and a hub to arm or disarm, you'll need to consider different package options that may include an assortment of devices including cameras, alarms, window sensors and motion detectors. (And if you prefer to build your own custom setup, virtually any home security device can be purchased separately.) We've got tested reviews on all of the major players in the security system space: What's the best video doorbell? Porch piracy is becoming more common; did you know that 1 in 6 people were victims of porch theft in the past year? If you're looking for a video doorbell to monitor your front door and deter porch pirates from stealing packages, there are tons of options available for under $200. They all function largely the same, so the best one for your home may come down to design, brand preferences and compatibility with any existing smart home devices or hubs you may have. You may also want to compare extra features like free cloud storage, customizable door chimes or color options when selecting the best smart doorbell for your home. Here are our reviews of some of the video doorbells you may be considering: The Arlo video doorbell is one of several strong options on the market. Chris Monroe/CNET What's the best home security camera? Blink's Outdoor 4 cam is easy to mount and reliable for watching an outdoor space. CNET/Tyler Lacoma Like video doorbells, the best home security camera may come down to price and brand preferences, but you'll also want to consider where you'll be placing the camera and the desired field of view. Some cameras have the ability to pan and tilt and can track motion. Others are built to withstand the rain, wind and temperature extremes of being outdoors. Almost all have motion detection, object recognition and two-way audio. If placing a camera outdoors, keep in mind that some cameras have a wired power source, so you may have to run an extension cord to plug it in. Here are our tested reviews of home security cameras for you to consider: Where should I put a home security camera? Home security cameras can help you keep an eye on things while you're away. Molly Price/CNET While you'll naturally want to put your home security camera in a spot that gives you the view you want, there's more to it than that. Corners are often the best spot for indoor cameras as they'll give you a wider view of the room, but if your camera has 360-degree panning, a central location may be best. As for outdoor cameras, try to install it 10 feet or so above the ground and in a spot where it won't take consistent exposure to direct sunlight or rain. Also, avoid installing any camera in a position that may compromise your neighbor's privacy. Video doorbells, meanwhile, should be installed about four feet up from the bottom of the doorframe. How can I give the impression someone is home while I'm away? Ikea's affordable smart lights. Ikea You can use smart plugs and lighting to make possible intruders think twice about whether or not your home is unoccupied. Schedule single light fixtures, such as a lamp, or a whole group of lights to turn on or off at various times while you're away. Plugs and lights won't watch your home the same as a camera or motion sensor will, but they could prevent an intruder from targeting your home in the first place. Also, they're a downright convenient way to turn the lights out at night. Can I get a home security system without a monthly subscription? Most DIY home security systems do not require a monthly subscription and come with live feed viewing, push notifications and alerts, local storage options and more at no extra cost. Several features often require a monthly fee, but this varies a lot between brands. Ring charges for object detection and smart alerts, while Nest doesn't. Nest offers limited free cloud storage, but most brands make you pay a subscription for online video storage. Lorex and Eufy specialize in local storage with less emphasis cloud data. With a little work, you can quickly find devices and whole systems that don't require any kind of subscription. The one caveat is professional home monitoring, where an agent at a security center can respond to your alarms or alerts. That's always going to cost you extra, and usually only becomes available at the higher tier plans. Ring's live views are easily accessible by users, but they're unlikely to be hacked. Ring/Amazon Can my home security system get hacked? Any kind of technology can have security vulnerabilities. However, your home security system isn't going to get hacked. Cybercriminals don't go around trying to hack doorbells or smart locks. They don't have the tools, the know-how or the time. Instead, home security can be "hacked" by people who already have the login information, like a jealous ex or a divorced spouse. That's why it's always a good idea to stay on top of your password management. The closest we've seen to home hacking is the use of security system jammers, but there are barely any reports of criminals actually using these devices and if they do, they usually have first-hand knowledge about the security system beforehand. Most burglars are simply going to test for unlocked doors and maybe smash a window if they're desperate. Instead, your information is more likely to be hacked in a massive data breach on a security company's servers, or stolen by a company employee, which is why we constantly watch for companies that have a track record of poor security practices. Leak detectors, especially battery models, can go nearly anywhere. Eufy How do I prepare for a home emergency? Home emergencies can include anything from raging wildfires to floods, earthquakes or really bad sewer system problems. The best way to handle events like these is with the right preparation. Even if you're caught off guard, keeping a cool head and contacting the right experts can keep the woes at bay. These guides are a great starting place. For more information about home security products and tips for creating and maintaining the best home security setup for your home, check out the CNET Home Security page.
CNET
21-05-2025
- CNET
These 10 Smart Plug Tricks Made My Home Feel Way Smarter
Smart plugs might not look like much, but I've learned they're one of the most useful smart home gadgets you can have. With just one plug, I've turned regular things, like my old coffee maker and living room lamp, into smart devices I can control from my phone. No upgrades, no rewiring, just plug and go. At first, I only used them to switch stuff on and off remotely, but that barely scratches the surface. Now I've got routines set up, schedules that save time in the morning, and I can even track how much energy certain devices are using. It's one of those small changes that quietly makes life way more convenient. If you're looking for fun and practical purposes for your plugs, consider these 10 creative uses for your smart plugs. You can also check out which appliances you should unplug to slash your electric bill and the best temperature to set your thermostat to save money. Upgrade waking up It's not always easy to get out of bed in the morning but smart plugs can make it a little more pleasant. Use a smart plug to sync your bedside lamp and radio to greet you with your alarm to help you wake up and get motivated to start the day. Is coffee a key component to starting your day? Same here, which is why I use a smart plug to automatically brew a pot in the morning. Just remember to fill your coffee maker with grounds and water the night before. You can also schedule your electronic toothbrush to begin charging when you wake up and stop after a few minutes (to save some energy -- it doesn't need to charge all day). Or, program your curling iron to heat up 20 minutes after waking up. Tell Alexa to turn off the lights The 5th-gen Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is perfect for using voice commands to control your smart plugs. Ry Crist/CNET Most smart plugs are compatible with smart home ecosystems, adding another level of convenience to a device already made to simplify your life. Instead of pulling the app up on your phone and (somewhat) manually turning the lights out at night or creating a schedule that may turn the lights out before you're ready, simply tell your smart home hub to do it. Be sure to name the smart plug so your hub knows which device to turn off. Or let IFTTT do the work Now we're really talking about "smart." Many smart plugs are built with IFTTT capabilities, enabling you to pair them with other smart devices and automate how they interact. For example, with a compatible smart plug and thermostat, you could automate a fan to turn on automatically if the temperature gets a little warm and then turn it back off when it's cooler. You could also do the same with a space heater when the temperature drops. For home security, try setting your smart plug to turn on a lamp when your outdoor camera detects activity in the backyard or automatically set a lamp to turn on at sunset and off at sunrise. A kick for the kids My personal favorite is that while we know how smart devices like plugs and lights work (mostly), to a child, it's nothing short of magic. Have the app for your smart plug ready, then proclaim your uncanny ability to turn the lights on or off at your command. Use a countdown or the trusty "abracadabra" to really sell it, then hit the button. Your audience is sure to be captivated but what's even more fun is letting them be the magician. Instruct them to use a word or gesture to control the lights and use your phone to make it happen each time they do. Fair warning: This will get old for you before it gets old for them. Be prepared for the "batteries to go out" or the light to "break." Get dinner started I'm not quite as sold on this idea as the last one, but it's worth a try. Use your smart plug to start your money-saving crockpot or sous vide steak before you get home. Doing so will take much of the idle time out of cooking, potentially paving the way for recipes and cooking methods you wouldn't otherwise be able to enjoy. My concern here is food safety. How long are you leaving that food out before the cooking begins? Be mindful of foodborne illnesses when using your smart plug to delay the cooking process. Command your outdoor lights Use outdoor smart plugs to automatically turn your lights on or off and save money on your electricity bill. Daniel Van Boom/CNET Outdoor lighting can be about more than deterring unwanted visitors. Something as simple as a good set of outdoor string lights can really spruce up your outdoor living space. But plugging and unplugging them? Not so much. And next month's power bill? Even less so. Employ outdoor smart plugs to automatically turn on your outdoor lights, fan or any other outdoor plug-in accessory in the evening and then turn it off at sunrise. Do the same with an indoor plug for the lights on your Christmas tree during the holidays. Secure your garage door I came across this tip at Smart Geek Home and it's too good not to share. Plug your garage door opener into a smart plug. It won't enable you to open or close your garage door in place of the button, remote or control panel (like a smart garage door opener) but it will prevent others from opening the door. Car break-ins are common. What's worse, many of us leave our garage door remotes somewhere in our vehicles. If a thief grabs that, they could also have access to your home. By plugging your garage door opener into a smart plug, you can cut the power to it when you're away or in for the night. That way, even if someone has the remote to your garage door opener, they won't be able to raise the door. Get those hard-to-reach places Outlets are generally located in convenient locations until you put a big piece of furniture in front of them. But some outlets, perhaps in the garage or attic, can be downright difficult to access. While a smart plug won't make it easier to plug something into the outlet, it'll give you control over the devices once you've managed to plug them in, such as a mounted fan in the attic or a fluorescent light in your garage. Remotely restart your router Even the best Wi-Fi routers can give you some trouble when you need to access them. The top of a bookshelf is a good spot for your router, unless you need to reach it. Your router could also be tucked away in a closet, depending on where your internet connection enters the home. Or your router may be easily accessible but on another floor when you need to restart it. Use your smart plug to cut power to your router for 30 seconds or so, then turn it back on, effectively restarting it. Note that if your router has a battery backup, this won't work but if that's the case neither would unplugging it -- you'd still have to take the batteries out. While a smart plug is convenient for restarting your router, I don't recommend using it to turn your internet connection on or off. If you want to limit internet access, most, if not all, routers have an app that lets you control internet access by device. Try this before cutting the internet connection out entirely, as doing so could interfere with other connected devices. End your day the right way Wouldn't it be nice if your bed was cozy and warm before you got in it? Preheat your bed by plugging that comfy, cozy electric blanket into a smart plug and letting it heat up a few minutes before bedtime. Don't worry about drifting away to dreamland before turning the blanket off. Just set your smart plug to turn it off for you. I don't know how often I've fallen asleep reading a book and left my bedside lamp on. Not only does that waste energy but it's also annoying to anyone else trying to get some sleep. A smart plug can either turn the light off automatically at a certain time or give the person on the other side of the bed the means to turn out the light without getting up. The same could be said for the TV if you like to wind down with a show. While most TVs feature a sleep timer, the setting may not be easy to find. Also, you may be using the remote to a streaming device, which doesn't have the button to access sleep timer settings. Either way, using a smart plug is a great way to keep your TV from staying on all night. That's our list of creative uses for your smart plug but there are countless others. Like any smart home device, a smart plug's full potential is only limited by your imagination and the other devices in your home. For more tips and tricks, like where to put your thermostat, how to get stains out of your clothes and ways to protect your home Wi-Fi network, check out the CNET Home Tips page.
CNET
20-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Sleeping With AI: Everything You Should Know About the New Eight Sleep Pod 5
CNET's sleep team has long been testing mattresses, bedding and sleep accessories, and Eight Sleep has always been a crowd favorite. The latest generation of Eight Sleep's AI-powered system launched recently, and now you can get a cooling and heating blanket in addition to the dual-sided mattress cover and adjustable base. It's a completely personalized bedroom setup that monitors your sleep and health metrics, automatically adjusting as needed to help you sleep. The Pod 5 is quite the investment. A queen-size Pod 5 Core model starts at $3,049, and Pod 5 Ultra Plus is $5,049. Eight Sleep's new hydro-powered blanket is not included and costs an additional $1,050. As with previous models, Eight Sleep's mattress is sold separately. Access to the Pod's new and improved Autopilot and Health Check features requires a monthly subscription fee. Options range from $17 to $42 a month, depending on your chosen plan and the features you want to use. Here's what to know about the latest generation of Eight Sleep. What is the Eight Sleep Pod? The original Eight Sleep Pod launched in February 2019, and each iteration since has seen improvements in functionality, comfort and durability. Eight Sleep's primary function is to offer sleepers (both hot and cold) relief with its temperature-regulating mattress cover. Through real-time sensing and automatic adjustments, this smart cover helps sleepers fall and stay asleep by regulating body temperature throughout the night. It's dual-sided, so you and your partner can each have personalized settings. How does it work? Many brands say their sleep products are cooling, but we find Eight Sleep to be one of the few that live up to the hype. It works by pulling water from the connected hub and circulating it through a network of thin tubes within the cover. Its ability to heat and cool is impressive, with temperatures ranging from 55 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The Pod has helped our own sleep and mattress experts find better sleep while sharing the bed, forgoing blanket battles and disagreements about bedroom temperature. The hub sits on the floor beside your bed and connects to the mattress cover, pumping water through its tube system. Eight Sleep Health and sleep metrics The Eight Sleep Pod does more than keep you temperature-neutral at night. It has clinical-grade sensors that connect with Eight Sleep's app to provide a detailed sleep and health metrics report, allowing you to analyze your data with what the brand calls Autopilot. The data includes your sleep (time asleep, time to fall asleep, time awake and sleep phases), cardiovascular biometrics (heart rate, heart-rate variability and breath rate) and snoring (snore times and intensity). What is new with Pod 5? Pod 3 is no longer for sale on Eight Sleep's website, but the base model of Pod 4 (cover and hub) is still available. If you're a current user of Pod 3 or 4, you can continue using your setup as usual with the previous generation's technology. If you want to upgrade your system, you may receive discounted pricing through special member access. 1. Hydro-powered blanket In addition to the mattress cover, hub and adjustable base, Pod 5 now offers an optional hydro-powered blanket. Using a similar network of thin tubes, the blanket connects to the cover at the foot of the bed to provide complete heating and cooling coverage across your entire body, not just beneath you. Our team is particularly eager to test and share our thoughts on this new feature. The blanket can also be inserted into Eight Sleep's custom-fit duvet cover for an additional $199. Eight Sleep 2. Surround sound Also new is the integrated surround sound speaker system built into the Pod's base, which plays calming soundscapes intended to relax the nervous system. Selections include various white noise and meditations created in collaboration with Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and Stanford University professor. Through the Eight Sleep app, you can control the sound and choose if you want the audio to turn off once the Pod senses you've fallen asleep or continue playing throughout the night. There is no Bluetooth connectivity option, so you can't play your own sounds -- only what the app offers. We have yet to determine whether this feature meets the same criteria as the selections in our lists of the best white noise machines and meditation apps. 3. Cover control buttons Another improvement with the fifth generation of Eight Sleep is that there are buttons on the side of the cover for controlling your Pod settings. The Pod 4 had a flat sensor area you could tap to adjust, but many people found it difficult to tell what it was set to and what was changing without referring to the app. Eight Sleep The sides of the Pod 5 cover have three distinct physical buttons, so you know exactly what is being changed when you press them. You can program the middle button through the app to control certain settings, such as hitting snooze, stopping the alarm or turning on and off the audio. In addition to the vibration and thermal alarms, you can now choose to wake up to certain sounds. I already love Eight Sleep's alarm feature. Its gentle vibration and warming sensation are much nicer to wake up to than an immediately stress-inducing and annoying phone alarm. 4. Adjustable base and snoring mitigation Like the Pod 4 Ultra, Pod 5's base offers zero-gravity elevation, gently lifting your head when it detects snoring. This adjustable base can also be elevated whenever you please, so you can lie in a more comfortable position while reading or to improve your circulation. Eight Sleep So, picture this: You program your Eight Sleep base to automatically move into an upright position for reading before bed. At the time of your choosing, soothing audio, such as a crackling fireplace, begins to play softly, setting the perfect background noise. The mattress cover and blanket have already started to warm as you slide into bed. It's a cozy setup for reading and relaxing as your personalized environment eventually lulls you into a peaceful slumber. If you prefer, the bed can return to its original position, and the sound can turn off once the sensors detect you're asleep. Pod 5 Ultra's adjustable base fits most bed frames and can be used on its own with Eight Sleep's optional leg kit. The cover is designed to fit mattresses up to 16 inches tall. Eight Sleep 5. Health Check and Autopilot Pod 5 detects and reports all the same health metrics and sleep information as Pod 4, but it now includes enhanced algorithms programmed to monitor cardiovascular and respiratory abnormalities or disturbances as you sleep (such as abnormal heartbeat, increases in respiratory rate or drops in heart-rate variability). It compiles the information into a daily Health Check intended to be used as a preventative health solution. Because it's all monitored by the embedded sensors in the cover, you don't have to wear any tracking devices. It's also said to match the accuracy and performance of clinical-grade electrocardiograms. Autopilot uses AI trained using nearly 10 million hours of sleep data to monitor and analyze your real-time sleep and health metrics. It automatically adjusts as needed to keep you asleep throughout the night, learning and assessing your trends over time. What is the price of Pod 5? You'll pay a pretty penny for the Pod 5, especially if you opt for the Ultra+ and add the nifty hydro-powered blanket. A queen-size Pod 4 (hub and cover) retails for $2,649, while Pod 5 Core (hub and cover) sits at $3,049 -- an increase of $400. A queen-size Pod 4 Ultra (no longer available) retailed for $4,699, while the Pod 5 Ultra+ (hub, cover and base) is $5,049 -- an increase of $350. The blanket is an additional $1,050, bringing the all-inclusive total to $6,099. To unlock the Pod's features, you'll pay an Autopilot subscription fee, billed annually. For Pod 5 Core, the options include Standard ($17 a month), Enhanced ($25 a month) and Elite ($33 per month). Pod 5 Ultra Plus options are Standard ($17 a month), Enhanced ($25 a month) and Elite ($42 a month). Autopilot is required for the first 12 months, after which you can cancel at any time. Trial and warranty Eight Sleep offers a 5-year extended warranty through its Enhanced and Elite plans. The Standard plan offers a two-year limited warranty. The brand offers free shipping and free returns, as well as a 30-night trial period. Eight Sleep Is the Eight Sleep Pod 5 worth it? Caroline Igo, a CNET sleep and wellness writer, recently tested and compared Pods 3 and 4, concluding that the upgrade wasn't worth the extra cost. Until we test Pod 5 ourselves, we can't say for sure whether we recommend upgrading your current system to this new generation, so stay tuned for a review from our sleep team. For years, members of CNET's sleep team have been testing and reviewing various models of the Eight Sleep Pod. Aly Lopez/CNET Eight Sleep Pods compared
CNET
15-05-2025
- CNET
Driverless Car Maker Waymo Recalls More Than 1,200 Vehicles: Here's The Problem That Caused It
For more than 10 years Tyler has used his experience in smart home tech to craft how-to guides, explainers, and recommendations for technology of all kinds. From using his home in beautiful Bend, OR as a testing zone for the latest security products to digging into the nuts and bolts of the best data privacy guidelines, Tyler has experience in all aspects of protecting your home and belongings. With a BA in Writing from George Fox and certification in Technical Writing from Oregon State University, he's ready to get you the details you need to make the best decisions for your home. On off hours, you can find Tyler exploring the Cascade trails, finding the latest brew in town with some friends, or trying a new recipe in the kitchen!
