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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Baby monitor and dozens more household items stop working as major tech brand shuts down devices – how to claim a refund
See which products will be affected SWITCH OFF Baby monitor and dozens more household items stop working as major tech brand shuts down devices – how to claim a refund Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR tech brand is pulling the plug on its devices, with baby monitors and dozens of other household items to stop working. Any products and features that rely on cloud connectivity will be affected, as the brand's app and customer support will cease operation. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 They are known for a number of smart home products which enable remote control of devices Credit: Getty Wemo products from Belkin are expected to shut down as early as 2026. This follows an announcement made in an email from Belkin which was sent to customers, where they said: "After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to end technical support for older Wemo products, effective January 31, 2026. "After this date, several Wemo products will no longer be controllable through the Wemo app." Remote access and voice assistant integrations in their smart home products are included in the shutdown. As a result, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, which rely on cloud services to manage smart home devices, will no longer be able to be used with Wi-Fi based Wemo products. It involves products that were still for sale as recently as 2023. However there are a number of devices that will continue to function as normal through HomeKit over Thread. This includes devices like the Smart Light Swith 3-Way, Stage Smart Scene Controller, Smart Plug with Thread and the Smart Video Doorbell Camera. Wemo products configured for use with Apple HomeKit will also continue to function via HomeKit, but with the absence of the Wemo cloud services and app. Devices still supported under warranty will be able to claim a "partial refund" from January 31 next year, according to Belkin. Doomed gadgets to STOP working properly in 2025 closures – phones, laptops & even home thermostats to go wrong in weeks This includes the Mini Smart Plug, Outdoor Plug, Mini Plugin Switch, Smart Light Swtich, Wi-Fi Smart Light Switch w/ Dimmer and Mini Smart Plug. There are a number of products that will not be able to be available for a refund. It is recommended by Belkin to dispose of any Wemo products that are out of warranty, at an authorised e-waste recycling centre. Here is the full list of products affected by the shutdown:
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
SOUN or CRNC: Which Voice AI Stock Is a Better Buy for Investors?
Voice AI is becoming a critical focus in the tech world, with SoundHound AI (SOUN) and Cerence Inc. (CRNC) standing out as key players in this specialized space. SoundHound is a rising player using its voice AI technology in different industries, including automotive and hospitality. On the other hand, Cerence has long been a dominant force in voice assistant solutions for the automotive sector, working closely with major car manufacturers. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. SOUN stock more than doubled over the last 12 months, but that strong rally has led to volatility. In 2025 so far, the stock has fallen 38% year-to-date. Meanwhile, CRNC stock is showing more stability, gaining over 25% this year after an impressive 200% surge in the last 12 months. Since both stocks are still trading far below their all-time highs, let's explore which one offers greater upside potential for investors. SoundHound AI SoundHound began 2025 on a strong note, reporting Q1 revenue of $29.1 million, marking 151% growth year-over-year. The company expects full-year revenue to double, projecting between $157 million and $177 million, up from $84.5 million in 2024. However, it's still not profitable, with an adjusted EBITDA loss of $61.9 million in 2024. Beyond its financial losses, SoundHound also faces tough competition in the voice AI space from tech giants like Amazon's (AMZN) Alexa, Alphabet's (GOOGL) Google Assistant, and Apple's (AAPL) Siri, all of whom are investing heavily in their platforms. Even so, SoundHound stands out with its adaptable Houndify platform, which enables voice AI solutions across industries. SoundHound offers flexible voice AI tools, making it a good choice for businesses that want to use voice tech without relying on big tech companies. Cerence Unlike SoundHound, Cerence is a larger and profitable company, but its revenue growth is more modest and stable. In 2024, it launched a restructuring plan aimed at reducing costs and improving efficiency. Despite its restructuring, Cerence is rebuilding with a focus on innovation. Its XUI platform and Nvidia (NVDA) -backed CaLLM model aim to boost in-car voice AI, while ChatGPT integration adds to its generative AI edge. Cerence's second-quarter results reflect its progress with the turnaround plan. Revenue rose 15% year over year to $78 million, slightly above expectations. Cost cuts helped lower non-GAAP operating expenses by 32%, leading to a strong rebound in profits. Adjusted EBITDA came in at $29.5 million, and GAAP net income reached $21.7 million, marking a big improvement from last year's loss. Cerence kept its 2025 revenue forecast at $236–$247 million, which is lower than last year due to losing the Toyota (TM) deal and fewer license agreements. However, the company expects adjusted EBITDA of $28–$34 million, highlighting its shift toward profitability over growth this year. Using TipRanks' Stock Comparison Tool, we have compared SOUN and CRNC to see which stock analysts currently favor. SoundHound's stock holds a Moderate Buy rating, but its recent rally has pushed the stock above the average price target of $11.31, suggesting limited near-term upside. Notably, SOUN stock is up over 26% in the past month. On the other hand, CRNC stock has a Hold consensus based on four Hold ratings and one Buy in the past three months. However, Cerence's average price target of $11.60 implies an 18.6% upside from current levels, offering more room for potential gains. Conclusion SoundHound AI and Cerence are both notable players in the voice AI space. SoundHound is a fast-growing disruptor, expanding its revenue and deploying voice AI across diverse industries. While recent gains limit short-term upside, its long-term potential may still appeal to growth-focused investors, though volatility remains a concern. In contrast, Cerence is more stable and profitable, with a stronghold in the automotive sector. However, it faces slower growth due to contract losses and limited market expansion opportunities.
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Act fast! Our favorite home security cameras are as low as $25 in these last-minute Prime Day deals
There are plenty of great reasons to have one of the best home security cameras, from package thieves and nursery needs to simply wanting to see what kind of wildlife stumbles across your driveway. There's a good camera out there for almost any need or task from budget outdoor cameras to ones that don't require a subscription to cameras that don't even need Wi-Fi. And fortunately, this Amazon Prime Day is the perfect time to add one – or several more – to your household. Below we've found deals on almost every single one of our recommended home security cameras from top brands like Wyze, Ring, Eufy, Blink and Google. Some are down to just $25, and others are more than 60% off. The Ring Floodlight Cam features a bird's eye view, 2K video quality with color night vision, 3D motion detection, and 2000 LED floodlights. It also has two-way talk capabilities, a 110 decibel siren and can provide real-time alerts through the Ring app. A subscription to Ring Home adds additional features like people and package alerts and 24/7 recording. Although it's wired, we found it easy to install during testing and also appreciated the great image quality. Our best overall indoor camera, the Nest Cam, was incredibly easy to install using the magnetic mount when we tested it and the device comes with many helpful features like two way audio, built-in intelligent alerts (via the Google Home app), local storage and three hours of free event history. It's compatible with smart assistants (Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa) so it works with smart displays and smart TVs, is weather resistant so it will also work in some outdoor situations and provides great 1080p HDR video and night vision as well as a 130 degree field of view. It can also distinguish between a person, animal and vehicle, and provide up to an hour of recorded events even if the power is out. Many of the same features we're fond of on the standard battery powered outdoor Nest Cam are also on the Floodlight version. However, this bundle also includes additional features. It can detect motion and it automatically lights up when there's important activity. If you have a Nest Aware subscription it can detect familiar faces so you know who's coming and going. Not only can you listen and talk with the two way mic and speaker, but the Google Home/Nest Aware paired feature lets you call through to local emergency services. You can use Google Assistant to turn on the floodlight as well. It's a bit pricier, but this Prime Day discount brings it down by almost a hundred dollars. The Wyze Cam v4 is our best indoor value pick because it's small, lightweight, and inexpensive but still offers a lot of punch when it comes to quality and features: 2.5K QHD video with color night vision, two-way audio, local recording courtesy of an microSD card slot, a 116 degree field of view, a motion activated spotlight and it's IP65 weatherproof as well. A Cam Plus or Cam Unlimited subscription unlocks additional features like secure cloud recording and people, package, pet and vehicle detection. The Eufy S350 is our pick for best indoor camera without a subscription, but it best feature is obviously the dual cameras, which help to provide a telephoto view as well as an 8x hybrid zoom. The S350 also features some of Eufy's other flagship features like a 360 degree field of view and AI tracking which follows motion like people or pets as they move around a room. Other features include 4K UHD, 2 high-powered LED lights, a privacy mode, local storage, two-way audio and 24/7 recording. It's compatible with HomeBase 3, and works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Blink Outdoor 4 is on our list as the best outdoor budget home security camera and it's easy to see why. An entry level price gets you 1080p video resolution, 130 degree field of view, 25 feet worth of night vision, local storage, weather resistance, 700 lumen floodlights and it works on two AA batteries that should last you for up to two years. During testing we particularly liked how easy it was to set up the Outdoor 4, and how it was a nice step up from previous iterations without adding anything that distracted from what the brand has built. All the features still worked as expected from the person detection and dual motion zones to the compatibility with smart assistants like Alexa. This Eufy Cam 3 is on our list because it's a great camera that can work inside or out and doesn't require a subscription but one of it's most standout features is the "Forever Power" that uses an integrated solar panel to run indefinitely as long as it has roughly two hours of sunlight daily. It also has 4K UHD video quality, two-way audio, and is IP67 rated which means it's waterproof and dust resistant. It has 16GB built-in storage and expandable local storage (which means no monthly fees) and can use its face recognition AI to distinguish between family and strangers. And you can voice activate it via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The Arlo Ultra 2 is our pick as best 4K video camera for its 4K HDR video; it also features an ultra wide 180 degree field of view and 12x zoom. It has a removable, rechargeable battery, two-way audio, color night vision, a built-in spotlight and remote siren activation. The Arlo Secure app sends notifications with live video streaming and motion activation, and the Arlo Secure Plan subscription lets you share and store video for up to 60 days and can alert for people, packages, vehicles and even fire. The outdoor-focused Eufy Security S330 has a 4K cellular solar panel and comes with a SIM card so you're not dependent on Wi-Fi or power (but you are dependent on a LTE signal). While it does take a little more time to put up and install, it's an ideal choice for very rural locations, or places that can't access the grid. The camera in this package has 360 degree viewing with pan and tilt, AI motion tracking and local storage courtesy of a 32GB SD card. It's weather resistant and has a 100 lumen spotlight as well.
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Business
- Buzz Feed
7 Best Prime Day Deals On Govee Smart Lighting
40% off a smart floor standing lamp because your room's corner has the right to finally look like a fabulous nightclub in the multiverse. With customizable colors, app controls, and Alexa compatibility, this lamp won't just light up the room; it'll straight up set the vibe. I've owned the silver version of this lamp since 2023 and still use it almost every night while I'm watching TV, playing games, or just generally ~chilling~ in my living room. As with all of Govee's products, it's ridiculously easy to set up and control using their app, with all sorts of lighting modes and colors to choose from, and it lights up a dark corner like nobody's business. Because it's so slim, it's really unobtrusive and takes up very little space. I do have mine positioned behind my cat tree, which creates a cool glow around it, and you can't even see the lamp from some review: "Bought this light because I thought it was cool, but it is more than that! I use it every day, and it has many colors and patterns to choose from. The thing I love the most is you can set up times for it to come on and turn off. You can set how bright you want it, so I had it turned on with a dimmed light to help me wake up in early mornings." —Rueben ThaoPrice: $59.99 (originally $99.99; available in two colors) 40% off a four-pack of smart light bulbs you can program on a schedule to turn on automatically in the mornings, then reduce the brightness and change colors for evening ~ambiance~. These work with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri for voice control, plus the Govee app! Promising review: "So many options and settings, in a good way. I tried competing products and these smoke the competition. I have replaced nearly all of the bulbs in my apartment and can now change the lighting, by zone, as I please. Additionally, I can share the account info with my girlfriend so she can change the lighting too." —T-RizzlePrice: $23.99 for a four-pack (originally $39.99) Up to 33% off a new-and-improved neon rope light to incorporate super customizable lighting that doubles as unique wall decor. Its bendable design lets you twist it into all sorts of neat shapes (though the squiggle is classic), and you can program it to all sorts of color combos and lighting effects! The cozy glow this gives at night is unmatched. Some reviewers compare this to the Hue LightStrip and prefer this option, considering it's a fraction of the price!I own the old version of this light (before this newer model released) and still absolutely love it. First of all, it's SOOO easy to put on the wall — it comes with these little adhesive plastic brackets that you just slide onto the rope and then press against the wall, and continue adding them as needed to support the shape you're making. The Govee app makes it so easy to program the lighting however I like, and it's upgraded my nighttime cozy vibes in a MAJOR way. Also, I recently moved apartments and re-mounted my Govee rope light in a different shape on my new wall, and it was just as easy as the first time (just be careful removing the adhesive brackets as it can rip paint off — this happened to me with one of them, but we patched it easily).I'll probably come back for this improved model eventually, which is made of even more flexible, softer materials and has improved lighting effects and upgraded bend clips. Plus, they now only offer this light in 9- and 16-foot lengths, which totally makes sense — mine is the old 6-foot version that they don't even sell anymore, probably because it's not quite long enough to make elaborate shapes with. You might not think you need that much length, but once you start creating waves and shapes on your wall, you'll realize it's very much needed to get the full effect!Price: $46.99+ (originally $69.99+; available in three lengths) Up to 34% off a game-changing, immersive TV backlight (matching the lowest price it goes for) that'll draw you into the action with vibrant, responsive lighting that seems to shift and move right along with what's happening on screen. Whether you're playing video games, watching movies, or jamming along to a concert film, it'll elevate the entire experience, especially in a dark room. My boyfriend upgraded my TV setup with this backlight last year, and I've been so impressed with its performance, especially when watching movies or playing video games. It's important to follow the instructions closely to ensure the color-matching looks correct (and Govee has a great instructional video on this), but we had no issues. The setup includes light strips that go around the back of your TV and a camera that subtly hangs over your TV at the top, which might seem weird at first, but it doesn't cover your screen at all and you forget it's there in no VIBES are simply unmatched whenever this backlight is turned on. One of the first things we put on to test it was Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour on Disney Plus, and it really lived up to the promise of immersion, extending out all of the incredible lighting production almost like it was happening in my living room. I posted a clip of it on my Instagram Stories and had one person message me, "Wow, it's like you're at the show." It really was (and I didn't even have to drop $300+ for the experience). Price: $46.99+ (originally $69.99+; available in three sizes for TVs measuring 40"–85") 45% off a smart ceiling light (a new lowest-ever price!) if you're tired of wincing every time you flip on those harsh overhead lights in your home, but also don't feel like buying a million different lamps. These will drench the whole room with soft warm light or funky colors (whatever vibe you're going for) without taking up any precious floor or table space. And you can set them on a timer if you want to go truly hands-off with it. Promising review: "I really like these lights. I bought these so I could remove my overhead light in my basement, where my home office is. The overhead light is very harsh and strains the eyes after some time. Once I had these installed and the old one removed, I could set the light to how I see fit! My eyes at the end of the day feel much better now. Love how easy they were to install, how easy they connect to the smart app, quality construction, and all around perfect for my application. I cannot recommend these enough!" —AMZ reviews from RIPrice: $43.99 (originally $79.99) Up to 33% off some permanent outdoor lights (another new lowest-ever price) if you want your house to be the coolest one on the block — or just wanna save yourself the hassle of putting up and taking down holiday lights every year. Plus, think how easy it'll be to transition from Halloween to Christmas vibes. Promising review: "These are amazing. When not using them for holidays, I am using them as down lighting on the corners of our house. I used a few custom themes I created already for Christmas, and went into the community and borrowed someone else's Valentine's Day theme. My neighbor is a big Philly fan, and I found an Eagles theme and had it on my house for them after the Super Bowl. Their 9-year-old thinks it's the coolest, too. Also, I was able to cut them and splice after watching YouTube videos for a more professional look." —Bradley PollackPrice: $139.99+ (originally $199+; available in two colors and three lengths) 47% off some very neat curtain lights — matching the lowest price they go for — which are *also* great for indoor or outdoor holiday decorating (they're waterproof!), but honestly, the sky's the limit with what you can display — there are over 200 scene modes to choose from, and there's even an integrated AI that'll create a custom lighting effect for you based on any idea or vibe you're going for. The future's wild, huh? Promising review: "Honestly one of the coolest things I've ever added to my space. The lights are super vibrant and detailed, and the animations are so smooth. I wasn't sure what to expect with the whole GIF display, but it's amazing how clear and fun the visuals are. One of my favorite parts is how customizable they are. There's this DIY feature where you can create your own animations or upload images and GIFs — it's so much fun to play around with! Whether it's for a party or just to match my mood, I can always find (or create) something that fits perfectly. The AI feature is also really cool. You can chat with the Govee AI bot and come up with unique lighting effects based on whatever theme or idea you want. I've made some wild designs just for fun, and it's so easy to do. There are also a ton of preset scenes and music modes. I love how the lights sync up with music — it's perfect for setting a vibe during a party or even just chilling at home. What really impressed me is how versatile they are. They're available in different sizes and even work outside because they're waterproof. I've used them for both indoor decorating and outdoor setups, and they look incredible everywhere." —A. AlgersmaPrice: $79.99+ (originally $149.99+; available in three sizes)And you can check out the rest of Govee's Prime Day deals here!
CNET
4 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Prime Day Deal: Get Two LIFX Smart Light Bulbs for $42
If you've ever been fascinated by choosing from several light colors on your smartphone or smart hub, Amazon has plenty of deals during this week's Prime Day sale. LIFX's two-pack Wi-Fi smart LED light bulb is 29% off, marked down to $42 on Amazon. One- and four-packs of the bulbs are also available. These smart light bulbs have 1100 lumens with 550 billion color options. You can also control your lights from anywhere using Wi-Fi and your smartphone. LIFX smart light bulbs are also compatible with smart home hubs, like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, to control your lights using voice commands and routines. Why this deal matters Expanding your smart home tech can add up when adding devices like smart locks, cameras and plugs. So now's the time to add devices while they're on sale, especially $18 in savings with LIFX's two-pack of smart light bulbs during the Prime Day sale.
