Related Quick Links Alexa is always listening but not continually recording. But listening for wake words is harder than you might think. Echo hardware isn’t all that intelligent. Without the internet, any request or question you ask will fail. This is because your commands are sent off to the cloud for interpretation and decisions. For this reason, the company employs a wake word to get the smart speaker’s attention. The Echo Dot, for instance, has seven....
But you’re free to do more than that! The Magic Mirror software lets you add modules for extra features, like Alexa for voice control. Other developers create these modules. If you want the most straightforward setup, we recommend adding theGoogle AIY kitand using itsspecific tutorial. Setting up Alexa requires more configuration than adding snowflakes, for instance. Additionally, this particular Alexa module requires installing some additional software (dependencies) before downloading the module....
Related Zoom’s video conferencing software has more problems than a secret web server on Mac. Even on Windows, websites you visit could start filming you without your consent. All you have to do is click a link. That’s a box nearly anyone would check to skip extra clicking in the future. WeA didn’t click any prompts or give any approval. Without interaction on your part, malicious sites could easily record you as long as you have Zoom installed....
Perhaps you’re too far from the source, or thick walls are blocking the signal. Here’s how to check your precise Wi-Fi signal strength. Why Wi-Fi Signal Strength Matters A strongerWi-Fisignal means a more reliable connection. Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek This is what enables you to take full advantage of the internet speeds available to you. The closer you are to the router, the better. While 2.4ghz connections broadcast further, they might have interference issues....
Related Quick Links Your kitchen is full of appliances, but they’re dumb. Creating a smart kitchen isn’t hard, andeveryone in the home can benefit. Why a Smart Kitchen? Your kitchen is a room of productivity and mess. You cook your meals, clean your dishes, and maybe even eat in your kitchen. Every cabinet, utensil, and tool contributes to your kitchen experience, for better or worse. And adding intelligence to your cooking space can improve your recipes and speed up the work....
Related Sony’s PS4 is notorious for slow download speeds, particularly the original 2014 model. Quick Speed Up Tips Queuing up multiple downloads on your PS4 has a similar effect. Finally, don’t play online games while downloading in the background. As you’ll see below, this will drastically limit your download speed. you’re free to try this multiple times, especially if you notice the speed dip again. Visit the PS4 options menu and scroll down to “Power Saving options” then tap X....
It’s deeply customizable, too—you might even setanimated GIFsas the background. Beyond the background, you might change the terminal’s theme, too. Microsoft even included several pre-set themes. All you need is a text editor and some basic familiarity with JSON. The best way to do that is from File Explorer. Launch File Explorer and find a JSON file. If you don’t have one, create one. Right-choose File Explorer and “New” then choose “Text document....
A smarter bedroom can help you get to sleep and wake up in the morning. Why a Smart Bedroom? Adding smarthome technology can enhance a bedroom, so long as you think through your choices. With a few devices, you’re able to make your bedroom more comfortable for sleeping and relaxing. So you might read or watch TV in bed. Or the lights may be too bright for your spouse or partner....
Related Quick Links Window A/C units are critical in homes without central air conditioning. But turning every unit on and off is a pain, and smart air conditioners are expensive. With asmart plug, you’re able to make many A/C units smart. Why Make a Window A/C Smart? Window air conditioners are expensive, often ranging from $200 to $500. But that leaves you running from room to room to turn them on when you get home....
Related Quick Links Video doorbells are the most important smarthome gear you could buy. They’re incredibly reasonable, too, costing just $99 to $199. Battery operated doorbells can’t stream continuously, for instance; they’ll lose power too quickly. When someone approaches your door, the video doorbell will notice and notify you. you might start watching the stream at that point. And if they ring the doorbell, you might chat them with them like an intercom....
But those additional controls introduce complexity, and understanding how they work will help you build a better smarthome. And with smarthomes, it’s all about the radios and brains. But that radio doesn’t give your bulbs, plugs, and doorbell any intelligence. It’s there for communication. And even in cases where it is, like Bluetooth, that’s always the end of the story. Almost all your smart devices communicate with an intermediary, the brains of your smarthome if you will....
They also promise energy and money savings. But will they save enough money to pay for themselves? Just plug it into an electrical outlet and then plug something into it. You now have a smart outlet—use an app for the rest. No need to get out any tools, or play with electrical wiring. You might think that smart plugs would be a great way to save energy too. But it’s a bit more complicated than that....
Windows 10 is warning you about WEP and TKIP. Here’s what that message means—and how to fix it. Why Windows 10 Is Warning You You probably know you should password protect your Wi-Fi online grid. Several methods of encrypting your Wi-Fi exist:WEP, WPA, and WPA2.WPA3is on the way, too. WEP is the oldest and least secure at this point. WPA-TKIP was endorsed back in 2002. We recommend connecting to a different data pipe....
