Handing your child their own cellphone is a big parenting step. It can open up a whole new world to your kids (one which requires much vigilance on your part), but it can also be just a simple tool to help you stay in touch. The right cellphone plan for your child will depend on what they use it for. Here’s an age-by-age guide to choosing a phone and phone plan for your child.
Read the article here.
Phone “plans” have completely changed. Today, we consumers have multiple choices, lots more flexibility, plus the freedom to get a new phone when we want one, not on someone else’s timetable. Here are the new rules of switching carriers, plus the simple five-step way you can make a switch.
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Me chatting about the Nest Protect - one of the smartest smart home products you can buy. Watch the video here.
There are those who rush out to buy the hot new phone every 6 to 12 months, and there are the rest of us who are perfectly happy to keep soldiering on with an aging device because, well, it still works.
But does it really? Today’s phones aren’t about making phone calls anymore (although of course you can still do that). We use them for so much more: they’re our cameras, maps, photo albums, music players, and our connection to the social media world. When you think about all the functions they offer and conveniences they bring, it’s easier to consider “upgrading” when they’re not working so well anymore, or when they’re simply not providing the latest and greatest features.
Read the article on Xfinity.com
If you use an iPhone, you might wonder why some of your text messages are in a blue bubble and others are in a green bubble. This isn’t for looks, it’s how Apple indicates you’re sending an SMS text message (green) or an iMessage (blue). We can help you figure out what these options are and how to use them.
Read the article on Xfinity.com
Smartphones have the mighty power of super computers in a tiny package that can fit in the palm of our hands. They allow us to communicate, find entertainment, get work done, manage our finances, navigate to our destinations, shop the Web, and so much more. That is… until the battery runs out.
Avoid battery drain—and the anxiety that comes with it—by learning how to make your phone’s battery last longer and keep you connected when you need it most. Here we’ll bust five common myths about charging your iPhone or Android, plus provide helpful tips on getting the most out of every charge.
Read the article on Xfinity.com
Connected cars are turbo-boosting everything about our driving experiences. We now have the luxury of tapping into the same 24/7 connectivity we rely on off the road when we get behind the wheel. What many people don't realize is that all the bells and whistles that make your commute smoother and your car trips more comfortable are also capturing data. Lots of data.
Read my deep-dive reasearch article for Esurance on this topic here.
The largest community on the planet’s coldest continent needs a smaller, smarter facility to continue its crucial work. It may be on the verge of getting one.
Read my latest piece for Dwell Magazine here.
A Texas interior designer expands her vision outdoors with a water-wise garden.
The first thing that strikes you about interior designer Lynn Rush’s home is that it’s black. The second is that its dark plaster walls are slowly being enveloped by swaths of brilliant green ivy. Surrounded by peach stucco mansions, this LEED Platinum residence on the outskirts of Dallas is wholly different, but without sticking out like the proverbial sore thumb. Instead, its low profile seems to dissolve into a backdrop of native plantings.
Read the full article here.
My newest update to my Best Smart Thermostat guide for Wirecutter.
Step-by-step guide to installing a smart fan and smart lighting in your bathroom.
You’ve heard of the smart home — homes equipped with technologies that provide convenience, comfort, and security. Now get ready for the smart bathroom – bathrooms that promise the same, along with improved cleanliness and safety. From motion-sensor lights to Bluetooth speakers, there’s a wealth of devices that can make your bathroom one of the smartest rooms in your home. Here are just a few reasons to invest in creating a smart bathroom.
Read the whole post here.
Easily take care of common household chores and carve more time for yourself with the latest generation of household robots. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), today’s robots can wash your floors, monitor your home’s climate, clean your windows, and more. Here are just some of the ways household robots can make managing your home easier.
Read the whole article here.
Today AllConnect.com published my article on Smart Home Robots, and that marks 5 years of my writing for this great, consumer-focused website. Read all of my smart home and consumer electronics related posts for AllConnect here.
How (and why) to turn your vacation rental bathroom into a smart bathroom. Read the post here.
Hardwood floors trump carpet for households with kids and pets. It’s a whole lot easier to clean up when spills are on wood, not wool. Plus, hardwood is more forgiving than ceramic, concrete, or tile. But if you have rambunctious pets and messy kids, you may be concerned about whether hardwood floors will stay beautiful in your home. Here, we’ll look at the four factors to consider if you’re thinking about installing hardwood.
Read the full article here.
A look at the hard work an AI smart home assistant has to do in the homes of 3 top tech gurus. For Dwell's Smart Tech issue. read the piece here.
My essay on building the future smart home for Dwell's Smart Tech issue. Read the piece here.
