I Just Want to Control the Lights With My Voice. Is That So Hard? (Yes.)
I just wanted to control the lights with my voice. Why is that so hard?
Jake Swearingen
Most Recent Articles
Google, Facebook Already Facing Lawsuits Under New European Privacy Law
The E.U.’s new data-privacy law went into effect today — and Google and Facebook are already facing legal complaints.
Twitter Was Better in 2008, So Let’s All Just Live There
Ten years ago, barely anybody used Twitter, and those who did didn’t know what it was for. It was great!
You Can Now See Who’s Paying for Political Ads on Facebook and Instagram
Facebook starts attaching disclosure statements to political advertising.
BLOGVERTORIAL/SPONSORSHIP AD CODE
Will These Glasses Save Me From a Lifetime of Staring Into Screens?
Blue light–blocking computer glasses claim to help out screen-addled eyes. Do they?
How Storyful Kept a Very Close Eye on What Journalists Looked At
A social-media aggregator monitored what journalists were looking at, hoping to gain an edge on what content was about to go viral.
Spam Robocalls Aren’t Slowing Down. Here’s the Tech That Could Stop Them.
In the not-too-distant future, endless robocalls may be eradicated, thanks to something called STIR/SHAKEN.
What Does Smart-Home Tech Look Like in New York City?
Trying to figure out what smart-home tech looks like in a very expensive, very weird housing market.
Making My Baby a Smart Baby Was a Mistake
Wearable smart baby sensors promise parents peace of mind, but for the cost and functionality they deliver, parents should feel more like preyed upon.
Why Is This Man Going to Prison for Copying Free Repair Software?
Eric Lundgren made 28,000 unauthorized copies of software you can legally download for free. Now he’s headed to federal prison for 15 months.
How Should We Talk to Alexa Around Our Kid?
Two new parents try to figure out whether it’s okay to yell at Alexa in front of their child.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Trailer: ‘We’re More Ghosts Than People’
A close read of the newly released trailer for Rockstar’s upcoming game, out October 26, 2018.
Amazon Starts Offering Smart-Home Starter Packs
For less than $1,000, Amazon will set up a security system for you.
Are Smart Homes Actually a Good Investment?
A veteran real-estate agent explains whether smart-home tech can boost your home’s value.
Amazon Debuts Echo Dot Kids Edition and Parental Controls
Your favorite always-on recording device just got an update meant for your children.
Gmail Gets a Major Face-lift and Productivity Boost, Starting Today
It’s the first major redesign since 2012 to the world’s most popular email service.
Amazon Will Deliver Packages to Trunk of Your Car
Jeff Bezos wants to put it in your trunk.
Apple, Amazon Battle to Get in on the Ground Floor of Smart-Home Construction
Why sell someone a smart speaker when you can get them to buy a house with your smart speakers embedded in the walls?
Should You Hire a Pro to Smarten Your Home?
Please don’t electrocute yourself. It’s so much easier than you’re making it. There are people trained to do these things.
We’re Already Living in the Smart-Home Future
Bill Gates maybe spent too much on his geek dream 20 years ago.