Michael BrownExecutive Editor, TechHive
Michael is TechHive's lead editor and covers the smart home and home entertainment markets. He built his own smart home in 2007, which he uses as a real-world test lab when reviewing new products. Michael also reviews routers and networking products for TechHive and PCWorld.
The iDevices Instinct puts Alexa inside a smart switch
This isn’t a switch that you can control with Alexa, it’s an Alexa device that can control the light it’s connected to, plus stream music and control any other Alexa-compatible device.
SimpliSafe now has its own smart deadbolt
The new smart lock ties into the company’s DIY home security system and will cost just $99.
It can’t shut off your water supply in an emergency, like Phyn’s more powerful first product, but it’s a lot cheaper and you can install it yourself.
Brilliant is adding native LIFX smart bulb support to its smart home controller
LIFX bulbs use Wi-Fi, so they don’t necessarily need a controller, but this should be a benefit to Brilliant users nonetheless.
Lutron Aurora review: A nearly perfect solution for Philips Hue smart bulbs
This gadget handily solves the smart bulb, dumb switch problem—but only if you have Philips Hue bulbs and a toggle switch.
Both the lamp and the bookshelf speaker can operate independently, as a stereo pair, or as surround speakers with a Sonos soundbar in your home theater.
Adding Bluetooth eliminates the need to buy a Philips Hue Bridge. But you can run only 10 bulbs without it, and you'll be cut off from the broader Hue ecosystem.
The best Amazon Echo add-ons and accessories
A few are goofy, but many are great: These mostly inexpensive gadgets can make Amazon’s smart speakers even better.
New Philips Hue smart bulbs don’t need the Hue Bridge—but there’s a catch
Philips is shifting to a new chip that has both Bluetooth and Zigbee radios onboard, but most people will still want a Hue Bridge on their home network.
Samsung SmartThings expands its lineup with a Wi-Fi security camera, a smart bulb, and a smart plug
A smart home system with broad third-party device support gains three new first-party devices.
Sonos Amp review: This is the best Sonos music streamer by far (even if it’s not right for everyone)
The Sonos Amp is a great-sounding and supremely flexible amplifier that's a superb choice for your home theater or for critical listening. And it will drive just about any type of passive loudspeaker you'd care to use.
But the Schlage Encode smart deadbolt also exposes some flaws in Amazon’s broader approach to the smart home.
The all-plastic construction has us wondering about longevity, but the price (and the hooks into the broader Ring ecosystem) can’t be beat.
Ecobee’s fifth-generation SmartThermostat with voice control is available now
The company says its combination thermostat/Alexa smart speaker will have a more powerful processor and speaker, plus dual-band Wi-Fi.
Amazon’s Echo Show 5 could kneecap the Google Nest Hub
Its 5.5-inch display is slightly smaller, but it has a camera and is priced at just $90.