Police in Bentonville, Arkansas, obtained a search warrant for the audio captured by an Amazon Echo as part of a homicide investigation, raising concerns over just how much smarthome devices know about us. In the case of the Echo, Amazon says little is being recorded and stored, but that’s not much of a consolation for IoT device owners who’re worried their tech might be used against them by the government.
Search: smart home
![Sylvania Announces Smartbulbs for Apple HomeKit, No Hub Required [Update]](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/sylvania-smart-multicolor-a19-wide.jpg)
Sylvania Announces Smartbulbs for Apple HomeKit, No Hub Required [Update]
Sylvania announced Tuesday it was launching an LED smartbulb in its LEDVANCE product line with support for Apple’s HomeKit (yay!). Better yet, the Smart Multicolor A19 doesn’t require a hub—just plug it in, find it with Apple’s Home app, and you’re good to go. Sylvania said the device will be sold through Amazon and ship in “early 2017.” This will be a great addition to the HomeKit ecosystem. To that end, I’ve been seeing more HomeKit stuff in my inbox during the last few weeks for CES 2017. It’s almost as if Apple’s smarthome platform is finally coming alive. Let’s hope, at any rate. I’ve left messages with Sylvania reps asking about pricing, which wasn’t announced. Sylvania also didn’t release images of the new bulb—the image below is of current products in the company’s smartbulb line. [Update: Sylvania’s PR folks got back to me—pricing is definitely unannounced. I also added a rendered image of the A19. We’ll be visiting with the company next week at CES. – Bryan]
Smarthome Automation for the Holidays - TMO Daily Observations 2016-12-08
The holidays are a great time for showing off your smarthome skills, so Kelly Guimont and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to share some tips. They talk about Siri, Amazon Echo, IFTTT, and more.
Logitech Pop Aims to Make Complex Smarthome Control Easy
Explaining the complexities and nuances of controlling your home’s smart lights, smart switches, and wireless music system can be a little frustrating for you and intimidating for your less tech-savvy friends and family. Logitech is hoping to take away that complexity with its new Pop programmable button. You set up a Pop to control connected devices such as Hue lights, WeMo and Lutron switches, Sonos music players, and more. It’s pretty versatile, too, so you can do things like set a single press to turn on the lights and close the blinds, or a double-press to dim the lights and get the tunes playing through your Sonos. You can pre-order a starter pack with two switches and network bridge for US$99.99, and it will ship in a few weeks.
How to Install HomePod 17.5 Software Update
Is it time to update your HomePod software? Here’s a full guide on how to install the latest HomePod software, 17.5.
Yet Another Leak Hints at HomePod with LCD Display
Rumors suggest Apple may revamp its HomePod with a touchscreen display, potentially enhancing its functionality as a smart home hub.
Fix: HomePod Not Responding in 8 Ways
If you find that your HomePod is not responding, you may need to try a couple of things to get it going again.
How to Reset iPhone Home Screen to Default
If your iPhone is cluttered, you need to reset the home screen to default now. Follow the steps mentioned in the guide here.
How to Reset a HomePod Without Your Phone
Need to know how to reset your HomePod without using an iPhone or Wi-Fi connection? We’ve got just the right solution.
How and Why To Set Up Sound Recognition on Your HomePod
For those times when your smoke or CO2 alarm might go off when you aren’t home, learn how HomePod and Sound Recognition can help.
How To Add HomePod to the Home App
For those that need to connect their HomePod or HomePod mini to the Home app, they should know they’re just a few short steps away.
How to Watch Apple TV on Android Phone, Tablet & Smart TV
Jeff will show you how to watch Apple TV on an Android phone, tablet or smart TV without an Apple TV device.
Hide Apps on Your iPhone Home Screen in Four Easy Ways
Read this guide to learn how to hide apps on your iPhone Home Screen in four easy ways, such as hiding your App Store purchase history.
How to AirPlay to Your HomePod Without an Internet Connection
If you’ve ever wondered how you might be able to AirPlay to your HomePod without internet, read along and learn how to do it.
HomePod with 7-Inch Display Arriving by 2024 Predicts Analyst
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that a company may be supplying Apple with panels for a new HomePod with a 7-inch display.
HomePod Mini Flashing Orange? Here's How to Fix It
If your HomePod mini is flashing orange, make sure you’re using the original power adaptor, or purchase a new one. Read here for more tips.
How to Set Up Apple HomeKit for a Roku Device
Here’s how you can setup Apple HomeKit for your Roku device so you can begin using AirPlay 2 to stream media on a TV.
How To Use Your HomePod’s Temperature and Humidity Sensors
The second-generation HomePod and current HomePod mini have temperature and humidity sensors, so let’s look at how you could be using them.
Huge HomePod Heads Back to Market
The big HomePod returns, OS updates hit next week, and new offerings for Black History Month. That’s today’s view from the Observation Deck.
The OG HomePod Is Back, Updated With New Features
Apple has relaunched the OG HomePod, refining its design and offering even more features and functionality than ever before.
Home a Major Issue for Apple
Home is a “Major Issue” for Apple, Apple leads on smartphone sustainability, and sticking the year of the rabbit in your ear.
Apple Adds New Home Architecture to Major Issue List
Apple has reportedly added its new Home architecture, introduced with iOS 16.2, to an internal database of major issues.
![[U: Now Available on Apple Online Store] Level Lock+ Will Offer Apple Home Key Support](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Level-Lock-Touch-Edition-Headon.webp)
[U: Now Available on Apple Online Store] Level Lock+ Will Offer Apple Home Key Support
Despite confusing reports to the contrary, the Level Lock+ does support Apple Home Key technology and is available now in select stores.
Apple May Soon Release the HomePod mini Speaker in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden
Apple might soon make the HomePod mini speaker available to four new countries, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway.