Are your fans blazing during those Zoom calls? Is your laptop plugged in more frequently now? Have an issue printing? How about choosing between NAS vs. USB-C drives? You’re in luck! These are just a sample of the questions your two favorite geeks answer during this week’s show. John and Dave then share some Cool Stuff Found, some tips, and more. Press play and enjoy learning at least five new things!
iBaby Monitors Can be Exploited by Hackers
Parents using an iBaby Monitor M6S should be aware it has multiple security problems that open it up to hackers.
That means any ne’er-do-well can purchase an iBaby monitor and use it to access files from every iBaby monitor. Unbelievable? Believe it. For legal reasons, the Bitdefender researchers did not access data belonging to other real-world users. Instead, they set up a second test device and verified access.
Abode Smart Security Kit adds HomeKit Support
Abode is adding HomeKit support to its Smart Security kit, a DIY home security system featuring a gateway, motion sensor, and more.
Turn Your Phone Into a Universal Remote and Control Multiple Smart Home Devices: $19.95
We have a deal on Hombli, a smart IR remote control that turns your iPhone or Android device into a universal remote for multiple smarthome devices. The Hombli acts as a hub, and you control it with a companion app. With it, you can access over 80,000 devices from popular brands including Samsung, Sony, and Philips, and you can use hands-free voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This device is $19.95 through our deal.
RoomMe is a Smart Home Device to Person-Specific Automation
RoomMe is a occupancy automation sensor for your home. This means when a person walks into a room, it detects your phone via Bluetooth to enable person-specific automation. A spokesperson told me it uses localized technology called Presence Sensing Technology. It stores your automation rules on your smartphone and doesn’t accept external automation triggers or manual operation. Meaning, the device commands your other devices and doesn’t accept commands from other devices. However, according to its privacy policy the app does contain Google analytics and “behavioral remarketing services” to show you ads outside of the app. But you can enable Limit Ad Tracking in iOS settings. You can pick up a single RoomMe sensor for US$69.99, or buy combo packs. It supports various smart home protocols including HomeKit.
CES 2020: Eve Cam Works With HomeKit Secure Video
Today smart home company Eve Systems announced a product called Eve Cam, an indoor camera made exclusively for HomeKit Secure Video.
JBL, SanDisk, Legrand, LE Audio, and More from CES 2020 – TMO Daily Observations 2020-01-07
LAS VEGAS – Live from CES 2020, Dave Hamilton and John F. Braun share their thoughts on the new stuff they’ve found. Cool Stuff Found includes JBL’s new Quantum gaming headsets, Legrand’s smart electrical panel, ChronoLife’s smart Nexkin shirt, SanDisk’s latest (r)evolution of the thumb drive (it’s got a lot of storage and it’s fast!), Bluetooth’s first audio evolution in decades, and even more. Listen, enjoy, and let us know what you think at [email protected]
IKEA Tradfri Smart Blinds Add HomeKit Support
IKEA is now rolling out HomeKit support for its line of Tradfri smart blinds as a firmware update, after a delay into 2019.
Home Automation Standards, Ring "Security" Measures – TMO Daily Observations 2019-12-18
Bryan Chaffin and Andrew Orr join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple joining a standards group for smart home devices, and Ring’s security.
Apple Works With Group to Develop Open Standards for Smart Home Devices
Apple, Google, and others announced today a working group to develop and promote an open connectivity standard for smart home devices.
Eve for HomeKit Updates for iOS 13
Eve is a smart home company that builds products that work with Apple’s HomeKit. The company recently updated its app to version 4.0 for iOS 13. It adds dark mode, easier access to your favorite views, and other refinements.
Eve works with all HomeKit-enabled accessories. See your home at a glance. Customize your ecosystem down to the finest detail. Activate scenes in a snap. And easily create automations using timers and rules. With Eve, you’re at the forefront of connected home control – and guided – every step of the way.
App Store: Eve for HomeKit – Free
Ikea Smart Blinds Suffer From Second Delay
The Ikea smart blinds Fyrtur model have suffered a second delay. The after the first delay they were supposed to be released on October 1. But now the company says “later this year.”
The delay is already obvious to anyone who has been feverishly refreshing the US listing, hoping their local Ikea suddenly shows in-store availability. The blinds are on sale elsewhere. In the UK, for example, the Fyrtur blackout blinds are available for home delivery. Moreover, they’re also selling the less expensive, and more translucent, Kadrilj model that won’t be on sale in the US.
NX-100 Smart Garage Controller and Smart Plug Bundle: $79
We have a deal on the NX-100 Smart Garage Controller and Smart Plug Bundle. This device turns your garage door opener into a smart garage door opener and is compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.It’s $79 through our deal.
Tidbits Managing Editor Josh Centers (#5) - TMO Background Mode Interview
Josh Centers is the Managing Editor of Tidbits.com and has published many Take Control (TC) books. He’s the author of Take Control of Apple TV and Take Control of Home Automation. He’s been writing the Take Control books for iOS since version 8, and his latest book is Take Control of iOS 13 and iPadOS 13.
In his fifth appearance on the show, Josh and I explored his latest article (Aug. 30) at Tidbits that explores a controversial user interface issue in iOS 13. Josh is blunt about Apple’s questionable use of the ellipsis. We then took a 30,000 ft. view of the current disarray in the area of IoT, home automation and security. As an aside, Josh and I hypothesize about a new Apple product. We finished with a discussion of what sets iPadOS 13 apart from iOS 13.
Eve Announces Four New Products at IFA 2019
Eve Systems creates products for the smart home, and it announced four new products at IFA 2019.
TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini Cancels HomeKit
TP-Link unveiled its Kasa Smart Plug Mini back at CES 2019. The company quietly announced that it has canceled the device’s HomeKit integration.
It’s not known yet whether the company is abandoning HomeKit for all devices or solely for this one product. Nor are there any details about whether there will be any recourse for customers who bought the Kasa Smart Plug Mini in the expectation that HomeKit was coming.
GE Smart AC Unit Works With HomeKit
GE Appliances has a new smart air conditioning unit, and it works with Apple’s HomeKit. The GE smart AC unit connects with Wi-Fi and can be controlled with a iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch. John Desmarais, Commercial Director, Window A/C, Portables & Dehumidifiers for GE Appliances, said:
Consumers told us they like how they can create their own schedules to keep rooms comfortable without wasting energy. We’re pleased to offer the very first air conditioners with HomeKit integration, bringing simple and secure control through the Apple Home app and using Siri.
You can read the press release here and purchase one here.
Over 2 Billion User Records Exposed in Orvibo Data Breach
Orvibo makes smart home products, and researchers found a leak in its database that exposed over two billion user records. This included usernames, email addresses, passwords, and precise locations.
The data breach affects users from around the world. We found logs for users in China, Japan, Thailand, the US, the UK, Mexico, France, Australia, and Brazil. We expect that there are more users represented in the 2 billion plus logs.
We first contact Orvibo via email on June 16. When we didn’t receive a response after several days, we also tweeted the company to alert them to the breach. They still have not responded, nor has the breach been closed.
Utterly ridiculous. It’s one thing to leak data, and other thing to ignore the problem and not fix it.
Whispering Sweet Nothings at The A-Lady – Mac Geek Gab Podcast 766
Some folks with Catalina on the brain want to know how to prepare. Some folks want to prepare to reinstall Mojave. Joe has advice for future-proofing your home, and the A-Lady wants you to whisper sweet nothings at her. It’s that kind of week here and John and Dave are your stalwart guides. Press play and enjoy learning at least five new things!
Communal Head Scratching to Help Solve Your Problems – Mac Geek Gab Podcast 758
It’s true, your two favorite geeks have come together again to have a “communal head scratch” about all the questions and problems you’ve submitted. Then it’s on to some happy tips, including one about working around the new Dropbox limitations. Download, press play, and learn at least five new things… and get your questions answered, too!
