Your TV has a remote control. Your home audio system has a remote. But why isn't the rest of your home connected and controllable at the touch of a button? That's the question Belkin tries to answer with the WeMo, an easy to install, modular home automation system we got to preview a few weeks back at CES... More

We first showed you this modern new smoke alarm a few years ago, but the Kidde Silhouette is now an affordable and more widely available option for your next renovation project. (I'm actually considering swapping out our newish but clunky alarms for these beauties!) More

If you haven't used IFTTT, we think you should check out one of the greatest free web services around. IFTTT stands for If This, Then That, and the name is practically self-explanatory. If one of the several triggers you setup happens, then the service activates whatever multiple commands you designate. But how does all this help you find a job? More

We won't go off a Dieter Rams rant here (but you should know his, but we must say there is something undeniably wonderful about having a product that is simple and aesthetically pleasing right out of the box...a device which meets the criteria of function while respecting the goals of presenting an aesthetically pleasing form without the extraneous. It's more rare than you think in the realm of tech and "gadgets"... More

Holiday time is fast approaching and if you're on the ball, you've already started planning what to get for friends and family for the holidays. If you've got older parents who aren't as spritely on their feet as they once were, the holiday seasons could be a good time to accessorize their home with some tech devices that make everyday chores a little easier. Although I have to admit, picking out tech gifts for my own mom has been hit and miss: she LOVES the 50" LCD HDTV my sister got her, but just asked to be downgraded back to a dumb flip phone after a few weeks after I upgraded her to a smartphone. Sometimes it's safer to stick with devices that solve daily household chores, like cleaning and home upkeep... More

Although hacking has become so prevalent that sometimes no matter what we do, it is impossible to protect against all threats on the internet. However, taking the basic steps to strengthen your password can go a long way. Software firm, SplashData recently published a list of 25 worst passwords, and just as you may have suspected, common choices such as "password" or "123456" are all near the top of the list. Although you may not make the rookie mistake of picking one of the top five, we have a few handy tips on how you can strengthen your password and make sure hackers don't waltz away with your information. More

Recently a group in Eastern Europe has been arrested for infecting computers with malware that will redirect web traffic to fake websites setup to run ads. Unlike malware in the past, the software doesn't steal your personal information but simply run on the background and redirect your traffic the websites that are aimed at generating ad revenue. The software also stave off security updates for antivirus softwares, which makes it very difficult to detect. FBI has put up a support page with steps to check your own computer and removing the malware if you are infected. Meanwhile check out some ways you can avoid getting infected. More

Christopher of CDeutsch's Blog has gotten to making Siri a whole lot more useful around the house, integrated voice activation into his home automation controls, a setup so easy his young daughter can turn on and off the fan using the iPhone by calling upon the help of "Gladys" (any Portal fans out there?). More

With fall already here and winter on the way, it is a perfect time to consider a smarter thermostat for your home if you don't have one already. Programmable thermostats have been around for years, but the latest iterations of this everyday fixture has gotten quite a makeover, as you can see in the example above. Take a look at several heating control options allowing homeowners to control their HVAC systems remotely and with more control than ever... More

If you're anything like most city dwellers, your apartment building has a call box that'll let you buzz a guest inside by pushing a button on your phone. Unfortunately, most city dwellers are also forced to designate only one phone number for the apartment buzzer to call. Here's how you can get around it with Google Voice. More