Lifestyle Smart Home

Televisions can be found in virtually every home today. And they have come a long way since those 12-inch black and whites that our parents’ parents talked about. Yet, with all our technology and advancements,  televisions can still be just as quirky as they have ever been. From screen size issues to upside-down pictures, sometimes America’s oldest beloved electronic device (sorry iPhones), is an occasional headache too.

A Smart Life outlet is a device used to control the state of an appliance, i.e. turning a light off and on, from a user’s cell phone. It is also commonly referred to as a smart plug, These types of plugs came into existence in 2015. Since then, there have been other related products launched, such as smart light switches, smart bulbs, and even  smart doorbells. You can even control your space at a granular level by linking Smart Life outlets to your existing smart home hub, such as Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa.

Whenever our phones or laptops aren’t working, we often blame the  WiFi. However, what if you notice the broadband light on your router is red?

The best way to keep your home safe and comfortable throughout the year is to have a high-quality thermostat that can properly control your heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. One popular option on the market are Lux thermostats due to their convenient features and affordable products. That said, even the best thermostat in the world can have its faults.

Roku TVs are a convenient way to stream your favorite platforms, connect to your cable, and watch free over-the-air channels. Setting up and connecting to these various outlets is easy and only requires you to follow the on-screen instructions. However, a common issue with Roku Tv antenna channels is they tend to go missing, even after set up.

Nest has several error codes that may appear on the screen to let you know something is amiss. While it can be alarming, there are usually plenty of ways to troubleshoot the problems yourself.

Nest thermostats display several different messages that alert us of an issue with the device. One such message is that Nest is “delayed.” When something is delayed, we think of it as working intermittently. It’s often not as fast as we want it to be, which can be frustrating.

Have you ever felt that the room temperature was cooler than what your thermostat showed? Nest users have reported issues with their thermostat thinking it’s warmer than it is. A difference of a degree or two is perfectly normal. Anything more than that, though, and there may be a problem.

The Internet plays such a pivotal role in our everyday lives. One of the biggest modern inconveniences is when it stops working. Why does your Internet go out every night at the same time, and what can you do to fix it?

Vizio is one of the most respected brands of TV on the market. Many people prefer Vizio TVs because of the high quality, clean pictures, and reliable service. However, even Vizio TVs can have their issues. One common issue is the Vizio TV power light blinking with or without an image on the screen.

The Ring Doorbell 2 uses motion detection sensors and a camera to help homeowners optimize home safety. When the motion detection stops working, homeowners no longer receive push alerts when someone approaches the door, and the camera does not kick on to take video footage. 

Huawei, a Chinese-based company, has established itself as a credible innovator in the mobile phone industry. This leaves many Americans are wondering- does Huawei work with Verizon?

The Ring Video Doorbell is a wildly popular doorbell option because it combines home security with front-door alerting. However, when it starts a random buzz after only weeks or months of use, it becomes quite an unparalleled annoyance. This buzz can be in the outdoor unit itself, which is not as bad, or it can be in the home’s doorbell chime which is unbearable.

 It doesn’t take long to tell a difference in the temperature of your home. Maybe you noticed your home wasn’t as comfortable as usual and discovered a blank display screen. If this is the case, you’ll want to diagnose the problem quickly.

As the proud owner of an Amazon Echo, I can tell you that Alexa became a pretty good part of my nightly routine. The majority of the time, it makes my life easier. Once in a blue moon, though, you’ll hear it say “Sorry, something went wrong.” When this happens, we’ll have to troubleshoot ourselves before we call Amazon’s customer service.

It’s disappointing when you’re trying to watch something on TV, and the Comcast cable box flashes the message, ‘Not Authorized.’ What went wrong?

It can be a bit spooky when your Vizio TV starts turning itself on by itself. Several issues can be at the bottom of a Vizio TV that seems to have a mind of its own. A Vizio TV that turns itself on isn’t a common problem. However, if you are experiencing these issues, there are some common causes.

Every  cable box has some type of minor variation, from its appearance to how they operate. One example of this is the boot process. Some cable box panels will have lettering and number sequences. The Time Warner Cable box, for example, uses an L- numeric series to indicate and reflect the cable box booting process.

Countless homeowners have done everything that they can to transform their houses into smart homes. It’s easy to overlook certain simple devices that make it easier to go about your day as a homeowner, such as smart plugs. So, do smart plugs save energy?

Ordinarily, we don’t have to do too much to our Comcast  cable box. And most of the time, it requires very little knowledge to operate and use. From time to time, however, it is good to understand what our magic little box is doing. Like when it has a flashing blue light.

Troubleshooting a thermostat can be tricky between all of the messages and error codes that they display. Many homeowners have scratched their heads the words “cool on” flash on the display yet the thermostat won’t work. So, what does this message mean, and what can you do to fix it?

Many people are hesitant to get a metal roof because they fear it will worsen their cell phone reception. Other related worries are that the metal roof will also impede homeowners’ satellite signals and WiFi connections. So, is it true that metal roofs can have a negative effect on cell phone reception?

All Ring doorbells, except for the Ring Doorbell Pro and the Ring Doorbell Elite, run on batteries, even if they are hardwired to the home. The battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion pack that charges via a USB cable. The battery charge should last an average of 6 to 12 months, but frequent use discharges them sooner.

Alexa devices have become a staple of modern households, and it’s hard to imagine a world without them. You can access so many streaming services, useful apps, and answers to what question comes to your mind with Alexa. While Alexa devices are generally reliable and useful tools, they don’t always perform as we’d like them to.

Honeywell thermostats have helpful, user-friendly, and visually appealing display screens. They tell you your program settings, temperature, fan setting, and can display many messages. These messages are helpful, but what does it mean when your Honeywell thermostat says “Wait”?

Having weird lights appear on your router can be highly unsettling, primarily if you work from home or depend on your internet for daily activities. It’s essential that you get your internet back up and running as soon as possible; however, the initial steps you take highly depend on the equipment from your service provider. So, what do you do if you have a Spectrum router that’s blinking red?

It’s a major drag when your AC stops working, but that doesn’t always mean it’s time to replace it. Sometimes, the fix is really quite simple.

When the red LED light on your Samsung TV blinks 6 times, and the TV doesn’t come on, you are pretty sure that there is trouble in paradise. Some other brands of TVs have extensive error code systems. Not so Samsung, so if your Samsung TV blinks the red LED 6 times, you only get a general idea of what is wrong.

It’s frustrating when you take time to install an Ecobee thermostat only to have it not power on. It’s even more frustrating when the thermostat was already working and suddenly loses power. In either case, there is always a reason.

A Ring Doorbell is a valuable asset to many people, providing convenience and protection from your front door. If you consider this item for your home, you might wonder what a few of the pros and cons are. It can be tricky to find this information on the internet without extensive searching.

Ring’s surveillance doorbell is a nice system that gives us a sense of safety and watches over our houses even while we are gone. We can see what’s going at our front door from the Ring app on our phone. Still, one of the mysteries of this piece of technology is the ring tone of the outside doorbell. We hear it play outside, but can we customize the chime?

A Ring doorbell acts as both a doorbell and a security device for homes and business properties. It allows you to see who is at the door and speak to them, too. You can accomplish all of this and more even when you’re away from home all through the Ring app. However, to make all this happen, your device must be connected to a secure Wi-Fi network.

Deciding whether or not to upgrade your lighting to smart lighting is a big decision. There is, of course, the initial investment. At $30 or $40 a bulb, switching your entire home over to smart bulbs is no small price to pay. But the benefits are numerous.

A loud blast from your Samsung TV is enough to send you through the roof. If the volume’s stuck on 100, how are you supposed to comfortably catch up on Virgin River?

As a loyal Spectrum customer myself, I know how annoying internet interruptions can get. There are a few simple techniques I learned over the years to prevent this from reoccurring!

One of the trademarks that have enabled the success of Vizio and their televisions is an exceptional user experience. So, of course, when that whenever-we-want wherever-we-want right-now service is anything but, we panic. Don’t. In most cases, if a  Vizio TV has connection or signal issues it isn’t an end of the world problem.

Does your Samsung TV keep turning off every 5 seconds? How frustrating! Samsung is a brand well-known for supplying a long list of different smart devices. Their high-quality displays make them a popular choice for smart TVs, but high-quality is only useful if you can  actually watch it.

It’s no secret that we need reliable internet in this day and age. This fact makes it all the more frustrating when your WiFi unexpectedly stops working. If you have an Altice One router that is not working, you’re in the right place to learn about how to troubleshoot issues with WiFi connectivity.

Installing smart devices into your home is a great way to make your life easier and upgrade your space. Products such as Nest make it easy and convenient to manage your home’s temperature.

Kasa is a brand that is hellbent on making smart homes easier to access than ever, and it’s a system that works with most major hubs. Unfortunately, it still has its kinks it occasionally deals with. One of the more common annoyances that we tend to see is an alert saying that there’s a “device unreachable” in your system. What gives?

The high-tech Ring™ is a video doorbell that helps enhance the security of any home. It captures data. It records movement. It makes residents feel safer. So, is it appropriate for people who live in apartments?

Thermostats have come a long way in a relatively short time. Central air itself is still a relatively new invention in the grand scheme of things. The way that we control the settings have changed throughout the years, with smart thermostats currently being the best option out there.

I love the idea of video doorbells, don’t you? It’s so nice to see a video of who’s outside your home and actually have proof of porch pirates. Video doorbells are a smart investment in home security, but most require you to pay a monthly subscription. Want to get a video doorbell that doesn’t need one? We have you covered.

Whether you’re listening to music or watching a movie, an LG soundbar is a great way to enhance your experience. That is until your soundbar subwoofer keeps cutting out for no reason. This problem is extremely annoying and inconvenient. If you want to get back to your listening experience, you’ll have to solve it in a timely manner.

So, getting an e-reader is kind of a big deal especially if you want to get a good scoop on the hottest new home improvement books. The problem with e-readers, even Kindles, is that they don’t always work. This is a particularly common issue when it comes to matters of sending guides to Kindle. So, what gives?

DirecTV is a popular satellite TV service that offers more than 240 channels in most areas. A big downside of DirecTV, though, is that it sometimes it freezes.

It can be highly frustrating when your broadband connection starts bugging out and blinking red. It’s even more frustrating when there are different blinking lights, and you don’t know what they mean. So what does it mean if your AT&T broadband connection has a red light that’s blinking?

We love our cable, and as Americans, we love our television programs enough to schedule our week around our favorite shows. After all, there is no way anything can be planned on Tuesday, because that is the season finale, right? What happens though when our cable box stops being that reliable and beloved device? Don’t panic, this is fixable, and it won’t be long before you get tuned back in.

Don’t blame the haunts of Halloween, the ghosts of Christmas past, or the specters of past residents when your Xfinity  cable box inexplicably reboots. That isn’t to say that those couldn’t be causes, or that the haunt of a former prankster or an agitated poltergeist couldn’t be the culprit. It might just be best to start with more earthly or grounded reasons – speaking literally and figuratively.

Not only is it annoying, but it also makes watching your favorite shows impossible. When your Vizio TV begins to flicker quickly, the results are much less than satisfactory. Trying to watch the TV is impossible. Sometimes even trying to read the menu and set up screens can be difficult. Finding and fixing a strobe light effect on your Vizio TV becomes a priority.

Honeywell has been manufacturing thermostats for decades, and it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the older models are different from the ones that are being made today. Despite their differences, every Honeywell thermostat can be reset, it’s just a matter of how.

Verizon is a great service provider, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always be free of problems when it comes to their internet. There are many things that can happen when you have hardware or wireless service involved, which is why there are indicator lights on the router and modem. But what if there is a red globe on your Verizon router? How do you fix it?

Many consumers choose Vizio products for the reliability and quality of their electronic products. However, one documented problem appears to plague Vizio TVs. Many users report their Vizio TVs turn off suddenly after only a few seconds.

One of the advantages of an Ecobee thermostat is the ability to control it remotely. But to do this, the Ecobee needs a strong and secure Wi-Fi connection. So what happens if your Ecobee won’t connect to your Wi-Fi?

The continued boom of home security options has made it easier and easier to keep a home safe, and the owner informed. Smart technology allows you to see who is ringing your doorbell with a video on your cell phone.

White-Rodgers is a company that’s pretty well known for being reliable, especially when it comes to its selection of thermostats. Though they generally work well, there are always times when things don’t go as planned. If you notice your thermostat acting unresponsive, you might have a problem on your hand. But, what’s going on?

Many Samsung smartphone users got the SmartThings App at the same time they got their phone. While the SmartThings app has a lot of great points for making your home life easier, not everyone uses or even wants its services.

Magnavox universal remotes simplify your life by combining controls for all of your audio-visual equipment in a single device. As convenient as this is, when the remote stops working, things get a bit complicated. You have to juggle individual remotes or manually adjust each piece of equipment.

When it comes to trying to pare down the high price of energy, people are getting crafty. They’re getting eco-friendly materials for their homes. They’re adding insulation. Oh, and they’re also getting some devices that make it easy to help curb your energy use, such as energy monitors. You might be wondering what’s getting your bill high. Should you get a Smappee or a Sense?

Alexa is a popular cloud-based voice service that is available on millions of devices made both by Amazon and third-party manufacturers. It is used to stream music, listen to daily weather reports, control smart appliances, provide information, and more. One of the best aspects of Alexa is your ability to customize its features to better suit your lifestyle. One of these features is whether Alexa speaks back to you after being delivered a command or not.