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Galaxy Home, Samsung will launch it in April
25 Mar 2019
Samsung has taken advantage of the launch of the Galaxy S10 to announce that its smart speaker Galaxy Home will arrive in April.
Samsung has never wanted to share much information about its smart speaker Galaxy Home equipped with the Bixby voice assistant. The last appearance dates back to the presentation of the Galaxy Note 9, therefore, a long time ago. The Korean company does not seem to be going to give up this project and indeed, Galaxy Home seems destined to arrive very soon. On the sidelines of the Galaxy S10 presentation event, Samsung has carved out a small space to talk about its smart speaker.
The good news is that the marketing will start very soon, a sign that the Galaxy Home is almost ready. DJ Koh, CEO of Samsung, pointed out that the smart speaker will be marketed as early as April even if a specific date has not been announced. The marketing should initially cover the American, Chinese and South Korean markets.
Surely the smart speaker will arrive later in other countries, probably in those where Bixby is officially present. Samsung's vocal assistant, in fact, will be the center of gravity of its smart speaker.
There is a good chance that Galaxy Home will also arrive in Italy since Bixby has recently started to speak Italian officially. All that remains is to wait a couple of months to better understand Samsung's plans for its smart speaker Galaxy Home, a product created not only to manage music but also to become the perfect center of gravity of smart homes as users can manage with their voices the operation of many smart devices.
Eve Smoke - Elgato HomeKit Smoke Alarm Device
5 Mar 2019
The Elgato HomeKit compatible smoke and heat detector Eve Smoke is now available in stores.
For this cooperation, Munich-based smart home appliance manufacturer Hager has chosen no one less than the company Hager.
Open fires and even smouldering fires are to be detected with thermodifferential heat detection and a photoelectric smoke sensor. So you can also install the Eve Smoke in your kitchen and only use the heat sensor to avoid false alarms.
The smoke detector works completely independently and also without the HomeKit connection. This means that you don't have to worry if the connection between an Apple device and the smoke detector is disturbed, the alarm will still be triggered.
The HomeKit integration only provides the corresponding smart functions and capabilities. The connection is made via Bluetooth LE wireless technology.
The so-called 10-year battery is intended to ensure a long service life, and automatic self-testing is intended to increase safety and reliability. Eve Smoke is also certified according to DIN EN 14604.
If you want to have several rooms equipped with the Eve Smoke, you can network them all in the app. So you will be warned in case of a Brandt or smoke development, even if you are in another room.
By the possibility of the scene production in the App, you can connect your lamps and provide so in an emergency for the illuminated escape route.
Remember, to access HomeKit compatible devices, such as these Eve Smoke, from the outside, you must also have a newer generation iPad or Apple TV. The control is possible via iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and the Apple Watch.
By the way, the Elgato Eve Smoke was introduced at IFA 2017 and is finally finding its way into the market. The smoke alarm is currently available on Amazon.
CES 2019: SAMSUNG WILL INTEGRATE ALEXA INTO ITS 2019 TV SETS
10 Jan 2019
LG, Sony or Vizio have rolled out the red carpet to Alexa or even Google Assistant and it is no longer uncommon to find one or the other of these assistants in our TV sets.
Now it is Samsung's turn to take the next step and welcome Alexa to its many TV sets. Finally, within them, this is not entirely true....
Samsung has chosen not to integrate these assistants directly into its TV sets and the Korean giant has chosen to use Google and Amazon's smart speakers to provide this feature.
This choice is hardly surprising. Samsung has also developed its own vocal assistant, Bixby. It was therefore logical that he should do everything he could to avoid shading him.
Samsung has opted for indirect integration
The solution implemented seems to be quite flexible and it will be possible to order your TV set with a Google Home or a speaker from the Echo collection.
By using the right controls, we can turn on the TV, change its volume or even change the source, for example.
Application launch will also be allowed. For example, the user could ask his TV to launch Netflix, always through his connected speaker. Thanks to this system, it will no longer be necessary to systematically rely on the remote control to control your television set, which will certainly delight those who tend to lose the famous device.
Regrettable limitations
While these functions are interesting, they do not go as far as the solutions implemented by the competition.
LG and Sony TVs, for example, offer integrated voice assistants. It is even possible to use the remote control to dictate our voice commands, thanks to the built-in microphone. In addition, these brands offer extensive functions such as online research and the display of weather reports.
Samsung did not allow Amazon or Google to access remote voice commands. These and the results on the screen will always be managed exclusively by his personal assistant Bixby.
The system does not yet integrate with Google Maps or Google Calendar and these applications will not yet be available on new Samsung TVs. In short, if the effort is to be commended, the manufacturer will tell himself a "can do better" as a conclusion.
Nvidia Shield TV
25 Dec 2018
Nvidia announced the re-release of its streaming and gaming box Nvidia Shield TV. It has now shrunk considerably and comes with new software and improved accessories. We took a closer look at Nvidia Shield TV in the test.
Admittedly: We were a bit surprised when Nvidia announced a new version of Nvidia Shield TV at CES. Especially when we found out that nothing had changed technically compared to its predecessor, which was launched in mid-2015.
Well, the box has shrunk from 159 x 98 x 26 mm to 210 x 130 x 25 mm. That is a clear difference. Furthermore, in the new version the Micro SD card slot, Micro USB port and connector have been deleted - a proprietary power connector, Ethernet port, HDMI port and two USB ports are still on board.
The rest is identical. Same futuristic look with teasing green LED strip, same (and still excellent) Tegra X1 with 3 GB RAM, same software. Owners of the Nvidia Shield Android TV 2015 should be especially pleased about the last point. Because Nvidia updates all Nvidia Shield Android TV 2016 to Android 7.0 via OTA. Thus all new features are also available on the older versions.
Still 16 GB internal memory are used. And still this is clearly too little. We recommend above all gamers to buy a 64 GByte or even better 128 GByte USB stick for a few Euros and thus expand the memory. The stick can even be formatted as an internal memory. Because often a game occupies 4 GByte or more. For customers who want to load particularly memory intensive applications and data onto the Shield TV, Nvidia offers the Shield TV Pro with an integrated 500 GB hard disk for an additional 100 Euros.
The most important innovations include support for 4K at 60 Hz, decoding from the H.265 standard and HDR (High Dynamic Range). Youtube, Netflix and Amazon Video provide the corresponding content. Also very exciting: Nvidia Shield TV should receive another update in the next months and then also support Google Assistant. This could make the streaming console the central control unit for smart home solutions.
Nvidia Shield TV Controller
An enormous step forward is the new controller, which can also be purchased separately for just under 70 euros. It has shrunk considerably, but is still in better hands than its predecessor. It comes in an angular polygon design, which not only looks good, but also feels great. The keys and sticks are even more crisp and have a perfect pressure point.
The battery life has been increased from an already good 40 hours to 60 hours - despite new force feedback. The Android buttons moved to the lower end, as did the headphone jack.
Gambling rocks!
The included controller already indicates it: Zocken makes on the Nvidia Shield TV right mood! Basically there are three ways to play:
Downloading Android games optimized for Android TV from the Google Play Store is the most obvious. Compared to the classic Android, the range of games on offer is clearly limited. After all, every game has to be adapted for the large screen in landscape format and control via controller / remote.
In return, Nvidia also offers exclusive paid titles such as Metal Gear Rising, The Witness or Borderlands The Pre Sequel. The graphics level here is roughly comparable to that of the PS3.
As a second option Nvidia Shield TV offers home streaming from your own computer with Nvidia graphics card on the TV. This doesn't only work in your own WLAN, but should also work on the hotel TV, provided that you have a fast Internet connection - by the way in 4K and HDR.
The third option is Geforce Now. The games here run on Pascal-based, in-house servers and are streamed to the Nvidia Shield TV. Depending on the title and Internet connection, 1080p with 60 fps is possible. The service costs 10 Euro per month and offers many games included in the subscription price, which tend to be a bit older. These include countless Lego games, but also No Mans Sky, The Witcher 3, Tomb Raider and Batman games. Newer games have to be chewed.
Graphically, this is very impressive and in our opinion, graphically, it also passes current console generations by. You also don't have to struggle with lags or game delays. Especially this option is perfect for casual gamers who don't want to buy an expensive game computer.
streaming
In addition, Nvidia Shield TV can be used with various streaming services - including brand new Amazon Video. Here, however, the box does not come close to the comfort of a Fire TV. This is primarily due to the fact that the remote control included in the package, which is also new but hardly changed (batteries instead of rechargeable batteries, no headphone jack anymore), does not have its own buttons for winding. When spooling many apps, for example, an overlay menu is first called up, in which the fast forward button must then be pressed again.
Each application also uses its own user interface, which feels awkward and confusing. On the one hand, this is a fundamental problem of Android TV, which has been neglected by Google. On the other hand, Amazon Video deliberately seems to hold back various features so that customers are more likely to choose their own hardware Fire TV.
Costs
Nvidia Shield TV 2017 costs 230 Euro including controller and remote control and is therefore somewhat cheaper than its predecessor, which cost 260 Euro together with the then optional remote control. The Shield TV Pro with the 500 GByte hard disk costs 330 Euro. An additional controller costs 70 Euro.
Conclusion
Nvidia Shield TV 2017 can do a lot. Especially the gaming aspect will delight many. The new controller feels incredibly right, Geforce Now works perfectly and the Android TV games open up new possibilities.
The Nvidia Shield TV can stream in beautiful 4K 60fps and HDR, but the inconsistent operation of the different apps confuses. A pity are the deleted ports, especially the Micro-SD-Slot. We think it's great that owners of the old Nvidia Shield TV can also enjoy all the new features.
If you want to use the gaming aspects of the Nvidia Shield TV in addition to streaming, the Nvidia Shield TV is a clear recommendation. We don't know of any Android TV box that offers as many possibilities as Nvidia Shield TV. With the introduction of Google Assistant, a very exciting feature is added. Nvidia Shield TV is a true all-rounder and therefore worth every euro.
Hello Egg, the virtual assistant in your kitchen
10 Dec 2018
CES 2018 was the year of virtual assistants and robots to help you at home. While we already had Alexa, Cortana, Echo and others to manage our entire house, the builders started working on more specialized models. Mattel presented Aristotle, his vocal assistant for children. The start-up RnD64 has positioned itself in another market. With Hello Egg, she offers an assistant to help you organize yourself in the kitchen but also to prepare better dishes.
Hello Egg, the crystal ball in your kitchen
The connected objects arrive massively in our kitchens. Whether it's fridges, handymen or tea machines, they are everywhere or almost everywhere. So it almost makes sense that a device to manage your cooking comes on the market. This is reinforced by the growing importance for many people to cook at home instead of eating out. The start-up company Rnd64 reports that 92% of Americans aged 25 to 34 consider it healthier.
Based on this observation, the company decided to launch Hello Egg. The main objective is to allow millennials to organize their kitchens in an intelligent and flexible way. A logic that applies as much to the planning of the week's dishes as to their production.
Hello Egg is therefore an artificial intelligence that can be activated by the voice specially adapted for your kitchen. Its menu also includes recipes and video tutorials to explain how to make them. A team of experts can intervene in real time to help you.
The object is accompanied by the Eggspert application that helps you organize your dishes according to your preferences but also according to your needs. It can also be adapted as for example for an impromptu meal with your vegetarian friend.
Preparing the races
Beyond the simple cooking classes, the application is intended to have a more global use in your kitchen. From the menus you will have planned or those you have already created, it helps you to prepare your shopping list according to what is in your fridge. He can also order for you on delivery sites.
In terms of gadgets, it is also well equipped. Hello Egg, will offer you access to the radio, weather, information..... And let's not forget its shape: an egg. It can therefore be used as an alarm for timed dishes in your kitchen, like hard-boiled eggs!
Philips Hue
27 Nov 2018
Philips Hue is a smart wireless lighting system that allows you to control LED bulbs and create the right atmosphere for every moment. Find out how it works and instructions in my full review of Philips Hue bulbs.
To explore alternatives, you can also read the article LED Bulbs WiFi Smart | Which wireless lighting system?
Philips Hue | How the system works
The system consists of the four main components:
Smartphone/tablet app: allows you to control your lights intelligently (change their colour or turn them on or off even in response to a Philips Hue sensor)
Bridge: is the physical device that allows your Philips Hue bulbs to communicate with each other and with the Philips cloud on the internet through your home internet connection
Lights: these are intelligent LED bulbs that produce a wide range of colours and luminous intensities. The lights communicate with each other and with the Bridge via radio using the standard ZigBee protocol.
Philips Cloud: is a service that allows you to remotely control your devices even when you are away from home and to keep the system up to date
Please note some of the features of the system that I believe contribute to its great added value compared to other solutions:
the system works even when the internet connection should be absent because the app on your smartphone connects directly to the Bridge when you are at home
the wireless connection with Philips Hue bulbs is made through the ZigBee protocol with a range of about 30 meters (depending on the obstacles between the Bridge and the nearest bulb). The range can be easily extended, however, unlike WiFi, because each bulb is in fact a node capable of propagating the signal to other nodes in the system.
the latency time of the commands is certainly less than solutions that always provide for the communication of the App via the cloud on the internet and therefore allows applications where the lights are adjusted in real time, for example following a music stream or online gaming
open and well-documented APIs are available, allowing applications to be developed independently: this has allowed the creation of an ecosystem of truly excellent third-party applications
What can Philips Hue bulbs do?
Before we go into the system components, let's see how we can use Philips Hue bulbs in our home:
voice control lights: you can turn on the lights with your voice thanks to native integration with Amazon Echo, Google Home and Apple HomeKit
programmed light control: thanks to the geolocation of your smartphone, you can configure Philips Hue bulbs to turn on when you get home
Colorful Bulbs: 16 million colors at your fingertips
motion sensor lights: no more searching in the dark of the switch thanks to the Philips Hue sensor
remote light control: you can use the Philips Hue app, a third-party app, remote controls, Philips Hue motion sensor, Apple Watch
Lighting scenarios: light affects mood and behavior, you can find the perfect light for every moment
Philips Hue bulbs | System components
The lighting ecosystem revolves around the Philips Hue Bridge:
Control systems: bridge, dimmer switch, tap switch, motion sensor
LED Bulbs
LED Strips
Indoor (integrated LED or LED bulb with standard socket) and outdoor (LED bulb with standard socket) lamps
The system, based on the Philips Hue Bridge management and connection, also includes three additional control elements.
Philips Hue Bridge
- It is the heart of the system and handles up to 50 Philips Hue bulbs
- Supports up to 12 control elements (dimmer and tap switch, Philips Hue motion sensor)
- Enables remote control away from home via smartphone apps
- Voice control via Amazon Echo, Apple HomeKit and Google Home
Philips Hue Dimmer Switch
- Controls the lights and adjusts their brightness from anywhere in the house
- Battery powered and wall mountable with screws or adhesive
- Can be used as a remote control by removing it from the magnetic base
- Requires connection to the Bridge
Philips Hue Tap Switch
- Recalls 4 preset light scenes or switches lights on/off at the touch of a button
- Can be wall mounted with base included or used as a remote control
- It is powered by pressing the keys, therefore without wires and without battery
- Requires connection to the Bridge for operation
Philips Hue motion sensor
- Automatically activates and deactivates a scene or light setting based on movement
- Thanks to an integrated twilight sensor you can differentiate the brightness between day and night
- It is battery powered, so it is completely wireless and easy to install
- Requires connection to the Bridge
An important note: the Philips Hue motion sensor, having IP42 degree of protection, is suitable for outdoor installation as long as it needs to be protected from direct rain.
Sonos One Hay: Colorful special edition can be pre-ordered
21 Nov 2018
The special edition of the Sonos One WLAN loudspeaker, announced back in spring in cooperation with the Danish designer brand Hay, will be available on November 5. The manufacturer is already accepting advance orders for the devices, which are only available in limited quantities.
The Sonos One Hay is available in Pale Yellow, Soft Pink, Vibrant Red, Forest Green and Light Grey. However, Sonos is willing to pay for this exclusivity, the special edition is offered at a price of 259 Euro, the regular price for the loudspeaker is 229 Euro and Amazon offers the Sonos One for another 10 Euro less.
We have introduced the Sonos One in detail during its introduction, our criticism at that time has now been largely addressed in several updates. The Sonos One was the first Sonos loudspeaker with Alexa integration when it went on sale. Since July, the Sonos One, together with other Sonos devices, also supports AirPlay 2.
The Sonos One Hay is not the only special edition in the Sonos range. Only last week, the manufacturer announced a special version in Beastie Boys look.
Xiaomi Mijia Smart 720p Test: an amazing IP camera
12 Nov 2018
The Mijia Smart 720p IP camera from Xiaomi is a dedicated video surveillance device offered at a competitive price. Easy to handle, the product has many advantages, starting with an easy and quick installation. Here are all our impressions on this IP camera that passes on our test bench.
Xiaomi offers interesting IP cameras in its extensive product catalogue. Compact and discreet, we are now interested in the Mijia Smart 720p, which can rotate 360 degrees using its two-axis motor. Like many of the manufacturer's products, it is reliable and has a good manufacturing quality.
The video sensor supports a maximum HD definition of 1280 x 720 pixels. A microSD slot allows you to record photos or videos directly on the camera. With infrared, it is possible to see in total darkness and motion detection operates at a maximum distance of 9 meters. The IP camera is intended exclusively for indoor surveillance since it is not waterproof.
In the box
As accessories, we find a micro USB to USB-A cable and a charger with Chinese plugs. Wall mounts are also available with a manual also in Chinese. It's a shame not to put it in English at least, which would simplify the task for many users.
Design
As always with the brand's products, we are pleasantly surprised by the particular care taken in the finishing touches. The Mijia Smart 720P is no exception to the rule, while the roundness of the device exudes quality and sobriety. It is completely white except where its sensor is located. Its compact size allows it to blend easily into the decor.
The USB microphone jack is located on the lower edge of the camera base next to a reset button. The lower part allows the wall mounting bracket to be inserted if you want to place the IP camera on a wall or ceiling. It is clear that the manufacturer does not make any fuss and goes straight to the point.
Video / image quality
The Mijia Smart 720P IP camera from Xiaomi offers a very good image quality for its price. HD definition seems sufficient to us, knowing that it is intended only for indoor surveillance and for small rooms. Xiaomi targets only individuals or small businesses that do not have large needs in terms of dedicated surveillance equipment.
Its wide-angle sensor (100 degrees) allows you to have a very wide image, which is a good point. We see a slight deformation on the ends of the image, but this is not binding. The infrared is automatically activated as soon as the ambient light is not bright enough to have an image that is sharp enough. The result is once again up to the task since the images are very detailed in the dark.
We regret that the camera does not have a setting mode that allows it to finely manage motion detection as is the case with most competitors. Software evolution is always possible since the device is monitored by the manufacturer.
Conclusion for the Xiaomi Mijia Smart 720p
The Mijia Smart 720P IP camera from Xiaomi is a very interesting domestic surveillance equipment with many advantages. Sufficient image quality and multiple options available through its application. The installation is quick to implement, a significant point in terms of user experience. In addition, it is very easy to access the camera in 3G/4G.
Of course, not everything is pink, the application does not offer French for the moment and lacks a few options, especially on detection fields for example. We are quibbling, it's true, it's a good product that has plenty of arguments and we were thrilled with it during its test.
Amazon unveils new Ring security cameras
27 Sep 2018
Amazon has just unveiled new Ring security cameras, the manufacturer of the smart bell of the same name that it bought back some time ago.
Earlier this year, Amazon announced the acquisition of Ring, a company specializing in the manufacture of intelligent doorbells, with an on-board camera to allow you to see who is on the doorstep and control the whole thing remotely via the dedicated application on a smartphone.
Amazon unveils two Ring security cameras
Amazon never hid its interest in home and home automation, so this acquisition was no surprise. Today, the American giant is expanding the Ring range with two new cameras: the Ring Stick Up Cam Wired and Ring Stick Up Cam Battery. As their name suggests, one is a wired model that requires to be plugged in to work, the other is a portable version that can be placed anywhere. The first was designed for indoor use, the second for outdoor use.
One model for the interior, another for the exterior
Both devices are compatible with Power over Ethernet Cable (PoE), providing another way to power them. In terms of functionality, the two models are identical. These include motion detection, 1080p Full HD resolution, night vision, a microphone - to allow two-way discussion - a siren and full compatibility with other Amazon devices such as the Ring and Alexa alarm.
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