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gadgets that can assist in enhancing your home’s security, as well as essential smart home security devices, like motion sensors, that nearly everyone should think about investing in. However, if you have been considering purchasing a DIY security camera system in particular, you have likely encountered Wyze. The products offered by the company are generally a more budget-friendly choice compared to some of the pricier home security systems available, such as Ring and Arlo. Given that certain brands like Ring can cost over $100 depending on the model, similar Wyze products may only set you back around $40 to $50 while providing comparable resolution and features. So what is Wyze’s strategy? How does the company maintain such low prices?

To adequately address this question, we need to examine several different factors. Initially, Wyze has placed many of its more advanced features — such as package detection, pet detection, and others — behind its monthly subscription service. While this has sparked some dissatisfaction among customers, it does help reduce the upfront cost. Nonetheless, since you are paying for those enhanced features over time, the total expense could accumulate in the long term. Nevertheless, if you are seeking budget-friendly cameras, Wyze Cam Plus can be an excellent bargain at just $2.99 per month per camera, which is very reasonable compared to some competitors like Ring, which can exceed $49.99 a year for merely one camera. Wyze additionally provides an unlimited camera license for $9.99 per month, enabling you to configure your home security as you wish.

tricks for maximizing Apple CarPlay while driving, iPhone users can swiftly unlock their vehicles. Apple enables iPhone and Apple Watch users to save digital car keys via the iOS and watchOS Wallet application.

To proceed, you’ll require a compatible vehicle, an iPhone XS or SE (2nd generation) or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 5 or newer. Additionally, your device must be operating on the latest version of iOS or watchOS. To initiate, utilize your car manufacturer’s companion app or the car’s display to configure a digital key. If prompted, position the top-center of your iPhone on the key reader to synchronize your phone and vehicle. This should automatically add the new key to your associated Apple Watch, but you can also do this manually by accessing the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and selecting Wallet & Apple Pay > Add next to your car key.

numerous reasons to purchase your electronics from Costco. Although you may find fewer choices compared to a specialty consumer electronics store like Best Buy, Costco’s cost savings, fair return policy, and executive membership yearly cashback make it worthwhile to at least consider this retailer before looking elsewhere — especially if you already hold a membership.

If you’re seeking a Wi-Fi router for your newly purchased home or upgrading your Wi-Fi configuration after years with a 2.4GHz router, Costco offers a modest selection of standalone Wi-Fi routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems that are affordably priced, feature modern specifications, and come from trusted brands. Since not all Wi-Fi routers offer the same capabilities or performance, we have selected three of the top options available that have generally garnered positive feedback from Costco customers to assist in your router selection.

U.S. Department of Energy approximates that 5 to 10 percent of home energy consumption stems from phantom power, costing the average homeowner up to $100 annually. One or two USB chargers connected might not appear to consume much, but cumulatively, in a household, the total usage can be significant. If you have children, consider their chargers or devices constantly plugged in, along with your partner’s, yours, or those of any visitors. 

However, it’s not only USB chargers that draw power. Numerous devices in standby mode utilize small amounts of electricity, such as cable boxes, streaming devices, gaming consoles, smart TVs, microwaves, appliances, audio systems, and many others. Now, envision all those devices plugged in continuously, throughout the day, every day. That represents a considerable amount of energy likely being wasted. You can alleviate this by transitioning to newer, more energy-efficient alternatives. Indeed, a lesser-known aspect of smart home technology is its ability to reduce energy consumption by minimizing constant power draw or utilizing energy more effectively.

Amazon Studios’ “Fallout” series has achieved multiple nominations and a single win at the 2024 Emmys. However, Amazon is not stopping with “Fallout”; the studio is developing several additional game adaptations, ranging from “God of War” to “Mass Effect.”

In recent years, Amazon Studios has finalized a range of beneficial agreements to produce live-action series based on well-known video game franchises. While details regarding the progress of these projects are scarce, they remain actively in development. If the caliber of “Fallout” is anything to go by, each of these endeavors has the potential to become blockbuster hits on their own, and we are eager to witness the outcomes. Below are the five video game adaptations we are most thrilled to see on the streaming platform in the near future.

AI functionality in Google Search and Gemini is operational in Android Auto. It operates across various platforms and is capable of aiding in coding, resolving intricate issues, or even creating astonishing visuals through the Nano Banana generator.

Nonetheless, Gemini is not without its flaws, and akin to some unsettling realities associated with ChatGPT, Google’s AI assistant and chatbot possess their unique limitations that every Gemini user should be aware of. It can lack accuracy and may produce hallucinations, much like many other generative AI systems. Furthermore, there are privacy considerations as human evaluators review some conversations users have with Gemini to refine the model. Additionally, Gemini has faced allegations of bias and the tendency for overcorrection. Therefore, if you intend to use Google Gemini seriously, it is crucial to recognize and comprehend its compromises and unspoken truths.

USB (which means Universal Serial Bus), however, there is a distinction between a USB header and the actual USB port that your device connects to. A USB header is a multi-pin connector located on a motherboard that enables you to link USB devices to a PC or other gadgets featuring USB ports.

A USB port is the external connector where you insert a USB accessory. After your device is connected, the motherboard’s USB headers manage data and power distribution in relation to your USB component. Numerous USB standards exist in the market (e.g., USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, etc.), indicating that there are various types of USB headers to understand.

Typically, motherboards come with a minimum of two USB headers, though many computers have six or more of these essential pin connectors. While some may never open their laptop to increase its USB header count, those intent on building a PC from scratch can install a header expansion card on the motherboard using an available peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) slot.

factors that reduce your TV’s longevity. Excessive brightness, specific display technologies, the content shown on it, and indeed, keeping your TV on throughout the day can all harm it.

You may face problems like burn-in, distortion, and possibly even a total failure much earlier than anticipated by overusing your TV. This risk escalates if your TV is used for displaying content with static images, as illuminating the same pixels requires more effort from TVs. This encompasses anything with user interface components that remain visible, such as news broadcasts, sports events, and certain video games. However, this does not imply that keeping your TV on for an entire day will definitively damage it.

Provided that the overuse isn’t constant, you need not be concerned about any issues. If you allow it to cool off and adhere to its compensation cycles, many of the possible threats are minimized. Nevertheless, if you plan to keep your TV operational all day, every day, you will encounter issues in merely a few years. The way your TV copes with extended hours also varies based on its type. LCD models are generally more robust against most forms of TV deterioration (particularly burn-in) compared to OLED, plasma, and LED televisions. Likewise, bulkier TVs — typically those equipped with full-array or direct-lit displays — are considerably better at withstanding overuse.

For anyone anticipating that the Steam Machine’s price would be as competitive as that of the Steam Deck, you may experience some sticker shock. Although some were already cautioning that the Steam Machine was likely to have a steeper price than anticipated – it essentially is a compact gaming PC, after all – there weren’t numerous estimates that came close, if the new pricing is correct. According to Wccftech, Czech retailer Smarty.cz provided price estimates for Steam’s forthcoming cube-shaped computer, and they are quite surprising.

In USD, the listings suggest around $950 for the 512GB version of the Steam Machine and $1,070 for the 2TB variant. This places the cost significantly higher than what many expected. However, these prices are just estimates, so it’s wise to approach this information with caution for the time being. Importantly, by directly converting the predicted Czech koruna prices into U.S. dollars, there will be some inconsistencies.

Included in those prices are tariff and import taxes, as well as possibly additional charges that U.S. listings won’t incur. The actual MSRP is anticipated to be lower. Valve has yet to release any official statements regarding prices, nor has it addressed these leaked figures, thus everything remains speculative. Nevertheless, that would place the prices well above what most are predicting, certainly exceeding the current prices of consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.

What accounts for the high estimated prices?

The global memory shortage has only intensified since the announcement of the Steam Machine back in November 2025. Prompted by the demand for more advanced hardware to align with AI advancements, the chip shortages could potentially raise the cost of new smartphones. It’s not unreasonable to consider that the Steam Machine, being a PC in every sense, would face increased prices if it launches amid this chip shortage. An official release date has not yet been provided, but the Steam Machine still requires mass production, meaning manufacturers will soon need to source the necessary components and hardware, if they haven’t begun already. Additionally, GPUs are also experiencing price increases lately, adding to the cost concern.

As for why the Steam Machine is more expensive than, for example, the PlayStation 5, it’s because consoles are frequently sold at a loss. Companies like Sony and Microsoft offer consoles at prices comparable to their production costs (or even lower), aiming to recover those expenses over time through video game sales and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. Valve has publicly reiterated that it will not subsidize the Steam Machine’s price in the same manner as contemporary consoles.

Ultimately, all of this indicates that the expense of constructing a Steam Machine will be greater than expected. This may lead to the final model being priced higher than some enthusiasts had wished, meaning the estimates from the Czech retailer could indeed be realistic. However, with the Steam Machine potentially scheduled to launch this year, it won’t be long before we have definitive information.

his preferred devices consisted of innovative smart glasses, the Clicks physical keyboard for iPhone, a smart fan, and other items. While there was plenty of practical technology — particularly highlighting AI and AI companions — it’s often the lesser-known or underappreciated gadgets that truly deserve the spotlight.

Amid Micro RGB TVs (in increasingly larger dimensions), intelligent appliances, and a plethora of robots, there were also unique gadgets that are similarly useful and fascinating. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most exciting CES tech products that every enthusiast should be aware of.