• Apple challenges Europe’s interoperability demands

    Facing huge fines, Apple on Monday began a legal challenge to the European Commission’s “unreasonable” demand that it open up its platforms to rivals, arguing any such move threatens the foundations of its platforms with a costly process that also undercuts its ability to serve customers.

    The company is, in a word, furious. It argued that it has cooperated with the Commission’s demands under the Digital Markets Act and points to the investments it has already made in complying with that act.

    What Apple said

    “At Apple, we design our technology to work seamlessly together, so it can deliver the unique experience our users love and expect from our products,” the company said in a statement. “The EU’s interoperability requirements threaten that foundation, while creating a process that is unreasonable, costly, and stifles innovation. These requirements will also hand data-hungry companies’ sensitive information, which poses massive privacy and security risks to our EU users.”

    The company also noted that there is a real risk that people’s most sensitive information could be accessed, partially because it becomes so much harder to defend. These attempts are already taking place, Apple said.

    “Companies have already requested our users’ most sensitive data — from the content of their notifications to a full history of every stored Wi-Fi network on their device — giving them the ability to access personal information that even Apple doesn’t see. In the end, these deeply flawed rules that only target Apple — and no other company will severely limit our ability to deliver innovative products and features to Europe, leading to an inferior user experience for our European customers. We are appealing these decisions on their behalf, and in order to preserve the high-quality experience our European customers expect.”

    A one-sided approach

    What seems to really upset Apple is that some aspects of the demands mean the company will effectively be forced to hand its innovations out to businesses with which it is in direct competition — at no charge. That means Apple does not get to draw the full benefits of its work and makes it far more difficult to introduce products in Europe.

    What makes matters worse is that while Apple is being forced to open up in ways that advantage competitors, quite literally at its expense, it is not being given the opportunity to do the same back. Apple is the only company that these demands have been made of, meaning it is being forced to give its intellectual property away to others who do not need to play by the same rules.

    Some data hungry companies are already attempting to exploit the DMA to gain unfettered access to sensitive customer data. All the while, Apple is left alone and isolated in its quest to ensure user privacy consistent with GDPR regulation. It’s attempts to protect privacy are about protecting customers.

    Compliance? We are compliant

    While critics will continue to sneer and jeer at the company in their quest to rid the world of the “Apple Tax” only the world’s largest developers actually pay, Apple would argue that it has been making serious efforts to comply with the DMA. The company has opened up a portal developers can use to request additional interoperability with hardware and software features inside iPhones and iPads. Apple consistently opens up API access to iPhone, including opening up SMS messaging to RCS, HomeKit features and messaging services support.

    It has also put in place numerous other enhancements in response to the DMA, and while the warning messages it places when using third-party stores may be stark, this makes them no less true. Europe seems to want customers to use third-party stores with no warning at all that this is what is going on, which seems weird.

    Malicious regulatory compliance

    There is a degree to which much of the situation seems to reflect political, rather than economic or moral pressures. The fact that Europe is using Apple as a high profile example, while also refusing to be totally transparent about what it wants before levying any fines, suggests that the Commission is not so much deciding on facts as implementing a political decision using a set of laws that seem designed almost solely to punish one company.

    That’s the kind of malicious regulatory compliance Apple is furious about — a compliance regime that will now be tested in the courts.

    Will it make a difference? 

    Who knows? But the existential battle will decide the future of technology in Europe, and if the market is worth doing business in when compared to the cost of doing so. It will also determine the future of Apple, which will use its considerable resources to find some way to change the nature of the game.

    One group it seems unlikely to help will be those of Apple’s European customers who are happy and accustomed to the Apple ecosystem, and don’t particularly want to use third-party services, as Apple’s right to offer that “pure Apple” experience seems a likely sacrifice to Europe’s politically-driven zeal. That is, unless cooler heads do curtail the Commission’s attacks.

    You can follow me on social media! Join me on BlueSky,  LinkedIn, and Mastodon.
    #apple #challenges #europes #interoperability #demands
    Apple challenges Europe’s interoperability demands
    Facing huge fines, Apple on Monday began a legal challenge to the European Commission’s “unreasonable” demand that it open up its platforms to rivals, arguing any such move threatens the foundations of its platforms with a costly process that also undercuts its ability to serve customers. The company is, in a word, furious. It argued that it has cooperated with the Commission’s demands under the Digital Markets Act and points to the investments it has already made in complying with that act. What Apple said “At Apple, we design our technology to work seamlessly together, so it can deliver the unique experience our users love and expect from our products,” the company said in a statement. “The EU’s interoperability requirements threaten that foundation, while creating a process that is unreasonable, costly, and stifles innovation. These requirements will also hand data-hungry companies’ sensitive information, which poses massive privacy and security risks to our EU users.” The company also noted that there is a real risk that people’s most sensitive information could be accessed, partially because it becomes so much harder to defend. These attempts are already taking place, Apple said. “Companies have already requested our users’ most sensitive data — from the content of their notifications to a full history of every stored Wi-Fi network on their device — giving them the ability to access personal information that even Apple doesn’t see. In the end, these deeply flawed rules that only target Apple — and no other company will severely limit our ability to deliver innovative products and features to Europe, leading to an inferior user experience for our European customers. We are appealing these decisions on their behalf, and in order to preserve the high-quality experience our European customers expect.” A one-sided approach What seems to really upset Apple is that some aspects of the demands mean the company will effectively be forced to hand its innovations out to businesses with which it is in direct competition — at no charge. That means Apple does not get to draw the full benefits of its work and makes it far more difficult to introduce products in Europe. What makes matters worse is that while Apple is being forced to open up in ways that advantage competitors, quite literally at its expense, it is not being given the opportunity to do the same back. Apple is the only company that these demands have been made of, meaning it is being forced to give its intellectual property away to others who do not need to play by the same rules. Some data hungry companies are already attempting to exploit the DMA to gain unfettered access to sensitive customer data. All the while, Apple is left alone and isolated in its quest to ensure user privacy consistent with GDPR regulation. It’s attempts to protect privacy are about protecting customers. Compliance? We are compliant While critics will continue to sneer and jeer at the company in their quest to rid the world of the “Apple Tax” only the world’s largest developers actually pay, Apple would argue that it has been making serious efforts to comply with the DMA. The company has opened up a portal developers can use to request additional interoperability with hardware and software features inside iPhones and iPads. Apple consistently opens up API access to iPhone, including opening up SMS messaging to RCS, HomeKit features and messaging services support. It has also put in place numerous other enhancements in response to the DMA, and while the warning messages it places when using third-party stores may be stark, this makes them no less true. Europe seems to want customers to use third-party stores with no warning at all that this is what is going on, which seems weird. Malicious regulatory compliance There is a degree to which much of the situation seems to reflect political, rather than economic or moral pressures. The fact that Europe is using Apple as a high profile example, while also refusing to be totally transparent about what it wants before levying any fines, suggests that the Commission is not so much deciding on facts as implementing a political decision using a set of laws that seem designed almost solely to punish one company. That’s the kind of malicious regulatory compliance Apple is furious about — a compliance regime that will now be tested in the courts. Will it make a difference?  Who knows? But the existential battle will decide the future of technology in Europe, and if the market is worth doing business in when compared to the cost of doing so. It will also determine the future of Apple, which will use its considerable resources to find some way to change the nature of the game. One group it seems unlikely to help will be those of Apple’s European customers who are happy and accustomed to the Apple ecosystem, and don’t particularly want to use third-party services, as Apple’s right to offer that “pure Apple” experience seems a likely sacrifice to Europe’s politically-driven zeal. That is, unless cooler heads do curtail the Commission’s attacks. You can follow me on social media! Join me on BlueSky,  LinkedIn, and Mastodon. #apple #challenges #europes #interoperability #demands
    Apple challenges Europe’s interoperability demands
    www.computerworld.com
    Facing huge fines, Apple on Monday began a legal challenge to the European Commission’s “unreasonable” demand that it open up its platforms to rivals, arguing any such move threatens the foundations of its platforms with a costly process that also undercuts its ability to serve customers. The company is, in a word, furious. It argued that it has cooperated with the Commission’s demands under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and points to the investments it has already made in complying with that act. What Apple said “At Apple, we design our technology to work seamlessly together, so it can deliver the unique experience our users love and expect from our products,” the company said in a statement. “The EU’s interoperability requirements threaten that foundation, while creating a process that is unreasonable, costly, and stifles innovation. These requirements will also hand data-hungry companies’ sensitive information, which poses massive privacy and security risks to our EU users.” The company also noted that there is a real risk that people’s most sensitive information could be accessed, partially because it becomes so much harder to defend. These attempts are already taking place, Apple said. “Companies have already requested our users’ most sensitive data — from the content of their notifications to a full history of every stored Wi-Fi network on their device — giving them the ability to access personal information that even Apple doesn’t see. In the end, these deeply flawed rules that only target Apple — and no other company will severely limit our ability to deliver innovative products and features to Europe, leading to an inferior user experience for our European customers. We are appealing these decisions on their behalf, and in order to preserve the high-quality experience our European customers expect.” A one-sided approach What seems to really upset Apple is that some aspects of the demands mean the company will effectively be forced to hand its innovations out to businesses with which it is in direct competition — at no charge. That means Apple does not get to draw the full benefits of its work and makes it far more difficult to introduce products in Europe. What makes matters worse is that while Apple is being forced to open up in ways that advantage competitors, quite literally at its expense, it is not being given the opportunity to do the same back. Apple is the only company that these demands have been made of, meaning it is being forced to give its intellectual property away to others who do not need to play by the same rules. Some data hungry companies are already attempting to exploit the DMA to gain unfettered access to sensitive customer data. All the while, Apple is left alone and isolated in its quest to ensure user privacy consistent with GDPR regulation. It’s attempts to protect privacy are about protecting customers. Compliance? We are compliant While critics will continue to sneer and jeer at the company in their quest to rid the world of the “Apple Tax” only the world’s largest developers actually pay, Apple would argue that it has been making serious efforts to comply with the DMA. The company has opened up a portal developers can use to request additional interoperability with hardware and software features inside iPhones and iPads. Apple consistently opens up API access to iPhone, including opening up SMS messaging to RCS, HomeKit features and messaging services support. It has also put in place numerous other enhancements in response to the DMA, and while the warning messages it places when using third-party stores may be stark, this makes them no less true. Europe seems to want customers to use third-party stores with no warning at all that this is what is going on, which seems weird. Malicious regulatory compliance There is a degree to which much of the situation seems to reflect political, rather than economic or moral pressures. The fact that Europe is using Apple as a high profile example, while also refusing to be totally transparent about what it wants before levying any fines, suggests that the Commission is not so much deciding on facts as implementing a political decision using a set of laws that seem designed almost solely to punish one company. That’s the kind of malicious regulatory compliance Apple is furious about — a compliance regime that will now be tested in the courts. Will it make a difference?  Who knows? But the existential battle will decide the future of technology in Europe, and if the market is worth doing business in when compared to the cost of doing so. It will also determine the future of Apple, which will use its considerable resources to find some way to change the nature of the game. One group it seems unlikely to help will be those of Apple’s European customers who are happy and accustomed to the Apple ecosystem, and don’t particularly want to use third-party services, as Apple’s right to offer that “pure Apple” experience seems a likely sacrifice to Europe’s politically-driven zeal. That is, unless cooler heads do curtail the Commission’s attacks. You can follow me on social media! Join me on BlueSky,  LinkedIn, and Mastodon.
    0 Commentarios ·0 Acciones ·0 Vista previa
  • Will new Apple hardware steal iOS 26’s thunder at WWDC 2025?

    Macworld

    Every year, as Apple’s WWDC approaches, speculation about what new products may arrive alongside all the big software announcements. While sources claim that Apple has been working on a new interface for iOS, macOS, and other operating systems, we haven’t heard much about new hardware coming at WWDC.

    There are rumors about products in the works—most notably new Macs and the “HomePad” smart home hub—but the reality is, if you’re expecting to see new hardware at WWDC 2025, you’re likely to be disappointed.

    WWDC is a software event

    Historically, WWDC is an event focused almost entirely on software. After all, it’s a conference for developers. Every year, Apple not only reveals its plans for the future of its operating systems at the event, but also gives developers early access to new APIs and frameworks. This enables them to start optimizing their apps for the new platforms months ahead of public releases.

    While there have been occasional hardware announcements, such as the original HomePod, the transition to Apple silicon in 2020, and the first look at the Apple Vision Pro in 2023, those moments were tightly linked to developer needs.

    This year, rumors suggest that Apple has been working on new hardware products that could be a good fit for WWDC, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be ready in time for this year’s event. Here’s why.

    HomePad: Delayed

    In an effort to take HomeKit to the next level, Apple has been working on a smart home hub with a built-in screen for several years. The idea is to let users easily control their HomeKit accessories, such as lamps, heaters, and robot vacuum cleaners, even when their phone isn’t around. While the actual name of the device is unclear, reports claim it will combine aspects of the HomePod and iPad in a single product focused on the smart home, so it’s been dubbed HomePad.

    Apple is reportedly making a new smart home hub that combines an iPad with a HomePod, but it’s likely not shipping for a while.Foundry

    Along with the smart home capabilities, HomePad will reportedly also function as an Apple TV-like entertainment device so users can stream video and music, or make FaceTime calls from its built-in camera. Essentially, it will be a home companion device that is either mounted to a wall or sits in a dock.

    While the HomePad was once expected to launch in the spring, recent reports claim the project is delayed, possibly until 2026. The main reason is due to a deep integration with Apple Intelligence and the new Siri experience, which have been beset with issues.

    It’s possible that Apple gives a sneak peek of HomePad at WWDC, as it did with HomePod and Vision Pro, but most reports say Apple is focused on fixing Siri first.

    M5 Macs and iPads: Not yet

    WWDC has been a hot spot for new Macs in recent years, with Apple Silicon, the redesigned M2 MacBook Air, and the M2 Ultra chip all making their debuts at WWDC.

    As such, there has been speculation about whether Apple will announce any new Mac hardware at WWDC. With the exception of the Mac Pro, which hasn’t seen any updates since 2022, Apple has already completed the transition of the entire Mac lineup to the M4 chip, introduced last year with the iPad Pro.

    In theory, this could mean that Apple will move onto the next generation of chips at WWDC, but don’t count on it. Apple typically unveils the first new Macs with the next generation of chips in the fall, around October and November. And according to multiple sources in the industry, this will be the case once again this year. A new iPad Pro with the M5 chip and M5 MacBook Pro are said to be on track for the second half of 2025.

    It’s possible that Apple unveils a new high-end chip for the aging Mac Pro, but most reports claim that Apple will keep the current model around until the M5 Ultra arrives.

    Could the M5 debut at WWDC? It’s not likely.Foundry

    iPhone 17: Coming in September

    Although in the past Apple has introduced new iPhone models at WWDC, it’s been more than a decade since an iPhone model debuted at the event. Besides, the iPhone 16e only just arrived in March, and the iPhone 17 lineup will arrive in September.

    One of the main reasons is that the new iPhone always ships with the new version of iOS announced at WWDC, so Apple needs time to test and refine the new software before launching the new phone. So if you’re planning to buy an iPhone 17, you’ll have to wait until September at least.

    Apple Vision Pro 2: Maybe next year

    The first Apple Vision Pro is decidedly a developer device. It was announced at WWDC 2023 but didn’t ship until 2024, mainly so developers had time to build new apps for the headset. And with a price tag, it’s still basically a developer kit. 

    The current Vision Pro is powered by the M2 chip, which some consumers may consider outdated for a product that costs Although Apple is rumored to be working on an updated Vision Pro with an M5 chip inside, this model is unlikely to arrive before next year.

    According to a report from The Information, Apple has reportedly set aside the Vision Pro 2 project to work on a more affordable version of its mixed reality headset, but that model isn’t expected to ship for a while either. So while we’ll get a look at the new visionOS software, the same hardware is likely sticking around for at least another year.

    WWDC will likely be very software-centric this year.Foundry

    What to expect instead at WWDC 2025?

    Once again, this WWDC will be all about software and services, so expect major updates across all Apple platforms.

    From iOS 19 to macOS 16, Apple’s operating systems will be updated with a new, more modern interface. Sources believe that the new design language will be similar to what Apple introduced with visionOS, which has more depth and shadows rather than a completely flat interface.

    Apple is also rumored to be working on new features to make iPadOS more similar to macOS, as well as further improving Apple Intelligence and the Siri experience. So there will be plenty to get excited about at WWDC 2025, but it almost certainly won’t involve any new devices.

    WWDC 2025 kicks off on June 9 with an opening keynote. Be sure to follow Macworld’s full coverage of the event.
    #will #new #apple #hardware #steal
    Will new Apple hardware steal iOS 26’s thunder at WWDC 2025?
    Macworld Every year, as Apple’s WWDC approaches, speculation about what new products may arrive alongside all the big software announcements. While sources claim that Apple has been working on a new interface for iOS, macOS, and other operating systems, we haven’t heard much about new hardware coming at WWDC. There are rumors about products in the works—most notably new Macs and the “HomePad” smart home hub—but the reality is, if you’re expecting to see new hardware at WWDC 2025, you’re likely to be disappointed. WWDC is a software event Historically, WWDC is an event focused almost entirely on software. After all, it’s a conference for developers. Every year, Apple not only reveals its plans for the future of its operating systems at the event, but also gives developers early access to new APIs and frameworks. This enables them to start optimizing their apps for the new platforms months ahead of public releases. While there have been occasional hardware announcements, such as the original HomePod, the transition to Apple silicon in 2020, and the first look at the Apple Vision Pro in 2023, those moments were tightly linked to developer needs. This year, rumors suggest that Apple has been working on new hardware products that could be a good fit for WWDC, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be ready in time for this year’s event. Here’s why. HomePad: Delayed In an effort to take HomeKit to the next level, Apple has been working on a smart home hub with a built-in screen for several years. The idea is to let users easily control their HomeKit accessories, such as lamps, heaters, and robot vacuum cleaners, even when their phone isn’t around. While the actual name of the device is unclear, reports claim it will combine aspects of the HomePod and iPad in a single product focused on the smart home, so it’s been dubbed HomePad. Apple is reportedly making a new smart home hub that combines an iPad with a HomePod, but it’s likely not shipping for a while.Foundry Along with the smart home capabilities, HomePad will reportedly also function as an Apple TV-like entertainment device so users can stream video and music, or make FaceTime calls from its built-in camera. Essentially, it will be a home companion device that is either mounted to a wall or sits in a dock. While the HomePad was once expected to launch in the spring, recent reports claim the project is delayed, possibly until 2026. The main reason is due to a deep integration with Apple Intelligence and the new Siri experience, which have been beset with issues. It’s possible that Apple gives a sneak peek of HomePad at WWDC, as it did with HomePod and Vision Pro, but most reports say Apple is focused on fixing Siri first. M5 Macs and iPads: Not yet WWDC has been a hot spot for new Macs in recent years, with Apple Silicon, the redesigned M2 MacBook Air, and the M2 Ultra chip all making their debuts at WWDC. As such, there has been speculation about whether Apple will announce any new Mac hardware at WWDC. With the exception of the Mac Pro, which hasn’t seen any updates since 2022, Apple has already completed the transition of the entire Mac lineup to the M4 chip, introduced last year with the iPad Pro. In theory, this could mean that Apple will move onto the next generation of chips at WWDC, but don’t count on it. Apple typically unveils the first new Macs with the next generation of chips in the fall, around October and November. And according to multiple sources in the industry, this will be the case once again this year. A new iPad Pro with the M5 chip and M5 MacBook Pro are said to be on track for the second half of 2025. It’s possible that Apple unveils a new high-end chip for the aging Mac Pro, but most reports claim that Apple will keep the current model around until the M5 Ultra arrives. Could the M5 debut at WWDC? It’s not likely.Foundry iPhone 17: Coming in September Although in the past Apple has introduced new iPhone models at WWDC, it’s been more than a decade since an iPhone model debuted at the event. Besides, the iPhone 16e only just arrived in March, and the iPhone 17 lineup will arrive in September. One of the main reasons is that the new iPhone always ships with the new version of iOS announced at WWDC, so Apple needs time to test and refine the new software before launching the new phone. So if you’re planning to buy an iPhone 17, you’ll have to wait until September at least. Apple Vision Pro 2: Maybe next year The first Apple Vision Pro is decidedly a developer device. It was announced at WWDC 2023 but didn’t ship until 2024, mainly so developers had time to build new apps for the headset. And with a price tag, it’s still basically a developer kit.  The current Vision Pro is powered by the M2 chip, which some consumers may consider outdated for a product that costs Although Apple is rumored to be working on an updated Vision Pro with an M5 chip inside, this model is unlikely to arrive before next year. According to a report from The Information, Apple has reportedly set aside the Vision Pro 2 project to work on a more affordable version of its mixed reality headset, but that model isn’t expected to ship for a while either. So while we’ll get a look at the new visionOS software, the same hardware is likely sticking around for at least another year. WWDC will likely be very software-centric this year.Foundry What to expect instead at WWDC 2025? Once again, this WWDC will be all about software and services, so expect major updates across all Apple platforms. From iOS 19 to macOS 16, Apple’s operating systems will be updated with a new, more modern interface. Sources believe that the new design language will be similar to what Apple introduced with visionOS, which has more depth and shadows rather than a completely flat interface. Apple is also rumored to be working on new features to make iPadOS more similar to macOS, as well as further improving Apple Intelligence and the Siri experience. So there will be plenty to get excited about at WWDC 2025, but it almost certainly won’t involve any new devices. WWDC 2025 kicks off on June 9 with an opening keynote. Be sure to follow Macworld’s full coverage of the event. #will #new #apple #hardware #steal
    Will new Apple hardware steal iOS 26’s thunder at WWDC 2025?
    www.macworld.com
    Macworld Every year, as Apple’s WWDC approaches, speculation about what new products may arrive alongside all the big software announcements. While sources claim that Apple has been working on a new interface for iOS, macOS, and other operating systems, we haven’t heard much about new hardware coming at WWDC. There are rumors about products in the works—most notably new Macs and the “HomePad” smart home hub—but the reality is, if you’re expecting to see new hardware at WWDC 2025, you’re likely to be disappointed. WWDC is a software event Historically, WWDC is an event focused almost entirely on software. After all, it’s a conference for developers. Every year, Apple not only reveals its plans for the future of its operating systems at the event, but also gives developers early access to new APIs and frameworks. This enables them to start optimizing their apps for the new platforms months ahead of public releases. While there have been occasional hardware announcements, such as the original HomePod, the transition to Apple silicon in 2020, and the first look at the Apple Vision Pro in 2023, those moments were tightly linked to developer needs. This year, rumors suggest that Apple has been working on new hardware products that could be a good fit for WWDC, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be ready in time for this year’s event. Here’s why. HomePad: Delayed In an effort to take HomeKit to the next level, Apple has been working on a smart home hub with a built-in screen for several years. The idea is to let users easily control their HomeKit accessories, such as lamps, heaters, and robot vacuum cleaners, even when their phone isn’t around. While the actual name of the device is unclear, reports claim it will combine aspects of the HomePod and iPad in a single product focused on the smart home, so it’s been dubbed HomePad. Apple is reportedly making a new smart home hub that combines an iPad with a HomePod, but it’s likely not shipping for a while.Foundry Along with the smart home capabilities, HomePad will reportedly also function as an Apple TV-like entertainment device so users can stream video and music, or make FaceTime calls from its built-in camera. Essentially, it will be a home companion device that is either mounted to a wall or sits in a dock. While the HomePad was once expected to launch in the spring, recent reports claim the project is delayed, possibly until 2026. The main reason is due to a deep integration with Apple Intelligence and the new Siri experience, which have been beset with issues. It’s possible that Apple gives a sneak peek of HomePad at WWDC, as it did with HomePod and Vision Pro, but most reports say Apple is focused on fixing Siri first. M5 Macs and iPads: Not yet WWDC has been a hot spot for new Macs in recent years, with Apple Silicon, the redesigned M2 MacBook Air, and the M2 Ultra chip all making their debuts at WWDC. As such, there has been speculation about whether Apple will announce any new Mac hardware at WWDC. With the exception of the Mac Pro, which hasn’t seen any updates since 2022, Apple has already completed the transition of the entire Mac lineup to the M4 chip, introduced last year with the iPad Pro. In theory, this could mean that Apple will move onto the next generation of chips at WWDC, but don’t count on it. Apple typically unveils the first new Macs with the next generation of chips in the fall, around October and November. And according to multiple sources in the industry, this will be the case once again this year. A new iPad Pro with the M5 chip and M5 MacBook Pro are said to be on track for the second half of 2025. It’s possible that Apple unveils a new high-end chip for the aging Mac Pro, but most reports claim that Apple will keep the current model around until the M5 Ultra arrives. Could the M5 debut at WWDC? It’s not likely.Foundry iPhone 17: Coming in September Although in the past Apple has introduced new iPhone models at WWDC, it’s been more than a decade since an iPhone model debuted at the event. Besides, the iPhone 16e only just arrived in March, and the iPhone 17 lineup will arrive in September. One of the main reasons is that the new iPhone always ships with the new version of iOS announced at WWDC, so Apple needs time to test and refine the new software before launching the new phone. So if you’re planning to buy an iPhone 17, you’ll have to wait until September at least. Apple Vision Pro 2: Maybe next year The first Apple Vision Pro is decidedly a developer device. It was announced at WWDC 2023 but didn’t ship until 2024, mainly so developers had time to build new apps for the headset. And with a $3,499 price tag, it’s still basically a developer kit.  The current Vision Pro is powered by the M2 chip, which some consumers may consider outdated for a product that costs $3,500. Although Apple is rumored to be working on an updated Vision Pro with an M5 chip inside, this model is unlikely to arrive before next year. According to a report from The Information, Apple has reportedly set aside the Vision Pro 2 project to work on a more affordable version of its mixed reality headset, but that model isn’t expected to ship for a while either. So while we’ll get a look at the new visionOS software, the same hardware is likely sticking around for at least another year. WWDC will likely be very software-centric this year.Foundry What to expect instead at WWDC 2025? Once again, this WWDC will be all about software and services, so expect major updates across all Apple platforms. From iOS 19 to macOS 16 (or possibly iOS 26 and macOS 26), Apple’s operating systems will be updated with a new, more modern interface. Sources believe that the new design language will be similar to what Apple introduced with visionOS, which has more depth and shadows rather than a completely flat interface. Apple is also rumored to be working on new features to make iPadOS more similar to macOS, as well as further improving Apple Intelligence and the Siri experience. So there will be plenty to get excited about at WWDC 2025, but it almost certainly won’t involve any new devices. WWDC 2025 kicks off on June 9 with an opening keynote. Be sure to follow Macworld’s full coverage of the event.
    0 Commentarios ·0 Acciones ·0 Vista previa
  • Breaking down why Apple TVs are privacy advocates’ go-to streaming device

    Smart TVs, take note

    Breaking down why Apple TVs are privacy advocates’ go-to streaming device

    Using the Apple TV app or an Apple account means giving Apple more data, though.

    Scharon Harding



    Jun 1, 2025 7:35 am

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    Aurich Lawson | Getty Images

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    Aurich Lawson | Getty Images

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    Every time I write an article about the escalating advertising and tracking on today's TVs, someone brings up Apple TV boxes. Among smart TVs, streaming sticks, and other streaming devices, Apple TVs are largely viewed as a safe haven.
    "Just disconnect your TV from the Internet and use an Apple TV box."
    That's the common guidance you'll hear from Ars readers for those seeking the joys of streaming without giving up too much privacy. Based on our research and the experts we've consulted, that advice is pretty solid, as Apple TVs offer significantly more privacy than other streaming hardware providers.
    But how private are Apple TV boxes, really? Apple TVs don't use automatic content recognition, but could that change? And what about the software that Apple TV users do use—could those apps provide information about you to advertisers or Apple?
    In this article, we'll delve into what makes the Apple TV's privacy stand out and examine whether users should expect the limited ads and enhanced privacy to last forever.
    Apple TV boxes limit tracking out of the box
    One of the simplest ways Apple TVs ensure better privacy is through their setup process, during which you can disable Siri, location tracking, and sending analytics data to Apple. During setup, users also receive several opportunities to review Apple's data and privacy policies. Also off by default is the boxes' ability to send voice input data to Apple.
    Most other streaming devices require users to navigate through pages of settings to disable similar tracking capabilities, which most people are unlikely to do. Apple’s approach creates a line of defense against snooping, even for those unaware of how invasive smart devices can be.

    Apple TVs running tvOS 14.5 and later also make third-party app tracking more difficult by requiring such apps to request permission before they can track users.
    "If you choose Ask App Not to Track, the app developer can’t access the system advertising identifier, which is often used to track," Apple says. "The app is also not permitted to track your activity using other information that identifies you or your device, like your email address."
    Users can access the Apple TV settings and disable the ability of third-party apps to ask permission for tracking. However, Apple could further enhance privacy by enabling this setting by default.
    The Apple TV also lets users control which apps can access the set-top box's Bluetooth functionality, photos, music, and HomeKit data, and the remote's microphone.
    "Apple’s primary business model isn’t dependent on selling targeted ads, so it has somewhat less incentive to harvest and monetize incredible amounts of your data," said RJ Cross, director of the consumer privacy program at the Public Interest Research Group. "I personally trust them more with my data than other tech companies."
    What if you share analytics data?
    If you allow your Apple TV to share analytics data with Apple or app developers, that data won't be personally identifiable, Apple says. Any collected personal data is "not logged at all, removed from reports before they’re sent to Apple, or protected by techniques, such as differential privacy," Apple says.
    Differential privacy, which injects noise into collected data, is one of the most common methods used for anonymizing data. In support documentation, Apple details its use of differential privacy:
    The first step we take is to privatize the information using local differential privacy on the user’s device. The purpose of privatization is to assure that Apple’s servers don't receive clear data. Device identifiers are removed from the data, and it is transmitted to Apple over an encrypted channel. The Apple analysis system ingests the differentially private contributions, dropping IP addresses and other metadata. The final stage is aggregation, where the privatized records are processed to compute the relevant statistics, and the aggregate statistics are then shared with relevant Apple teams. Both the ingestion and aggregation stages are performed in a restricted access environment so even the privatized data isn’t broadly accessible to Apple employees.
    What if you use an Apple account with your Apple TV?
    Another factor to consider is Apple's privacy policy regarding Apple accounts, formerly Apple IDs.

    Apple support documentation says you "need" an Apple account to use an Apple TV, but you can use the hardware without one. Still, it's common for people to log into Apple accounts on their Apple TV boxes because it makes it easier to link with other Apple products. Another reason someone might link an Apple TV box with an Apple account is to use the Apple TV app, a common way to stream on Apple TV boxes.

    So what type of data does Apple harvest from Apple accounts? According to its privacy policy, the company gathers usage data, such as "data about your activity on and use of" Apple offerings, including "app launches within our services...; browsing history; search history;product interaction."
    Other types of data Apple may collect from Apple accounts include transaction information, account information, device information, contact information, and payment information. None of that is surprising considering the type of data needed to make an Apple account work.
    Many Apple TV users can expect Apple to gather more data from their Apple account usage on other devices, such as iPhones or Macs. However, if you use the same Apple account across multiple devices, Apple recognizes that all the data it has collected from, for example, your iPhone activity, also applies to you as an Apple TV user.
    A potential workaround could be maintaining multiple Apple accounts. With an Apple account solely dedicated to your Apple TV box and Apple TV hardware and software tracking disabled as much as possible, Apple would have minimal data to ascribe to you as an Apple TV owner. You can also use your Apple TV box without an Apple account, but then you won't be able to use the Apple TV app, one of the device's key features.

    Data collection via the Apple TV app
    You can download third-party apps like Netflix and Hulu onto an Apple TV box, but most TV and movie watching on Apple TV boxes likely occurs via the Apple TV app. The app is necessary for watching content on the Apple TV+ streaming service, but it also drives usage by providing access to the libraries of manypopular streaming apps in one location. So understanding the Apple TV app’s privacy policy is critical to evaluating how private Apple TV activity truly is.
    As expected, some of the data the app gathers is necessary for the software to work. That includes, according to the app's privacy policy, "information about your purchases, downloads, activity in the Apple TV app, the content you watch, and where you watch it in the Apple TV app and in connected apps on any of your supported devices." That all makes sense for ensuring that the app remembers things like which episode of Severance you're on across devices.
    Apple collects other data, though, that isn't necessary for functionality. It says it gathers data on things like the "features you use," content pages you view, how you interact with notifications, and approximate location informationto help improve the app.
    Additionally, Apple tracks the terms you search for within the app, per its policy:
    We use Apple TV search data to improve models that power Apple TV. For example, aggregate Apple TV search queries are used to fine-tune the Apple TV search model.
    This data usage is less intrusive than that of other streaming devices, which might track your activity and then sell that data to third-party advertisers. But some people may be hesitant about having any of their activities tracked to benefit a multi-trillion-dollar conglomerate.

    Data collected from the Apple TV app used for ads
    By default, the Apple TV app also tracks "what you watch, your purchases, subscriptions, downloads, browsing, and other activities in the Apple TV app" to make personalized content recommendations. Content recommendations aren't ads in the traditional sense but instead provide a way for Apple to push you toward products by analyzing data it has on you.
    You can disable the Apple TV app's personalized recommendations, but it's a little harder than you might expect since you can't do it through the app. Instead, you need to go to the Apple TV settings and then select Apps > TV > Use Play History > Off.
    The most privacy-conscious users may wish that personalized recommendations were off by default. Darío Maestro, senior legal fellow at the nonprofit Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, noted to Ars that even though Apple TV users can opt out of personalized content recommendations, "many will not realize they can."

    Apple can also use data it gathers on you from the Apple TV app to serve traditional ads. If you allow your Apple TV box to track your location, the Apple TV app can also track your location. That data can "be used to serve geographically relevant ads," according to the Apple TV app privacy policy. Location tracking, however, is off by default on Apple TV boxes.
    Apple's tvOS doesn't have integrated ads. For comparison, some TV OSes, like Roku OS and LG's webOS, show ads on the OS's home screen and/or when showing screensavers.
    But data gathered from the Apple TV app can still help Apple's advertising efforts. This can happen if you allow personalized ads in other Apple apps serving targeted apps, such as Apple News, the App Store, or Stocks. In such cases, Apple may apply data gathered from the Apple TV app, "including information about the movies and TV shows you purchase from Apple, to serve ads in those apps that are more relevant to you," the Apple TV app privacy policy says.

    Apple also provides third-party advertisers and strategic partners with "non-personal data" gathered from the Apple TV app:
    We provide some non-personal data to our advertisers and strategic partners that work with Apple to provide our products and services, help Apple market to customers, and sell ads on Apple’s behalf to display on the App Store and Apple News and Stocks.
    Apple also shares non-personal data from the Apple TV with third parties, such as content owners, so they can pay royalties, gauge how much people are watching their shows or movies, "and improve their associated products and services," Apple says.
    Apple's policy notes:
    For example, we may share non-personal data about your transactions, viewing activity, and region, as well as aggregated user demographicssuch as age group and gender, to Apple TV strategic partners, such as content owners, so that they can measure the performance of their creative workmeet royalty and accounting requirements.
    When reached for comment, an Apple spokesperson told Ars that Apple TV users can clear their play history from the app.
    All that said, the Apple TV app still shares far less data with third parties than other streaming apps. Netflix, for example, says it discloses some personal information to advertising companies "in order to select Advertisements shown on Netflix, to facilitate interaction with Advertisements, and to measure and improve effectiveness of Advertisements."
    Warner Bros. Discovery says it discloses information about Max viewers "with advertisers, ad agencies, ad networks and platforms, and other companies to provide advertising to you based on your interests." And Disney+ users have Nielsen tracking on by default.
    What if you use Siri?
    You can easily deactivate Siri when setting up an Apple TV. But those who opt to keep the voice assistant and the ability to control Apple TV with their voice take somewhat of a privacy hit.

    According to the privacy policy accessible in Apple TV boxes' settings, Apple boxes automatically send all Siri requests to Apple's servers. If you opt into using Siri data to "Improve Siri and Dictation," Apple will store your audio data. If you opt out, audio data won't be stored, but per the policy:
    In all cases, transcripts of your interactions will be sent to Apple to process your requests and may be stored by Apple.
    Apple TV boxes also send audio and transcriptions of dictation input to Apple servers for processing. Apple says it doesn't store the audio but may store transcriptions of the audio.
    If you opt to "Improve Siri and Dictation," Apple says your history of voice requests isn't tied to your Apple account or email. But Apple is vague about how long it may store data related to voice input performed with the Apple TV if you choose this option.
    The policy states:
    Your request history, which includes transcripts and any related request data, is associated with a random identifier for up to six months and is not tied to your Apple Account or email address. After six months, you request history is disassociated from the random identifier and may be retained for up to two years. Apple may use this data to develop and improve Siri, Dictation, Search, and limited other language processing functionality in Apple products ...
    Apple may also review a subset of the transcripts of your interactions and this ... may be kept beyond two years for the ongoing improvements of products and services.
    Apple promises not to use Siri and voice data to build marketing profiles or sell them to third parties, but it hasn't always adhered to that commitment. In January, Apple agreed to pay million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing Siri of recording private conversations and sharing them with third parties for targeted ads. In 2019, contractors reported hearing private conversations and recorded sex via Siri-gathered audio.

    Outside of Apple, we've seen voice request data used questionably, including in criminal trials and by corporate employees. Siri and dictation data also represent additional ways a person's Apple TV usage might be unexpectedly analyzed to fuel Apple's business.

    Automatic content recognition
    Apple TVs aren't preloaded with automatic content recognition, an Apple spokesperson confirmed to Ars, another plus for privacy advocates. But ACR is software, so Apple could technically add it to Apple TV boxes via a software update at some point.
    Sherman Li, the founder of Enswers, the company that first put ACR in Samsung TVs, confirmed to Ars that it's technically possible for Apple to add ACR to already-purchased Apple boxes. Years ago, Enswers retroactively added ACR to other types of streaming hardware, including Samsung and LG smart TVs.In general, though, there are challenges to adding ACR to hardware that people already own, Li explained:
    Everyone believes, in theory, you can add ACR anywhere you want at any time because it's software, but because of the wayarchitected... the interplay between the chipsets, like the SoCs, and the firmware is different in a lot of situations.
    Li pointed to numerous variables that could prevent ACR from being retroactively added to any type of streaming hardware, "including access to video frame buffers, audio streams, networking connectivity, security protocols, OSes, and app interface communication layers, especially at different levels of the stack in these devices, depending on the implementation."
    Due to the complexity of Apple TV boxes, Li suspects it would be difficult to add ACR to already-purchased Apple TVs. It would likely be simpler for Apple to release a new box with ACR if it ever decided to go down that route.

    If Apple were to add ACR to old or new Apple TV boxes, the devices would be far less private, and the move would be highly unpopular and eliminate one of the Apple TV's biggest draws.
    However, Apple reportedly has a growing interest in advertising to streaming subscribers. The Apple TV+ streaming service doesn't currently show commercials, but the company is rumored to be exploring a potential ad tier. The suspicions stem from a reported meeting between Apple and the United Kingdom's ratings body, Barb, to discuss how it might track ads on Apple TV+, according to a July report from The Telegraph.
    Since 2023, Apple has also hired several prominent names in advertising, including a former head of advertising at NBCUniversal and a new head of video ad sales. Further, Apple TV+ is one of the few streaming services to remain ad-free, and it's reported to be losing Apple billion per year since its launch.
    One day soon, Apple may have much more reason to care about advertising in streaming and being able to track the activities of people who use its streaming offerings. That has implications for Apple TV box users.
    "The more Apple creeps into the targeted ads space, the less I’ll trust them to uphold their privacy promises. You can imagine Apple TV being a natural progression for selling ads," PIRG's Cross said.
    Somewhat ironically, Apple has marketed its approach to privacy as a positive for advertisers.
    "Apple’s commitment to privacy and personal relevancy builds trust amongst readers, driving a willingness to engage with content and ads alike," Apple's advertising guide for buying ads on Apple News and Stocks reads.
    The most private streaming gadget
    It remains technologically possible for Apple to introduce intrusive tracking or ads to Apple TV boxes, but for now, the streaming devices are more private than the vast majority of alternatives, save for dumb TVs. And if Apple follows its own policies, much of the data it gathers should be kept in-house.

    However, those with strong privacy concerns should be aware that Apple does track certain tvOS activities, especially those that happen through Apple accounts, voice interaction, or the Apple TV app. And while most of Apple's streaming hardware and software settings prioritize privacy by default, some advocates believe there's room for improvement.
    For example, STOP's Maestro said:
    Unlike in the, where the upcoming Data Act will set clearer rules on transfers of data generated by smart devices, the US has no real legislation governing what happens with your data once it reaches Apple's servers. Users are left with little way to verify those privacy promises.
    Maestro suggested that Apple could address these concerns by making it easier for people to conduct security research on smart device software. "Allowing the development of alternative or modified software that can evaluate privacy settings could also increase user trust and better uphold Apple's public commitment to privacy," Maestro said.
    There are ways to limit the amount of data that advertisers can get from your Apple TV. But if you use the Apple TV app, Apple can use your activity to help make business decisions—and therefore money.
    As you might expect from a device that connects to the Internet and lets you stream shows and movies, Apple TV boxes aren't totally incapable of tracking you. But they're still the best recommendation for streaming users seeking hardware with more privacy and fewer ads.

    Scharon Harding
    Senior Technology Reporter

    Scharon Harding
    Senior Technology Reporter

    Scharon is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer gadgets and services. She's been reporting on technology for over 10 years, with bylines at Tom’s Hardware, Channelnomics, and CRN UK.

    22 Comments
    #breaking #down #why #apple #tvs
    Breaking down why Apple TVs are privacy advocates’ go-to streaming device
    Smart TVs, take note Breaking down why Apple TVs are privacy advocates’ go-to streaming device Using the Apple TV app or an Apple account means giving Apple more data, though. Scharon Harding – Jun 1, 2025 7:35 am | 22 Credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images Credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more Every time I write an article about the escalating advertising and tracking on today's TVs, someone brings up Apple TV boxes. Among smart TVs, streaming sticks, and other streaming devices, Apple TVs are largely viewed as a safe haven. "Just disconnect your TV from the Internet and use an Apple TV box." That's the common guidance you'll hear from Ars readers for those seeking the joys of streaming without giving up too much privacy. Based on our research and the experts we've consulted, that advice is pretty solid, as Apple TVs offer significantly more privacy than other streaming hardware providers. But how private are Apple TV boxes, really? Apple TVs don't use automatic content recognition, but could that change? And what about the software that Apple TV users do use—could those apps provide information about you to advertisers or Apple? In this article, we'll delve into what makes the Apple TV's privacy stand out and examine whether users should expect the limited ads and enhanced privacy to last forever. Apple TV boxes limit tracking out of the box One of the simplest ways Apple TVs ensure better privacy is through their setup process, during which you can disable Siri, location tracking, and sending analytics data to Apple. During setup, users also receive several opportunities to review Apple's data and privacy policies. Also off by default is the boxes' ability to send voice input data to Apple. Most other streaming devices require users to navigate through pages of settings to disable similar tracking capabilities, which most people are unlikely to do. Apple’s approach creates a line of defense against snooping, even for those unaware of how invasive smart devices can be. Apple TVs running tvOS 14.5 and later also make third-party app tracking more difficult by requiring such apps to request permission before they can track users. "If you choose Ask App Not to Track, the app developer can’t access the system advertising identifier, which is often used to track," Apple says. "The app is also not permitted to track your activity using other information that identifies you or your device, like your email address." Users can access the Apple TV settings and disable the ability of third-party apps to ask permission for tracking. However, Apple could further enhance privacy by enabling this setting by default. The Apple TV also lets users control which apps can access the set-top box's Bluetooth functionality, photos, music, and HomeKit data, and the remote's microphone. "Apple’s primary business model isn’t dependent on selling targeted ads, so it has somewhat less incentive to harvest and monetize incredible amounts of your data," said RJ Cross, director of the consumer privacy program at the Public Interest Research Group. "I personally trust them more with my data than other tech companies." What if you share analytics data? If you allow your Apple TV to share analytics data with Apple or app developers, that data won't be personally identifiable, Apple says. Any collected personal data is "not logged at all, removed from reports before they’re sent to Apple, or protected by techniques, such as differential privacy," Apple says. Differential privacy, which injects noise into collected data, is one of the most common methods used for anonymizing data. In support documentation, Apple details its use of differential privacy: The first step we take is to privatize the information using local differential privacy on the user’s device. The purpose of privatization is to assure that Apple’s servers don't receive clear data. Device identifiers are removed from the data, and it is transmitted to Apple over an encrypted channel. The Apple analysis system ingests the differentially private contributions, dropping IP addresses and other metadata. The final stage is aggregation, where the privatized records are processed to compute the relevant statistics, and the aggregate statistics are then shared with relevant Apple teams. Both the ingestion and aggregation stages are performed in a restricted access environment so even the privatized data isn’t broadly accessible to Apple employees. What if you use an Apple account with your Apple TV? Another factor to consider is Apple's privacy policy regarding Apple accounts, formerly Apple IDs. Apple support documentation says you "need" an Apple account to use an Apple TV, but you can use the hardware without one. Still, it's common for people to log into Apple accounts on their Apple TV boxes because it makes it easier to link with other Apple products. Another reason someone might link an Apple TV box with an Apple account is to use the Apple TV app, a common way to stream on Apple TV boxes. So what type of data does Apple harvest from Apple accounts? According to its privacy policy, the company gathers usage data, such as "data about your activity on and use of" Apple offerings, including "app launches within our services...; browsing history; search history;product interaction." Other types of data Apple may collect from Apple accounts include transaction information, account information, device information, contact information, and payment information. None of that is surprising considering the type of data needed to make an Apple account work. Many Apple TV users can expect Apple to gather more data from their Apple account usage on other devices, such as iPhones or Macs. However, if you use the same Apple account across multiple devices, Apple recognizes that all the data it has collected from, for example, your iPhone activity, also applies to you as an Apple TV user. A potential workaround could be maintaining multiple Apple accounts. With an Apple account solely dedicated to your Apple TV box and Apple TV hardware and software tracking disabled as much as possible, Apple would have minimal data to ascribe to you as an Apple TV owner. You can also use your Apple TV box without an Apple account, but then you won't be able to use the Apple TV app, one of the device's key features. Data collection via the Apple TV app You can download third-party apps like Netflix and Hulu onto an Apple TV box, but most TV and movie watching on Apple TV boxes likely occurs via the Apple TV app. The app is necessary for watching content on the Apple TV+ streaming service, but it also drives usage by providing access to the libraries of manypopular streaming apps in one location. So understanding the Apple TV app’s privacy policy is critical to evaluating how private Apple TV activity truly is. As expected, some of the data the app gathers is necessary for the software to work. That includes, according to the app's privacy policy, "information about your purchases, downloads, activity in the Apple TV app, the content you watch, and where you watch it in the Apple TV app and in connected apps on any of your supported devices." That all makes sense for ensuring that the app remembers things like which episode of Severance you're on across devices. Apple collects other data, though, that isn't necessary for functionality. It says it gathers data on things like the "features you use," content pages you view, how you interact with notifications, and approximate location informationto help improve the app. Additionally, Apple tracks the terms you search for within the app, per its policy: We use Apple TV search data to improve models that power Apple TV. For example, aggregate Apple TV search queries are used to fine-tune the Apple TV search model. This data usage is less intrusive than that of other streaming devices, which might track your activity and then sell that data to third-party advertisers. But some people may be hesitant about having any of their activities tracked to benefit a multi-trillion-dollar conglomerate. Data collected from the Apple TV app used for ads By default, the Apple TV app also tracks "what you watch, your purchases, subscriptions, downloads, browsing, and other activities in the Apple TV app" to make personalized content recommendations. Content recommendations aren't ads in the traditional sense but instead provide a way for Apple to push you toward products by analyzing data it has on you. You can disable the Apple TV app's personalized recommendations, but it's a little harder than you might expect since you can't do it through the app. Instead, you need to go to the Apple TV settings and then select Apps > TV > Use Play History > Off. The most privacy-conscious users may wish that personalized recommendations were off by default. Darío Maestro, senior legal fellow at the nonprofit Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, noted to Ars that even though Apple TV users can opt out of personalized content recommendations, "many will not realize they can." Apple can also use data it gathers on you from the Apple TV app to serve traditional ads. If you allow your Apple TV box to track your location, the Apple TV app can also track your location. That data can "be used to serve geographically relevant ads," according to the Apple TV app privacy policy. Location tracking, however, is off by default on Apple TV boxes. Apple's tvOS doesn't have integrated ads. For comparison, some TV OSes, like Roku OS and LG's webOS, show ads on the OS's home screen and/or when showing screensavers. But data gathered from the Apple TV app can still help Apple's advertising efforts. This can happen if you allow personalized ads in other Apple apps serving targeted apps, such as Apple News, the App Store, or Stocks. In such cases, Apple may apply data gathered from the Apple TV app, "including information about the movies and TV shows you purchase from Apple, to serve ads in those apps that are more relevant to you," the Apple TV app privacy policy says. Apple also provides third-party advertisers and strategic partners with "non-personal data" gathered from the Apple TV app: We provide some non-personal data to our advertisers and strategic partners that work with Apple to provide our products and services, help Apple market to customers, and sell ads on Apple’s behalf to display on the App Store and Apple News and Stocks. Apple also shares non-personal data from the Apple TV with third parties, such as content owners, so they can pay royalties, gauge how much people are watching their shows or movies, "and improve their associated products and services," Apple says. Apple's policy notes: For example, we may share non-personal data about your transactions, viewing activity, and region, as well as aggregated user demographicssuch as age group and gender, to Apple TV strategic partners, such as content owners, so that they can measure the performance of their creative workmeet royalty and accounting requirements. When reached for comment, an Apple spokesperson told Ars that Apple TV users can clear their play history from the app. All that said, the Apple TV app still shares far less data with third parties than other streaming apps. Netflix, for example, says it discloses some personal information to advertising companies "in order to select Advertisements shown on Netflix, to facilitate interaction with Advertisements, and to measure and improve effectiveness of Advertisements." Warner Bros. Discovery says it discloses information about Max viewers "with advertisers, ad agencies, ad networks and platforms, and other companies to provide advertising to you based on your interests." And Disney+ users have Nielsen tracking on by default. What if you use Siri? You can easily deactivate Siri when setting up an Apple TV. But those who opt to keep the voice assistant and the ability to control Apple TV with their voice take somewhat of a privacy hit. According to the privacy policy accessible in Apple TV boxes' settings, Apple boxes automatically send all Siri requests to Apple's servers. If you opt into using Siri data to "Improve Siri and Dictation," Apple will store your audio data. If you opt out, audio data won't be stored, but per the policy: In all cases, transcripts of your interactions will be sent to Apple to process your requests and may be stored by Apple. Apple TV boxes also send audio and transcriptions of dictation input to Apple servers for processing. Apple says it doesn't store the audio but may store transcriptions of the audio. If you opt to "Improve Siri and Dictation," Apple says your history of voice requests isn't tied to your Apple account or email. But Apple is vague about how long it may store data related to voice input performed with the Apple TV if you choose this option. The policy states: Your request history, which includes transcripts and any related request data, is associated with a random identifier for up to six months and is not tied to your Apple Account or email address. After six months, you request history is disassociated from the random identifier and may be retained for up to two years. Apple may use this data to develop and improve Siri, Dictation, Search, and limited other language processing functionality in Apple products ... Apple may also review a subset of the transcripts of your interactions and this ... may be kept beyond two years for the ongoing improvements of products and services. Apple promises not to use Siri and voice data to build marketing profiles or sell them to third parties, but it hasn't always adhered to that commitment. In January, Apple agreed to pay million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing Siri of recording private conversations and sharing them with third parties for targeted ads. In 2019, contractors reported hearing private conversations and recorded sex via Siri-gathered audio. Outside of Apple, we've seen voice request data used questionably, including in criminal trials and by corporate employees. Siri and dictation data also represent additional ways a person's Apple TV usage might be unexpectedly analyzed to fuel Apple's business. Automatic content recognition Apple TVs aren't preloaded with automatic content recognition, an Apple spokesperson confirmed to Ars, another plus for privacy advocates. But ACR is software, so Apple could technically add it to Apple TV boxes via a software update at some point. Sherman Li, the founder of Enswers, the company that first put ACR in Samsung TVs, confirmed to Ars that it's technically possible for Apple to add ACR to already-purchased Apple boxes. Years ago, Enswers retroactively added ACR to other types of streaming hardware, including Samsung and LG smart TVs.In general, though, there are challenges to adding ACR to hardware that people already own, Li explained: Everyone believes, in theory, you can add ACR anywhere you want at any time because it's software, but because of the wayarchitected... the interplay between the chipsets, like the SoCs, and the firmware is different in a lot of situations. Li pointed to numerous variables that could prevent ACR from being retroactively added to any type of streaming hardware, "including access to video frame buffers, audio streams, networking connectivity, security protocols, OSes, and app interface communication layers, especially at different levels of the stack in these devices, depending on the implementation." Due to the complexity of Apple TV boxes, Li suspects it would be difficult to add ACR to already-purchased Apple TVs. It would likely be simpler for Apple to release a new box with ACR if it ever decided to go down that route. If Apple were to add ACR to old or new Apple TV boxes, the devices would be far less private, and the move would be highly unpopular and eliminate one of the Apple TV's biggest draws. However, Apple reportedly has a growing interest in advertising to streaming subscribers. The Apple TV+ streaming service doesn't currently show commercials, but the company is rumored to be exploring a potential ad tier. The suspicions stem from a reported meeting between Apple and the United Kingdom's ratings body, Barb, to discuss how it might track ads on Apple TV+, according to a July report from The Telegraph. Since 2023, Apple has also hired several prominent names in advertising, including a former head of advertising at NBCUniversal and a new head of video ad sales. Further, Apple TV+ is one of the few streaming services to remain ad-free, and it's reported to be losing Apple billion per year since its launch. One day soon, Apple may have much more reason to care about advertising in streaming and being able to track the activities of people who use its streaming offerings. That has implications for Apple TV box users. "The more Apple creeps into the targeted ads space, the less I’ll trust them to uphold their privacy promises. You can imagine Apple TV being a natural progression for selling ads," PIRG's Cross said. Somewhat ironically, Apple has marketed its approach to privacy as a positive for advertisers. "Apple’s commitment to privacy and personal relevancy builds trust amongst readers, driving a willingness to engage with content and ads alike," Apple's advertising guide for buying ads on Apple News and Stocks reads. The most private streaming gadget It remains technologically possible for Apple to introduce intrusive tracking or ads to Apple TV boxes, but for now, the streaming devices are more private than the vast majority of alternatives, save for dumb TVs. And if Apple follows its own policies, much of the data it gathers should be kept in-house. However, those with strong privacy concerns should be aware that Apple does track certain tvOS activities, especially those that happen through Apple accounts, voice interaction, or the Apple TV app. And while most of Apple's streaming hardware and software settings prioritize privacy by default, some advocates believe there's room for improvement. For example, STOP's Maestro said: Unlike in the, where the upcoming Data Act will set clearer rules on transfers of data generated by smart devices, the US has no real legislation governing what happens with your data once it reaches Apple's servers. Users are left with little way to verify those privacy promises. Maestro suggested that Apple could address these concerns by making it easier for people to conduct security research on smart device software. "Allowing the development of alternative or modified software that can evaluate privacy settings could also increase user trust and better uphold Apple's public commitment to privacy," Maestro said. There are ways to limit the amount of data that advertisers can get from your Apple TV. But if you use the Apple TV app, Apple can use your activity to help make business decisions—and therefore money. As you might expect from a device that connects to the Internet and lets you stream shows and movies, Apple TV boxes aren't totally incapable of tracking you. But they're still the best recommendation for streaming users seeking hardware with more privacy and fewer ads. Scharon Harding Senior Technology Reporter Scharon Harding Senior Technology Reporter Scharon is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer gadgets and services. She's been reporting on technology for over 10 years, with bylines at Tom’s Hardware, Channelnomics, and CRN UK. 22 Comments #breaking #down #why #apple #tvs
    Breaking down why Apple TVs are privacy advocates’ go-to streaming device
    arstechnica.com
    Smart TVs, take note Breaking down why Apple TVs are privacy advocates’ go-to streaming device Using the Apple TV app or an Apple account means giving Apple more data, though. Scharon Harding – Jun 1, 2025 7:35 am | 22 Credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images Credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more Every time I write an article about the escalating advertising and tracking on today's TVs, someone brings up Apple TV boxes. Among smart TVs, streaming sticks, and other streaming devices, Apple TVs are largely viewed as a safe haven. "Just disconnect your TV from the Internet and use an Apple TV box." That's the common guidance you'll hear from Ars readers for those seeking the joys of streaming without giving up too much privacy. Based on our research and the experts we've consulted, that advice is pretty solid, as Apple TVs offer significantly more privacy than other streaming hardware providers. But how private are Apple TV boxes, really? Apple TVs don't use automatic content recognition (ACR, a user-tracking technology leveraged by nearly all smart TVs and streaming devices), but could that change? And what about the software that Apple TV users do use—could those apps provide information about you to advertisers or Apple? In this article, we'll delve into what makes the Apple TV's privacy stand out and examine whether users should expect the limited ads and enhanced privacy to last forever. Apple TV boxes limit tracking out of the box One of the simplest ways Apple TVs ensure better privacy is through their setup process, during which you can disable Siri, location tracking, and sending analytics data to Apple. During setup, users also receive several opportunities to review Apple's data and privacy policies. Also off by default is the boxes' ability to send voice input data to Apple. Most other streaming devices require users to navigate through pages of settings to disable similar tracking capabilities, which most people are unlikely to do. Apple’s approach creates a line of defense against snooping, even for those unaware of how invasive smart devices can be. Apple TVs running tvOS 14.5 and later also make third-party app tracking more difficult by requiring such apps to request permission before they can track users. "If you choose Ask App Not to Track, the app developer can’t access the system advertising identifier (IDFA), which is often used to track," Apple says. "The app is also not permitted to track your activity using other information that identifies you or your device, like your email address." Users can access the Apple TV settings and disable the ability of third-party apps to ask permission for tracking. However, Apple could further enhance privacy by enabling this setting by default. The Apple TV also lets users control which apps can access the set-top box's Bluetooth functionality, photos, music, and HomeKit data (if applicable), and the remote's microphone. "Apple’s primary business model isn’t dependent on selling targeted ads, so it has somewhat less incentive to harvest and monetize incredible amounts of your data," said RJ Cross, director of the consumer privacy program at the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). "I personally trust them more with my data than other tech companies." What if you share analytics data? If you allow your Apple TV to share analytics data with Apple or app developers, that data won't be personally identifiable, Apple says. Any collected personal data is "not logged at all, removed from reports before they’re sent to Apple, or protected by techniques, such as differential privacy," Apple says. Differential privacy, which injects noise into collected data, is one of the most common methods used for anonymizing data. In support documentation (PDF), Apple details its use of differential privacy: The first step we take is to privatize the information using local differential privacy on the user’s device. The purpose of privatization is to assure that Apple’s servers don't receive clear data. Device identifiers are removed from the data, and it is transmitted to Apple over an encrypted channel. The Apple analysis system ingests the differentially private contributions, dropping IP addresses and other metadata. The final stage is aggregation, where the privatized records are processed to compute the relevant statistics, and the aggregate statistics are then shared with relevant Apple teams. Both the ingestion and aggregation stages are performed in a restricted access environment so even the privatized data isn’t broadly accessible to Apple employees. What if you use an Apple account with your Apple TV? Another factor to consider is Apple's privacy policy regarding Apple accounts, formerly Apple IDs. Apple support documentation says you "need" an Apple account to use an Apple TV, but you can use the hardware without one. Still, it's common for people to log into Apple accounts on their Apple TV boxes because it makes it easier to link with other Apple products. Another reason someone might link an Apple TV box with an Apple account is to use the Apple TV app, a common way to stream on Apple TV boxes. So what type of data does Apple harvest from Apple accounts? According to its privacy policy, the company gathers usage data, such as "data about your activity on and use of" Apple offerings, including "app launches within our services...; browsing history; search history; [and] product interaction." Other types of data Apple may collect from Apple accounts include transaction information (Apple says this is "data about purchases of Apple products and services or transactions facilitated by Apple, including purchases on Apple platforms"), account information ("including email address, devices registered, account status, and age"), device information (including serial number and browser type), contact information (including physical address and phone number), and payment information (including bank details). None of that is surprising considering the type of data needed to make an Apple account work. Many Apple TV users can expect Apple to gather more data from their Apple account usage on other devices, such as iPhones or Macs. However, if you use the same Apple account across multiple devices, Apple recognizes that all the data it has collected from, for example, your iPhone activity, also applies to you as an Apple TV user. A potential workaround could be maintaining multiple Apple accounts. With an Apple account solely dedicated to your Apple TV box and Apple TV hardware and software tracking disabled as much as possible, Apple would have minimal data to ascribe to you as an Apple TV owner. You can also use your Apple TV box without an Apple account, but then you won't be able to use the Apple TV app, one of the device's key features. Data collection via the Apple TV app You can download third-party apps like Netflix and Hulu onto an Apple TV box, but most TV and movie watching on Apple TV boxes likely occurs via the Apple TV app. The app is necessary for watching content on the Apple TV+ streaming service, but it also drives usage by providing access to the libraries of many (but not all) popular streaming apps in one location. So understanding the Apple TV app’s privacy policy is critical to evaluating how private Apple TV activity truly is. As expected, some of the data the app gathers is necessary for the software to work. That includes, according to the app's privacy policy, "information about your purchases, downloads, activity in the Apple TV app, the content you watch, and where you watch it in the Apple TV app and in connected apps on any of your supported devices." That all makes sense for ensuring that the app remembers things like which episode of Severance you're on across devices. Apple collects other data, though, that isn't necessary for functionality. It says it gathers data on things like the "features you use (for example, Continue Watching or Library)," content pages you view, how you interact with notifications, and approximate location information (that Apple says doesn't identify users) to help improve the app. Additionally, Apple tracks the terms you search for within the app, per its policy: We use Apple TV search data to improve models that power Apple TV. For example, aggregate Apple TV search queries are used to fine-tune the Apple TV search model. This data usage is less intrusive than that of other streaming devices, which might track your activity and then sell that data to third-party advertisers. But some people may be hesitant about having any of their activities tracked to benefit a multi-trillion-dollar conglomerate. Data collected from the Apple TV app used for ads By default, the Apple TV app also tracks "what you watch, your purchases, subscriptions, downloads, browsing, and other activities in the Apple TV app" to make personalized content recommendations. Content recommendations aren't ads in the traditional sense but instead provide a way for Apple to push you toward products by analyzing data it has on you. You can disable the Apple TV app's personalized recommendations, but it's a little harder than you might expect since you can't do it through the app. Instead, you need to go to the Apple TV settings and then select Apps > TV > Use Play History > Off. The most privacy-conscious users may wish that personalized recommendations were off by default. Darío Maestro, senior legal fellow at the nonprofit Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), noted to Ars that even though Apple TV users can opt out of personalized content recommendations, "many will not realize they can." Apple can also use data it gathers on you from the Apple TV app to serve traditional ads. If you allow your Apple TV box to track your location, the Apple TV app can also track your location. That data can "be used to serve geographically relevant ads," according to the Apple TV app privacy policy. Location tracking, however, is off by default on Apple TV boxes. Apple's tvOS doesn't have integrated ads. For comparison, some TV OSes, like Roku OS and LG's webOS, show ads on the OS's home screen and/or when showing screensavers. But data gathered from the Apple TV app can still help Apple's advertising efforts. This can happen if you allow personalized ads in other Apple apps serving targeted apps, such as Apple News, the App Store, or Stocks. In such cases, Apple may apply data gathered from the Apple TV app, "including information about the movies and TV shows you purchase from Apple, to serve ads in those apps that are more relevant to you," the Apple TV app privacy policy says. Apple also provides third-party advertisers and strategic partners with "non-personal data" gathered from the Apple TV app: We provide some non-personal data to our advertisers and strategic partners that work with Apple to provide our products and services, help Apple market to customers, and sell ads on Apple’s behalf to display on the App Store and Apple News and Stocks. Apple also shares non-personal data from the Apple TV with third parties, such as content owners, so they can pay royalties, gauge how much people are watching their shows or movies, "and improve their associated products and services," Apple says. Apple's policy notes: For example, we may share non-personal data about your transactions, viewing activity, and region, as well as aggregated user demographics[,] such as age group and gender (which may be inferred from information such as your name and salutation in your Apple Account), to Apple TV strategic partners, such as content owners, so that they can measure the performance of their creative work [and] meet royalty and accounting requirements. When reached for comment, an Apple spokesperson told Ars that Apple TV users can clear their play history from the app. All that said, the Apple TV app still shares far less data with third parties than other streaming apps. Netflix, for example, says it discloses some personal information to advertising companies "in order to select Advertisements shown on Netflix, to facilitate interaction with Advertisements, and to measure and improve effectiveness of Advertisements." Warner Bros. Discovery says it discloses information about Max viewers "with advertisers, ad agencies, ad networks and platforms, and other companies to provide advertising to you based on your interests." And Disney+ users have Nielsen tracking on by default. What if you use Siri? You can easily deactivate Siri when setting up an Apple TV. But those who opt to keep the voice assistant and the ability to control Apple TV with their voice take somewhat of a privacy hit. According to the privacy policy accessible in Apple TV boxes' settings, Apple boxes automatically send all Siri requests to Apple's servers. If you opt into using Siri data to "Improve Siri and Dictation," Apple will store your audio data. If you opt out, audio data won't be stored, but per the policy: In all cases, transcripts of your interactions will be sent to Apple to process your requests and may be stored by Apple. Apple TV boxes also send audio and transcriptions of dictation input to Apple servers for processing. Apple says it doesn't store the audio but may store transcriptions of the audio. If you opt to "Improve Siri and Dictation," Apple says your history of voice requests isn't tied to your Apple account or email. But Apple is vague about how long it may store data related to voice input performed with the Apple TV if you choose this option. The policy states: Your request history, which includes transcripts and any related request data, is associated with a random identifier for up to six months and is not tied to your Apple Account or email address. After six months, you request history is disassociated from the random identifier and may be retained for up to two years. Apple may use this data to develop and improve Siri, Dictation, Search, and limited other language processing functionality in Apple products ... Apple may also review a subset of the transcripts of your interactions and this ... may be kept beyond two years for the ongoing improvements of products and services. Apple promises not to use Siri and voice data to build marketing profiles or sell them to third parties, but it hasn't always adhered to that commitment. In January, Apple agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing Siri of recording private conversations and sharing them with third parties for targeted ads. In 2019, contractors reported hearing private conversations and recorded sex via Siri-gathered audio. Outside of Apple, we've seen voice request data used questionably, including in criminal trials and by corporate employees. Siri and dictation data also represent additional ways a person's Apple TV usage might be unexpectedly analyzed to fuel Apple's business. Automatic content recognition Apple TVs aren't preloaded with automatic content recognition (ACR), an Apple spokesperson confirmed to Ars, another plus for privacy advocates. But ACR is software, so Apple could technically add it to Apple TV boxes via a software update at some point. Sherman Li, the founder of Enswers, the company that first put ACR in Samsung TVs, confirmed to Ars that it's technically possible for Apple to add ACR to already-purchased Apple boxes. Years ago, Enswers retroactively added ACR to other types of streaming hardware, including Samsung and LG smart TVs. (Enswers was acquired by Gracenote, which Nielsen now owns.) In general, though, there are challenges to adding ACR to hardware that people already own, Li explained: Everyone believes, in theory, you can add ACR anywhere you want at any time because it's software, but because of the way [hardware is] architected... the interplay between the chipsets, like the SoCs, and the firmware is different in a lot of situations. Li pointed to numerous variables that could prevent ACR from being retroactively added to any type of streaming hardware, "including access to video frame buffers, audio streams, networking connectivity, security protocols, OSes, and app interface communication layers, especially at different levels of the stack in these devices, depending on the implementation." Due to the complexity of Apple TV boxes, Li suspects it would be difficult to add ACR to already-purchased Apple TVs. It would likely be simpler for Apple to release a new box with ACR if it ever decided to go down that route. If Apple were to add ACR to old or new Apple TV boxes, the devices would be far less private, and the move would be highly unpopular and eliminate one of the Apple TV's biggest draws. However, Apple reportedly has a growing interest in advertising to streaming subscribers. The Apple TV+ streaming service doesn't currently show commercials, but the company is rumored to be exploring a potential ad tier. The suspicions stem from a reported meeting between Apple and the United Kingdom's ratings body, Barb, to discuss how it might track ads on Apple TV+, according to a July report from The Telegraph. Since 2023, Apple has also hired several prominent names in advertising, including a former head of advertising at NBCUniversal and a new head of video ad sales. Further, Apple TV+ is one of the few streaming services to remain ad-free, and it's reported to be losing Apple $1 billion per year since its launch. One day soon, Apple may have much more reason to care about advertising in streaming and being able to track the activities of people who use its streaming offerings. That has implications for Apple TV box users. "The more Apple creeps into the targeted ads space, the less I’ll trust them to uphold their privacy promises. You can imagine Apple TV being a natural progression for selling ads," PIRG's Cross said. Somewhat ironically, Apple has marketed its approach to privacy as a positive for advertisers. "Apple’s commitment to privacy and personal relevancy builds trust amongst readers, driving a willingness to engage with content and ads alike," Apple's advertising guide for buying ads on Apple News and Stocks reads. The most private streaming gadget It remains technologically possible for Apple to introduce intrusive tracking or ads to Apple TV boxes, but for now, the streaming devices are more private than the vast majority of alternatives, save for dumb TVs (which are incredibly hard to find these days). And if Apple follows its own policies, much of the data it gathers should be kept in-house. However, those with strong privacy concerns should be aware that Apple does track certain tvOS activities, especially those that happen through Apple accounts, voice interaction, or the Apple TV app. And while most of Apple's streaming hardware and software settings prioritize privacy by default, some advocates believe there's room for improvement. For example, STOP's Maestro said: Unlike in the [European Union], where the upcoming Data Act will set clearer rules on transfers of data generated by smart devices, the US has no real legislation governing what happens with your data once it reaches Apple's servers. Users are left with little way to verify those privacy promises. Maestro suggested that Apple could address these concerns by making it easier for people to conduct security research on smart device software. "Allowing the development of alternative or modified software that can evaluate privacy settings could also increase user trust and better uphold Apple's public commitment to privacy," Maestro said. There are ways to limit the amount of data that advertisers can get from your Apple TV. But if you use the Apple TV app, Apple can use your activity to help make business decisions—and therefore money. As you might expect from a device that connects to the Internet and lets you stream shows and movies, Apple TV boxes aren't totally incapable of tracking you. But they're still the best recommendation for streaming users seeking hardware with more privacy and fewer ads. Scharon Harding Senior Technology Reporter Scharon Harding Senior Technology Reporter Scharon is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer gadgets and services. She's been reporting on technology for over 10 years, with bylines at Tom’s Hardware, Channelnomics, and CRN UK. 22 Comments
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  • This Dyson Air Purifier Is $200 Off Right Now

    We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.If you’ve ever wished your air purifier could do more than just purify, the Dyson Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 steps up with some bold solutions. It’s currently available for, which is still a splurge, but not quite as painful as usual.

    Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde

    This machine is a purifier, yes—but also a fan and a space heater, all in one unit. Designed for rooms up to 800 square feet, it uses a blade-free oval towerto project clean, warm, or cool air with a 350-degree oscillation range. That’s wide enough to cover most living rooms, and the device is light enoughto shift from room to room without much hassle.One of the most useful things about the HP09 is how much it tells you about the air you're breathing. It doesn’t only claim to clean—it shows you exactly what it’s removing. That includes everyday stuff floating around your home like dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, fumes from cleaners and sprays, off-gassing from furniture or paint, and emissions from gas stoves or candles. It tracks all of this in real time, breaking it down into easy-to-read stats on the purifier’s LED screen or in the MyDyson app. You’ll see things like temperature, humidity, and overall air quality, plus specific readings for fine particles, larger particles, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde.The catalytic filter that breaks down formaldehyde doesn’t need replacing, but the HEPA and carbon filters that trap other pollutants are estimated to last up to a year. You can control everything through the app or with your voice using Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. That said, it lacks Apple HomeKit support, and you’ll still need the included remote to activate heating for safety reasons. Also, according to this PCMag review, it gets loud when you push it to higher speeds.For something simpler and cheaper, the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07skips the heater and formaldehyde filter but still keeps the air clean and your home connected.
    #this #dyson #air #purifier #off
    This Dyson Air Purifier Is $200 Off Right Now
    We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.If you’ve ever wished your air purifier could do more than just purify, the Dyson Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 steps up with some bold solutions. It’s currently available for, which is still a splurge, but not quite as painful as usual. Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde This machine is a purifier, yes—but also a fan and a space heater, all in one unit. Designed for rooms up to 800 square feet, it uses a blade-free oval towerto project clean, warm, or cool air with a 350-degree oscillation range. That’s wide enough to cover most living rooms, and the device is light enoughto shift from room to room without much hassle.One of the most useful things about the HP09 is how much it tells you about the air you're breathing. It doesn’t only claim to clean—it shows you exactly what it’s removing. That includes everyday stuff floating around your home like dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, fumes from cleaners and sprays, off-gassing from furniture or paint, and emissions from gas stoves or candles. It tracks all of this in real time, breaking it down into easy-to-read stats on the purifier’s LED screen or in the MyDyson app. You’ll see things like temperature, humidity, and overall air quality, plus specific readings for fine particles, larger particles, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde.The catalytic filter that breaks down formaldehyde doesn’t need replacing, but the HEPA and carbon filters that trap other pollutants are estimated to last up to a year. You can control everything through the app or with your voice using Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. That said, it lacks Apple HomeKit support, and you’ll still need the included remote to activate heating for safety reasons. Also, according to this PCMag review, it gets loud when you push it to higher speeds.For something simpler and cheaper, the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07skips the heater and formaldehyde filter but still keeps the air clean and your home connected. #this #dyson #air #purifier #off
    This Dyson Air Purifier Is $200 Off Right Now
    lifehacker.com
    We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.If you’ve ever wished your air purifier could do more than just purify, the Dyson Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 steps up with some bold solutions. It’s currently available for $649 (down from $849.99), which is still a splurge, but not quite as painful as usual. Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde $649.00 at Amazon $849.99 Save $200.99 Get Deal Get Deal $649.00 at Amazon $849.99 Save $200.99 This machine is a purifier, yes—but also a fan and a space heater, all in one unit. Designed for rooms up to 800 square feet, it uses a blade-free oval tower (classic Dyson) to project clean, warm, or cool air with a 350-degree oscillation range. That’s wide enough to cover most living rooms, and the device is light enough (just over 12 pounds) to shift from room to room without much hassle.One of the most useful things about the HP09 is how much it tells you about the air you're breathing. It doesn’t only claim to clean—it shows you exactly what it’s removing. That includes everyday stuff floating around your home like dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, fumes from cleaners and sprays, off-gassing from furniture or paint, and emissions from gas stoves or candles. It tracks all of this in real time, breaking it down into easy-to-read stats on the purifier’s LED screen or in the MyDyson app (which also pulls in outdoor AQI based on your location). You’ll see things like temperature, humidity, and overall air quality, plus specific readings for fine particles (PM2.5), larger particles (PM10), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and formaldehyde (this being a big deal if your space has new furniture or paint).The catalytic filter that breaks down formaldehyde doesn’t need replacing, but the HEPA and carbon filters that trap other pollutants are estimated to last up to a year (replacements run $79.99). You can control everything through the app or with your voice using Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. That said, it lacks Apple HomeKit support, and you’ll still need the included remote to activate heating for safety reasons. Also, according to this PCMag review, it gets loud when you push it to higher speeds.For something simpler and cheaper, the $449.77 Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 (down from $649.99) skips the heater and formaldehyde filter but still keeps the air clean and your home connected.
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  • Jony Ive + OpenAI in the smart home, SwitchBot Hub 3, & ThorBolt X1 on HomeKit Insider

    On the latest episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, Dan Turk joins to talk about the OpenAI acquisition of Jony Ive's company, more new deadbolts, and solar-powered garden lights.HomeKit Insider PodcastDan Turk, PR professional with Max Borges agency, joins once more this week. As an industry insider, he helps provide useful insight into the world of smart homes.Starting out in the news, SwitchBot has two new products to officially announce after we'd previously leaked them on the show. They are the new facial recognition deadbolt and its third-generation Matter hub. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
    #jony #ive #openai #smart #home
    Jony Ive + OpenAI in the smart home, SwitchBot Hub 3, & ThorBolt X1 on HomeKit Insider
    On the latest episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, Dan Turk joins to talk about the OpenAI acquisition of Jony Ive's company, more new deadbolts, and solar-powered garden lights.HomeKit Insider PodcastDan Turk, PR professional with Max Borges agency, joins once more this week. As an industry insider, he helps provide useful insight into the world of smart homes.Starting out in the news, SwitchBot has two new products to officially announce after we'd previously leaked them on the show. They are the new facial recognition deadbolt and its third-generation Matter hub. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums #jony #ive #openai #smart #home
    Jony Ive + OpenAI in the smart home, SwitchBot Hub 3, & ThorBolt X1 on HomeKit Insider
    appleinsider.com
    On the latest episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, Dan Turk joins to talk about the OpenAI acquisition of Jony Ive's company, more new deadbolts, and solar-powered garden lights.HomeKit Insider PodcastDan Turk, PR professional with Max Borges agency, joins once more this week. As an industry insider, he helps provide useful insight into the world of smart homes.Starting out in the news, SwitchBot has two new products to officially announce after we'd previously leaked them on the show. They are the new facial recognition deadbolt and its third-generation Matter hub. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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  • Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro review: security camera that works with Apple Home

    Macworld

    At a glance

    Pros

    High quality QHD camera

    Good night vision

    Adjustable spotlight

    Supports HomeKit and Matter

    Cons

    Aqara app is over-complicated

    You have to provide your own power adaptor

    Cloud storage requires a subscription

    Our Verdict
    The sturdy design of the G5 Pro is well-suited for outdoor use, and provides a good, clear image with Quad-HD resolution by day or by night. Its support for HomeKit and Matter also makes it a good option for Apple users, with low-cost cloud storage available via an iCloud+ subscription.

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    Price When Reviewed179,99 Euro

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    167,99 €

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    167,99 €

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    179,99 €

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    €197.18

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    In recent years, Aqara has been one of the few manufacturers of security cameras that still supports HomeKit for Apple devices – even when Apple itself seems to have dropped the term ‘HomeKit’ and now tends to just say that a camera ‘works with Apple Home’.

    The G3 and E1 cameras that we’ve reviewed from Aqaraare very competitively priced, but they’re both designed for indoor use, so the company has extended its range with the new Camera Hub G5 Pro, which boasts a sturdy design that is very much intended for life outdoors.

    There are actually two versions of the G5 Pro available, and they also give you a choice of colours, with either plain white or a dark-grey that looks very similar to Apple’s Space Grey. We tested the standard Wi-Fi version of the camera, which uses a USB-C cable for its power supply and costs /£179.99.

    The USB-C cable included is 2m long, so that should allow you to place it on a window sill or on a wall without too much trouble. The camera stand is adjustable, allowing you to tilt and swivel the camera as required, and there’s a wall-mounting kit included in the box as well. However, Aqara only provides the USB-C cable for charging, with no mains power adaptor included, so you’ll have to provide that for yourself.

    If you want to move the camera further away – or perhaps higher up on a wall so that it overlooks a car parking space – then you might want to opt for the more expensive PoE version. This costs /£199.99 and uses an Ethernet connection to provide both power supply and a wired network connection.

    Both models are identical though, and are larger than previous Aqara cameras, as the G5 Pro houses the main camera sensor, along with a PIR sensorthat provides night vision, and an adjustable spotlight that you can activate to scare off intruders.

    There’s also a built-in speaker and microphone that provide two-way audio as well. And, as it’s designed for outdoor use, the G5 Pro has a sturdy IP65 rating for resistance to water and dust, and Aqara states that it can cope with temperatures as low as -50f/-30C.

    Getting started is very easy, thanks to the Aqara Home app for iOS/Android – although things do get a little more complicated later on. As soon as you connect the G5 Pro to a power supply, the camera’s speaker announces that it is ready to go into pairing mode, and the app uses Bluetooth to connect to the camera and set everything up.

    The camera supports dual-band Wi-Fi using the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, and the app prompts you to select your preferred network and enter the Wi-Fi password. If you hold your mobile device upright, the Aqara app displays a small preview of the live video from the camera at the top of the screen, with a rather daunting selection of additional controls and settings below. If you turn your device into landscapemode then the video image expands to full-screen size to give you a better view.

    The camera has Quad-HDresolution, which provides a clear, sharp image with a viewing angle of 133-degrees. There’s a little fish-eye distortion around the edges of the image, but that doesn’t affect visibility very much at all, and it’s good to have such a wide field of view to keep an eye on things. The camera’s infra-red sensor works well too, providing good visibility even in darker conditions.

    To be honest, we found the Aqara app rather complicated after the initial set-up process, as it spreads a wide range of camera controls and settings across a long series of menus and sub-menus. But, thankfully, Aqara’s HomeKit support provides a more straightforward way of controlling the camera, and it only took a few quick taps to connect the G5 Pro to the Apple Home app on my iPhone and other Apple devices.

    The Apple Home app offers a simplified set of controls that let you record or stream live video whenever you leave or arrive home. It even offers to download firmware updates for the camera via Apple home too, so full marks to Aqara for making the HomeKit integration so smooth.

    HomeKit integration comes in useful elsewhere too. Our review camera had 8GB of memory that allows it to store video directly on the camera, and the Aqara app also allows you to connect the G5 Pro to a NAS drive for storing your recordings on your home or office network.

    Aqara also offers a subscription service called HomeGuardian that provides online storage and other features, costing per month or per year for a single camera, or per month or per year for an unlimited number of cameras.

    But, of course, Apple’s own iCloud+ subscription service includes a feature called HomeKit Secure Video that allows you to store video from HomeKit-compatible security cameras, starting at just /£0.99 per month for a single camera.

    Should you buy Aqara’s Camera Hub G5 Pro?

    If you need a sturdy outdoor camera that works well with Apple devices then the Camera Hub G5 Pro is hard to beat. Its camera provides good image quality even in low light conditions, and the built-in memory allows you to record and store video straight out of the box.

    Aqara’s app isn’t the most elegant piece of software we’ve ever seen, but the camera’s support for HomeKit and Matter allows you to easily control the camera using the Apple Home app, as well as providing a low-cost option for cloud storage too.
    #aqara #camera #hub #pro #review
    Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro review: security camera that works with Apple Home
    Macworld At a glance Pros High quality QHD camera Good night vision Adjustable spotlight Supports HomeKit and Matter Cons Aqara app is over-complicated You have to provide your own power adaptor Cloud storage requires a subscription Our Verdict The sturdy design of the G5 Pro is well-suited for outdoor use, and provides a good, clear image with Quad-HD resolution by day or by night. Its support for HomeKit and Matter also makes it a good option for Apple users, with low-cost cloud storage available via an iCloud+ subscription. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed179,99 Euro Best Prices Today: Aqara Kamera Hub G5 Pro WLAN Retailer Price 159,68 € View Deal 167,99 € View Deal 167,99 € View Deal Aqara 179,99 € View Deal €197.18 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket In recent years, Aqara has been one of the few manufacturers of security cameras that still supports HomeKit for Apple devices – even when Apple itself seems to have dropped the term ‘HomeKit’ and now tends to just say that a camera ‘works with Apple Home’. The G3 and E1 cameras that we’ve reviewed from Aqaraare very competitively priced, but they’re both designed for indoor use, so the company has extended its range with the new Camera Hub G5 Pro, which boasts a sturdy design that is very much intended for life outdoors. There are actually two versions of the G5 Pro available, and they also give you a choice of colours, with either plain white or a dark-grey that looks very similar to Apple’s Space Grey. We tested the standard Wi-Fi version of the camera, which uses a USB-C cable for its power supply and costs /£179.99. The USB-C cable included is 2m long, so that should allow you to place it on a window sill or on a wall without too much trouble. The camera stand is adjustable, allowing you to tilt and swivel the camera as required, and there’s a wall-mounting kit included in the box as well. However, Aqara only provides the USB-C cable for charging, with no mains power adaptor included, so you’ll have to provide that for yourself. If you want to move the camera further away – or perhaps higher up on a wall so that it overlooks a car parking space – then you might want to opt for the more expensive PoE version. This costs /£199.99 and uses an Ethernet connection to provide both power supply and a wired network connection. Both models are identical though, and are larger than previous Aqara cameras, as the G5 Pro houses the main camera sensor, along with a PIR sensorthat provides night vision, and an adjustable spotlight that you can activate to scare off intruders. There’s also a built-in speaker and microphone that provide two-way audio as well. And, as it’s designed for outdoor use, the G5 Pro has a sturdy IP65 rating for resistance to water and dust, and Aqara states that it can cope with temperatures as low as -50f/-30C. Getting started is very easy, thanks to the Aqara Home app for iOS/Android – although things do get a little more complicated later on. As soon as you connect the G5 Pro to a power supply, the camera’s speaker announces that it is ready to go into pairing mode, and the app uses Bluetooth to connect to the camera and set everything up. The camera supports dual-band Wi-Fi using the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, and the app prompts you to select your preferred network and enter the Wi-Fi password. If you hold your mobile device upright, the Aqara app displays a small preview of the live video from the camera at the top of the screen, with a rather daunting selection of additional controls and settings below. If you turn your device into landscapemode then the video image expands to full-screen size to give you a better view. The camera has Quad-HDresolution, which provides a clear, sharp image with a viewing angle of 133-degrees. There’s a little fish-eye distortion around the edges of the image, but that doesn’t affect visibility very much at all, and it’s good to have such a wide field of view to keep an eye on things. The camera’s infra-red sensor works well too, providing good visibility even in darker conditions. To be honest, we found the Aqara app rather complicated after the initial set-up process, as it spreads a wide range of camera controls and settings across a long series of menus and sub-menus. But, thankfully, Aqara’s HomeKit support provides a more straightforward way of controlling the camera, and it only took a few quick taps to connect the G5 Pro to the Apple Home app on my iPhone and other Apple devices. The Apple Home app offers a simplified set of controls that let you record or stream live video whenever you leave or arrive home. It even offers to download firmware updates for the camera via Apple home too, so full marks to Aqara for making the HomeKit integration so smooth. HomeKit integration comes in useful elsewhere too. Our review camera had 8GB of memory that allows it to store video directly on the camera, and the Aqara app also allows you to connect the G5 Pro to a NAS drive for storing your recordings on your home or office network. Aqara also offers a subscription service called HomeGuardian that provides online storage and other features, costing per month or per year for a single camera, or per month or per year for an unlimited number of cameras. But, of course, Apple’s own iCloud+ subscription service includes a feature called HomeKit Secure Video that allows you to store video from HomeKit-compatible security cameras, starting at just /£0.99 per month for a single camera. Should you buy Aqara’s Camera Hub G5 Pro? If you need a sturdy outdoor camera that works well with Apple devices then the Camera Hub G5 Pro is hard to beat. Its camera provides good image quality even in low light conditions, and the built-in memory allows you to record and store video straight out of the box. Aqara’s app isn’t the most elegant piece of software we’ve ever seen, but the camera’s support for HomeKit and Matter allows you to easily control the camera using the Apple Home app, as well as providing a low-cost option for cloud storage too. #aqara #camera #hub #pro #review
    Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro review: security camera that works with Apple Home
    www.macworld.com
    Macworld At a glance Pros High quality QHD camera Good night vision Adjustable spotlight Supports HomeKit and Matter Cons Aqara app is over-complicated You have to provide your own power adaptor Cloud storage requires a subscription Our Verdict The sturdy design of the G5 Pro is well-suited for outdoor use, and provides a good, clear image with Quad-HD resolution by day or by night. Its support for HomeKit and Matter also makes it a good option for Apple users, with low-cost cloud storage available via an iCloud+ subscription. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed179,99 Euro Best Prices Today: Aqara Kamera Hub G5 Pro WLAN Retailer Price 159,68 € View Deal 167,99 € View Deal 167,99 € View Deal Aqara 179,99 € View Deal €197.18 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket In recent years, Aqara has been one of the few manufacturers of security cameras that still supports HomeKit for Apple devices – even when Apple itself seems to have dropped the term ‘HomeKit’ and now tends to just say that a camera ‘works with Apple Home’ (referring to the Home app on your Apple devices). The G3 and E1 cameras that we’ve reviewed from Aqara (in our round up of the Best Security Cameras) are very competitively priced, but they’re both designed for indoor use, so the company has extended its range with the new Camera Hub G5 Pro, which boasts a sturdy design that is very much intended for life outdoors. There are actually two versions of the G5 Pro available, and they also give you a choice of colours, with either plain white or a dark-grey that looks very similar to Apple’s Space Grey. We tested the standard Wi-Fi version of the camera, which uses a USB-C cable for its power supply and costs $179.99/£179.99. The USB-C cable included is 2m long, so that should allow you to place it on a window sill or on a wall without too much trouble. The camera stand is adjustable, allowing you to tilt and swivel the camera as required, and there’s a wall-mounting kit included in the box as well. However, Aqara only provides the USB-C cable for charging, with no mains power adaptor included, so you’ll have to provide that for yourself. If you want to move the camera further away – or perhaps higher up on a wall so that it overlooks a car parking space – then you might want to opt for the more expensive PoE version (power over Ethernet). This costs $199.99/£199.99 and uses an Ethernet connection to provide both power supply and a wired network connection. Both models are identical though, and are larger than previous Aqara cameras, as the G5 Pro houses the main camera sensor, along with a PIR sensor (passive infra-red) that provides night vision, and an adjustable spotlight that you can activate to scare off intruders. There’s also a built-in speaker and microphone that provide two-way audio as well. And, as it’s designed for outdoor use, the G5 Pro has a sturdy IP65 rating for resistance to water and dust, and Aqara states that it can cope with temperatures as low as -50f/-30C. Getting started is very easy, thanks to the Aqara Home app for iOS/Android – although things do get a little more complicated later on. As soon as you connect the G5 Pro to a power supply, the camera’s speaker announces that it is ready to go into pairing mode, and the app uses Bluetooth to connect to the camera and set everything up. The camera supports dual-band Wi-Fi using the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, and the app prompts you to select your preferred network and enter the Wi-Fi password. If you hold your mobile device upright, the Aqara app displays a small preview of the live video from the camera at the top of the screen, with a rather daunting selection of additional controls and settings below. If you turn your device into landscape (wide) mode then the video image expands to full-screen size to give you a better view. The camera has Quad-HD (2688×1520) resolution, which provides a clear, sharp image with a viewing angle of 133-degrees. There’s a little fish-eye distortion around the edges of the image, but that doesn’t affect visibility very much at all, and it’s good to have such a wide field of view to keep an eye on things. The camera’s infra-red sensor works well too, providing good visibility even in darker conditions. To be honest, we found the Aqara app rather complicated after the initial set-up process, as it spreads a wide range of camera controls and settings across a long series of menus and sub-menus (and Aqara told us that they don’t provide a manual for the app either). But, thankfully, Aqara’s HomeKit support provides a more straightforward way of controlling the camera, and it only took a few quick taps to connect the G5 Pro to the Apple Home app on my iPhone and other Apple devices. The Apple Home app offers a simplified set of controls that let you record or stream live video whenever you leave or arrive home. It even offers to download firmware updates for the camera via Apple home too, so full marks to Aqara for making the HomeKit integration so smooth. HomeKit integration comes in useful elsewhere too. Our review camera had 8GB of memory that allows it to store video directly on the camera, and the Aqara app also allows you to connect the G5 Pro to a NAS drive for storing your recordings on your home or office network. Aqara also offers a subscription service called HomeGuardian that provides online storage and other features, costing $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for a single camera, or $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year for an unlimited number of cameras. But, of course, Apple’s own iCloud+ subscription service includes a feature called HomeKit Secure Video that allows you to store video from HomeKit-compatible security cameras, starting at just $0.99/£0.99 per month for a single camera (see: iCloud+ pricing). Should you buy Aqara’s Camera Hub G5 Pro? If you need a sturdy outdoor camera that works well with Apple devices then the Camera Hub G5 Pro is hard to beat. Its camera provides good image quality even in low light conditions, and the built-in memory allows you to record and store video straight out of the box. Aqara’s app isn’t the most elegant piece of software we’ve ever seen, but the camera’s support for HomeKit and Matter allows you to easily control the camera using the Apple Home app, as well as providing a low-cost option for cloud storage too.
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  • Apple’s rumored all-new HomePad may launch ‘by the end of this year’, per report

    Apple has long been rumored to be developing a product for the smart home. It’ll have a square 7-inch display, support Apple Intelligence, and essentially serve as a command center for all things Siri and HomeKit.
    While this product was on track to launch this spring, numerous issues have pushed that timeline. Now, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman – it may finally launch later this year.

    Apple smart home hub
    To recap, here are some of the key rumored specs for this new smart home hub:

    7-inch square display with thick bezel
    Camera at the top
    Rechargeable built in battery
    A new Apple operating system: homeOS
    Heavy focus on video applications like FaceTime
    Support for many Apple apps
    StandBy-inspired dashboard
    Easy ability to control your smart home
    Apple Intelligence support

    One of the biggest reasons for this product getting delayed so heavily was because of Apple’s failed AI push. The product relied heavily on Siri and App Intents, which were supposed to all come to fruition by iOS 18.4. However, because of technical challenges, that didn’t end up being the case.
    In fact, they’re so behind that Apple themselves announced the delay – stating that the new Siri features with Apple Intelligence will roll out “in the coming year.” Earlier this year, Apple started an internal testing program for select employees, where they could take the product home and get a feel for it.
    Either way, previous reports indicated that this product might not launch until 2026. If Apple can pull things together by the end of the year, that would be wonderful.
    Robotic device
    On top of the smart home hub, Apple is also planning a more advanced smart home display with a robotic arm and “unique AI personality.” However, that product has also been subject to delays.
    According to Gurman, this product will launch a “year or two later.” He also describes this product as a “major priority at Apple.”
    Though, to meet this tight timeline, Apple has apparently “pulled some bolder features” from the robotic home hub. Gurman mentions they may reappear in future hardware upgrades. No further details were given.

    My favorite Apple accessory recommendations:
    Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram

    Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. 

    FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
    #apples #rumored #allnew #homepad #launch
    Apple’s rumored all-new HomePad may launch ‘by the end of this year’, per report
    Apple has long been rumored to be developing a product for the smart home. It’ll have a square 7-inch display, support Apple Intelligence, and essentially serve as a command center for all things Siri and HomeKit. While this product was on track to launch this spring, numerous issues have pushed that timeline. Now, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman – it may finally launch later this year. Apple smart home hub To recap, here are some of the key rumored specs for this new smart home hub: 7-inch square display with thick bezel Camera at the top Rechargeable built in battery A new Apple operating system: homeOS Heavy focus on video applications like FaceTime Support for many Apple apps StandBy-inspired dashboard Easy ability to control your smart home Apple Intelligence support One of the biggest reasons for this product getting delayed so heavily was because of Apple’s failed AI push. The product relied heavily on Siri and App Intents, which were supposed to all come to fruition by iOS 18.4. However, because of technical challenges, that didn’t end up being the case. In fact, they’re so behind that Apple themselves announced the delay – stating that the new Siri features with Apple Intelligence will roll out “in the coming year.” Earlier this year, Apple started an internal testing program for select employees, where they could take the product home and get a feel for it. Either way, previous reports indicated that this product might not launch until 2026. If Apple can pull things together by the end of the year, that would be wonderful. Robotic device On top of the smart home hub, Apple is also planning a more advanced smart home display with a robotic arm and “unique AI personality.” However, that product has also been subject to delays. According to Gurman, this product will launch a “year or two later.” He also describes this product as a “major priority at Apple.” Though, to meet this tight timeline, Apple has apparently “pulled some bolder features” from the robotic home hub. Gurman mentions they may reappear in future hardware upgrades. No further details were given. My favorite Apple accessory recommendations: Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel #apples #rumored #allnew #homepad #launch
    Apple’s rumored all-new HomePad may launch ‘by the end of this year’, per report
    9to5mac.com
    Apple has long been rumored to be developing a product for the smart home. It’ll have a square 7-inch display, support Apple Intelligence, and essentially serve as a command center for all things Siri and HomeKit. While this product was on track to launch this spring, numerous issues have pushed that timeline. Now, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman – it may finally launch later this year. Apple smart home hub To recap, here are some of the key rumored specs for this new smart home hub: 7-inch square display with thick bezel Camera at the top Rechargeable built in battery A new Apple operating system: homeOS Heavy focus on video applications like FaceTime Support for many Apple apps StandBy-inspired dashboard Easy ability to control your smart home Apple Intelligence support One of the biggest reasons for this product getting delayed so heavily was because of Apple’s failed AI push. The product relied heavily on Siri and App Intents, which were supposed to all come to fruition by iOS 18.4. However, because of technical challenges, that didn’t end up being the case. In fact, they’re so behind that Apple themselves announced the delay – stating that the new Siri features with Apple Intelligence will roll out “in the coming year.” Earlier this year, Apple started an internal testing program for select employees, where they could take the product home and get a feel for it. Either way, previous reports indicated that this product might not launch until 2026. If Apple can pull things together by the end of the year, that would be wonderful. Robotic device On top of the smart home hub, Apple is also planning a more advanced smart home display with a robotic arm and “unique AI personality.” However, that product has also been subject to delays. According to Gurman, this product will launch a “year or two later.” He also describes this product as a “major priority at Apple.” Though, to meet this tight timeline, Apple has apparently “pulled some bolder features” from the robotic home hub. Gurman mentions they may reappear in future hardware upgrades. No further details were given. My favorite Apple accessory recommendations: Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
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  • The Best Outdoor Smart Home Devices for 2025

    We test a lot of smart home devices, most of which are meant to work indoors. But there are also plenty of great gadgets that work outside, whether it's to balance the pH content of your pool, mow your lawn, or keep an eye on your property when you're out of town.Here, we've gathered some of the best backyard-friendly gadgets we've tested. It's a diverse selection, from beach-friendly speakers to robotic pool cleaners. There's even a TV you can keep out in a thunderstorm. So, if you're looking to bring the technological comforts of home to the great outdoors, look no further.

    Best Floodlight Camera

    Eufy Floodlight Camera E340

    4.5 Excellent

    Keep your driveway or yard fully illuminated and secure with the Eufy E340 floodlight camera. It isn't solar-powered like the S340 below it and so you'll have to wire it, but it has a 2,000-lumen floodlight and mechanical pan-and-tilt so you can cover every inch of your property in its range.
    Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 review

    Best Battery-Powered Projector

    Anker Nebula Mars 3

    4.0 Excellent

    The Anker Nebula Mars 3 is a capable 1080p projector that's ideal for use in the backyard or at a vacation rental thanks to its water-resistant design and its battery that can last up to five hours. It features Android 11, so you can stream from plenty of services without plugging in another device. Plus, it has a useful handle so you can lug it anywhere.
    Anker Nebula Mars 3 review

    Best Budget Outdoor Security Camera

    TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120

    4.5 Excellent

    If you want to monitor the outside of your home without spending much money, the TP-Link Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor is worth looking into. For just it's loaded with features usually only found on more expensive models, including 2K resolution, color night vision, and local video storage. The camera records video when it detects motion and offers free intelligent alerts that differentiate between people, pets, vehicles, and other motion events, a feature many competitors charge extra for. It requires a nearby GFCI outlet for power but saves you a lot of money compared with wireless 2K alternatives.
    TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120 review

    Best Affordable Bluetooth Speaker

    Anker Soundcore Motion 300

    4.0 Excellent

    The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is a deceptively small, cheap outdoor speaker, considering the sound it can produce. It offers robust sound with high-res LDAC Bluetooth codec support and is also completely waterproof. Best of all, it's well under and easy to slip into a bag.
    Anker Soundcore Motion 300 review

    Best Portable Speaker

    JBL Charge 5

    4.0 Excellent

    JBL’s portable, outdoor-friendly Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker is an excellent choice for parties. It has a dust-tight build for the beach, with powerful drivers and dual passive radiators to deliver an impressive amount of sound for its size. You don't get a speakerphone function or an adjustable EQ in the companion app, but those are relatively minor drawbacks. For less than you can't do much better.

    Best Robot Lawn Mower

    Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD

    4.0 Excellent

    As with every robot lawn mower we've reviewed, the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD doesn't come cheap, but it does an excellent job of mowing and trimming your lawn. It features both GPS and cellular radios, plus it connects to a slick companion app that enables remote controls, mowing schedules, and IFTTT integrations. Best of all, it won't struggle to handle hilly terrain.

    Best Outdoor Smart Plug

    TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A

    4.0 Excellent

    TP-Link’s dual-outlet Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40Adoesn't care what smart home systemyou use: It works with all the major platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. That broad compatibility and an IP64 weatherproof rating make it a good choice for bringing smart features to your backyard appliances.
    TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A review

    Best Robot Pool Cleaner

    Polaris Freedom Plus Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner

    4.0 Excellent

    Polaris robotic pool cleaners have long been among our favorites because of their sturdy build and superb cleaning performance, and the cordless Freedom Plus continues the streak. It's battery-operated, which means it can clean the pool without a cable for power. It has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to activate it in its charging station and a light-based remote for controlling it underwater. Otherwise, you can simply let it roam around until it comes back up to charge and empty.
    Polaris Freedom Plus Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner review

    Best Smart Sprinkler System

    Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

    4.5 Excellent

    If you love your lawn enough to install a sprinkler system, you need a good sprinkler controller. The Rachio 3 is one of the best: It supports up to eight separate sprinkler zones with automatic weather-based or custom app-controlled watering schedules. You can even control it with Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands and IFTTT applets.

    Best Smart Hose Timer

    Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer With Wi-Fi Hub

    4.0 Excellent

    You don't need a full sprinkler system to automate watering your lawn. The Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer turns your ordinary garden hose into a smart watering system that you control from your phone, complete with programmed watering schedules and smart weather-based watering. It's a breeze to install and program, and it works with Amazon Alexa voice commands.

    Best Pool Water Monitor

    Crystal Water Monitor

    4.0 Excellent

    The Crystal Water Monitor keeps track of your pool's health, with plenty of water analysis features beyond simple pH levels including oxidation reduction potentialand total alkalinity. It's a bit pricey and requires a subscription after the first year, but the subscription includes a continuous warranty and replacement sensors when needed.
    Crystal Water Monitor review

    Best Wireless Outdoor Security Camera

    Eufy SoloCam S340

    4.0 Excellent

    The Eufy SoloCam S340 is one of the most feature-filled wireless outdoor security cameras available, starting with a built-in solar panel for keeping its battery charged. It also features dual lenses, 3K video, color night vision, mechanical pan and tilt, a built-in spotlight, and local video storage. That's a lot packed into a single camera, and it easily justifies its high price if you want to keep a close eye on your home.
    Eufy SoloCam S340 review

    Best Smart Lock

    Ultraloq Bolt Smart WiFi Deadbolt Fingerprint Edition

    4.5 Excellent

    The Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint is one of the most flexible smart locks we've seen for securing your front door. You can use an app, your fingerprint, a key, or a PIN code to unlock it. It also works with every major smart home standard except Matter.
    Ultraloq Bolt Smart WiFi Deadbolt Fingerprint Edition review

    Best Speaker for Outdoor Parties

    Sony ULT Field 7

    4.0 Excellent

    If you really want to drive an outdoor party, the big and booming Sony ULT Field 7 is the speaker to get. It's a chunky, completely weatherproof cylinder with stereo woofer/tweeter pairs that can easily fill your backyard with music. It also has colored lighting effects and a mic input for karaoke.
    Sony ULT Field 7 review

    Best Smart Bird Feeder

    Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro

    4.5 Excellent

    The Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro sends highly shareable snapshots and video postcards of the local bird population to your phone, while its companion app is smart enough to call out their species. Overall, the Bird Buddy is a charming piece of tech for naturalists and an Editors' Choice winner—if you're going to get a smart feeder, get this one.
    Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro review

    Best Video Doorbell

    Tapo D225 Video Doorbell

    4.0 Excellent

    Besides a good front door lock, you probably want to be able to see who's knocking or who might be stealing your packages. The TP-Link Tapo D225 video doorbell offers sharp video, both local and cloud storage, and plenty of smart home integration options, and it's surprisingly affordable.
    Tapo D225 Video Doorbell review

    Best for Roku-Centric Households

    Roku Outdoor Smart Plug

    4.0 Excellent

    Roku's Outdoor Smart Plug SE features an IP64 weatherproof build, and makes it easy to control appliances and other electronics with your phone or voice and conveniently tracks how much power they use. It's appealing if you also use Roku devices since you don't need to set up anything else to control the plug from your couch. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, but the TP-Link EP40A offers offers better third-party device support.
    Roku Outdoor Smart Plug review

    Best Outdoor TV

    SunBriteTV 55-Inch Veranda 3 Series4.0 Excellent

    Most TVs aren’t built to survive the elements, let alone pouring rain, blowing snow, flying sand, or scorching heat, but SunBriteTV’s Veranda Series 3 is up to the task. It offers a few key advantages over previous Veranda models, including a brighter and much more colorful picture with support for Dolby Vision, as well as a full suite of Android TV features such as streaming media services, Google Assistant voice controls, and the ability to mirror your phone.

    Best Outdoor Party Lights

    Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights

    4.0 Excellent

    Light strips are ideal for subtle effects, but if you want a more festive way to illuminate your patio, porch, or any other outdoor space, you're better off with smart string lights like the Govee Lynx Dream. Available in lengths of 48 or 96 feet, each string has dimmable multicolor LED bulbs that you can control with your voice or phone. They also support IFTTT applets, and you get a generous selection of preset lighting scenes and a fun Music Sync mode that's great for parties.

    Best Smart Door

    Feather River Doors Smart Glass

    4.0 Excellent

    Smart locks and doorbell cameras might make your front door safe but don't add much to the aesthetic appeal. If you want to give your front door a real high-tech makeover, the Feather River Doors Smart Glass is a unique, expensive option. It's a door with a smart glass window that lets you flip between frosted opaque and completely transparent with the push of a button, a voice command, or an app.
    Feather River Doors Smart Glass review

    Protect Your Packages

    Yale Smart Delivery Box

    4.0 Excellent

    Packages get purloined from porches pretty often, so protect those parcels with the Yale Smart Delivery Box. It's a large drop box you can secure to your porch so delivery drivers can safely set anything that will fit inside. Share an access code in the delivery details section of your orders from Amazon and other services, the driver will enter it into a keypad, the box will open, you'll get a notification, and the lid will automatically lock.
    Yale Smart Delivery Box review

    Best Smart Padlock

    Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge

    4.0 Excellent

    Smart locks are good for homes, but what about sheds and backyards? The Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 has you covered. It's a solid, waterproof padlock you can control via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It supports unlocking directly through the app, or you can control who can unlock it and at what times by issuing one-time or scheduled PINs and Bluetooth keys.
    Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge review

    Best Smart Mosquito Repellent System

    Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System

    4.0 Excellent

    Pesky mosquitoes can ruin an otherwise enjoyable evening in your backyard, but traditional bug sprays are usually unpleasant to use. The Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System is a high-tech alternative that relies on heat-activated repellent cartridges to create 20-foot barriers of protection. The system worked well in testing and we didn't see any vapors or smell any chemicals. You get three repellers in the basic kit, but keep in mind that the system specifically defends against mosquitoes, which means other types of bugs might continue to buzz about. Regardless, it supports both app and voice controls for maximum convenience.

    Best Wood-Fired Smart Grill

    Brisk It Origin 940

    4.5 Excellent

    The Brisk It Origin 940 works like any other wood pellet grill, giving you the ability to roast, smoke, bake, and barbecue without having to deal with the mess of charcoal grilling or the taste of lighter fluid. Moreover, it uses generative AI to offer up countless recipes that you can send directly to the grill. In testing, its AI supplied foolproof recipes for pulled pork and whole bass and the grill delivered mouthwatering results.
    Brisk It Origin 940 review

    Best Smart Charcoal Grill and Smoker

    Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

    4.0 Excellent

    The Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker helps you cook charcoal-fired food to perfection every time. This tank-like kamado grill is simple to use and clean, offers precise temperature control, and works with lots of high-quality accessories. The app is intuitive and has hundreds of recipes you can follow.
    Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker review

    Best Smart Gas Grill

    Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill

    4.0 Excellent

    The Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill is built to last and has plenty of smart tech features to enhance the cooking experience. It features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, an illuminated cooking chamber, a user-friendly mobile app, and hundreds of programmable recipes. Moreover, there’s plenty of built-in storage for utensils, cooking racks, and cleaning accessories.
    Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill review
    #best #outdoor #smart #home #devices
    The Best Outdoor Smart Home Devices for 2025
    We test a lot of smart home devices, most of which are meant to work indoors. But there are also plenty of great gadgets that work outside, whether it's to balance the pH content of your pool, mow your lawn, or keep an eye on your property when you're out of town.Here, we've gathered some of the best backyard-friendly gadgets we've tested. It's a diverse selection, from beach-friendly speakers to robotic pool cleaners. There's even a TV you can keep out in a thunderstorm. So, if you're looking to bring the technological comforts of home to the great outdoors, look no further. Best Floodlight Camera Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 4.5 Excellent Keep your driveway or yard fully illuminated and secure with the Eufy E340 floodlight camera. It isn't solar-powered like the S340 below it and so you'll have to wire it, but it has a 2,000-lumen floodlight and mechanical pan-and-tilt so you can cover every inch of your property in its range. Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 review Best Battery-Powered Projector Anker Nebula Mars 3 4.0 Excellent The Anker Nebula Mars 3 is a capable 1080p projector that's ideal for use in the backyard or at a vacation rental thanks to its water-resistant design and its battery that can last up to five hours. It features Android 11, so you can stream from plenty of services without plugging in another device. Plus, it has a useful handle so you can lug it anywhere. Anker Nebula Mars 3 review Best Budget Outdoor Security Camera TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120 4.5 Excellent If you want to monitor the outside of your home without spending much money, the TP-Link Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor is worth looking into. For just it's loaded with features usually only found on more expensive models, including 2K resolution, color night vision, and local video storage. The camera records video when it detects motion and offers free intelligent alerts that differentiate between people, pets, vehicles, and other motion events, a feature many competitors charge extra for. It requires a nearby GFCI outlet for power but saves you a lot of money compared with wireless 2K alternatives. TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120 review Best Affordable Bluetooth Speaker Anker Soundcore Motion 300 4.0 Excellent The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is a deceptively small, cheap outdoor speaker, considering the sound it can produce. It offers robust sound with high-res LDAC Bluetooth codec support and is also completely waterproof. Best of all, it's well under and easy to slip into a bag. Anker Soundcore Motion 300 review Best Portable Speaker JBL Charge 5 4.0 Excellent JBL’s portable, outdoor-friendly Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker is an excellent choice for parties. It has a dust-tight build for the beach, with powerful drivers and dual passive radiators to deliver an impressive amount of sound for its size. You don't get a speakerphone function or an adjustable EQ in the companion app, but those are relatively minor drawbacks. For less than you can't do much better. Best Robot Lawn Mower Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD 4.0 Excellent As with every robot lawn mower we've reviewed, the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD doesn't come cheap, but it does an excellent job of mowing and trimming your lawn. It features both GPS and cellular radios, plus it connects to a slick companion app that enables remote controls, mowing schedules, and IFTTT integrations. Best of all, it won't struggle to handle hilly terrain. Best Outdoor Smart Plug TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A 4.0 Excellent TP-Link’s dual-outlet Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40Adoesn't care what smart home systemyou use: It works with all the major platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. That broad compatibility and an IP64 weatherproof rating make it a good choice for bringing smart features to your backyard appliances. TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A review Best Robot Pool Cleaner Polaris Freedom Plus Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner 4.0 Excellent Polaris robotic pool cleaners have long been among our favorites because of their sturdy build and superb cleaning performance, and the cordless Freedom Plus continues the streak. It's battery-operated, which means it can clean the pool without a cable for power. It has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to activate it in its charging station and a light-based remote for controlling it underwater. Otherwise, you can simply let it roam around until it comes back up to charge and empty. Polaris Freedom Plus Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner review Best Smart Sprinkler System Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller 4.5 Excellent If you love your lawn enough to install a sprinkler system, you need a good sprinkler controller. The Rachio 3 is one of the best: It supports up to eight separate sprinkler zones with automatic weather-based or custom app-controlled watering schedules. You can even control it with Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands and IFTTT applets. Best Smart Hose Timer Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer With Wi-Fi Hub 4.0 Excellent You don't need a full sprinkler system to automate watering your lawn. The Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer turns your ordinary garden hose into a smart watering system that you control from your phone, complete with programmed watering schedules and smart weather-based watering. It's a breeze to install and program, and it works with Amazon Alexa voice commands. Best Pool Water Monitor Crystal Water Monitor 4.0 Excellent The Crystal Water Monitor keeps track of your pool's health, with plenty of water analysis features beyond simple pH levels including oxidation reduction potentialand total alkalinity. It's a bit pricey and requires a subscription after the first year, but the subscription includes a continuous warranty and replacement sensors when needed. Crystal Water Monitor review Best Wireless Outdoor Security Camera Eufy SoloCam S340 4.0 Excellent The Eufy SoloCam S340 is one of the most feature-filled wireless outdoor security cameras available, starting with a built-in solar panel for keeping its battery charged. It also features dual lenses, 3K video, color night vision, mechanical pan and tilt, a built-in spotlight, and local video storage. That's a lot packed into a single camera, and it easily justifies its high price if you want to keep a close eye on your home. Eufy SoloCam S340 review Best Smart Lock Ultraloq Bolt Smart WiFi Deadbolt Fingerprint Edition 4.5 Excellent The Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint is one of the most flexible smart locks we've seen for securing your front door. You can use an app, your fingerprint, a key, or a PIN code to unlock it. It also works with every major smart home standard except Matter. Ultraloq Bolt Smart WiFi Deadbolt Fingerprint Edition review Best Speaker for Outdoor Parties Sony ULT Field 7 4.0 Excellent If you really want to drive an outdoor party, the big and booming Sony ULT Field 7 is the speaker to get. It's a chunky, completely weatherproof cylinder with stereo woofer/tweeter pairs that can easily fill your backyard with music. It also has colored lighting effects and a mic input for karaoke. Sony ULT Field 7 review Best Smart Bird Feeder Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro 4.5 Excellent The Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro sends highly shareable snapshots and video postcards of the local bird population to your phone, while its companion app is smart enough to call out their species. Overall, the Bird Buddy is a charming piece of tech for naturalists and an Editors' Choice winner—if you're going to get a smart feeder, get this one. Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro review Best Video Doorbell Tapo D225 Video Doorbell 4.0 Excellent Besides a good front door lock, you probably want to be able to see who's knocking or who might be stealing your packages. The TP-Link Tapo D225 video doorbell offers sharp video, both local and cloud storage, and plenty of smart home integration options, and it's surprisingly affordable. Tapo D225 Video Doorbell review Best for Roku-Centric Households Roku Outdoor Smart Plug 4.0 Excellent Roku's Outdoor Smart Plug SE features an IP64 weatherproof build, and makes it easy to control appliances and other electronics with your phone or voice and conveniently tracks how much power they use. It's appealing if you also use Roku devices since you don't need to set up anything else to control the plug from your couch. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, but the TP-Link EP40A offers offers better third-party device support. Roku Outdoor Smart Plug review Best Outdoor TV SunBriteTV 55-Inch Veranda 3 Series4.0 Excellent Most TVs aren’t built to survive the elements, let alone pouring rain, blowing snow, flying sand, or scorching heat, but SunBriteTV’s Veranda Series 3 is up to the task. It offers a few key advantages over previous Veranda models, including a brighter and much more colorful picture with support for Dolby Vision, as well as a full suite of Android TV features such as streaming media services, Google Assistant voice controls, and the ability to mirror your phone. Best Outdoor Party Lights Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights 4.0 Excellent Light strips are ideal for subtle effects, but if you want a more festive way to illuminate your patio, porch, or any other outdoor space, you're better off with smart string lights like the Govee Lynx Dream. Available in lengths of 48 or 96 feet, each string has dimmable multicolor LED bulbs that you can control with your voice or phone. They also support IFTTT applets, and you get a generous selection of preset lighting scenes and a fun Music Sync mode that's great for parties. Best Smart Door Feather River Doors Smart Glass 4.0 Excellent Smart locks and doorbell cameras might make your front door safe but don't add much to the aesthetic appeal. If you want to give your front door a real high-tech makeover, the Feather River Doors Smart Glass is a unique, expensive option. It's a door with a smart glass window that lets you flip between frosted opaque and completely transparent with the push of a button, a voice command, or an app. Feather River Doors Smart Glass review Protect Your Packages Yale Smart Delivery Box 4.0 Excellent Packages get purloined from porches pretty often, so protect those parcels with the Yale Smart Delivery Box. It's a large drop box you can secure to your porch so delivery drivers can safely set anything that will fit inside. Share an access code in the delivery details section of your orders from Amazon and other services, the driver will enter it into a keypad, the box will open, you'll get a notification, and the lid will automatically lock. Yale Smart Delivery Box review Best Smart Padlock Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge 4.0 Excellent Smart locks are good for homes, but what about sheds and backyards? The Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 has you covered. It's a solid, waterproof padlock you can control via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It supports unlocking directly through the app, or you can control who can unlock it and at what times by issuing one-time or scheduled PINs and Bluetooth keys. Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge review Best Smart Mosquito Repellent System Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System 4.0 Excellent Pesky mosquitoes can ruin an otherwise enjoyable evening in your backyard, but traditional bug sprays are usually unpleasant to use. The Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System is a high-tech alternative that relies on heat-activated repellent cartridges to create 20-foot barriers of protection. The system worked well in testing and we didn't see any vapors or smell any chemicals. You get three repellers in the basic kit, but keep in mind that the system specifically defends against mosquitoes, which means other types of bugs might continue to buzz about. Regardless, it supports both app and voice controls for maximum convenience. Best Wood-Fired Smart Grill Brisk It Origin 940 4.5 Excellent The Brisk It Origin 940 works like any other wood pellet grill, giving you the ability to roast, smoke, bake, and barbecue without having to deal with the mess of charcoal grilling or the taste of lighter fluid. Moreover, it uses generative AI to offer up countless recipes that you can send directly to the grill. In testing, its AI supplied foolproof recipes for pulled pork and whole bass and the grill delivered mouthwatering results. Brisk It Origin 940 review Best Smart Charcoal Grill and Smoker Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker 4.0 Excellent The Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker helps you cook charcoal-fired food to perfection every time. This tank-like kamado grill is simple to use and clean, offers precise temperature control, and works with lots of high-quality accessories. The app is intuitive and has hundreds of recipes you can follow. Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker review Best Smart Gas Grill Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill 4.0 Excellent The Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill is built to last and has plenty of smart tech features to enhance the cooking experience. It features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, an illuminated cooking chamber, a user-friendly mobile app, and hundreds of programmable recipes. Moreover, there’s plenty of built-in storage for utensils, cooking racks, and cleaning accessories. Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill review #best #outdoor #smart #home #devices
    The Best Outdoor Smart Home Devices for 2025
    me.pcmag.com
    We test a lot of smart home devices, most of which are meant to work indoors. But there are also plenty of great gadgets that work outside, whether it's to balance the pH content of your pool, mow your lawn, or keep an eye on your property when you're out of town.Here, we've gathered some of the best backyard-friendly gadgets we've tested. It's a diverse selection, from beach-friendly speakers to robotic pool cleaners. There's even a TV you can keep out in a thunderstorm. So, if you're looking to bring the technological comforts of home to the great outdoors, look no further. Best Floodlight Camera Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 4.5 Excellent Keep your driveway or yard fully illuminated and secure with the Eufy E340 floodlight camera. It isn't solar-powered like the S340 below it and so you'll have to wire it, but it has a 2,000-lumen floodlight and mechanical pan-and-tilt so you can cover every inch of your property in its range. Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 review Best Battery-Powered Projector Anker Nebula Mars 3 4.0 Excellent The Anker Nebula Mars 3 is a capable 1080p projector that's ideal for use in the backyard or at a vacation rental thanks to its water-resistant design and its battery that can last up to five hours (in Eco Mode, or two hours at full-blast). It features Android 11, so you can stream from plenty of services without plugging in another device. Plus, it has a useful handle so you can lug it anywhere. Anker Nebula Mars 3 review Best Budget Outdoor Security Camera TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120 4.5 Excellent If you want to monitor the outside of your home without spending much money, the TP-Link Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor is worth looking into. For just $40, it's loaded with features usually only found on more expensive models, including 2K resolution (2,560 by 1,440 pixels), color night vision, and local video storage. The camera records video when it detects motion and offers free intelligent alerts that differentiate between people, pets, vehicles, and other motion events, a feature many competitors charge extra for. It requires a nearby GFCI outlet for power but saves you a lot of money compared with wireless 2K alternatives. TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120 review Best Affordable Bluetooth Speaker Anker Soundcore Motion 300 4.0 Excellent The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is a deceptively small, cheap outdoor speaker, considering the sound it can produce. It offers robust sound with high-res LDAC Bluetooth codec support and is also completely waterproof. Best of all, it's well under $100 and easy to slip into a bag. Anker Soundcore Motion 300 review Best Portable Speaker JBL Charge 5 4.0 Excellent JBL’s portable, outdoor-friendly Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker is an excellent choice for parties. It has a dust-tight build for the beach, with powerful drivers and dual passive radiators to deliver an impressive amount of sound for its size. You don't get a speakerphone function or an adjustable EQ in the companion app, but those are relatively minor drawbacks. For less than $200, you can't do much better. Best Robot Lawn Mower Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD 4.0 Excellent As with every robot lawn mower we've reviewed, the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD doesn't come cheap, but it does an excellent job of mowing and trimming your lawn. It features both GPS and cellular radios, plus it connects to a slick companion app that enables remote controls, mowing schedules, and IFTTT integrations. Best of all (depending on your yard), it won't struggle to handle hilly terrain. Best Outdoor Smart Plug TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A 4.0 Excellent TP-Link’s dual-outlet Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A ($29.99) doesn't care what smart home system(s) you use: It works with all the major platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. That broad compatibility and an IP64 weatherproof rating make it a good choice for bringing smart features to your backyard appliances. TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A review Best Robot Pool Cleaner Polaris Freedom Plus Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner 4.0 Excellent Polaris robotic pool cleaners have long been among our favorites because of their sturdy build and superb cleaning performance, and the cordless Freedom Plus continues the streak. It's battery-operated, which means it can clean the pool without a cable for power. It has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to activate it in its charging station and a light-based remote for controlling it underwater. Otherwise, you can simply let it roam around until it comes back up to charge and empty. Polaris Freedom Plus Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner review Best Smart Sprinkler System Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller 4.5 Excellent If you love your lawn enough to install a sprinkler system, you need a good sprinkler controller. The Rachio 3 is one of the best: It supports up to eight separate sprinkler zones with automatic weather-based or custom app-controlled watering schedules. You can even control it with Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands and IFTTT applets. Best Smart Hose Timer Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer With Wi-Fi Hub 4.0 Excellent You don't need a full sprinkler system to automate watering your lawn. The Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer turns your ordinary garden hose into a smart watering system that you control from your phone, complete with programmed watering schedules and smart weather-based watering. It's a breeze to install and program, and it works with Amazon Alexa voice commands. Best Pool Water Monitor Crystal Water Monitor 4.0 Excellent The Crystal Water Monitor keeps track of your pool's health, with plenty of water analysis features beyond simple pH levels including oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and total alkalinity. It's a bit pricey and requires a subscription after the first year, but the subscription includes a continuous warranty and replacement sensors when needed. Crystal Water Monitor review Best Wireless Outdoor Security Camera Eufy SoloCam S340 4.0 Excellent The Eufy SoloCam S340 is one of the most feature-filled wireless outdoor security cameras available, starting with a built-in solar panel for keeping its battery charged. It also features dual lenses, 3K video, color night vision, mechanical pan and tilt, a built-in spotlight, and local video storage. That's a lot packed into a single camera, and it easily justifies its high price if you want to keep a close eye on your home. Eufy SoloCam S340 review Best Smart Lock Ultraloq Bolt Smart WiFi Deadbolt Fingerprint Edition 4.5 Excellent The Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint is one of the most flexible smart locks we've seen for securing your front door. You can use an app, your fingerprint, a key, or a PIN code to unlock it. It also works with every major smart home standard except Matter. Ultraloq Bolt Smart WiFi Deadbolt Fingerprint Edition review Best Speaker for Outdoor Parties Sony ULT Field 7 4.0 Excellent If you really want to drive an outdoor party, the big and booming Sony ULT Field 7 is the speaker to get. It's a chunky, completely weatherproof cylinder with stereo woofer/tweeter pairs that can easily fill your backyard with music. It also has colored lighting effects and a mic input for karaoke. Sony ULT Field 7 review Best Smart Bird Feeder Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro 4.5 Excellent The Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro sends highly shareable snapshots and video postcards of the local bird population to your phone, while its companion app is smart enough to call out their species. Overall, the Bird Buddy is a charming piece of tech for naturalists and an Editors' Choice winner—if you're going to get a smart feeder, get this one. Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro review Best Video Doorbell Tapo D225 Video Doorbell 4.0 Excellent Besides a good front door lock, you probably want to be able to see who's knocking or who might be stealing your packages. The TP-Link Tapo D225 video doorbell offers sharp video, both local and cloud storage, and plenty of smart home integration options, and it's surprisingly affordable. Tapo D225 Video Doorbell review Best for Roku-Centric Households Roku Outdoor Smart Plug 4.0 Excellent Roku's Outdoor Smart Plug SE features an IP64 weatherproof build, and makes it easy to control appliances and other electronics with your phone or voice and conveniently tracks how much power they use. It's appealing if you also use Roku devices since you don't need to set up anything else to control the plug from your couch. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, but the TP-Link EP40A offers offers better third-party device support. Roku Outdoor Smart Plug review Best Outdoor TV SunBriteTV 55-Inch Veranda 3 Series (SB-V3-55-4KHDR-BL) 4.0 Excellent Most TVs aren’t built to survive the elements, let alone pouring rain, blowing snow, flying sand, or scorching heat, but SunBriteTV’s Veranda Series 3 is up to the task. It offers a few key advantages over previous Veranda models, including a brighter and much more colorful picture with support for Dolby Vision, as well as a full suite of Android TV features such as streaming media services, Google Assistant voice controls, and the ability to mirror your phone. Best Outdoor Party Lights Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights 4.0 Excellent Light strips are ideal for subtle effects, but if you want a more festive way to illuminate your patio, porch, or any other outdoor space, you're better off with smart string lights like the Govee Lynx Dream. Available in lengths of 48 or 96 feet, each string has dimmable multicolor LED bulbs that you can control with your voice or phone. They also support IFTTT applets, and you get a generous selection of preset lighting scenes and a fun Music Sync mode that's great for parties. Best Smart Door Feather River Doors Smart Glass 4.0 Excellent Smart locks and doorbell cameras might make your front door safe but don't add much to the aesthetic appeal. If you want to give your front door a real high-tech makeover, the Feather River Doors Smart Glass is a unique, expensive option. It's a door with a smart glass window that lets you flip between frosted opaque and completely transparent with the push of a button, a voice command, or an app. Feather River Doors Smart Glass review Protect Your Packages Yale Smart Delivery Box 4.0 Excellent Packages get purloined from porches pretty often, so protect those parcels with the Yale Smart Delivery Box. It's a large drop box you can secure to your porch so delivery drivers can safely set anything that will fit inside. Share an access code in the delivery details section of your orders from Amazon and other services, the driver will enter it into a keypad, the box will open, you'll get a notification, and the lid will automatically lock. Yale Smart Delivery Box review Best Smart Padlock Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge 4.0 Excellent Smart locks are good for homes, but what about sheds and backyards? The Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 has you covered. It's a solid, waterproof padlock you can control via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It supports unlocking directly through the app, or you can control who can unlock it and at what times by issuing one-time or scheduled PINs and Bluetooth keys. Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge review Best Smart Mosquito Repellent System Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System 4.0 Excellent Pesky mosquitoes can ruin an otherwise enjoyable evening in your backyard, but traditional bug sprays are usually unpleasant to use. The Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System is a high-tech alternative that relies on heat-activated repellent cartridges to create 20-foot barriers of protection. The system worked well in testing and we didn't see any vapors or smell any chemicals. You get three repellers in the basic kit, but keep in mind that the system specifically defends against mosquitoes, which means other types of bugs might continue to buzz about. Regardless, it supports both app and voice controls for maximum convenience. Best Wood-Fired Smart Grill Brisk It Origin 940 4.5 Excellent The Brisk It Origin 940 works like any other wood pellet grill, giving you the ability to roast, smoke, bake, and barbecue without having to deal with the mess of charcoal grilling or the taste of lighter fluid. Moreover, it uses generative AI to offer up countless recipes that you can send directly to the grill. In testing, its AI supplied foolproof recipes for pulled pork and whole bass and the grill delivered mouthwatering results. Brisk It Origin 940 review Best Smart Charcoal Grill and Smoker Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker 4.0 Excellent The Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker helps you cook charcoal-fired food to perfection every time. This tank-like kamado grill is simple to use and clean, offers precise temperature control, and works with lots of high-quality accessories. The app is intuitive and has hundreds of recipes you can follow. Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker review Best Smart Gas Grill Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill 4.0 Excellent The Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill is built to last and has plenty of smart tech features to enhance the cooking experience. It features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, an illuminated cooking chamber, a user-friendly mobile app, and hundreds of programmable recipes. Moreover, there’s plenty of built-in storage for utensils, cooking racks, and cleaning accessories. Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill review
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  • The Best Memorial Day Tech Deals on Amazon Right Now

    Table of ContentsSmartphone DealsTablet DealsComputer Mouse DealsSpeaker DealsAir Purifier DealsWi-Fi Router DealsGaming Monitor DealsSSD DealsSmartwatch DealsSmart Lock DealsTV DealsPrinter DealsGimbal DealsSoundbar Deals

    Memorial Day Weekend is here, and the tech discounts are plenty. From wireless headphones and portable speakers to tablets and smartphones, there’s serious money to be saved on everyday tech. Discounts on some of the biggest brands are on the list. But don’t wait around. Limited-time offers like these tend to disappear quickly, sometimes within hours. Whether you're upgrading your gear or picking up a gift, now’s a smart time to buy. Below, we’ve rounded up some standout picks worth grabbing before they’re gone.Don't forget to check out our round-up of the Best Memorial Day tech sales for all of the best deals out there. Smartphone DealsThe Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a lightweight, compact, beautifully designed foldable smartphone featuring impressive hardware, AI capabilities, and a bright, large screen perfect for watching videos and multitasking. Its solid cameras capture detailed photos with smart editing tools, and the Gemini AI introduces exciting features like advanced photo tweaks. PCMag expert Eric Zeman says, "The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an outstanding phone from top to bottom." With an "Excellent" rating in our review, it's a standout choice for AI and photography enthusiasts, especially with this discount.Tablet DealsThe Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a solid Android tablet for sketching, note-taking, and general creative work. "The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is clearly positioned as the Android alternative to the base iPad. And considering that the price includes the S Pen, this becomes a better buy," notes our expert Sascha Segan. Its stereo speakers sound way better than you'd expect at this price, while the headphone jack is a real bonus. Rated “Good” in our 2020 Galaxy Tab S6 Lite review, it nails the basics if you want a budget-friendly tablet that’s ready for creativity right out of the box.Computer Mouse DealsThe Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 gaming mouse is all about speed and simplicity. It's effortless to move and amazingly light without the usual cutouts, making it both comfortable and durable. The rock-solid performance offers precise tracking and a long battery life that keeps you gaming without interruptions. Plus, the grippy texture adds a nice touch. Our rexpert Mark Knapp notes, “At it’s best suited to competitive players who have everything dialed in tight and don’t need to swap DPI settings often, but who do need the fastest polling rates to keep up with the pace of gameplay," while bestowing on it an “Excellent” rating in our review. And that was all before today's 31% discount. Speaker DealsThe Sonos Move 2 is one of our favorite portable speakers out there, and it’s definitely worth the hype. The sound quality is fantastic with rich bass, crisp highs, and stereo audio. It also presents a significant battery life lasting over 24 hours on a single charge. It’s super versatile, working seamlessly over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and the Sonos app is a dream to use. As our expert Tim Gideon put it, “The Move 2 is easily the best Sonos speaker for listening to music outside.” It’s not fully waterproof, but it can handle rain and splashes effortlessly. All these reasons were enough for it to earn an “Excellent” rating in our 2023 Sonos Move 2 review and now it can be yours for less.Air Purifier DealsGet cleaner air and a fan in one sleek machine with the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07. It takes up barely any space, and once you’ve got the app set up, it’s super easy to control from your phone or with voice commands. The display gives real-time air quality updates, which are genuinely helpful if you live in a city or have pets. In 2021, Angela Moscaritolo said, “It’s the most effective smart air purifying fan we’ve tested,” and she rated it “Excellent” in our Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 review and honored it with the Editors’ Choice award. Meanwhile, the magnetic remote is a small but smart touch.Wi-Fi Router DealsThe TP-Link Deco BE63 offers an easy-to-set-up solution for bringing seamless Wi-Fi 7 coverage to your home with impressive speed and reliability. With multi-gig Ethernet ports, this system ensures robust connectivity for demanding users. "It rocked our performance tests, delivering some of the fastest throughput scores we've seen," writes expert John R. Delaney, rating it "Excellent" in our TP-Link Deco BE63 review. Currently discounted by 30%, it's also an Editors' Choice winner, making this a standout deal.Gaming Monitor DealsThe Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is a jaw-dropping ultrawide monitor that’s designed for immersive gaming. The 49-inch OLED screen with a 240Hz refresh rate, vibrant colors, true blacks, and the 32:9 aspect ratio makes titles like Cyberpunk 2077 feel next-level. As our gaming expert said, “The Odyssey OLED G9 is a monitor for enthusiasts, meant for those willing to max out their PC builds.” It’s slim, sleek, and packed with features like Samsung’s gaming hub. We offered a rare “Outstanding” rating in our 2023 Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 review, and it’s an Editors’ Choice winner. With this massive price drop, it's the ultimate pick for ultrawide gaming. The LG 27 UltraGear Gaming Monitoris an excellent choice for gamers seeking performance without overspending, especially with a 41% discount. The 27-inch QHD display appears sharp, and the 240Hz refresh rate provides a buttery smooth experience, particularly in fast-paced games like Fortnite and Apex Legends. As a result, our expert Zackery Cuevas rated it “Excellent” in our review of the LG 27 UltraGear, stating, “It’s a reliable, solid choice for gamers looking for a monitor that combines good looks and strong performance.” Furthermore, the screen displays vibrant colors, and the IPS panel guarantees wide viewing angles, eliminating any awkward color shifts when you’re not sitting directly in front. If you have a midrange PC or console, this monitor is a fantastic fit.Recommended by Our EditorsSSD DealsThe 4TB Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield is an external SSD built to handle rough conditions thanks to its rubberized shell that protects it from drops, rain, and dust. Our expert Tony Hoffman says, "If you ever take your laptop on the road or into the great outdoors, whether for business or pleasure, you'll appreciate having a drive like the T7 Shield," while giving it an “Excellent” rating in our 2022 T7 Shield SSD review. Plus, it has built-in encryption to keep your files safe. It’s not the absolute fastest SSD out there, but it still delivers reliable performance. Best of all, it's off today!Smartwatch Deals“If you’re looking for a smartwatch to complement your Samsung phone, the Galaxy Watch 7 should be at the top of your list," says our senior analyst, Andrew Gebhart. It builds on the previous model with upgraded AI-powered health insights, better gesture controls, and smarter sleep tracking. The heart-rate sensor is impressively accurate, and the watch handles everything from workouts to snoring detection with ease. The battery life isn’t groundbreaking, but the overall experience still earns it an “Excellent” rating in our Galaxy Watch 7 review. Also, you get a free SmartTag2 in today's deal while saving over Smart Lock DealsOur expert said, “If you’re looking for a stylish smart lock that is easy to install and offers broad third-party support, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is your best bet and our Editors’ Choice.” It’s one of the smallest models from the company and features complete Wi-Fi support, which gives you total control over locking and unlocking remotely. It works with Alexa, Google, and HomeKit, so you can use voice commands or set up automations easily. All these fantastic features earned the lock an “Outstanding” rating in our 2020 August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review. Plus, its compact design blends right in, making it a sleek and smart addition to any door. Grab it now for a whopping 50% discount.TV DealsThe Hisense 85U6N television has impressive contrast and vibrant colors that actually hold up in real-world viewing. Streaming apps load quickly, Google TV runs super smoothly, and even the voice control works hands-free. The TV also has a small input lag, clocking in at just 3.6ms, making it super responsive. Our expert Will Greenwald called it “the best affordable TV you can buy right now,” and it earned an “Outstanding” rating in our Hisense 85U6N review. Honestly, for movie nights or casual gaming on a massive screen, this one’s hard to top.Printer DealsThe Canon Pixma TR8620a has a 4.3-inch color LCD touchscreen for quick, intuitive printing. Plus, having two black ink dispensers ensures your documents and photos really pop. You can load regular paper in the main tray and photo paper in the rear feed for quick switching. “The Canon Pixma TR8620 all-in-one inkjet scans and prints excellent text, graphics, and photos, making it a sensible choice for low-volume family and home office use,” says our expert William Harrel, who rated it “Excellent” in our 2020 Canon Pixma TR8620a review. This printer keeps things simple and affordable thanks to this discount.Gimbal Deals“The affordable Hohem iSteady Mobile+ phone gimbal helps you capture smooth video while easily tracking subjects,” says Iyaz Akhtar, who rated it “Good” in his review, and that was even before today’s 30% off. It’s light enough to carry around all day, and the simple joystick control makes it easy to pan and tilt. The battery life lasts long enough to record lengthy events, and you can attach your phone quickly without fumbling. If you’re after reliable stabilization on a budget, this is a solid option for the price.Soundbar DealsIf you’re into films and big sound, sweeping scores, and lots of explosions, then you should seriously consider making the JBL Bar 9.1 your new movie night companion, especially with this discount. As our expert Tim Gideon puts it, “The system really draws you in, with a surround experience that combines what is more like a 5.1 build with the Atmos drivers.” That’s why it earned an "Excellent" rating in our JBL Bar 9.1 review in 2020. Plus, setting it up is super simple, the bass is strong enough to shake your room, and the Dolby Atmos feature adds this amazing 3D feel to the audio that pulls you into the action.  And with wireless rear speakers that detach from the main bar, you'll have an actual surround sound experience without the mess of cables.We’re finding Memorial Day Deals everywhere, from retailers like Walmart to top brands like Apple and HP. And don’t forget to check out all of the Memorial Day Deals Under and Under  But, if you’re looking for something more specific, we’ve rounded up the following holiday deals for you:
    #best #memorial #day #tech #deals
    The Best Memorial Day Tech Deals on Amazon Right Now
    Table of ContentsSmartphone DealsTablet DealsComputer Mouse DealsSpeaker DealsAir Purifier DealsWi-Fi Router DealsGaming Monitor DealsSSD DealsSmartwatch DealsSmart Lock DealsTV DealsPrinter DealsGimbal DealsSoundbar Deals Memorial Day Weekend is here, and the tech discounts are plenty. From wireless headphones and portable speakers to tablets and smartphones, there’s serious money to be saved on everyday tech. Discounts on some of the biggest brands are on the list. But don’t wait around. Limited-time offers like these tend to disappear quickly, sometimes within hours. Whether you're upgrading your gear or picking up a gift, now’s a smart time to buy. Below, we’ve rounded up some standout picks worth grabbing before they’re gone.Don't forget to check out our round-up of the Best Memorial Day tech sales for all of the best deals out there. Smartphone DealsThe Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a lightweight, compact, beautifully designed foldable smartphone featuring impressive hardware, AI capabilities, and a bright, large screen perfect for watching videos and multitasking. Its solid cameras capture detailed photos with smart editing tools, and the Gemini AI introduces exciting features like advanced photo tweaks. PCMag expert Eric Zeman says, "The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an outstanding phone from top to bottom." With an "Excellent" rating in our review, it's a standout choice for AI and photography enthusiasts, especially with this discount.Tablet DealsThe Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a solid Android tablet for sketching, note-taking, and general creative work. "The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is clearly positioned as the Android alternative to the base iPad. And considering that the price includes the S Pen, this becomes a better buy," notes our expert Sascha Segan. Its stereo speakers sound way better than you'd expect at this price, while the headphone jack is a real bonus. Rated “Good” in our 2020 Galaxy Tab S6 Lite review, it nails the basics if you want a budget-friendly tablet that’s ready for creativity right out of the box.Computer Mouse DealsThe Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 gaming mouse is all about speed and simplicity. It's effortless to move and amazingly light without the usual cutouts, making it both comfortable and durable. The rock-solid performance offers precise tracking and a long battery life that keeps you gaming without interruptions. Plus, the grippy texture adds a nice touch. Our rexpert Mark Knapp notes, “At it’s best suited to competitive players who have everything dialed in tight and don’t need to swap DPI settings often, but who do need the fastest polling rates to keep up with the pace of gameplay," while bestowing on it an “Excellent” rating in our review. And that was all before today's 31% discount. Speaker DealsThe Sonos Move 2 is one of our favorite portable speakers out there, and it’s definitely worth the hype. The sound quality is fantastic with rich bass, crisp highs, and stereo audio. It also presents a significant battery life lasting over 24 hours on a single charge. It’s super versatile, working seamlessly over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and the Sonos app is a dream to use. As our expert Tim Gideon put it, “The Move 2 is easily the best Sonos speaker for listening to music outside.” It’s not fully waterproof, but it can handle rain and splashes effortlessly. All these reasons were enough for it to earn an “Excellent” rating in our 2023 Sonos Move 2 review and now it can be yours for less.Air Purifier DealsGet cleaner air and a fan in one sleek machine with the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07. It takes up barely any space, and once you’ve got the app set up, it’s super easy to control from your phone or with voice commands. The display gives real-time air quality updates, which are genuinely helpful if you live in a city or have pets. In 2021, Angela Moscaritolo said, “It’s the most effective smart air purifying fan we’ve tested,” and she rated it “Excellent” in our Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 review and honored it with the Editors’ Choice award. Meanwhile, the magnetic remote is a small but smart touch.Wi-Fi Router DealsThe TP-Link Deco BE63 offers an easy-to-set-up solution for bringing seamless Wi-Fi 7 coverage to your home with impressive speed and reliability. With multi-gig Ethernet ports, this system ensures robust connectivity for demanding users. "It rocked our performance tests, delivering some of the fastest throughput scores we've seen," writes expert John R. Delaney, rating it "Excellent" in our TP-Link Deco BE63 review. Currently discounted by 30%, it's also an Editors' Choice winner, making this a standout deal.Gaming Monitor DealsThe Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is a jaw-dropping ultrawide monitor that’s designed for immersive gaming. The 49-inch OLED screen with a 240Hz refresh rate, vibrant colors, true blacks, and the 32:9 aspect ratio makes titles like Cyberpunk 2077 feel next-level. As our gaming expert said, “The Odyssey OLED G9 is a monitor for enthusiasts, meant for those willing to max out their PC builds.” It’s slim, sleek, and packed with features like Samsung’s gaming hub. We offered a rare “Outstanding” rating in our 2023 Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 review, and it’s an Editors’ Choice winner. With this massive price drop, it's the ultimate pick for ultrawide gaming. The LG 27 UltraGear Gaming Monitoris an excellent choice for gamers seeking performance without overspending, especially with a 41% discount. The 27-inch QHD display appears sharp, and the 240Hz refresh rate provides a buttery smooth experience, particularly in fast-paced games like Fortnite and Apex Legends. As a result, our expert Zackery Cuevas rated it “Excellent” in our review of the LG 27 UltraGear, stating, “It’s a reliable, solid choice for gamers looking for a monitor that combines good looks and strong performance.” Furthermore, the screen displays vibrant colors, and the IPS panel guarantees wide viewing angles, eliminating any awkward color shifts when you’re not sitting directly in front. If you have a midrange PC or console, this monitor is a fantastic fit.Recommended by Our EditorsSSD DealsThe 4TB Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield is an external SSD built to handle rough conditions thanks to its rubberized shell that protects it from drops, rain, and dust. Our expert Tony Hoffman says, "If you ever take your laptop on the road or into the great outdoors, whether for business or pleasure, you'll appreciate having a drive like the T7 Shield," while giving it an “Excellent” rating in our 2022 T7 Shield SSD review. Plus, it has built-in encryption to keep your files safe. It’s not the absolute fastest SSD out there, but it still delivers reliable performance. Best of all, it's off today!Smartwatch Deals“If you’re looking for a smartwatch to complement your Samsung phone, the Galaxy Watch 7 should be at the top of your list," says our senior analyst, Andrew Gebhart. It builds on the previous model with upgraded AI-powered health insights, better gesture controls, and smarter sleep tracking. The heart-rate sensor is impressively accurate, and the watch handles everything from workouts to snoring detection with ease. The battery life isn’t groundbreaking, but the overall experience still earns it an “Excellent” rating in our Galaxy Watch 7 review. Also, you get a free SmartTag2 in today's deal while saving over Smart Lock DealsOur expert said, “If you’re looking for a stylish smart lock that is easy to install and offers broad third-party support, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is your best bet and our Editors’ Choice.” It’s one of the smallest models from the company and features complete Wi-Fi support, which gives you total control over locking and unlocking remotely. It works with Alexa, Google, and HomeKit, so you can use voice commands or set up automations easily. All these fantastic features earned the lock an “Outstanding” rating in our 2020 August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review. Plus, its compact design blends right in, making it a sleek and smart addition to any door. Grab it now for a whopping 50% discount.TV DealsThe Hisense 85U6N television has impressive contrast and vibrant colors that actually hold up in real-world viewing. Streaming apps load quickly, Google TV runs super smoothly, and even the voice control works hands-free. The TV also has a small input lag, clocking in at just 3.6ms, making it super responsive. Our expert Will Greenwald called it “the best affordable TV you can buy right now,” and it earned an “Outstanding” rating in our Hisense 85U6N review. Honestly, for movie nights or casual gaming on a massive screen, this one’s hard to top.Printer DealsThe Canon Pixma TR8620a has a 4.3-inch color LCD touchscreen for quick, intuitive printing. Plus, having two black ink dispensers ensures your documents and photos really pop. You can load regular paper in the main tray and photo paper in the rear feed for quick switching. “The Canon Pixma TR8620 all-in-one inkjet scans and prints excellent text, graphics, and photos, making it a sensible choice for low-volume family and home office use,” says our expert William Harrel, who rated it “Excellent” in our 2020 Canon Pixma TR8620a review. This printer keeps things simple and affordable thanks to this discount.Gimbal Deals“The affordable Hohem iSteady Mobile+ phone gimbal helps you capture smooth video while easily tracking subjects,” says Iyaz Akhtar, who rated it “Good” in his review, and that was even before today’s 30% off. It’s light enough to carry around all day, and the simple joystick control makes it easy to pan and tilt. The battery life lasts long enough to record lengthy events, and you can attach your phone quickly without fumbling. If you’re after reliable stabilization on a budget, this is a solid option for the price.Soundbar DealsIf you’re into films and big sound, sweeping scores, and lots of explosions, then you should seriously consider making the JBL Bar 9.1 your new movie night companion, especially with this discount. As our expert Tim Gideon puts it, “The system really draws you in, with a surround experience that combines what is more like a 5.1 build with the Atmos drivers.” That’s why it earned an "Excellent" rating in our JBL Bar 9.1 review in 2020. Plus, setting it up is super simple, the bass is strong enough to shake your room, and the Dolby Atmos feature adds this amazing 3D feel to the audio that pulls you into the action.  And with wireless rear speakers that detach from the main bar, you'll have an actual surround sound experience without the mess of cables.We’re finding Memorial Day Deals everywhere, from retailers like Walmart to top brands like Apple and HP. And don’t forget to check out all of the Memorial Day Deals Under and Under  But, if you’re looking for something more specific, we’ve rounded up the following holiday deals for you: #best #memorial #day #tech #deals
    The Best Memorial Day Tech Deals on Amazon Right Now
    me.pcmag.com
    Table of ContentsSmartphone DealsTablet DealsComputer Mouse DealsSpeaker DealsAir Purifier DealsWi-Fi Router DealsGaming Monitor DealsSSD DealsSmartwatch DealsSmart Lock DealsTV DealsPrinter DealsGimbal DealsSoundbar Deals Memorial Day Weekend is here, and the tech discounts at Amazon are plenty. From wireless headphones and portable speakers to tablets and smartphones, there’s serious money to be saved on everyday tech. Discounts on some of the biggest brands are on the list. But don’t wait around. Limited-time offers like these tend to disappear quickly, sometimes within hours. Whether you're upgrading your gear or picking up a gift, now’s a smart time to buy. Below, we’ve rounded up some standout picks worth grabbing before they’re gone.Don't forget to check out our round-up of the Best Memorial Day tech sales for all of the best deals out there. Smartphone DealsThe Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a lightweight, compact, beautifully designed foldable smartphone featuring impressive hardware, AI capabilities, and a bright, large screen perfect for watching videos and multitasking. Its solid cameras capture detailed photos with smart editing tools, and the Gemini AI introduces exciting features like advanced photo tweaks. PCMag expert Eric Zeman says, "The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an outstanding phone from top to bottom." With an "Excellent" rating in our review, it's a standout choice for AI and photography enthusiasts, especially with this $300 discount.Tablet DealsThe Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a solid Android tablet for sketching, note-taking, and general creative work. "The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is clearly positioned as the Android alternative to the base iPad. And considering that the price includes the S Pen (Apple's Pencil is a $99 add-on), this becomes a better buy," notes our expert Sascha Segan. Its stereo speakers sound way better than you'd expect at this price (now marked down by almost $65), while the headphone jack is a real bonus. Rated “Good” in our 2020 Galaxy Tab S6 Lite review, it nails the basics if you want a budget-friendly tablet that’s ready for creativity right out of the box.Computer Mouse DealsThe Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 gaming mouse is all about speed and simplicity. It's effortless to move and amazingly light without the usual cutouts, making it both comfortable and durable. The rock-solid performance offers precise tracking and a long battery life that keeps you gaming without interruptions. Plus, the grippy texture adds a nice touch. Our rexpert Mark Knapp notes, “At $159, it’s best suited to competitive players who have everything dialed in tight and don’t need to swap DPI settings often, but who do need the fastest polling rates to keep up with the pace of gameplay," while bestowing on it an “Excellent” rating in our review. And that was all before today's 31% discount. Speaker DealsThe Sonos Move 2 is one of our favorite portable speakers out there, and it’s definitely worth the hype. The sound quality is fantastic with rich bass, crisp highs, and stereo audio. It also presents a significant battery life lasting over 24 hours on a single charge. It’s super versatile, working seamlessly over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and the Sonos app is a dream to use. As our expert Tim Gideon put it, “The Move 2 is easily the best Sonos speaker for listening to music outside.” It’s not fully waterproof, but it can handle rain and splashes effortlessly. All these reasons were enough for it to earn an “Excellent” rating in our 2023 Sonos Move 2 review and now it can be yours for $113 less.Air Purifier DealsGet cleaner air and a fan in one sleek machine with the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07. It takes up barely any space, and once you’ve got the app set up, it’s super easy to control from your phone or with voice commands. The display gives real-time air quality updates, which are genuinely helpful if you live in a city or have pets. In 2021, Angela Moscaritolo said, “It’s the most effective smart air purifying fan we’ve tested,” and she rated it “Excellent” in our Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 review and honored it with the Editors’ Choice award. Meanwhile, the magnetic remote is a small but smart touch.Wi-Fi Router DealsThe TP-Link Deco BE63 offers an easy-to-set-up solution for bringing seamless Wi-Fi 7 coverage to your home with impressive speed and reliability. With multi-gig Ethernet ports, this system ensures robust connectivity for demanding users. "It rocked our performance tests, delivering some of the fastest throughput scores we've seen," writes expert John R. Delaney, rating it "Excellent" in our TP-Link Deco BE63 review. Currently discounted by 30%, it's also an Editors' Choice winner, making this a standout deal.Gaming Monitor DealsThe Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is a jaw-dropping ultrawide monitor that’s designed for immersive gaming. The 49-inch OLED screen with a 240Hz refresh rate, vibrant colors, true blacks, and the 32:9 aspect ratio makes titles like Cyberpunk 2077 feel next-level. As our gaming expert said, “The Odyssey OLED G9 is a monitor for enthusiasts, meant for those willing to max out their PC builds.” It’s slim, sleek, and packed with features like Samsung’s gaming hub. We offered a rare “Outstanding” rating in our 2023 Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 review, and it’s an Editors’ Choice winner. With this massive $800 price drop, it's the ultimate pick for ultrawide gaming. The LG 27 UltraGear Gaming Monitor (27GR83Q) is an excellent choice for gamers seeking performance without overspending, especially with a 41% discount. The 27-inch QHD display appears sharp, and the 240Hz refresh rate provides a buttery smooth experience, particularly in fast-paced games like Fortnite and Apex Legends. As a result, our expert Zackery Cuevas rated it “Excellent” in our review of the LG 27 UltraGear, stating, “It’s a reliable, solid choice for gamers looking for a monitor that combines good looks and strong performance.” Furthermore, the screen displays vibrant colors, and the IPS panel guarantees wide viewing angles, eliminating any awkward color shifts when you’re not sitting directly in front. If you have a midrange PC or console, this monitor is a fantastic fit.Recommended by Our EditorsSSD DealsThe 4TB Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield is an external SSD built to handle rough conditions thanks to its rubberized shell that protects it from drops, rain, and dust. Our expert Tony Hoffman says, "If you ever take your laptop on the road or into the great outdoors, whether for business or pleasure, you'll appreciate having a drive like the T7 Shield," while giving it an “Excellent” rating in our 2022 T7 Shield SSD review. Plus, it has built-in encryption to keep your files safe. It’s not the absolute fastest SSD out there, but it still delivers reliable performance. Best of all, it's $220 off today!Smartwatch Deals“If you’re looking for a smartwatch to complement your Samsung phone, the Galaxy Watch 7 should be at the top of your list," says our senior analyst, Andrew Gebhart. It builds on the previous model with upgraded AI-powered health insights, better gesture controls, and smarter sleep tracking. The heart-rate sensor is impressively accurate, and the watch handles everything from workouts to snoring detection with ease. The battery life isn’t groundbreaking, but the overall experience still earns it an “Excellent” rating in our Galaxy Watch 7 review. Also, you get a free SmartTag2 in today's deal while saving over $100.Smart Lock DealsOur expert said, “If you’re looking for a stylish smart lock that is easy to install and offers broad third-party support, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is your best bet and our Editors’ Choice.” It’s one of the smallest models from the company and features complete Wi-Fi support, which gives you total control over locking and unlocking remotely. It works with Alexa, Google, and HomeKit, so you can use voice commands or set up automations easily. All these fantastic features earned the lock an “Outstanding” rating in our 2020 August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review. Plus, its compact design blends right in, making it a sleek and smart addition to any door. Grab it now for a whopping 50% discount.TV DealsThe Hisense 85U6N television has impressive contrast and vibrant colors that actually hold up in real-world viewing. Streaming apps load quickly, Google TV runs super smoothly, and even the voice control works hands-free. The TV also has a small input lag, clocking in at just 3.6ms, making it super responsive. Our expert Will Greenwald called it “the best affordable TV you can buy right now,” and it earned an “Outstanding” rating in our Hisense 85U6N review. Honestly, for movie nights or casual gaming on a massive screen, this one’s hard to top.Printer DealsThe Canon Pixma TR8620a has a 4.3-inch color LCD touchscreen for quick, intuitive printing. Plus, having two black ink dispensers ensures your documents and photos really pop. You can load regular paper in the main tray and photo paper in the rear feed for quick switching. “The Canon Pixma TR8620 all-in-one inkjet scans and prints excellent text, graphics, and photos, making it a sensible choice for low-volume family and home office use,” says our expert William Harrel, who rated it “Excellent” in our 2020 Canon Pixma TR8620a review. This printer keeps things simple and affordable thanks to this $60 discount.Gimbal Deals“The affordable Hohem iSteady Mobile+ phone gimbal helps you capture smooth video while easily tracking subjects,” says Iyaz Akhtar, who rated it “Good” in his review, and that was even before today’s 30% off. It’s light enough to carry around all day, and the simple joystick control makes it easy to pan and tilt. The battery life lasts long enough to record lengthy events, and you can attach your phone quickly without fumbling. If you’re after reliable stabilization on a budget, this is a solid option for the price.Soundbar DealsIf you’re into films and big sound, sweeping scores, and lots of explosions, then you should seriously consider making the JBL Bar 9.1 your new movie night companion, especially with this $400 discount. As our expert Tim Gideon puts it, “The system really draws you in, with a surround experience that combines what is more like a 5.1 build with the Atmos drivers.” That’s why it earned an "Excellent" rating in our JBL Bar 9.1 review in 2020. Plus, setting it up is super simple, the bass is strong enough to shake your room, and the Dolby Atmos feature adds this amazing 3D feel to the audio that pulls you into the action.  And with wireless rear speakers that detach from the main bar, you'll have an actual surround sound experience without the mess of cables.We’re finding Memorial Day Deals everywhere, from retailers like Walmart to top brands like Apple and HP. And don’t forget to check out all of the Memorial Day Deals Under $100 and Under $50. But, if you’re looking for something more specific, we’ve rounded up the following holiday deals for you:
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