Tag: Smart Home Tech

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From a Bose Refresh to Dolby Vision 2 and More! | Tech News

Stay connected in the world of tech with our weekly roundup. This week we’re covering top headlines from a Bose refresh to Dolby Vision 2, and more! For all things media and tech happening this week, read on below!

Apple Raises Trade-In Values Across Its Device Lineup

Customers looking to upgrade their tech can now get more money back for their old hardware across the board. Trade-in values have climbed for various iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and select Android smartphones. Desktop and laptop owners stand to gain the most, with the Mac Studio jumping by $260 and the MacBook Pro getting a $165 valuation boost. On the Android side, recent devices from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus are now officially accepted for credit toward new purchases. A Google Pixel 9 Pro XL fetches up to $315 today, while a trade-in for the OnePlus 13 yields as much as $250. These bumped-up figures come at a crucial moment for Apple, as the tech giant tries to ease the sting of high device prices for price-conscious shoppers.

Bose Refreshes Its QuietComfort Headphones

Audio giant Bose has unveiled a second-generation version of its standard QuietComfort wireless headphones. The new Bose headphones pack upgraded noise cancellation and spatial sound. Built-in TrueSpatial technology relies on head tracking to anchor sound in place or shift it fluidly as you move your head. Bose listeners will also notice a refined Aware mode. The Bose feature now dials ambient noise levels up or down far more smoothly during sudden environmental changes. Hardware tweaks include Bluetooth 5.4 support, multipoint pairing, lossless audio over USB-C connections, and restructured physical controls. The new Bose cans land at a $359 price point with up to 24 hours of playback on a single charge. Toggling on the immersive audio feature chops that battery runtime down slightly to 18 hours.

Dolby Vision 2 Arrives on Select Hisense TVs

High dynamic range imaging is taking a step forward as several 2026 Hisense television models adopt Dolby Vision 2. This updated format relies on a reworked image engine, broader metadata support, and refined tone mapping tuned for modern bright displays. Viewers eyeing top-tier sets can tap into Dolby Vision 2 Max, which adds ambient-light compensation alongside granular calibration tools. That premium tier also packs a feature dubbed Authentic Motion to handle action scenes without creating an artificial soap-opera effect. Hisense plans to update its UX, UR9, UR8, and U7 lines by late September, with TCL and Philips releasing compatible sets later this year. Owners of older displays are unfortunately out of luck, as the new standard depends on dedicated internal hardware.

Google Maps Can Now Help Order Dinner

Navigation utility is taking a back seat as new AI tools transform Google Maps into an active errand runner. Users across the United States can now ask the app’s Ask Maps assistant to locate specific meals along a driving route while respecting dietary restrictions. The tool even places selected items directly into a digital checkout cart without forcing you to switch applications. Ordering functionality launches through Square and Toast integrations, with Uber Eats compatibility slated for a future release. Beyond food, the updated feature scans Gmail for upcoming reservations, recommends nearby hotels or events, and surfaces real-time transit alerts. These shifts nudge the popular navigation platform far closer to becoming an all-in-one daily assistant.

Sunbird Brings iMessage Back to Android

Android users seeking cross-platform messaging can once again download Sunbird from the Google Play Store following a long hiatus. Nearly three years after shutting down over major privacy vulnerabilities, the service offers iMessage features like blue bubbles, reactions, and uncompressed video for $2.99 a month. Sunbird claims to have overhauled its backend infrastructure with end-to-end encryption and third-party security audits. Under the revised framework, transferred media files are automatically wiped within 72 hours of delivery. Account credentials for Apple IDs are reportedly processed exclusively during setup rather than saved on remote servers. Upcoming patches aim to integrate WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger while adding an AI helper for quick summaries and context-aware replies.

Disney Brings Fan-Made TikTok Videos to Disney Plus

Short-form user content is officially arriving on Disney Plus thanks to a fresh collaboration with TikTok. Curated fan creations will populate the streaming service’s Verts feed alongside mainstream studio programming. Participating influencers get direct access to official assets spanning hundreds of films and shows, including Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars franchises. Clips produced through the initiative will cross-post to both platforms, giving digital creators significantly broader exposure. Top performers stand to gain exclusive event invitations, featured spotlight placement, and potential career development guidance. The rollout begins as a limited pilot program in the United States before expanding to international subscriber bases later on.

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From Zoox Robotaxis to DoorDash Air and More! | Tech News

Wrap up your week with the latest news buzzing in the world of tech! From Zoox Robotaxis to DoorDash Air and more, we have you covered with the top headlines. Check out what’s happening from across the web in this week’s tech news wrap-up!

Xiaomi Unveils an EV Designed Like a Living Space

The Chinese tech giant is expanding deeper into electric vehicles with the SkyNomad N90 Max, its first extended-range SUV. Boasting a range over 1,700 kilometers (roughly 1,059 miles), it will come in five- and seven-seat configurations. Inside, the cabin shifts between driving and lounging thanks to rotating front seats, reclining second-row chairs, footrests, and a sliding table. A dedicated Camping Edition dials up the outdoor utility with a pop-up roof, rooftop sleeping platform, tent connector, and detachable table.

Zoox Receives Approval to Charge for Robotaxi Rides

Federal regulators have granted Amazon’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Zoox, a temporary exemption that clears the way for paid passenger trips in its custom-built robotaxis. The landmark decision allows Zoox to deploy up to 5,000 of its purpose-built, steering-wheel-free vehicles across public roads over the next two years. Until now, Zoox had focused on offering free demonstration rides to refine its technology and accumulate real-world mileage in dense urban hubs like San Francisco and Las Vegas. With commercial authorization finally secured, Zoox plans to launch its paid fare service in Las Vegas next month, with aggressive expansions into Miami and Austin following close behind. By taking this major regulatory step, Zoox positions itself as a formidable competitor against established autonomous ride-hailing players like Waymo and Tesla.

Microsoft Confirms a Copilot Super App Is Coming

A unified “super app” bringing Microsoft’s scattered AI offerings under one roof is slated to arrive later this year. CEO Satya Nadella announced the platform will bundle Copilot chat, GitHub Copilot, coding tools, and autonomous agents into a single hub for both consumers and enterprise users. Instead of forcing people to jump between separate apps, the goal is to create one seamless interface for everyday tasks and workplace productivity.

Meta Prepares a Push Into Personal AI Agents

Mark Zuckerberg’s tech empire is building personal AI helpers meant to work continuously on behalf of everyday users. Likewise, this moves beyond developer-focused tools. Of course, specific product details remain under wraps. It is rumored that agents are being tailored to help manage personal organization, finances, relationships, and daily communication. Meta already sees heavy enterprise use with its WhatsApp and Messenger business bots, but these upcoming personal agents represent a key foundation for its consumer strategy.

Moving Beyond Delivery Partnerships, DoorDash Air Takes Flight

The food delivery giant has secured FAA air carrier certification to launch its own dedicated drone program, DoorDash Air. The company will not be relying strictly on partners like Alphabet’s Wing. Instead, the company’s internal Labs team will design and assemble its own aircraft. Additionally, DoorDash will be building out ground infrastructure for restaurant loading and flight routing. Bringing the hardware in-house gives DoorDash complete control over how aerial fulfillment fits into its broader network.

Apple’s Rumored HomePad Could Arrive This Fall

October could bring the debut of a dedicated smart home display from Apple. The potential HomePad product drop is rumored to feature a seven-inch square screen running a tailored version of tvOS. Likewise, it will be built around an upgraded Siri interface. Additionally, the device is expected to handle video calls, security monitoring, intercom chats, and personalized layouts for different users. The launch signals a direct push into territory long dominated by Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub. Of course, this comes with rumor-milled updates to Apple’s broader home hardware lineup.

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Home Security Tips While on Vacation | Home Tips

Late July and August are peak travel months in Southern California. Whether you are heading to the coast, spending a week in wine country, or leaving Los Angeles for an extended summer escape, preparing your property before departing is just as vital as packing your luggage.

For luxury homeowners, an empty residence requires a thoughtful approach that goes beyond simply turning a key. Modern estates feature complex smart infrastructure, expansive outdoor living areas, irrigation systems, swimming pools, routine deliveries, and high-value interiors. Integrating proven home security tips while on vacation ensures your estate remains safe, pristine, and ready for your return.

Upgrade Smart Locks and Access Controls

One of the most foundational home security tips while on vacation is reviewing your smart entry systems. Before leaving, confirm that all exterior doors, automated gates, garage access points, and side entries are fully secured and operational.

Smart lock technology allows homeowners to monitor access remotely while generating temporary passcodes for trusted staff, pet sitters, landscapers, or property managers. Rather than leaving physical keys on site, you can issue time-restricted access codes and revoke them once a visit is complete.

For sprawling luxury estates, ensure detached guest houses, cabanas, and secondary garages are integrated into your security walkthrough. These auxiliary spaces are easily overlooked, yet they are equally critical to secure.

Deploy Cameras for Real-Time Monitoring

Installing and calibrating security cameras is among the most essential home security tips while on vacation, offering continuous peace of mind through remote visibility.

Prior to departure, verify that each camera is online, fully charged if wireless, and aimed at key access zones. Focus coverage on main entrances, driveways, perimeter walkways, package delivery areas, and outdoor entertaining spaces. Adjust motion-sensitivity settings to receive actionable alerts without unnecessary notifications from passing traffic or moving foliage.

Video doorbells provide added oversight for unexpected visitors and deliveries. They enable instant, two-way communication from anywhere in the world, maintaining the appearance that the home is currently occupied.

Automate Lighting to Maintain an Occupied Appearance

A property that remains dark night after night is a clear sign of an unoccupied residence. Automated lighting systems create a realistic, lived-in rhythm that deters unwanted attention.

Set smart interior lighting to cycle on and off across different rooms throughout the evening. Exterior landscape lighting should also follow automated schedules to illuminate entry paths, architectural features, and darker corners of the property. Smart platforms allow you to adjust these schedules remotely if your travel itinerary changes.

For luxury residences with multi-layered lighting design, configure specific lighting scenes that reflect your daily routines rather than keeping every room continuously lit.

Oversee Mail, Packages, and Deliveries

Accumulated mail or packages left at gates or entryways instantly signal an empty house. Pausing regular mail delivery or coordinating with a dedicated property manager to clear packages daily is a critical step in your travel preparation.

If your estate receives frequent parcel shipments, utilize secure package drop boxes or provide specific delivery instructions to keep items out of public view. For high-value deliveries, reschedule shipments to arrive after your return.

This simple operational detail keeps your property looking meticulously maintained and minimizes the risk of theft.

Keep Estate Landscaping on Schedule

Exterior presentation matters just as much as interior security. Overgrown lawns, fallen debris, or dry plantings suggest that a residence is vacant.

Maintain routine landscaping, pool service, and irrigation schedules throughout your trip. Late-summer heat can be demanding on manicured gardens, so inspect smart irrigation controls before departure. If you maintain potted plants near entrances or outdoor living areas, ensure your estate staff or house sitter attends to them regularly.

A well-tended exterior confirms that the property is actively managed and monitored.

Install Smart Water Leak Sensors

Property security extends beyond intrusion prevention. Water damage is one of the most costly issues a homeowner can return to after an extended absence.

Positioning smart water leak sensors near appliances, water heaters, laundries, and secondary bath areas provides invaluable protection. These sensors send instant mobile alerts if moisture or plumbing anomalies are detected, allowing you to notify your property manager immediately before minor leaks escalate into significant damage.

Travel with Complete Confidence

Applying these strategic home security tips while on vacation ensures your property remains protected through proactive, sophisticated planning. By auditing access controls, activating remote surveillance, scheduling automated lighting, coordinating deliveries, keeping landscaping pristine, and monitoring for water leaks, you can enjoy your travels with total tranquility.

A luxury home is a significant investment. With the right security measures in place, your estate will remain secure, polished, and perfectly prepared for your return.

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