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Brent Dirks-Smart Home Editor

Brent Dirks

Smart Home Editor

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About Brent Dirks

Born and raised in sunny west Texas, Brent graduated from Texas Tech University with a BA in journalism. He's been writing about technology for more than 5 years and enjoys all things Apple, accessories, and security.

Latest Articles

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Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger (2023) Review: A Pricey Way to Charge On the Go

This expensive folding charging mat lets you juice up an Apple Watch, iPhone, and AirPods simultaneously.

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Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Review: Space-Saving Apple Device Charging Comes at a Cost

While the BoostCharger Pro looks great and is perfect for StandBy mode, it's too expensive for what it offers.

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Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera Review: A Great Way to Keep Watch on Your Front Door

The unique integrations with other Ecobee products provide a true glimpse of a smart home.

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Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus Review: An All-Around Winner for Apple HomeKit

Home Key support allows you to unlock your door with a simple tap of your iPhone or Apple Watch.

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The 14 Best Apple Watch Complications Worth Using

Here are the best Apple Watch complications to add glanceable information to your Apple Watch face.

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Aqara's Camera E1 Boasts Impressive Specs and Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video

This inexpensive indoor camera works with all major smart home platforms.

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Amazon Echo Show 8 Third Generation Review: Better Audio, Faster Performance

The Alexa-powered speaker with touchscreen looks and sounds better than ever.

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Anker
Anker Solix F2000 Review: A Powerful and Truly Portable Backup Battery

Thanks to a pull-out tow handle and wheels, the power station can easily be taken pretty much anywhere.

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How to Share an AirTag With Others

Find out how to share Apple's tracker so more than one person can find the location of an item,

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The 7 Best Apple Watch Apps for Golfers

Hit the course and improve your game with these great Apple Watch golf apps.

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15 Spooky Alexa Skills to Use This Halloween

Get into the holiday spirit with these great Alexa skills for all ages.

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How to Use Double Tap on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9

See how you can interact with an Apple Watch without needing to touch its screen.

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9 Common Apple TV Issues and How to Fix Them

Having problems with your Apple TV? We'll walk you through a number of troubleshooting tips.

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 Review: The Best Smartwatch Gets Even Better

While a minor upgrade from the original, Double Tap and a brighter screen make Apple’s high-end wearable tough to beat.

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Nanoleaf 4D Review: Immersive TV Backlighting for Less

While installation can be a bit tricky, the lights sync with what is on your TV screen for a fun experience.

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The 11 Best Interactive Widgets for Your iPhone and iPad

Do more with these interactive widgets for your iPhone or iPad home screen.

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The 11 Best iPhone StandBy Widgets

Take advantage of the great StandBy feature with these top-notch widgets to view information at a glance.

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Why the Amazon Echo Hub Might Help Make Smart Home Control Easier

The smart home hub is compatible with a number of protocols including Matter and Thread.

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IFA
The Midea V12 Takes Center Stage at IFA 2023 Earning the Innovation Award

The combination mop and vacuum can keep your floors clean without you needing to lift a finger.

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6 New Features of the Apple Watch Series 9

From a faster chip to better Siri interaction, see what's new in the latest Apple Watch.

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