smart home Archives - Page 2 of 2

March 20, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Smart Speakers UK: HomePod vs Sonos vs Echo Compared

Last updated: 2 October 2026

A speaker is also the hub for everything else you add later, so it is worth reading it alongside my smart home guides.

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Choosing the best smart speakers UK buyers can actually get their hands on in 2026 is oddly complicated. Apple wants you all-in on Siri and AirPlay. Sonos wants you to forget about voice assistants and just listen. Amazon wants you to talk to Alexa about literally everything, including your shopping list. Three very different philosophies, three very different ecosystems, and a surprisingly wide range of prices.

This guide cuts through the noise. I compare every current speaker worth considering from Apple, Sonos and Amazon. In particular, I cover sound quality, stereo pairing rules, multi-room setups, app quality, ecosystem lock-in, future-proofing and genuine value for money. Whether you want a single kitchen speaker or a whole-home audio system, I will help you pick the right one.

Published by Stiv in Audiophiles, Buying Guides, Reviews, Tech News, Technology lover

Tags: AirPlay, alexa, Amazon Echo, Dolby Atmos, Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, HomePod, HomePod Mini, multi-room audio, Siri, smart home, smart speakers, Sonos Era 100, Sonos Era 300

November 16, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

Eero Mesh WiFi Review UK: Is It Worth It?

Last updated: 24 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Cool Factor: 4/5 – Stone cold

I used to dread working from home whenever my partner jumped on a video call. Our old router would buckle, the bedroom WiFi would vanish, and streaming anything in 4K was a fantasy. Then I installed an eero mesh WiFi system and everything changed overnight. This eero mesh WiFi review covers exactly what happened, which model suits which household, and whether it deserves the hype in 2026.

Published by Stiv in Android apps, Apple apps, Apps, Best of Amazon, New home, Reviews, Services, Technology lover

Tags: amazon tech, black friday deals, eero, eero mesh wifi, eero review, home tech, home wifi, mesh wifi, smart home, uk tech reviews, wifi review, wifi routers

November 4, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

Winter Energy Saving Tips: Cut Your Heating Bills and Stay Warm

Last updated: 9 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them.

When the temperature drops, energy bills tend to climb. However, a few smart moves can make a real difference. These winter energy saving tips cover everything from quick wins around the house to switching your energy supplier, so you can stay warm without spending more than you need to.

Whether you rent or own, most of these changes cost little or nothing. Some could save you hundreds of pounds over the colder months.

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Published by Stiv in Saving, Services

Tags: bills, draught-proofing, energy price cap, energy saving, heating, herschel infrared, insulation, mill heater, money saving, octopus energy, smart home, UK home, uk home hacks, winter tips

August 12, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

Blink Video Doorbell Review UK: Smart Security on a Budget

Last updated: 2 October 2026

A doorbell is rarely the only thing people add, so my smart home guides cover what tends to follow it.

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Cool Factor: 3/5 - Cool

This Blink Video Doorbell review covers the 2nd generation model from Amazon's budget security brand. With a head-to-toe HD camera, two-year battery life, Alexa integration, and cloud storage starting at just £2.50 a month, it's one of the most affordable smart doorbells you can get in the UK. I've been testing it on my own front door. Here's my honest verdict.

Update, October 2026: Blink has since released a successor to this doorbell, the Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+, launched in May 2026. According to Blink's own spec sheet, it records at 2K (1920 x 1920), keeps the head-to-toe view, the three AA lithium batteries and the IP65 rating, and still needs a Sync Module. The UK price is £59.99 on its own or £69.99 with a Sync Module Core, and Amazon UK had the Sync Module bundle at £29.99 when I checked on 2 October 2026. My hands-on verdict below is for the 2nd gen model. Amazon now sells the 2K+ in its place, so the buy links point there.

Published by Stiv in Best of Amazon, New home, Reviews, Technology lover

Tags: alexa, battery doorbell, blink, blink video doorbell, echo show, home security, smart doorbell UK, smart home, subscription, uk smart home, video doorbell, wireless, wireless doorbell

August 24, 2024 — Comments are off for this post.

Sonos App Update: What Changed, What’s Fixed, and What’s Next

Last updated: 22 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

The Sonos app update saga has been one of the most dramatic stories in consumer tech over the past two years. What started as a routine redesign in May 2024 spiralled into a full-blown crisis: broken features, a tanking share price, layoffs, and ultimately the departure of CEO Patrick Spence. Fast forward to 2026 and there's a new boss, new hardware, and yet another app overhaul on the horizon. Here's the full story of what went wrong, what's been fixed, and where things stand right now.

Published by Stiv in Android apps, Apple apps, Apps, Audiophiles, Tech News, Technology lover

Tags: audio gear, multi-room audio, smart home, smart speakers, Sonos, Sonos Ace Headphones, Sonos app, Sonos app changes, Sonos app review, Sonos app update, Sonos Era 100, Sonos Era speaker, Sonos features, Sonos music system, Sonos news, Sonos Play, tech updates, Tom Conrad