"As a longtime musician and songwriter, I've spent countless hours in recording studios and have a great respect and appreciation for good audio." shares Tula Founder and CEO David Brown. "I've long dreamt of designing a microphone that would bring high-quality sound to the masses. With the rapid growth of podcasting and YouTube channels and the more recent shift to remote working, it feels like the timing couldn't be better for a product like the Tula Mic."

Breakthrough Sound Capturing ExperienceThe Tula Mic is packed with standout audio features. It includes dedicated cardioid and omnidirectional ECM capsules, top of the line Burr Brown op amps, a Texas Instruments audio codec, and a 3.5mm headphone jack that doubles as an input for a lavalier microphone.

Tula teamed up with well-known Swedish music software company Klevgrand to create an embedded version of their cutting-edge noise reduction algorithm, Brusfri. With just the touch of a button, users can reduce backgroundnoise in an elegant, natural way without unwanted artifacts.

The Tula features 8GB of internal memory as well as ample battery life, enabling up to 14 hours of audio recording on the go. The Tula records in high-quality wav file format.

Additional features include:

Nostalgic Yet Chic DesignThe Tula Mic boasts aneye-catching design a true combination of modern and nostalgic esthetics. Developed with the help of Red Dot Award-winning industrial designers in Barcelona, the Tula's form factor features an exact Golden ratio and is a combination of hard angles and soft curves.The Tula is available in three colors: classic black, vintage cream, and a vibrant red.

Pricing and AvailabilityThe Tula Mic is available to order starting today for $199 (US) from tulamics.com

About TulaFounded by audio industry innovator David Brown-- the mind behind the heralded Soyuz Microphones brand-- Tula Microphones is a hardware and software company dedicated to creating the world's most user-friendly sound-capturing devices. The Tula Mic, Tula Microphones' flagship product, was launched on September 22, 2020 on Indiegogo.

ContactMaria LarrazabalP: 786.897.3259[emailprotected] [emailprotected]

SOURCE Tula Microphones

Read the original here:
Tula Mic: The new era of portable, high-quality sound is here, and everyone's invited to experience it - PRNewswire

If you're worried about home security then you may want to check out the Linksys Aware service, as the company will be using it to turn your entire smart home into a motion sensor.

Starting early this year, Linksys will be pushing out an update to its Linksys Aware service that will utilize its mesh router system to transform other smart home products into motion sensors to detect movement.

Linksys Aware already sort of offers this by utilizing the the mesh router access points for the same purpose. But this upcoming new update expands on this by utilizing other smart home devices. Which afford numerous benefits over Linksys Aware in its current state.

According to Linksys the update that strengthens its Aware service will begin in March and carry over into April.

So it'll still be a couple of months before users should expect to see these changes take place. Once the update goes live, Linksys Aware will connect to any other smart home products to utilize those as additional access points for motion sensing.

Those devices will of course need to be stationary. So Linksys Aware won't be connecting to your Roomba as it cleans your floors. But if you have Echo speakers or Nest Hubs lying around, or any combination of smart bulbs, thermostats, coffee makers and more, these can act as more points of coverage along with the mesh routers.

This will make it much easier to detect any movement in the home as there should be less dead spots. And it'll likely help with more accurate detection as well.

Much like yesterday's announcement from NETGEAR, Linksys is releasing new routers with the key component being that it supports WiFi 6E.

More than that though is this is a new mesh router system with this technology. Called the AXE8400, this new mesh system is a series of tri-band routers. They offer 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands for connection.

In addition they also offer four 1Gbps ethernet ports on the back. And since this is a mesh system you can link multiple access points together and even use it with the new Linksys Aware update.

Linksys plans to launch the new AXE8400 routers in late Spring and early Summer of this year. One router will start at $449.99. So the routers aren't cheap. If you need more coverage, a two-pack will be available for $849.99, or a three-pack will be available for $1,199.99.

Follow this link:
Linksys Is Turning Your Whole Smart Home Into A Motion Sensor - Android Headlines

In4Research has added a new research report on Home Security System Market. The study aims to provide a roadmap of the Home Security System industry which makes up for the scope of product, market revenue cycle, new opportunities, CAGR, sales volumes, and figures. The market analysts who authored this report have provided detailed information about key growth drivers, restraints, challenges, trends, and opportunities to offer a comprehensive analysis of the Home Security System Market. Market players can use this analysis of market dynamics to plan effective growth strategies and prepare in advance for future challenges.

The Home Security System study report additionally provides analysis on the market share for significant stakeholders in their global capacity as transformers of the overall scale. This qualitative and quantitative analysis will contain key product offerings, crucial differentiators, revenue share, market size, market status, and strategies of top leading players. The report will additionally cover key agreements, associations, and global partnerships soon to change the dynamics of the market on a global scale.

Get Exclusive Sample of the Report on Home Security System market is available at https://www.in4research.com/sample-request/1129

Competitive Landscape Covered in Home Security System Market Report:

The competitive landscape is a critical aspect that every key player needs to be understood. The report highlights on the competitive scenario of the Home Security System market for knowing the competition at the national and global levels. The market experts also gave an overview of all the top players in the Home Security System market, considering important aspects such as business areas, production, and product portfolio. Additionally, the companies are examined in the report based on key factors such as company size, market share, market growth, revenue, production volume, and profit.

The Home Security System Market Report Covers Major Players:

Any Questions/Queries or need help? Speak with our analyst https://www.in4research.com/speak-to-analyst/1129

Home Security System Market Segmentation:

The global market for Home Security System is set to find a segmentation in the report that would be based on type, and application. These segments have a better acceptance of various factors that can be taken into consideration to understand how the market can chart the future path.

Home Security System Market Breakdown based on Product Type

Home Security System Market Breakdown based on Application

Home Security System Consumption Breakdown Data by Region

For more Customization, Connect with us at https://www.in4research.com/customization/1129

Major Points in Table of Content of Home Security System Market

Chapter 1. Research Objective

1.1 Objective, Definition & Scope

1.2 Methodology

1.2.1 Primary Research

1.2.2 Secondary Research

1.2.3 Market Forecast Estimation & Approach

1.2.4 Assumptions & Assessments

1.3 Insights and Growth Relevancy Mapping

1.3.1 FABRIC Platform

1.4 Data mining & efficiency

Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1 Home Security System Market Overview

2.2 Interconnectivity & Related markets

2.3 Ecosystem Map

2.4 Home Security System Market Business Segmentation

2.5 Home Security System Market Geographic Segmentation

2.6 Competition Outlook

2.7 Key Statistics

Chapter 3. Strategic Analysis

3.1 Home Security System Market Revenue Opportunities

3.2 Cost Optimization

3.3 Covid19 aftermath Analyst view

3.4 Home Security System Market Digital Transformation

Chapter 4. Market Dynamics

4.1 DROC

4.1.1 Drivers

4.1.2 Restraints

4.1.3 Opportunities

4.1.4 Challenges

And more

Chapter 5. Segmentation & Statistics

5.1 Segmentation Overview

5.2 Demand Forecast & Market Sizing

Chapter 6. Market Use case studies

Chapter 7. KOL Recommendations

Chapter 8. Investment Landscape

8.1 Home Security System Market Investment Analysis

8.2 Market M&A

8.3 Market Fund Raise & Other activity

Chapter 9. Home Security System Market Competitive Intelligence

9.1 Company Positioning Analysis

9.1.1 Positioning By Revenue

9.1.2 Positioning By Business Score

9.1.3 Legacy Positioning

9.2 Competitive Strategy Analysis

9.2.1 Organic Strategies

9.2.2 Inorganic Strategies

Chapter 10. Company Profiles

Chapter 11. Appendix

To Buy Full Report, Connect with us at: https://www.in4research.com/buy-now/1129

For more Details Contact Us:

Contact Name: Rohan

Email: [emailprotected]

Phone: +1 (407) 768-2028

Read the original here:
Home Security System Market Growth Forecast Analysis by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application to 2026 - SoccerNurds

Going virtual for a big show like CES 2021 was certainly an experience unlike any other, but for the smart home, the focus was on exactly what we expected cleanliness, touchless experiences, keeping the home organized, and security. While CES 2021 didnt have as many established smart home brands in attendance, there were still plenty of cool gadgets announced that aim to make the home more connected than ever. Our smart home team here at Digital Trends debated and subsequently voted on the best smart home tech at CES 2021, and heres what we selected.

Our pick for the best smart home tech of CES 2021 is the Samsung Jetbot 90 AI+. More than just your ordinary robot vacuum, its smarter when it comes to avoiding pesky clutter that can trip up other bots. It can also acts as a security watchdog when youre out.

This tank-like robot vacuum not only has 30 watts of suction power courtesy of its Jet Cyclone system to ensure floors are clear of dirt and debris, but features an automatic disposal system that empties the contents of its dustbin into its Clean Station base. That means fewer physical disposals on your part.

Its built-in camera and A.I.-enhanced object-recognition technology allows the Samsung Jetbot 90 AI+ to detect objects in its cleaning path and avoid them. Cables, pet bowls, and other clutter wont trip up this bot. Lastly, the integrated camera can be accessed remotely through a mobile app, giving users eyes on whats happening at home if theyre away. For Samsung, its a tremendous effort given its previous robot vacuums.

Read more about the Samsung Jetbot 90 AI+

There have been several connected home gym fitness displays to come along over the past year, but the NordicTrack Vault is one to watch because of how much of a gym experience it packs into one piece of equipment. Introduced at CES 2021, the NordicTrack Vault may appear similar to the Mirror by Lululemon, but it distinguishes itself in that it tucks away all the dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands to give you that complete gym workout at home.

With its mirrored finish, youll be able to look at yourself during workouts to make sure you have proper form while also receiving instructions from the instructors on its 32-inch rotating smart HD touchscreen. The design discreetly stows away the handful of accessories that come with it, like the kettlebells and yoga blocks.

As more people jump on this trend of exercising from home, the Vault is a practical solution that will help keep them fit through strength and cardio workouts powered by iFit.

Read more about the NordicTrack Vault

Few smart locks were announced at this years show, with many of them being previous models that received minor changes. One of the few thats brand new is the Lockly Duo, a smart lock perfect for people who have two locks to unlock on their front door the deadbolt and knob locks. The Lockly Duo is a 2-in-1 deadbolt and knob solution that can lock and unlock your door with one quick twist of the handle, while packing all the features we expect from a top-notch smart lock, including fingerprint unlock, PIN Genie tech, remote unlock via the app, and much more.

Read more about the Lockly Duo

Do you enjoy frozen yogurt? Then youll love the ColdSnap, which takes the Keurig style of making coffee at home, but rather than dispensing coffee, serves up your favorite frosty desserts. Its simple and easy to use, relying on disposable pods to whip up frozen yogurt, ice cream, smoothies, and much more all in about two minutes!

Read more about the ColdSnap

Taking a page out of Pixars animated film Up, the Petpuls is a smart dog collared powered by artificial intelligence that aims to determine how your four-legged friend is feeling. Based on the pitch and tone of their barks, Petpuls utilizes voice-recognition technology to inform you if your dog is happy, anxious, angry, sad, or relaxed.

Read more about the Petpuls

Read the rest here:
The best smart home tech of CES 2021 - Digital Trends

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ApexEdge, a partner-enablement platform that offers monthly bill and subscription management solutions to support the financial health of consumers, announced today its integration with Payrailz, a digital payments company offering smarter, more engaging payment experiences to banks and credit unions across the United States. Payrailz will leverage the ApexEdge active intelligence platform to deliver Billsharks bill negotiation services to credit unions and banks across the nation, supporting members and customers financial wellness journey by generating savings on their behalf.

According to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, almost 80 percent of consumers report living paycheck to paycheck, and many are being overcharged for monthly service bills like mobile, internet, satellite and streaming services and home security. Due to this problem, the integration provides an opportunity for credit unions to enhance the member experience by offering meaningful cost savings to their membership bases. By integrating with the ApexEdge active intelligence platform, Payrailz bank branded native user experience presents financial institution users with a convenient, targeted call to action to reduce their average bills by hundreds of dollars annually without changing the provider or service.

The ability to proactively help members lower their bills is crucial for our clients, and even more so for our credit union clients. This value-added service shows members that their credit union cares, said Kavita Singh, VP of AI Product Management at Payrailz. Doing the hard work of lowering bills for members helps credit unions demonstrate their value, ultimately strengthening member relationships.

The partnership has allowed Payrailz financial institution clients to further enhance their relationships and increase member and customer savings. In fact, Bill Schirmer, President & CEO of Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union explained, By working with Payrailz and now having access to the bill negotiation services, we can help our members reduce the cost of their monthly bills without having to spend the time or effort on actually negotiating their own bills. Now, we can do it for them which will save our members hundreds annually and, ultimately, improve their overall financial health.

Credit unions are hyper focused on the quality of member service and few initiatives resonate more positively with members than the ability to help them save money on recurring monthly bills and improve their financial wellness over time, said Michael Whitt, Head of Partnerships at ApexEdge. Payrailz is an industry leader in defining the digital member experience and the integration of our solutions further positions credit unions as innovative partners in their members financial lives.

About Payrailz

Payrailz is a digital payments company offering advanced payment capabilities and experiences including consumer and business bill pay, external and internal transfers, new account funding, P2P, B2B, B2C, and other related solutions to banks and credit unions. In a society that increasingly has become focused on a do it for me culture, Payrailz smart technology makes the difference. Payrailz creates smarter payment experiences for the financial services industry that are predictive and more engaging than currently available alternatives. Financial institutions can confidently embrace Payrailz API-first and cloud-native technology engine, to offer unique payment solutions to their consumers and businesses. Payrailz helps financial institutions meet the payment expectations of today and the payment innovation needs of tomorrow. For more information, visit payrailz.com, follow them on Twitter @Payrailz, Facebook or LinkedIn, or contact Mickey Goldwasser at 860.430.9245.

About Billshark

Powered by the ApexEdge active intelligence platform, Billshark is the industry leader by volume, savings and ratings in the emerging bill reduction space. Backed by Mark Cuban, Billshark empowers consumers by saving millions of dollars through mobile, internet, phone, TV, home security and other monthly services bills negotiation plus canceling unwanted monthly subscriptions. With thousands of reviews, Billshark has a 4.9 Google rating! Visit http://www.billshark.com or contact laura.beaulieu@billshark.com.

About ApexEdge

The ApexEdge active intelligence platform powers financial institutions, PFMs, fintechs, and other innovators as they deliver subscription and bill management to customers. By transforming insights into action, our concierge enablement solutions deepen relationships with meaningful, personalized conversations and real results. Customers save money and reduce stress. Partners grow from just advisors to indispensable advocates engendering loyalty plus new revenue. ApexEdge enables a direct to consumer innovations lab, Billshark, and is configurable for integrations ranging from simple affiliate to complete white label. Visit http://www.apexedge.com.

Here is the original post:
ApexEdge Integrates with Payrailz to Help Credit Union Members and Bank Customers Save Money on Everyday Bills - Business Wire

Not so long ago, the internet of things (IoT) was considered a futuristic technology to support the factories and cities of tomorrow. Today, many of us regularly experience the IoT in our homes and daily lives. Its present in AI-powered virtual assistants like Alexa that help us manage our day, check account balances, control appliances or even prepare dinner. We see the IoT in action in home security cameras, smart lighting, heating and cooling, doors and locking systems and much more. In just a few years, the IoT has taken giant strides in helping consumers take advantage of convenience, better efficiency, cost savings and improved home safety.

Theres no doubt that the IoT has come of age and its capabilities will further blossom as 5G technology matures. But as with any technology, rapid innovation also brings new risks. The same qualities that make IoT devices so fast, simple and lightweight can also introduce security vulnerabilities. A recent survey revealed that cyberattacks jumped by 300% in 2019thats over 2.9 billion events. For the IoT to reach its full potential, consumers need to know that their devices and the networks they connect to will remain fully secure.

Standards-based interoperability is key because this strong level of security must extend all across their IoT environments and applications. People expect their connected devices to behave in a plug and play fashion, providing compatibility, security and ease of use for non-technical users.

Although ensuring basic connectivity between endpoint devices and the many virtual assistants they connect to would seem to be a basic necessity, many consumers have encountered issues getting their devices to work together effectively. While interoperability and security standards exist, there are none in place that provide consumers the assurance their smart home device will seamlessly and securely connect. To respond to consumer concerns, Project Connected Home over IP (Project CHIP) was launched in December 2019.

Initiated by Amazon, Apple, Google and the Zigbee Alliance, this working group focuses on developing and promoting a standard for interoperability that emphasizes security. The project aims to enable communication across mobile apps, smart home devices and cloud services, defining a specific set of IP-based networking technologies for device certification. The goal is not only to improve compatibility but to ensure that all data is collected and managed safely. Dozens of smart home manufacturers, chip manufacturers and security experts are participating in the project.

Since security is one of the key pillars of the groups objectives, DigiCert was invited to provide security recommendations to help ensure devices are properly authenticated and communication is handled confidentially. DigiCert is working with the participants of Project CHIP to ensure the design and architecture of the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and use of digital certificates is sound, with the appropriate root hierarchy and governing documents.

Project CHIPs goal is to develop draft standards and open source implementation details late this year. Ultimately, the project is expected to simplify deployment for manufacturers. At the same time, consumers will gain peace of mind in knowing that their home devices will interoperate securely with any other device that complies with the standard. The days of worrying whether smart home hubs and networks will match their devices will soon be over.

Project CHIP not only represents a compelling step forward in driving the adoption of home IoT solutions, but it is also an example of the power of industry leadership and effective collaboration.

The lessons of the Project CHIP initiative could easily apply to other IoT applications and industries that require stringent security and compliance. For example, healthcare manufacturers could establish a common security standard to ensure that particular types of medical devices such as IV pumps, home monitoring devices or insulin pumps meet a particular security standard. In manufacturing environments, automotive companies could ensure that factory floor robots and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are running smoothly and safely, without fear of leaving the enterprise IP network vulnerable to hackers, viruses and other threats.

In the case of Project CHIP, the industry took ownership of the issue and moved to solve it without waiting for a stick from regulators. Although some level of regulation is necessary for any industry, developing these regulations and enforcing compliance can also take valuable time and resources from manufacturerswhile slowing their ability to innovate and get solutions to market. All too often, regulations force the industry to be reactive, not proactive.

The success of Project CHIP is an example of whats possible when industry leaders maintain close contact with their consumers and step up and lead. By employing a similar approach to addressing industrywide issues such as security, companies across a wide variety of industries can position themselves to realize faster time to market.

Recent Articles By Author

See original here:
Manufacturers Take the Initiative in Home IoT Security - Security Boulevard

[author: Jackie Odum]

On December 11, 2020, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) and the Arkansas Attorney General (AG)announcedthat theyfiled acomplaintandproposed stipulated judgmentin the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas against a home-security company.The complaint alleges that the companywhich provided credit to customers for its products and servicesviolated the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and Regulation V.

The CFPB and Arkansas AG allege that the home-security company charged higher activation fees for customers with lower credit scores, and in doing so, failed to provide customers with the requisite risk-based pricing notice under FCRA and Regulation V.

If entered by the court, the proposed stipulated judgment will require the home-security company to pay a $600,000 civil money penalty.The judgment would further require the home-security company to provide proper notice to affected customers and periodically report notice compliance to the Bureau.

More:
CFPB and Arkansas AG Settle with Home Security Company for Alleged FCRA and CFPA Violations - JD Supra

Interested in smart home automation, but concerned about the risks? Dont worry, were going to share everything you need to know about getting smart with your smart home system.

Lets be honest, the ability to control the various devices and appliances in your home from the thermostat and television to smart locks and lights can add a lot of convenience to your busy life. But with that extra efficiency and convenience, your intelligent devices also bring in added cybersecurity risks.

That is, the various internet-connected devices that turn your home into a smart home might also make it more insecure, as they are potential gateways for hackers to enter and exploit. Dont panic, but weve found that these devices can indeed make you more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

And not just cyber-attacks what if a hacker can get their hands on your smart thermostat data to figure out the time slots youre away from home? Talk about a window of opportunity!

So if youve invested money in building a smart home, youll want to invest some time to secure it, too. Were going to unpack exactly how you can fight against cyber-attacks (and other attacks) while building out your smart home ecosystem.

Your router is the virtual front door of your smart home. It connects all of your IoT devices, so it needs to be untouchable. Here are some tips and tricks to secure your router from bad actors.

First off, change your routers default name (usually the make or model) given by the manufacturer. Cybercriminals can gain easy access to your network if theyre able to determine this, so give your router a unique name that cant be traced to you or your home address.

Likewise, use a complex password thats a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. The longer the password, the better. Also, we recommend using a strong encryption protocol like WPA2 instead of WPA or WEP. Without getting too technical here, WPA2 encryption protects your Wi-Fi access points and secures your network.

Be sure to have different login credentials for every IoT device. This way, even if one device is compromised, others remain unaffected. Finally, consider using a password manager tool to securely store all your passwords (just dont forget your password to access your password manager!).

One pro tip is to always go with WPA2, or better yet, WPA3 protocol. In many ways, WPA3 protocol is the next revolution in router protection, as it leverages 128-bit encryption.

Modern routers give you the ability to create a guest network separate from your primary network. This way, your relatives, friends, and guests can only access a separate network that doesnt tie to your IoT devices, which means you retain sole control of your smart home.

As you can see, an important point to keep in mind is control. You want to remain in total control over access and modification of your router and any linked smart home devices. In other words, dont even give cyber-criminals an inch to work with if you do, theyll take a mile every time.

Note that your router, IoT devices, and their corresponding apps may not update automatically. So if you receive a notification about a new update, dont procrastinate in installing it, as it may be a critical patch for a security bug.

Also, youll want to check for updates now and then manually. If theres one available, youll want to jump on it. The bottom line here is that keeping your devices as up-to-date as possible will help to limit your risk of attack (or reinforce any chinks in your armor).

Many smart devices give you the ability to control them remotely, as they operate online. Weve used plenty of smart home technology over the years, and remote access and control are some of our favorite features that many smart products offer. That said, if you dont need remote access, make sure to disable it.

Similarly, your smart speakers may have the option of Bluetooth control in addition to Wi-Fi, but if you dont use this feature, youd be wise to disable it. In essence, you want to curb as many potential entry points into your network as possible. Remember, youre trying to Fort Knox-ify your home at least in respect to IoT security.

Two-Factor Authentication, or 2FA, gives you an additional layer of security over a mere password. Once enabled, every time someone tries to access your smart device, they have to prove identity. Youve probably seen this before, especially when dealing with online bank accounts and the like.

This proof of identity comes in the form of a one-time password (OTP) or a verification code sent to your smartphone or email address that verifies if the person trying to log in is actually you. Most IoT devices have a built-in two-factor feature, so we recommend checking your device settings and enabling 2FA right away.

Dont wait for some fraudster to remind you why its better to be safe than sorry. The last thing you want is for a hacker to gain access to your personal or financial information or gain control of your smart security cameras to spy on you in your home. Sure, this is the worst-case-scenario, but youd be surprised by how often it happens in the U.S.

Take heed of the five best practices outlined above. Its also important to do your homework when purchasing a new IoT device to see if it has any user-reported vulnerabilities. And finally, take charge of your smart home security so that you feel safe and secure in your home.

Go here to see the original:
How to Improve IoT Security In Your Smart Home - IoT For All

Smart homes feel pretty magical. Walk into a room, say the word and a light turns on or a lock slides into place. Theyre also great for security: Out goes an SOS or medical emergency alert with a touch of the button.

That doesnt mean you can skip steps to protecting yourself from hackers and nosey tech companies. Tap or click for five security settings to change if you have an Amazon Echo at home.

You might think you cant afford smart home tech, but thats just not true. Whether youve got $100 or $500 in your pocket, you can fill your home with this cool tech. Keep reading for the best gadgets you can buy on a budget.

A smart home is defined by automation. That means you have internet-connected devices that automatically take care of lighting, climate, alarm systems or even entertainment equipment. So if you have even one Amazon Echo, that means youre technically living in a smart home.

Here are the componets well focus on:

Privacy, security, the latest trends and the info you need to live your best digital life.

Amazons Echos are great all-purpose smart speakers. The Echo Dot is super affordable, and the latest generation has good sound quality to boot. Grab two and you can play music throughout your house and use them as intercoms to chat with someone in another room.

With MyQ Wi-Fi enabled garage hub, just tap a button on your smartphone to open and close the garage. Its super simple to set-up and use. And if youre a Prime member, you can get free in-garage delivery from Amazon. Click here for more details.

While this isnt the latest generation Echo Dot, it packs a big punch in a tiny package. It comes with a smart bulb, too, and even two of these packages are well under the $100 budget. This is the perfect way to set up smart lighting, too. With easy voice control, set your lights to brighten ahead of your alarm to mimic the sunrise gradually. Just ask, Alexa, wake me up at 7 a.m. with lights, and youre good to go.

What if you want an interactive screen instead? Youll love the Echo Show 5 Sandstone, which allows you to watch videos, video chat with friends and family and read articles. Bonus: This package comes with an Amazon Smart Plug that lets you voice control basic appliances. For example, plug in a lamp to the outlet and now you can say, Alexa, turn the light on. Its as easy as that.

For around $20, you can add two LED color-changing lightbulbs that are compatible with Alexa and Google Home Assistant. Want to bathe the room in pink, blue or gold? These Smart Wi-Fi Light Bulbs will light the way.

This bundle is a steal. It delivers everything you need to start your smart home in one easy package. The 3rd Gen Echo Dot lets you add voice control to any outlet. Youll get four far-field microphones that help Alexa hear you from across the room.

Want to fill the whole home with music? You can do all that without a smart home hub. Start setting routines and schedules through your Alexa app.

Plus, it comes in four different colors. If you ever wanted a pink Echo Dot, youre in luck!

Video doorbells show whats going on outside your front door, whether youre at home or far away. You can get a Ring Video Doorbell 3 with Echo Show 5 for around $150. Youll get mobile notifications whenever someone presses your doorbell or triggers your motion sensors. And of course, youll get that Echo Show 5 with a 5.5-inch screen included.

Amazons Echo Show 8 is the upgraded version of its Show 5. Its got a bigger, better screen and you can adjust the angle at which youre viewing super handy when youre trying to watch a video about fixing a pipe with your head stuck under the sink. Turn off the microphone or camera with one press of a button and enjoy podcasts, movies, audiobooks and music.

This package comes with a nifty stand and smart plug, which lets you add voice control to any outlet

Plus, with the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Switch, you can control lighting from anywhere in the house. Its easy to install and theres no hub required it works out of the box with Alexa and Google Assistant. You can even set a timer or countdown schedule to make your smart switch automatically turn on or off. How cool is that?

Lets say youre working with a bigger budget and want to go all out. Each of these three bundles is a great way to set up your automated home. Which one sounds best to you?

By now, you know all about the Ring doorbell and MyQ garage they help you automate your home security, making life smoother.

But what about your sprinklers? You can control your sprinklers from anywhere with the Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller. Set up smart watering schedules through the app based on your plants, soil type or even sun exposure. You can even use the standard weather intelligence program to skip unnecessary watering whenever it rains.

Now youve automated the outside of your house. Now, heres what to do inside.

Check out the Ring Indoor Cams to strengthen your homes indoor security. Mount the cameras on a wall or set them on a flat surface. Either way, you can record all your videos and watch over your entire home through the Ring app, even if youre away.

This bundle is great if you want to set up extra strong security measures. Youre getting the Echo Show 8, along with the Ring Peephole Cam to catch potential burglars, at a great price.

Theres also the August Smart Lock, which allows you to lock and unlock your door from anywhere. You can grant friends keyless access when they arrive and keep track of who comes and goes and automatically unlock the front door whenever you arrive. Say goodbye to the awkward days of fumbling for keys, shopping bags or dogs when you leave or return to your home.

This bundle also nets you the Ecobee3, an easy-to-install smart thermostat. Now, control all temperature settings with your voice no more squinting at and fighting with the thermostat. It will even get used to your schedule and make suggestions based on your preferences.

Just combine it with your Alexa-enabled device, and youre good to go!

The Gosund four-pack of smart plugs rounds out this package. You can set up voice control for any attached appliance. You can even create a customized timer and schedule to automatically power on or off any home electronics. For example, you can disconnect the charger from your fully charged phone. Basically, its a great way to reduce energy consumption and save cash.

Just plug a device into the smart outlet, connect it to your app and youre ready to rumble.

Leave all your preconceived notions about home security systems at the door. With our sponsorSimpliSafe, there are no expensive contracts, pushy salespeople or systems too complicated to get your family to use.

The 14-piece Haven collection includes a base station, keypad, keyfob, four entry sensors, two motion sensors, a panic button, smoke detector, water sensor, freeze sensor and 105dB siren to scare away any potential thieves. Get everything, set it up yourself in under an hour and get 24/7 protection.

Right now, when you buy a new package, you can get a free HD security camera. Just go to SimpliSafeKim.com.

Setting up a smart home can seem intimidating at first. After all, there are tons of moving parts to keep track of: outlets, plugs, Echos and so on. Thats why these bundles are a great way to hit the ground running. Theyre simple, easy to set up, and best of all easy on your wallet.

Read more here:
How to build a smart home at any budget - Komando

If 2020 has shown us anything, its that organisations need to be ready to face challenges beyond what theyve considered in their risk assessments. The coronavirus pandemic has presented businesses with a challenge adapt or fail.

As weve seen with several famous High Street retailers, the pandemic has exacerbated problems that businesses have been struggling with for years. Suddenly, that digital transformation project that was years in the making needed to be fast-tracked, as businesses watched their digitally-savvy and digital-native competitors thrive. And when push came to shove, they succeeded, when before it would have ended in debate.

Alongside this has been a long-held reluctance to embrace virtual working. How can teams collaborate when people work from home? How do you manage a remote team? And how do you do all this securely? When challenged, the key was to send everyone home as quickly as possible, as efficiently as possible but we forgot to say as securely as possible.

Cybersecurity threats during the pandemic

Cybersecurity has been the biggest challenge in this new world. Our research has found that half of businesses we asked have seen an increase in cyber-attacks and data fraud since the start of the pandemic.

Worryingly, according to the Unisys Security 2020 Index, people in the UK were less worried about online threats such as viruses and hacking in 2020 than they were in 2019 (41% in 2019, to 31% in 2020). Perhaps their priorities changed this year, but that opens a door to cybercriminals.

Unisys identified three kinds of cyber-attacks that spiked in 2020. Were more vulnerable to both large-scale phishing and spear-phishing now that so many of us work from home, and the line between home and work is blurred. Vishing where attackers use voice or video to provide proof that their fraud attempt is, in fact, genuine is also becoming more of a problem now that many of us rely on these tools to communicate with our colleagues and friends.

Naturally, coronavirus-themed attacks have been on the rise. Back in May, Google said it was blocking more than 240 million COVID-19-related spam messages a day.

While lockdowns have seen governments try to reduce R0 of the disease, organisations have found their digital R0 rising as cyber threats and infection numbers rise.

The risks to corporate security

Most employees wont have the same level of IT security at home as they did in the office. For now, the new way of working has created a vulnerable point that hackers can exploit. Employees need to start thinking of their homes as an extension of their offices, at least in security terms.

Simple steps like changing the default home network password and regular software and patch updates things that fall outside of corporate control when an employee works from home will significantly help. Even things like rebooting a home router every 30 or so days is a step towards a more secure home IT setup.

Both businesses and individuals need to know their IT weak points. VPNs, for example, arent always properly secured or the most secure form of connection to the corporate network. The innovators use microsegmented zero trust solutions. Then theres home wifi, inherently less secure than a work system. Easy-to-crack passwords, shared computers and unprotected smart devices create headaches for the IT team. How many people at home realise, for example, that a device connecting to the network might store their network password in plain text?

Human error has long-been the biggest risk to corporate IT security, and it gets far worse were working from home. Our guard is down, making it easier for scammers to trick us, and its harder when youre sitting on your own at home to ask for advice.

How can businesses mitigate the risk?

Organisations can help reduce the risk that virtual working poses in a number of ways. For example, ensure employees use secure SDP connections to access and the corporate network.

Firewalls and antivirus protection are a must for home users, but also increase the companys security level to high and enable logging for employees in areas with known security issues.

Businesses in high-risk industries should implement data loss prevention (DLP) at a wide range, especially for the most sensitive data, and encrypt all sensitive data (including emails) at rest and in transit.

Tell employees to avoid using public wifi and to turn off the auto-connect function to avoid the risk of using unsecured networks. Its equally important to educate employees about the importance of protecting company assets like laptops and hotspots. Lastly, instruct employees, contractors and suppliers to use a shorter-than-normal timeframe on their device screen locks and to avoid leaving logged-in devices unattended.

These simple steps will go a long way to mitigating the cybersecurity risks of working from home.

See the article here:
Home Working Presents A New Type Of Challenge For The IT Team - ISBuzz News