✌️ Gestures, activate: You can control a Google Nest Hub via gestures — useful if your hands are covered in soap or flour. To enable it, open the Google Home app > tap the gear icon (top right) > tap Quick Gestures on the hub page.
Tech pro tip: How to prioritize devices on your Wi-Fi
We’ve all blamed our internet speed for YouTube buffering. But guess what? The main culprit is often the army of gadgets hogging your Wi-Fi.
It might be your spouse streaming three sports games at the same time, your kid downloading a new video game or your roommate binge-watching their favorite show.
The good news is there’s a simple fix that doesn’t involve disconnecting anything. Enter “Quality of Service,” the unsung hero that can help you beat the traffic jams on your wireless network.
Understanding Quality of Service
So, what is Quality of Service (QoS) and how does it work? In a nutshell, it’s a router technology that controls the bandwidth given to internet-enabled devices on a network. When used with your home Wi-Fi, specific gadgets will be marked “more important” than others.
For instance, if you’d like to prioritize your smart TV for all your favorite shows, it’ll claim internet speed dibs before a Windows update takes over. That’s not to say the Windows update will freeze entirely. It’ll still chug along, but at a much slower rate, along with all the other devices that didn’t get the VIP treatment. Yay for no more buffering!
Setting up Quality of Service
The better your router is, the more QoS “options.” I’ve gathered some big-name brands to show you how they work.
The Quality of Service feature won’t miraculously make all devices on your network lightning fast. It still depends on your internet package’s initial speed. Think of QoS as an extra layer of optimization. Consider these additional steps if you want to enhance your Wi-Fi connection further.
QoS on Google Nest routers
- Open the Google Home app on your phone.
To set device priority:
Finally, smart home tech is smart
It’s been the perennial problem with smart home tech: Nothing talks to each other. Your Ring doorbell, Nest thermostat and Wyze light bulbs are all great, but opening three different apps is annoying. Tech companies aren’t really known for cooperating.
Control smart home devices with Google Home or Amazon Echo
You don’t need a big budget to create a smart home. These smart speakers can help you set up your own command center.
5 great uses for smart plugs
When you think of smart homes, what comes to mind? Thermostats, speakers, doorbells, lighting and TVs are common smart devices that make your life easier, but some can also make it safer.
A smart home surveillance system can deter criminals and help police catch them in the act if they attempt a break-in. You can monitor your home, belongings and pets while away. While there are many benefits, smart home devices are vulnerable to hackers. Tap or click here for tips on locking down your smart home cameras.
Alexa isn't the only thing to call your Echo - Here's what all the other names do
Smart assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home can make your daily tasks easier. They can also update you on traffic conditions and nudge you with specific reminders.
Even though they are only electronics at heart, you still need to call them by name to get their attention. While the standard “Hey, Alexa” will prick her ears every time, did you know that you can call her something else? Tap or click here to enable celebrity voices like Shaq on your Amazon Echo.
Stop smart devices from eavesdropping
Is your Amazon Echo, Google Home or Apple HomePod always listening? I’ve got the scary answer in this one-minute podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Selling an old smart speaker? Here's how to wipe everything you've said to it
A smart speaker can be a huge help around the house. If you don’t have one, you are truly missing out on an amazing piece of technology. Use them to get local weather and traffic reports to reminding you of tasks and so much more.
Summer essentials: 9 home gadgets under $25 on Amazon
This summer is the perfect time to invest in home gadgets. Get some smart tech, upgrade your office setup, improve your TV viewing experience and get the most from your essential oils.
Worried about the cost? Don’t be. You can get all the cool gadgets you need to improve your office, kitchen, living room, bathroom and even your garden, all for less than $25.
Giving or getting a smart speaker for Christmas? Change these settings
Do you have a smart speaker in your home? The chances are pretty high that you do, considering about one-third of American homes use them. And even if you don’t have one yet, there’s a good chance you’ll get one for Christmas this year.
7 clever tech tricks you’ll use time and time again
Today’s tech is loaded with features most of us never use. Why? Simply stated, there’s no real user manual.
Maybe no one ever told you that you could unsend an email. Yes, really. But you need to set up the feature before you need to use it.
7 Android apps that make controlling your smart home simple
Have you turned your house into a smart home yet? If so, you probably have a greater appreciation for it after being stuck in the house so much lately.
If not you really need to think about making the change. Having a smart home is extremely convenient and just makes life easier. Don’t know how to get started? We can help. Tap or click here for our smart home starter kit guide.
10 smart speaker pro tips: Find your phone, better sleep and more
Smart speakers like the Google Nest, Google Home and Google Mini are fun devices that can act as amazing hubs for other smart tech you keep around your home. But they have many cool functions beyond that.
Google Assistant speakers can do things you might not be aware of but you’d love to use if you only knew how. And the devices are getting new abilities all the time. Tap or click here to learn about functions coming to Google Assistant that you’ll love.
5 security settings to change on your smart speaker
You want all the devices in your home to be safe. For those that connect to the internet and have the ability to listen to your conversations, you need a little extra security.
We’re talking specifically about smart speakers. Tap or click here to adjust the security settings on another IoT device. Smart speakers can be incredibly useful, but also a giant liability for you and your loved ones.
Best Google Home tricks and Easter eggs to try
When it comes to virtual assistants, many people fall into two camps: either Amazon Alexa or Google Home. With Alexa getting much of the hype, Google Home owners might not know that there are some incredible tips and tricks you can do with your virtual assistant. From playing games to changing voices, it can do some incredible things.
What makes a smart thermostat smart?
Smart homes are becoming one of the fastest rising areas of tech happening right now. With smart plugs and virtual assistants, it seems like the possibilities are endless. This smart technology can do more than make your life more convenient. Smart thermostats can use data and artificial intelligence to save you more money than you think, and you won’t believe what’s possible.
10 great gifts for any Android user
Android fans can be very particular with the devices or tech that they use. They like sleek designs and easy-to-use interfaces. That’s a good thing to keep in mind this time of year as we are purchasing gifts for those friends and family that are die-hard Android fans. That’s why I have put together a list of 10 gift ideas that would be perfect for the Android lover in your life.
5 cool Google features that Apple and Samsung will copy
Google held its Pixel 3 event yesterday and the company announced a slew of new products — the new Pixel 3 phones, the Pixel Stand, the Google Home Hub, and the Pixel Slate. But it wasn’t all about the hardware. The event’s focus on the synergy between AI, hardware and software produced plenty of software surprises! Some of these features are so innovative and fresh that it will be inevitable that Apple and Samsung will follow suit. The tech industry is a copycat world, after all.
Who has the higher IQ Apple Siri or Google Home? Research says
In the battle of virtual assistants, who is smarter? Siri or Google Home? A research study from a trio of university researchers may just have the answer. Are they smarter than a 5th grader? You’ll be surprised with the results!
5 amazing things you can do with Google Assistant
How in the world did we manage to survive for a millennium without voice-activated virtual assistants? For Android phone users I have great news! There’s an easy way to get help. It’s called Google Assistant. Here are some system requirements you need to know about before you start using it.