You don’t need a big budget to create a smart home. These smart speakers can help you set up your own command center.
The mistake slowing down your connection and killing your phone
It’s a cozy evening, and you just started streaming your favorite show. But, as the plot thickens, your Wi-Fi takes an unexpected hiatus. Annoying, right?
Before you unplug your router, look at your smartphone. The culprit could be apps chowing down on precious bandwidth.
What’s the big deal?
You’ve probably seen notifications you’re using too much data. Besides getting charged more, why does it matter? Glad you asked.
- Wi-Fi performance: Data hogs slow you down big time. Identifying and monitoring bandwidth-hungry apps on your iPhone or Android will improve your Wi-Fi speeds and reduce latency.
- Limited plans: Not everyone has unlimited data. Keeping an eye on which apps are using your Wi-Fi could save you from surprise fees.
- Not enough to go around: Smart home devices (think cameras or voice assistants) rely on a stable Wi-Fi connection. Managing bandwidth-intensive apps helps them run more smoothly, too. The more devices you have and rely on daily, the more this matters.
- Battery life: High-bandwidth apps can drain your Android or iPhone’s battery quickly. Catching them sooner might even extend your phone’s lifespan over the long run.
How to check
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of how to detect those sneaky Wi-Fi bandits on your Android or iPhone.
For Android
- Open the Settings app > Connections.
- Tap Data usage followed by Wi-Fi data usage.
As I’m constantly reminded, steps vary depending on your phone. If that doesn’t work, search your settings for Wi-Fi or Data.
You’ll see each app and how much bandwidth it’s used over the last month. Android lets you go up to four months back for an even more detailed overview. Select the dates at the top of the screen, and voila!
For iPhone
Most Americans believe they’re being tracked - Are you one of them?
You’re telling a friend about a product or TV show, and then you see an ad for it in your browser or on social media. Feel like you’re being watched? You’re not alone.
The survey of over 800 people shows that it’s not just Boomers feeling stress. Just as many millennials are worried about ad tracking.
I'm using an alarm clock for the first time in over 10 years and it's great
Charging your phone overnight not only shortens battery life over time, but it can also be dangerous. Here’s how to safely charge your phone and avoid disaster.
While the all-in-one nature of your smartphone is great, you may want to stop using it as an alarm clock for waking up in the morning. Here’s why.
Amazon knows so much about you, it's scary - How to see it all
You should know that Alexa is always listening if you have an Amazon Echo. Tap or click here for six ways to stop your smart devices from recording you. Of course, Amazon says Alexa is only listening for the wake word … but that still means it’s tuning in.
It's come to this - a charger that keeps your phone from listening
If you’re not sure if your devices are always listening, we’ll help you out. They are. Your smartphone, smart assistants/speakers, smart home devices and smart TVs listen for wake words or other vocal cues. Big Tech companies also listen to you through your devices.
Your Amazon Echo just learned new tricks - 3 things to try now
There are plenty of things that a virtual assistant can do for you. Other than telling you the time or weather, devices like the Amazon Echo can also help plan your day and so much more. The technology has become so amazing that it can even listen for weird sounds in your house.
Alexa can now control your smart gadgets, without your commands
If you’ve got an Alexa-enabled device and a few smart home devices, chances are you’ve used her to control those gadgets. After all, using your smart speaker to control other smart gadgets is a no-brainer. Why do more work than necessary?
Here's why you shouldn't buy an Amazon Echo right now
Virtual assistants will revolutionize your home and you’ll wonder how you ever managed to get through your day without one. If you don’t have a smart speaker yet, you might be surprised to find out just how much they can actually do.
Warning: Hackers can use this smart lock to access your Wi-Fi network
Home security tech is becoming increasingly common across America. In fact, a good portion of CES 2020 showcased the latest home security items — with smart home integration as a major selling point.
But like all smart home items, home security devices are only as “secure” as the networks they’re a part of. If a weak or unsecured network can be broken into, it can put every device connected to it at risk. Tap or click here to see the best ways to secure your home router from hackers.
How to disable your computer's webcam and microphone
If you’ve been using your computer for video chatting more than ever, you’re not alone. Many of us pulled off that strip of masking tape and allowed our cameras and microphones access once we shifted to working from home.
Your Wi-Fi is about to get a major upgrade
America’s physical infrastructure may have seen better days, but our digital infrastructure has proven resilient enough to handle a seismic shift in internet traffic.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has become a new norm for many people. Companies who were able to make the shift have taken their entire operations online, which has put significant strain on home networks. Tap or click here to see how at-home workers could slow your internet down.
10 things on sale you need to get yourself after the holidays
Consumers spent a whopping $9.4 billion on Cyber Monday alone last month. Retailers were pushing their best deals, and shoppers took advantage — shelling out 20% more cash than the year before.
Last year’s record-breaking holiday shopping season is long gone, but there are still great deals to be found. In fact, we compile great sales and exclusive discounts year-round. Check out the Komando.com Deals page for the hottest tech and digital deals, including gadgets, gizmos, online courses and more.
Best and worst tech of the last decade
When historians look back on the 2010s, they’re sure to see some contradictions. Not only was the last decade a bastion of scientific and technological progress, but it was also a time of a few absolute stinkers.
Between better and more efficient smartphones, the rise of tablets and the breakthrough of smart home devices, there’s been no shortage of amazing products to buy and try out. That said, some items released in the past 10 years were downright strange. Tap or click to see the weirdest smart home gadgets out there.
Easiest way to find your router's default IP address and password
Each time you buy a new router, it comes with default settings that need to be changed. But where can you find them? If you’re not sure where to start, this website can help. It lists all the routers out there, as well as their default IP address, usernames and passwords.