Here’s what data Comcast says its motion-detecting routers collect
Here’s what data Comcast says its motion-detecting routers collect

Comcast announced a new platform this week called Xfinity Shield that includes the option to let customers turn their routers into motion sensors. Many people reacted with fear and anger. “I am not enabling this. I am also seriously considering replacing my leased gateway with my own equipment, because a device I do not control […]

I ruined my cats’ toilet time with a motion-activated neon litter box sign
I ruined my cats’ toilet time with a motion-activated neon litter box sign

My two cats live a refreshingly low-tech lifestyle. They’ve never experienced a robot litter box, an automated feeder, or a GPS tracker. Noodle and Loaf live blissfully unaware of the technological trappings that surround the rest of my life. Except, that is, for the glowing neon sign that turns on whenever they go to the […]

Amazon Fire TV devices are getting a free Alexa Plus upgrade
Amazon Fire TV devices are getting a free Alexa Plus upgrade

Amazon is bringing Alexa Plus to Fire TV device owners in the US for free. Starting today, users in the US with an Amazon Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, Amazon Ember smart TV, or other TV with Alexa Plus built in, including those from Panasonic and Hisense, will get access to the more conversational […]

This robot vacuum solves my kitchen stool problem
This robot vacuum solves my kitchen stool problem

Robot vacuums are great at keeping your floors clean, but there are a few areas they fall down on the job – stairs being one. Another is chairs and stools. You know the scenario: You have a row of stools at a kitchen table, or chairs tucked under a dining table, and the robovac just […]

Sorry, Samsung — Google says its latest AI smartphone camera tool can measure bodies better than the Galaxy Watch’s bioelectric sensors
Sorry, Samsung — Google says its latest AI smartphone camera tool can measure bodies better than the Galaxy Watch’s bioelectric sensors

In the midst of a health wearables arms race, Google’s been quietly developing health scanning tools for your smartphone’s camera instead.

Comcast is turning millions of its routers into motion detectors
Comcast is turning millions of its routers into motion detectors

Comcast is bringing Wi-Fi motion sensing to millions of routers that are already in customers’ homes, turning the devices into activity monitors. A new update to the Xfinity Internet app, arriving today, August 18th, enables the feature on compatible Xfinity routers at no extra cost. Announced as part of its new Xfinity Shield service, WiFi […]

Google’s Pet Memory forgot who my cats are
Google’s Pet Memory forgot who my cats are

One of the best things my smart home does is help me care for my pets, and security cameras are particularly useful for keeping track of my many critters. But the barrage of notifications they send often means I miss important ones. So, when Google announced its new Pet Memory feature for Gemini for Home, […]

The Verge Guide to Pets
The Verge Guide to Pets

Ah, the relationship between animals and the technology they can’t quite understand.  Today, it seems like there’s a high-tech solution to every element of pet ownership, with devices on the market designed to keep pets fed, cleaned, watched over, and entertained. And if you have a pet you know: nothing is too good — or […]