Insteon: What Was It? Insteon wasn’t just another smart home brand — it was one of the first companies to make whole-home automation reliable and affordable. Their dual-band technology (wireless RF + powerline) created mesh networks that were genuinely more dependable than pure Wi-Fi or Zigbee alternatives of the era. Detail Insteon Founded 2005 (by […]
Alarm Systems
ADT Pulse App Review 2026: Killed Off, Replaced by ADT+ — Migration Steps and 3 Better Alternatives That Cost Less
ADT Pulse: What Was It & Why Did ADT Kill It? ADT Pulse was ADT’s first real attempt at a smart home security platform, launched around 2010. It gave customers mobile app control, home automation, live video feeds, and activity logging — revolutionary for its time, when most alarm companies still relied on keypads and […]
GE Simon XT Review 2026: Discontinued Panel — Why You Must Upgrade Now (Complete Migration Guide)
The GE Simon XT is discontinued with no manufacturer support. Complete guide to what happened, why you should upgrade, 3-year cost comparisons, step-by-step migration, and the best replacement systems in 2026.
August Smart Lock Review 2026: The Retrofit Lock That Keeps Your Existing Deadbolt — But Yale Owns It Now (Full Comparison)
August Smart Lock: The Original Retrofit Lock (Now Part of Yale) The August Smart Lock pioneered a simple idea that changed the smart lock market: replace only the interior side of your deadbolt, keep your existing keys, and control everything from your phone. No locksmith needed. No drilling. No landlord drama. Since Yale (ASSA ABLOY) […]
First Alert Review 2026: Onelink Smart Smoke & CO Detectors Are Great — But Their Security Cameras Are Dead (What to Buy Instead for Home Security)
First Alert makes excellent smart smoke and CO detectors (Onelink Safe & Sound is our top HomeKit pick at $119), but their security cameras are discontinued. If you found First Alert while shopping for home security, you need a real alarm system instead. We break down what First Alert actually sells in 2026, which detectors pair with security systems via Z-Wave, and the best camera + alarm alternatives from Abode, SimpliSafe, and Ring.