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 […]
Home Security 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 […]
Central Security Group Review 2026: Tulsa’s 50-Year Alarm Dealer Charges $35-55/Month for the Same Alarm.com You Can Get for $20 — Full Cost Breakdown
Central Security Group: 50 Years of Contracts in Oklahoma Central Security Group (CSG) is a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based alarm dealer that’s been operating since 1973. They serve residential and commercial customers across the Southern US — primarily Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri. With over 50 years in business, they’ve built a regional presence. But longevity doesn’t […]
LaView Security Cameras Review 2026: Amazon’s Cheapest 4K Cameras — What You Sacrifice for $60 NVR Cams (and 3 Better Buys)
LaView Security: What Are They? LaView is a budget security camera manufacturer that sells primarily through Amazon. They focus exclusively on video surveillance — IP cameras, PoE NVR systems, and Wi-Fi cameras — at prices 40-60% below Ring, Arlo, and Nest. But budget cameras come with trade-offs, and in 2026’s crowded market, those trade-offs matter […]
myQ Smart Garage Review 2026: No More HomeKit, No Home Assistant — Is the $30 Hub Still Worth It?
The Chamberlain myQ hub costs $30 and works with most garage openers made after 1993. But Chamberlain killed HomeKit support in late 2023 and blocked Home Assistant integrations — locking the device into their own app. The myQ app works fine for open/close and scheduling, but there is no local API, no Z-Wave, and the $1/mo Premium plan adds almost nothing. 5 alternatives: Meross ($40, HomeKit native), Tailwind iQ3 ($80, HomeKit + Home Assistant), Nexx ($40, Alexa/Google), ratgdo ($30 DIY, local control), or adding a Z-Wave relay to your Abode/Ring system for full alarm integration.
