Google Nest makes some of the smartest security cameras available — AI that recognizes faces, packages, animals, and vehicles, processed partly on-device. But here’s what Google doesn’t emphasize: Nest is not a security system. There’s no alarm panel, no door sensors, no siren, and no way to dispatch police when someone breaks in. This review […]
Home Security Company Comparison
Kidde Home Safety Review 2026: Smart Smoke & CO Detectors, App-Connected Models & Why Your Old Detectors May Not Protect You Anymore
Kidde: The Brand Behind Most Smoke Detectors in America If you’ve ever glanced at the smoke detector on your ceiling, there’s a good chance it says Kidde. Founded in 1917, now owned by Carrier Global Corporation (spun off from United Technologies in 2020), Kidde is the largest residential fire safety manufacturer in the US. Their […]
NextAlarm Review 2026: The $9/Month Monitoring Pioneer That Died Proving DIY Could Beat ADT on Price
NextAlarm: What Was It? NextAlarm was a pioneer in affordable DIY alarm monitoring — one of the first services that let homeowners keep their existing security panel (Honeywell, DSC, GE) and pay dramatically less for professional monitoring. At $8-12/month when ADT was charging $40-60/month, they proved the traditional dealer model was massively overpriced. Detail NextAlarm […]
Best Home Security Systems in Houston, TX 2026: Neighborhood Crime Data, ADT vs DIY Options & Systems That Handle Gulf Coast Weather
Why Houston Homes Need Better Security Than Average Houston is the 4th largest city in America (2.3 million residents, 7 million metro) — and its security challenges are uniquely complex. Property crime rates run 40-60% above the national average, hurricane season creates looting risk during evacuations, and the city’s massive sprawl (670+ square miles) means […]
LiveWatch Security Review 2026: Monitronics Bought It, Killed the Brand, Then Went Bankrupt — Full Timeline and What to Buy Now
LiveWatch Security: The Full Story LiveWatch Security was genuinely ahead of its time. Founded in 2002 in Evansville, Indiana, they built a complete online DIY security model years before Ring, SimpliSafe, or Abode existed. You ordered online, they shipped a pre-programmed system, you installed it yourself, and professional monitoring started immediately. Then in 2017, Monitronics […]