YOUR dog might pee in the pool, but I know my Abby girl does not.
Your smart speaker can detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarms – Here's how
Your Amazon, Google or Apple smart speaker has a lifesaving feature I bet you don’t know about: It can tell you if there’s smoke or carbon monoxide (CO) in your home.
The speaker can’t actually detect smoke or CO, but it can “listen” for devices that do. So, if your smoke or CO alarm goes off and you’re away from home, your smart speaker can ping your phone, saving your property, belongings and precious pets inside.
Keep in mind that your smart speaker has to be within hearing distance of the alarms. It’s not too hard; those alarms are loud.
Amazon Echo
To get smoke and CO alarm detection on any Echo speaker or display, you’ll need to sign up for Alexa Emergency Assist ($5.99 per month or $59 per year). It detects glass breakage, sends push notifications and lets you have up to 25 emergency contacts, too. It’s a great option if you no longer have a landline. In the Alexa app on your phone:
- Open the More tab and select Emergency Assist.
- Tap the gear icon to get to the feature’s settings.
- Select Smart Alerts to turn alarm detection on or off.
Google Nest
For Google Nest cameras and speakers, it’s a similar deal. It can listen for smoke and CO alarm sounds, but you have to pay for Nest Aware ($8 a month or $80 a year). It also listens for breaking glass. From the Google Home app on your phone:
- Tap Settings on the navigation bar at the bottom.
- Choose Subscriptions.
- Tap Sound detection to turn on the alerts.
Apple HomePod
Kudos to Apple for making this important feature free. You don’t need a subscription; you just need a HomePod or HomePod mini. From the Home app on your iPhone:
- Open the Home tab.
- Tap the three dots at the top right, then tap Home Settings.
- Select Safety & Security and Sound Recognition to turn it on.
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Neighbors bashing you online? Check Nextdoor's top trending discussions
The web is chock full of hilarious snippets and screenshots of neighbors gone wild across the country, all documented in the Nextdoor app.
Like the house blasting “Sweet Child O’ Mine” for three days straight. Hey, there are worse songs. Or how about those friendly people around the corner offering free (already cut open) avocados and expired salad dressing? Umm, pass.
Podiatrist-recommended kicks for your barkin’ dogs
- Women’s Vionic Gemma slippers for lounging around the house.
- If you want a more luxurious slipper, try these.
- Guys, I didn’t forget about slippers for you.
- Slip-on sneakers for when you’re on the go.
- Recovery feels better in Oofos sandals. Lots of colors, too!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
🐶 Your best friend’s best friend: Content Queen Allie was telling me about how much her pup, Nova, loves her BarkBox subscription. It shows up in the mail monthly (or however often you want), packed with treats and toys. There’s a standard option or the Super Chewer box if your pup tears up soft toys.
How to watch the Super Bowl online
Are you a cord cutter? Get out your hot dogs, here’s how to stream the big game.
🐶 The 2024 Dog Photography Awards are here: Cuteness overload! A white shepherd named Kooki is first place in the “Portrait” category, but the pups in “Action” stole my heart. There were thousands of entries from over 60 countries. Don’t forget to check out the honorable mentions tab. If you need another reason to smile, check out my Abby ready for Halloween.
$40,000 selling price
For art created by robot dogs. Artist Agnieszka Pilat is teaching Boston Dynamics’ bots Basia, Vanya and Bunny to paint by holding brushes in their “mouths.” He just sits back and watches. Pretty farfetched, eh?
Wait, what? 5 amazing things you don’t know your phone can do
Remember when a cell phone was for calls and a round or two of Snake? Today’s phones are pro-grade cameras, PDF scanners and even car keys.
I keep a digital copy of my driver’s license on my phone because it’s just so handy. Here’s how to do that.
9 simple ways to protect your home from burglars
You might not have a criminal mind, but think how a crook finds the perfect houses to target. An empty home in a neighborhood where people keep to themselves, no cameras or alarms, and dark or dimly lit structures, right?
Thermonator: The flame-throwing dog
How is this legal in 48 out of 50 states? You can purchase one of these robo-dogs for just under $10,000. It’s a pass for me.
🥩 7 million pounds of meat recalled: A third person has died after eating listeria-contaminated Boar’s Head meats (deli, bacon, hot dogs and sausage) made between May 10 and July 29, 2024. Here’s a full list of recalled products you need to throw out right now. This version has label photos.
Sit, shoot, roll over: The U.S. Marines’ special ops division is testing armed robot dogs. Seriously. For now, they’ll still need a human to pull the trigger. The “Terminator”-like pups rely on AI to identify targets before asking their human operators whether to fire.
3 adorable optical illusions that will train your brain and make you say 'Aww!'
Optical illusions are a great way to test your eyes, train your brain and even honor those who are gone. If the last one sounds surprising, wait until you see the adorable corgi-themed brainteaser made for Queen Elizabeth II. It’s one of the most adorable optical illusions the internet offers.
The best way to keep an eye on your pets inside and out
Pets are notorious for causing a stir when their owners are away. When you drive off, dogs might bark so loudly they bother the neighbors. Cats might scratch the sofa to punish you for leaving.
Animals have many methods for messing up the house when you’re away. Sometimes, you may return home and walk into such an outrageous mess you can’t help but wonder, “How on Earth did that happen?”
11 must-have pet products dog and cat owners swear by
Fluffy and Fido aren’t just pets. They’re family. So why not treat them to a few new toys and maybe even some tech now and then?
Our furry friends only get about a decade with us, so it just makes sense to shower them with all the love, toys and treats we can. They love us unconditionally, so the least we can do is spoil them, right?
The best puzzles and toys to get your dog's mind working
Dogs love their humans unconditionally. You can see it in their eyes as they gaze up at you and in the excited wag of their tails. Since the average lifespan of your furry friend is only about a decade, don’t you owe them the best life has to offer?
Pro tips to capture the best pictures of your pets
Anyone with a pet knows how much fun they can be. Excited tail wagging when you get home, purring in your lap when you’re relaxing in front of the TV, and stealing bags of Cheetos out of the pantry when you’re not looking (OK, maybe that’s just my dog).