Google Nest Hub connects to 1,000-plus smart devices
The best gifts for Dad are often those the entire family can enjoy and give Dad some peace of mind. And that’s very important during these unprecedented times.
Here are three selections for Father’s Day that fit the bill:
Control your connected home
If Dad feels better when he can keep an eye on things, consider the Google Nest Hub.
Nest Hub, featuring Google Assistant, allows you to use your voice to control a plethora of compatible devices around the home from a single dashboard. This may include lights, cameras, TVs, thermostats and more. Nest Hub works with more than 1,000 smart devices from brands including D-Link, iRobot, Honeywell, Philips and more.
Nest Hub can also help Dad manage his calendar, set timers and alarms, create notes, record voice memos, manage his fitness tracker, plan a meal, enable Bluetooth, read the news, listen to the radio and podcasts, watch YouTube videos, visit his favourite websites and a whole lot more.
Nest Hub ($99) is perfect for a small desk or counter top. It’s just 4.6 inches high and seven inches wide, and has a seven-inch touchscreen display, built-in speaker and two built-in microphones. It’s available in four colours.
For a bigger screen, look to Nest Hub Max ($249). At 7.2 inches high and 9.8 inches wide, it features a 10-inch HD touch screen, a built-in camera and stereo speakers. It comes in two colours.
The entire family can use Nest Hub.
In Canada, you can find both models at many retailers, including Staples and Bed Bath and Beyond.
Make your old home alarm smart again
Dads are always concerned about the family home’s safety, even with everyone home-bound right now. Safe by HUB6 can beef up home security and give Dad the gift of peace of mind.
Safe by Hub6 improves on existing alarm systems
Safe doesn’t replace your existing pre-wired system. It adds to it, turning most Honeywell or DSC alarm models into smart home monitoring systems.
It ties into your current hardware and then redirects alerts to your smartphone or tablet, designated neighbour or monitoring service. Dad can keep his monitoring service or eliminate the ongoing monthly fees and self-monitor.
The free Neighbourhood app for iOS or Android allows anyone anywhere to keep tabs on the home, arm and disarm and get alarm notifications. And it works even if the power or Internet go offline.
Safe by HUB6 can be installed in less than an hour.
Designed in Canada, it works with Alexa and Nest and sells for $199. It’s available directly, from Amazon or Best Buy.
Fast, smooth sailing with home Internet
With the family home-bound, everyone is using the Internet connection. Dad wants to ensure everyone can get their work done, maximize their online gaming or enjoy streaming in ultra HD without any squabbling when the Internet slows to a crawl.
Deco X20 gives you faster Wi-Fi and eliminates dead zones in the home
So how about the next generation of Wi-Fi technology with the new TP-Link Deco X20 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System?
The name is a mouthful, but it improves your speed and extends your Wi-Fi reach up to 5,800 square feet. It could quadruple the throughput to any device connected to it – up to 150 of them.
The Deco X20 detects and marks data from the neighbour’s Wi-Fi, minimizing interference. And it concentrates its signal to each connected device, keeping the signal fast and efficient.
Deco X20 also incorporates advanced encryption to keep the family’s data private and the home network secure.
While the system is certainly advanced, Dad can have it up and running within 10 minutes with the simple walk-through setup.
The system works with Alexa, retails for $399.99 and can be found on Amazon.
Troy Media columnist Greg Gazin, also known as the Gadget Guy and Gadget Greg, is a syndicated veteran tech columnist, communication, leadership and technology speaker, facilitator, blogger, podcaster and author. Reach him @gadgetgreg or at GadgetGuy.ca.
The views, opinions and positions expressed by columnists and contributors are the author’s alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of our publication.
