The Best New Smart Home Gadgets - Massive Unboxing - October

[@clintonelliott340]

Thanks!

[@AutomateYourLife]

I clearly should be the one thanking you :)

[@c849243]

As usual, you've given me lots of ideas, Brian. Thank you!!!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thank you big bear! Enjoy your weekend!

[@jaynunes2501]

Looking at all, the stuff makes me so excited. It’s like the best Thanksgiving weekend celebration ever!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Happy Thanksgiving Jay!

[@expat64]

Loving the new Govee lights, and am looking forward to your Holiday video. For these Christmas lights, you didn't mention whether they support Matter, and if not, would you expect an OTA update? I am trying not to get too hung up on waiting for Matter support on a new device, but dropping significant coin only to have the item outdated in a year is a balance, as you have addressed in some of your videos.

[@AutomateYourLife]

That's an interesting question. Although they haven't said it to me, my sense is that Govee is building Matter compatibility into everything today, just not releasing it. I think there's a bit of a wait and see pattern going on in the market with Matter now. The reason for that is that the features users get with Matter are so much less than what they get in Govee's app, that it's hard to justify doing it right now. So I think this is a big issue and will delay (and even maybe eliminate) many products from Matter. Bad answer, I know...but it's the truth.

[@StephenMatrese]

4:00 The motion sensor might be so large so that you can use cheap AA batteries instead of more expensive batteries. AAA don't last as long and I never seen to have them also, don't get me started on AAAA....

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think you're right actually. Great point. It was just so shocking with the way everyone pushes to smaller these days!

[@DanielAbdiu]

Awesome video with great content and detailed instructions Brian!👌Loved the Flic Twist review. 👍

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks! Enjoy your day!

[@makeitworktech]

Awesome video once again! Nice array of different products!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks man! I see that good growth happening on your channel. Keep it up :)

[@makeitworktech]

@@AutomateYourLife Thanks, man, I appreciate it! It's slow going with a family and all, but I'll get there!

[@michaeltodd7968]

POE would have been nice on the ringalarm. One less cable.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think an option for that would be great for sure :)

[@flynndog]

At time 13:15 what are the plastic holders that you're snapping the govee,s into? By the way I just subscribed a couple days ago I love the detail, thank you so much.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeah! That's these amzn.to/3ZIkPDL (Amazon affiliate link)

[@EsotericArctos]

I thought Ring were discontinuing the Ring Security system? Is it still going to be available moving forward?

[@AutomateYourLife]

As far as I know. They were talking to me about new features coming too, so I'm thinking it's good for a long while!

[@tylerschwerd]

I like how you don’t over glamorize your videos Brian! Where in .Ca are you; my guess (for some reason) is Calgary, Edmonton, or somewhere in between?! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Tyler, thanks! I don’t reveal my location just cause…some people get a little too invested. But somewhere in Canada 🇨🇦 😉

[@mbecker163]

Can you join the Christmas lights to an additional length?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Great question, not with these. That is definitely a limitation

[@anne-laurecourroux2582]

Very interesting thanks! How well do the alarm system fare with Canadian winters? It’s less than 0 for months so not sure on how useful it would be?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Good question! All that stuff stays indoors so there's no problem there. Sometimes cameras outdoors struggle when it gets to -25 -> -40 C, but otherwise things fare fairly well. I wouldn't put many battery powered devices outdoors either, cause they tend to drop battery levels in winter. But overall, things are pretty good.

[@coy9898]

I use an IPhone, I’m looking to get some non fee cameras and smart home products to replace my google ones as I’ve been having issues with them and I’m not happy with Google not releasing Bard here in Canada. I’m looking at Aquara or Eufy, thoughts? Thanks, love the Channel

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think Eufy needs to come clean about some privacy and security issues that were brought to light last year. Sadly, before I recommend them I'm going to need that to happen. Aqara's been great though. They don't have super high quality video, but the features are good and they're well integrated with other products. :)

[@HughD]

Yet another fun monthly unboxing video, Brian. I have a couple of comments. Firsti, I have the Ring alarm system and really like it. It appears they aren't pushing the version with the built-in Eero so much...a good thing they aren't in my opinion. Also, the First Alert Z-Wave Smoke/CO sensor pairs perfectly and is supported by Ring. I really found the Sentinaire camera very interesting even if it is butt-ugly. It isn't cheap, but could be really useful for seniors (like me). Where is all the processing taking place...local or cloud? I'm glad Flic is sending the Twist to KZbinrs creators. Even though backers (Kickstarter) were charged over $100 in Dec 2021, they haven't shipped them to folks like me yet. I got the new Lutron paddle-style Pico from Home Depot and didn't have to buy it as part of a kit. It's great. Keep 'em coming, Brian!!!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Hugh! Thanks! Yeah I don't love the Eero required version of the Alarm system from Ring, but that First Alert Smoke/CO Sensor sounds like a wonderful addition to that system. I think I might do that as it appears I have an issue with a smoke sensor here and I'm not going Nest with that one. As for the Sentinaire, I believe it's happening locally but then you do have cloud traffic with the communication going out. That wasn't something I fully tested. For members though, my plan was to do a deeper dive into that, so I'll have a look and see if I can make a short video for ya! Take care!

[@HughD]

@@AutomateYourLife The First Alert Zwave combined smoke/CO is on sale right now for $35.

[@joewaidl1776]

Great video! Is there a link to the new smartthings features?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I didn't produce a full video. Just a couple shorts. I'm going to be doing some tutorials as the features iron out their kinks though. It's not perfect yet.

[@garyhenderson9303]

Maybe I missed something I thought this was unboxing of new Smart Home stuff. Are these new revisions of the Aqara pet feeder and the same for Ring Alarm? Did any new features get added or are these just new to the market in Canada. I have had the Ring Alarm V2 for several years now but could not see anything new in what you showed.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Not everything is 100% brand new Gary. Devices are a few months old sometimes. As for the V2, there are many revisions within that just not the physical devices. Lots of great features that have come in recently

[@cdarrigo]

Are you going to be doing a video on options for controlling smart lights with smart switches? I have a house filled with smart bulbs and want to avoid having to cover all of my light switches with tape. It's an interesting problem to solve as the existing dumb switches are toggle-based and sometimes are in three and four gang boxes. Obviously a drop and replacement would be ideal, but I don't even know what options are really out there to support that.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeah that’s a tough topic to tackle, but you know…it might be a good time to start trying. Things take me a few months though!

[@davidhouston5577]

Very interesting video. Ever since adding matter and specifically connecting my Philips hue hub via matter nearly all my hue bulbs show as offline. They still activate with routines but you have to go into diagnostics and select any one bulb then that usually fixes them all. The room my SmartThings hub is in seems to automatically get every single hue bulb / accessory added to it at random times during the month ( wither this is to do with the matter thing I don’t know ). I’ve had a look at homey but already having a SmartThings hub, a Philips hue hub, a flic hub and a soma smart shades hub (raspberry pi) it’s beginning to get a little crowed or would homey do away with all these separate hubs ? Great channel. Really enjoy all your content. Thanks.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I don't think Homey would do away with most of that. Maybe SmartThings. So no...it doesn't fix it. It just gives you more automation capability (at least as far as I can tell, so far).

[@FinnsLab]

Thank you for answering the question Brian. Mine was Smartthings But have slowly moved all over to HA ( HA is a bit more work then i wish to use on a smart home ). Wish ST would be my main as it have so mulch potential if just all the devices WOULD HAVE WORKED. Most my Aqara devices dont work great with ST. Like the Roller Shade Driver E1 (RSD-M01) and my Wireless Remote Switch H1 ( WRS-R02 ) are few. Maybe the new Aqara and Samsung announcements will make that better? can hope?. :)

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Finn! Thank you for the question and for all of your support! I do think those two companies are finally going to work together in a way that makes sense but I don’t think necessarily all of the old devices will come together. I tested the Matter bridge feature about two weeks ago and found that most things that were stated to work with that do, but I still found some gaps with edge drivers being needed, and not yet being ready fully

[@AdamW-c2m]

What about Fibaro? I’ve seen lots of your videos but never heard you review it. I’m tossing up between Fibaro and Homey Pro. Also, could you do a video of energy management. Ie I would love to integrate solar energy production and battery levels with the automatons eg whether or not to run heating and cooling based on battery levels or solar production. Thanks :)

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeah I've never touched Fibaro's full hub. We'd talked about it at one point but I think they're pretty heavily focused on the EU. Not sure if I can get it, but I'll watch for an opportunity

[@jenniferloretdemola]

The pet feeder isn’t technically HomeKit compatible but you can create scenes for it and a hb dummy switch if you want it to show as a device with simple on off function (on is automated to trigger the dispense food scene).

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeah! Great point!

[@AutomateYourLife]

I'm thinking the Matter Bridge will change that soon though, or hoping :)

[@mnminnmn]

What about a homey pro hub review ?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeah! It's taking time to get it into Canada. ;)

[@obijuan-]

Thank you for this video. Well, thank you for each opening Sat video of new products. I look forward to each one. I always learn useful and valuable info about products. For instance, I am a big big Sonoff fan (50+) devices in my home. You showed me under-the-hood benefits to NS Panel that I had not realized before today. Thank you. I am playing with the Sonoff L3 Pro Programmed LED strip now. (At about, $23, a third the price of Govee M1) I can try lots of different places. Really like the interface to Alexa routines. Now, I have tied in different light schemes to various Wyze cam and Yolink sensors across my property. I can visually receive a cue that somethings occurred and look into it now.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Ohhhh I’m glad that nspanel is a good discovery for you! Thank you for watching!

[@Pinza7]

It's funny how they talk about the holiday season in the colonies, back in the UK we just call it summer.

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's funny how you called it The Colonies.

[@bazanime]

The Christmas lights are very welcome and it don't cost several hundred. It will go well with my Govee setup.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Right? Those are great!

[@bazanime]

@@AutomateYourLife btw what length did you have?

[@AutomateYourLife]

@bazanime just 10 meter so far!

[@bazanime]

@@AutomateYourLife cheers m8! 👍🏾

[@dillonstandley4330]

You need to review GE cync stuff. It's made by savant

[@AutomateYourLife]

I've shown GE before. Some good stuff, some less good stuff!

[@cdarrigo]

The Goovee lights are very interesting. I'm sure the lights are incredibly capable and I like the integration with the rest of their ecosystem, but of course they'll be hampered by the nightmare of user experience, which is the Govee application. There's also a far fewer number of LEDs on this strip compared to something like the twinkly. Yes, twinkles are more expensive, but they have an app that makes setup a breeze on my tree and great effects that can be shared with others on the internet. I look forward to your comparison of the Govee Christmas lights to the twinkly lights to the Philips hue offering

[@AutomateYourLife]

You know, that would be a good comparison to do.

[@bazanime]

I've found the Govee app quite easy to use and yet comprehensive in features offered. Also the interface updates over the year has moved some features to more sensible locations. Detection of my Govee devices has been good. Of course user experience does vary per individual. Only issue I had was bluetooth thermometer dropping off bluetooth, but I found out that it's an android OS bug that requires a phone reboot every now and then.

[@bazanime]

@@AutomateYourLife indeed that would be an informative comparison. Twinkly are more experienced in the smart Christmas lights business and in this case maybe the premium brand. Govee are more affordable and have proven to be great with lighting on various devices and setups. Either way it's good competition for consumer choice.

[@cdarrigo]

@@bazanime don't forget the new offering by hue

[@GD99-p7u]

Curious about the Govee lights Vs the new ones from Nanoleaf Vs Twinkly

[@garethjones5068]

1:00:17 So frustrating 😔

[@AutomateYourLife]

So frustrating!

[@StephenMatrese]

8:35 Amazon will never own the smart home market as a hole without local control. I don't want the lag, I don't want the reliance on someone else's servers (they can be shut down, they can start charging for a few service (Wink), and they can create a walked garden). I am BY FAR not the only one who wants local functionality primary and cloud services secondary.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Do you think they'll go local eventually?

[@chrisyerp174]

Ring is so far behind ufey and tp link if it's not ptz poe camera I won't touch it

[@AutomateYourLife]

In some ways they are behind, for sure. But user experience is really well thought out. There's no other camera with some of those features and I use the bird's eye view to know alot about the intentions of someone!

[@alwaysright3718]

No smart window winders again 😡

[@AutomateYourLife]

Sigh…

[@dominicwehrmann8515]

That activity sensor comes 3 months too late for my grandma… oof

[@AutomateYourLife]

Too bad. It's really well done.

[@Artificial.Unintelligence]

Can you give more info upfront of each product? 1. Major features or selling points / what it does different before i just skip..(ie the camera at the ~15min mark you should LEAD with it records wireframes not people?). 2. MSRP .. yeah sales etc happen but we need to have a baseline expectation. 3. Specs all listed at once down the side of the screen, not trickled into the unboxing because thats horrible for actually comparing products. (Makes me want to go to a product page instead of the video). 4. ACTUAL compatibility and subscriptions required: you said ring is DIY but notoriously NOT.. can you use it in HOME ASSISTANT or without subscription, without someone else's server or someone else's app? (ie you said ring is DIY while at the same time showing the box requiring a subscription.. so no, if "DIY" means you plug it in instead of a "technician" then the bar is way lower than id expect)

[@AutomateYourLife]

I understand all the requests here, and actually you’ll see lots of what you’re requesting. Msrp is there most of the time and often I talk about what a product does during the initial unboxing process. But this is already 10 almost complete reviews in a video. We can’t fit anymore right now. Imagine just how much work it is to find out every product works with Google, Amazon, Samsung, Apple, HA, Homey (now), and it just goes on and on. Talking about Home Assistant is a minefield too. That’s a video all on it’s own. There are many great creators who cater to home assistant people and we also do comparison reviews all the time that fit most of your requests here. So I’m ok if this isn’t the video for you. It’s a discovery video. That’s what unboxing is. :)

[@chrisedwards5447]

You should'nt encourage people to buy a product based off of what you hope it will do in the future. The flic twist is absolutely not worth it if you don't have many philips hue or sonoff products. If you don't have those products your limited to two buttons and absolutely no twist function. You need to be honest with your viewers and stop worrying about saying something negative about Flic.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I feel that I said plenty. And from my perspective I was completely honest. I even said they needed more choices on their menu for direct integrations. You’re likely following reviews that are incorrect because they came out immediately on launch. Both Alexa and Smartthings users can use the twist and push/twist features. It’s not perfect and I stated that, but if I want to, every movement on the twist dial can be a new routine for Alexa and ST. That’s a great set of features for lots of my audience.

[@MrKenstar2]

Talks about flic twist for 3 minutes doesnt even tell is what it is

[@AutomateYourLife]

Actually I talked for 30 minutes before showing what it was. You just got the cut down version

[@Bohemian-Rhapsody]

I usually like your content but tbh that was some pretty crappy gadgets. Waste of time.

[@AutomateYourLife]

What didn't you like?

[@Marsh.z]

Ring is Trash

[@AutomateYourLife]

I don't know that one word describes any brand. There's a lot of value in that kit for a lot of people

[@midgeta6864]

HOMEYPRO!!!

[@AutomateYourLife]

You caught that did ya ;)