Articles by Christine Persaud

The new Nest Doorbell has all the features you would expect from a video doorbell, including smart alerts when activity is detected, the ability to answer the door remotely, and a built-in speaker and mic. But it also adds enticing upgrades, like distinguishing among people, packages, animals, and vehicles, a unique 3:4 vertical camera so you can see people from head to toe (and packages on the ground), wire-free battery operation, and weather-resistant housing. It also comes in at an affordable price, so you’ll have extra dough for Nest Doorbell accessories.

Your in-home monitor

Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

Staff pick

Be able to see who’s at the door and talk to them, completely hands-free, by adding this smart display to the mix. While it’s more a secondary device than an accessory, per se, it works so seamlessly with the Nest Doorbell that it’s worth mentioning as the top choice. Plus, you get all the benefits of a smart display as well, including being able to control other smart dev…

The new Nest Doorbell offers compelling features, potentially enticing people to upgrade from the previous generation Nest Hello. It offers AI detection and motion zones that can distinguish among people, packages, animals, and vehicles. With the addition of a Nest Aware subscription, it can even notify you when it recognizes familiar faces, like the dog walker or neighbor. It’s battery-powered for easy installation and works with other compatible smart home products. The Nest Doorbell is a pretty stylish video doorbell that is slim and sleek and comes in four color options: Snow, Linen, Ivy, Ash. Once you have decided that it’s for you, however, how do you pick which color to get? It’s a tough choice since they are all quite enticing.

Fits right in

Nest Doorbell — Ash

Staff Pick

The Ash finish of the Nest Doorbell is a perfect blend of style and elegance and an unobtrusive design. So no matter the finish of the exterior of your home, it won’t stick out like a sore thumb. …

Powerful workhorse

Lenovo Yoga Tab 13

See at Lenovo

Pros

Cool wall hanger/kickstand design
Gorgeous graphics
Powerful processor
Can be used as a second display

Cons

Likely to be expensive
Battery doesn’t last as long
No special area for kids

The upcoming Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 is likely to be an affordable alternative to a premium tablet like the iPad Pro and a powerful workhorse for those who want to use it for productivity in addition to bandwidth-intensive entertainment, like gaming and watching HD videos.

All in the family

Lenovo Yoga Tab 11

$320 at Best Buy

Pros

Cool wall hanger/kickstand design
Affordable, family-friendly option
Great dedicated Google Kids section
Long battery life

Cons

Not as powerful
Soft-touch, heat-resistant, and durable fabric finish

Better suited for use by the whole family, parents will appreciate the dedicated Google Kids Space section along with the included built-in stainless-steel kickstand that can also double as a wal…

Simple security for the home

Nest Cam Indoor (2021)

From $100 at Google

Pros

Simple setup
Maintains constant connection
Multiple finish options
Most affordable Nest cam to date

Cons

Not battery operated
Can’t use it outdoors

The Nest Cam Indoor (2021) is the perfect solution for monitoring inside the home. It’s ideal for those who have pets, children, or who travel often and want to keep an eye on things while they are away.

Total home security

Nest Cam (2021)

$180 at Best Buy

Pros

Can be set up inside or out
Lots of optional accessories
Can send customized alerts
Grab in multi-packs
Battery power without wires

Cons

Expensive
Not available yet
Requires Nest Aware subscription to get the most out of it

While it’s more expensive, the Nest Cam (2021) is ideal for those who want to keep an eye on the home from the outside, with a built-in battery and weatherproofing. It also comes with customizable alerts and the ability to distinguish between people, an…

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is here! The “FE” designation of its name means this mid-range tablet was designed with fan feedback in mind. Still, you might be trying to decide between the Galaxy Tab S7 FE vs. Galaxy Tab S7, and while productivity specs are of the utmost importance, sometimes the decision comes down to something as simple as color. If the growing preference of late toward lighter, pastel finishes and, conversely, bright and bold hues of tech devices prove anything, it’s that form is just as important as function. But if you do decide on the Galaxy Tab S7 FE, which color would suit you best? Here is a closer look at each shade available.

Mystified silver

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE — Mystic Silver

Staff Pick

I’m a sucker for being different, which is why I have a computer finished in a goldish tone. Since a similar option isn’t available for the Tab S7 FE, I’d opt for silver. It’s a nice departure from basic black for those who like to make subtle statements ye…

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is a huge and functional tablet best complemented with one of the best Galaxy Tab S7+ screen protectors. With a 12.4-inch screen, the tablet is great for getting work done, playing games, and more. However, no matter what you plan to do with it, a protective case and screen protector are must-have accessories. And here are a few great ones to consider.

Quality and easy install

Supershieldz High Definition Clear Shield -3-pack

Staff Pick

You’ll get a high-quality Japanese PET film that’s easy to install overtop the device and won’t leave residue behind when it’s removed. There are three in a pack for sharing or spares, providing a natural feel for your finger and S Pen stylus.

$8 at Amazon

No reflections

kwmobile 2x Screen Protector – 2-pack

The anti-scratch, anti-glare, and anti-reflective screen protector is self-adhesive and prevents air bubbles, so you get a smooth application. It even comes with a cleaning cloth.

$9 at Amazon

Ultra thin
…

Works like a laptop

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

From $530 at Samsung

Pros

Large, high resolution display
Comes with an S Pen
Use like a laptop with accessories
Affordable tablet option

Cons

Might be more than you need

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is a great tablet for serious professionals and students who want a tablet that can function like a laptop, and even as a potential laptop replacement. Plus, it is available at a really affordable price that’s impressive given its stellar feature set.

Mobility on the go

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE 5G

From $670 at Samsung

Pros

Large, high-resolution display
Comes with an S-Pen
Use like a laptop with accessories
Convenient 5G connection when needed

Cons

Need a plan to use 5G
Much more expensive
Might be more than you need

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE 5G is effectively the exact same tablet as the Galaxy Tab S7 FE, but with the addition of 5G connectivity. With an optional mobile carrier plan, this means you can ensur…

If you’re considering an activity tracker for a young child, the Fitbit Ace 3 is my hands-down favorite. As the best fitness tracker for kids, the Ace 3 is a pretty simple band that packs a lot of features, including tracking kids’ daily steps and active minutes as well as detailed sleep. On the device, kids can play around with a timer, stopwatch, do not disturb, and even water lock. The app, however, is where the magic happens. Parents can set daily step and sleep goals for kids, send them reminders to move, and change the clock face.

Animated faces to motivate your little one

What makes the Fitbit Ace 3 really cool, and my son’s choice when comparing the Fitbit Ace 3 vs. Fitbit Ace 2, is that there are more than two-dozen animated clock faces to choose from. Each also comes to life and changes in different ways as kids work toward achieving their step goals.

One of the latest additions is Minions, which displays a cute Minions character along with the date and time. As the chil…

There’s nothing like sharing some refreshing and tasty cocktails with friends and family. And you don’t always have to go out to a busy and crowded bar to get one. With the right tools, you can make your own at home. But it requires some know-how, including the right measurements and techniques. That is unless you have a cocktail maker that takes the guesswork out of making cocktails at home. Sure, it isn’t a smart kitchen gadget that can connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or be controlled by voice. But rising above them all as the best home cocktail maker is the Bartesian Cocktail Maker, which lets you use your own favorite spirits mixed with pre-made capsules and water if needed to pour out the most delicious cocktails.

Best overall: Bartesian Cocktail Maker

With the Bartesian Cocktail Maker, you can make single-serving cocktails just as easily as you can make coffee with a single-cup coffee machine. Keep the reservoir filled with water and the base stocked with up to four favorite …

One of the first ways to start getting familiar with a smart home, how it works, and how easy and convenient it is to control devices in the home from your mobile device is through smart lighting. You could grab a single bulb to swap in for an old one and get started there, or consider opting for a starter kit that includes multiple bulbs like the Sengled Smart LED Multicolor A19 Starter Kit, which is one of the best cheap smart LED bulbs and includes three bulbs plus a hub. Some starter kits come with a hub or bridge if it’s required for smart connectivity, while others even throw in additional goodies that can function as part of your smart lighting system.

Best overall: Sengled Smart Light Bulbs A19 Starter Kit

When it comes to every feature you could possibly want in a smart lighting starter kit, this one has it all. It comes with three LED bulbs along with the Sengled Smart Hub, though it can also work with other compatible smart hubs like Samsung SmartThings or Amazon Alexa…