As most of us weigh the conveniences and challenges of Internet-connected “smart houses,” Adwait Nadkarni is thinking on a higher level altogether. Nadkarni, an assistant professor in William & Mary’s Department of Computer Science, is thinking about smart cities.

Vibrant, balanced ecosystems are an essential requirement for the survival of humans, animals and other organisms. In the twenty-first century, some companies have abandoned traditional, environmentally detrimental practices in search of a more sustainable approach to doing business. This characterization could not be further from the truth for Schneider Electric.

Home and Away Routines work best with Google’s own Nest products – lowering the thermostat when no one is in, for example, or turning off indoor security cameras when you are home – but can control devices from other companies too, like smart lights and plugs.

Moen has always been known for faucets, but its U by Moen sub-brand has grown into a key player for plumbing system-based smart home devices. Not only do the company’s smart faucets help regulate water flow to kitchens and bathroom sinks, but they pack motion sensors and pair with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can control them with your voice, too.

Smart home technology has enhanced the functionality of our houses. For many homeowners, it’s an opportunity to go all out to meet their needs. However, having kids means you have a higher priority in your life.

After years of development, Amazon is ramping up efforts to establish a long-range wireless network capable of keeping things connected even when they’re outside the typical range of home Wi-Fi. It’s called Amazon Sidewalk, and on June 8, the company will flip the switch, activating Sidewalk support for most Echo speakers, as well as Ring products, Tile Bluetooth trackers and other early partners.