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Withings Smart Body Analyzer Review - This changes everything?

That headline is a bit misleading - the Withings Smart Body Analyzer isn't going to change the world. It's a wi-fi connected scale. But I'm hoping that the Withings Smart Body Analyzer changes everything about me . It's off to a good start.

Review - One Month With a Nest Thermostat

I've wanted a Nest Thermostat for years. Really, since before the first-generation Nest was available.  I read an article on the NY Times about it, and I was completely hooked.  It was sleek. Immediately understandable. Perfect.   Of course, it was several years before I actually pulled the trigger and bought one.  One month later, this is our AAAD review. 

Finally! Is iRemote On The Way?

I've been talking about Apple creating an "iRemote" platform for quite a while. Back in March of 2013, when Apple was still in the doldrums, AAAD discussed the potential for Apple to create a home automation standard .  This "iRemote" platform would control all compatible third-party devices (lighting, music, TV) from a single screen, and in turn, would drive third-party device makers away from proprietary apps and formats, and toward a single, synthesized standard. Today, Gizmodo (citing Financial Times), reported that Apple might be doing EXACTLY that . Awesome.

Say No to IR Blasters! The DirecTV RF Remote

I spent the better part of the 2000's trying to banish IR blasters from our living room. They managed to combine poor form and poor function. Wires running under and around our components, IR emitters affixed to the front of our components, messing up the whole look of our living room. And they didn't always work! It was an exercise in frustration.  With our new built-in home theater cabinets, our components are tucked away out of sight. So it looked like we were headed back to IR blasters.  Until DirecTV stepped in to save the day.

Project 1 (Home Theatre) - UPDATED: Done!

Finally, we have some real news! (Actually, quite a bit of it. More on that later.) Let's start with the exciting conclusion of the original PROJECT #1 from AAAD - the Home Theater Remodel .

Buying a Prius in 2014 - Before CarPlay

iOS 7.1 was unveiled a month or so back, and its centerpiece was Apple's CarPlay, which promises to finally deliver a safe, hands-free (and eyes-free) iOS experience for drivers. Unfortunately, CarPlay won't be available for a while, and I need a new car now . On the plus side, there have never been more high-tech, high mileage hybrid vehicles available. So which car is the best fit for a tech lover with a long commute?

ADT Pulse Review - Great, with a "but".

ADT stopped by our house on Friday to upgrade our Brinks security system to an ADT Pulse system.  There was nothing wrong with our old Belkin system - but we're ditching our AT&T landline, so we were going to need a security system that ran on cellular communications.  And ADT Pulse definitely fits the bill. There's just one thing I wish was different.

Back to WOW! (Or, "Wow, AT&T. Really?")

As you may recall, we spent quite a bit of time and energy bundling and unbundling our TV, internet and phone services. And we're not done yet.

Mesa, Arizona - Home of the Chicago Cubs and Apple.

I haven't been to Phoenix for a few years. (Granted, this polar vortex has me rethinking that course of action.) My grandmother spends her winters down there (and statistically speaking, so does yours), and millions flock to the area in February/March for MLB Spring Training. And now, two of my favorite companies in the world - Apple and the Chicago Cubs - call the same Phoenix suburb their year-round home. That Phoenix suburb - Mesa - recently invested heavily in both entities. Here's why.

Why Google's Purchase of Nest is a Good Thing

It's no secret that we're huge Nest fans here at AAAD. We're also, obviously, huge Apple fans.  So when word got out last week that Google was paying three and a half BILLION dollars for Nest, the AAAD household had to deal with some cognitive dissonance.  How can we love Apple *and* the Google-ified Nest? Turns out it's easy. Read on.