In the latest episode of HomeKit Insider Podcast, Siobhan Adcock from Consumer Reports will connect to talk about Smart Baby Tech, and we will also get to the new CEO of Sonos, HoMedler and more.
SIOBHAN ADCOCK from IS IS This week a guest host that serves as a director of content development in the child category Consumer Messages. The non -profit organization tests several types of intelligent devices, including their security, security and privacy.
As shown in our last podcast Consumer Messages,, Appleinsider It has a history with a publication that the original in 2017.
A few years later and after the tour Consumer Reports’ Facilities, we have friendly conditions and spend this episode of diving in Smart Baby Tech, including how integrates – or not integration – into an intelligent house.
The complete interview is overwritten below and modified for clarity.
This week, Sonos has a permanent CEO. Member of the Board of Directors and the Provisional CEO Tom Conrad will officially retain a role after an exhaustive search.
Conrad has been working to help gain consumer confidence in the last year, and the sound company has claimed that it has an impressive series of new hardware descending in a row.
Switchbot announced a new update coming on its intelligent humidity. Now it will support the mass natively via Wi-Fi and will not require the switching of the switchbot hub.
Without good options on the market, we spend some time eating a smart dehumidifier. Using Eve Energy Plug and some room sensors we go through the stupid dehumidifier in Matter and Apple Home.
Finully, we go practically with The Journey Loc8 Versa wallet. It is a tension leather wallet for the finding of my Magsafe, which holds 5 cards and also has a cash clip.
Links from the HomeKit Insider podcast
Interview with Siobhan Adcock from consumer reports
Andrew O’Hara: So, Siobhan Adcock from consumer news. Previously we had Dan, who is fantastic.
Siobhan is the director of content development in the category of the child for consumer reports for which I am very excited.
We just had our second little one – Little Ellie – how many people who listen. It’s a little more than three weeks now. Things in the children’s space change very quickly and very slowly.
I’m excited to catch up with them. Let’s talk about all things. I know we’re diving on a specialized topic on a specialized show, but I hope there are people who are anyway.
Before we get the real equipment, tell me something about you. How did you get into the news for the child and consumer news? Then immerse yourself in the device.
Siobhan AdCock: Thank you very much for me, above all – and congratulate you. You are in thatthat? The first few weeks feel like every day is the apocalypse. It’s a heavy section.
I got into the children’s space because I find fascinating children and toddlers. They like aliens among us. Neurological and sensory development in these first weeks and months is really interests – mysterious and cool than the wildest thriller.
The technology of interest is beginning to develop, which could unlock a lot of this secret. So from a deeply stupid, weirdo level I am really.
My task is to cooperate with our test team in Consumer Reports and create content from our independent testing of children’s product – because seats, strollers, monitors, diapers and more.
I also cooperate with our police, security and advocacy on investigative reports to make the world safer, better and fair for infants and their adults.
If you look at the child’s equipment, as you said, it develops really quickly and really slowly. A lot of bread remains the same – sleep, feeding and understanding what these little people need when they can’t speak yet.
Parents also face huge challenges. We work like us parents and parents as if we do not work. And then we will try to solve the same problem with the beetr equipment. Many intelligent children’s devices try to solve the thesis in a creative way.
It is a kind of “dinosaur train” – why did it take to combine dinosaurs and trains for so long? The same applies to a combination of car seats and night light or white noise machines.
Many innovations make sense once they exist. And now we are starting to see these combinations.
Andrew: Yes, 100%. And it is fun to hear my parents, or the son -in -law says, “Back in our time” has every stories about boiling bottles and milk heating. Things have changed so much.
I love things like a bottle of ember. They took the intelligent mug technology and did something that was really useful. I can only take the formula and an empty bottle, press the button and the day got warm milk anywhere.
It’s so smart.
So what is in the new space? Give me the overall picture. What trends or innovations are exciting right now?
Siobhan AdCock: ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas is a place to look at new products. One of the biggest trends is multi -stage equipment. Treaty and bassinets that develop toddler or full -size beds. Parents need products that continue to stretch.
We also see predictive and interpretative technology. Smart bassinets that respond to the cries of the child. New products such as Motorola Pipa and Maxi-Cosi’s Starling to interpret sleep stimuli and cloak patterns.
These tools help parents better night sleep. But I always remind parents: no device can know your child like you. Your child is of its kind. Believe your instincts.
Yet many of these products are useful. They come up with applications to help you watch sleep and decode shouts – like hunger, wet or tired. In these first weeks there is little help Apprei.
Andrew: Yes, and it seems that intelligent equipment is useful. A few years ago it seemed to be Bluetooth for no reason.
I remember trying to find a monitor that made RF and Wi-Fi-It was impossible. I wanted a local screen and access to applications. Fortunately, some monitors offered both of them.
Why did it take so long after the function of an intelligent house to be included in children’s equipment?
Siobhan AdCock: Great question. First, the window of usefulness for children’s equipment is shorts. Smart Bassinet is used only for 4-5 months. So do not hesitate to enter the main investment in the technology in such a short time.
Secondly, costs. Children’s equipment is already expensive and most families are trying to stretch their dollars. Companies do not want prices to people by always producing ultra high-tech.
Innovation in Baby Gear also lags behind general consumer technology. Polished features will be given later and it is usually a simplified version of what former elsewhere.
Andrew: This is sorted. I also think that more dads get into children’s technology. Guys as Quinn of Svazzy Labs are enthusiastic about the same things I am.
And mothers are also more comfortable with technology. We use our phones for everything – Actionts, Orders, Reminder – so it makes sense that children’s tools would also be integrated.
Andrew: Let’s talk about products. We used snoo for both children. At first I had no idea what it was. Then we used it and absolutely loved it.
The rocking was a bit intense at first, but after checking online, we realized that it was normal. Ellie is sleeping great now.
He also did not realize that Swaddle had holes for the shoulders for later use. Rookie Error with Harrison!
Siobhan AdCock: Snoo is extremely popular. It was one of the first intelligent basinets. We tested it in terms of safety, easy use and more. Overall, it scored very well.
Several notes: Do not cover the volume of white noise too high – it can be enthusiastic about safe levels. And some experts of certainty against the Swadddles, which are too limiting movement. But otherwise it is an excellent product.
It is also worth mentioning – now they offer collection. And they moved to the prescription model: after about nine months, some premium functions require paid signature regulations.
Andrew: That brings us to the cradle. We are surprised for Harrison and we loved it. It passes from Bassinet to the cot and even includes a child monitor and a white noise machine.
They also added an offensive. I still learn what functions are included. The cloud storage makes sense – most intelligent cameras load. AI is also exisseed for starting.
I learned that they did not choose any functions from the original product. Everything still works. It adds more subscriptions but does not remove.
Siobhan AdCock: This is the key – adding value without removing what customers already had. The subscription is likely to become the norm because these productions are more advanced.
CradleWise is beautiful designed. In our laboratory tests, it did well. We had several small bouncy calibration problems, but their customer service was excellent.
Andrew: And I liked that over time he was constantly improving with new features.
Speaking of intelligent technology – let’s talk about privacy. I really want a children’s camera with a safe video HomeKit. Apple is private, local and requires no additional regulation fees.
I saw a new camera on CES from TP-Link’s Tapo Line. It supports Homekit and uses AI to detect things such as overturning or covered faces. That’s exactly what I want.
But how do we know that it is safe to send your child’s data to the cloud? What should parents look for for?
Siobhan AdCock: At Consumer Reports we evaluate the child monitors using the same standard of privacy and security as home security cameras.
We will look at how data is processed on the device and according to the company’s personal data protection principles. Unfortunately, even well -rated devices often get low signs for handling 2 of 5.
For most families we recommend video monitors only for local. You will lose a remote access, but the video quality is good enough to see if your child’s eyes are open or break.
Some devices offer a double model: local and remote access. If you are going on this route, use a strong password, enable two -factor verification and maintain the current firmware.
Andrew: When I travel, I like to apply for Cradlef. And yeah, I want data – but DOPEE sometimes feels scary.
We had Owlet’s sock with Harrison. It was reassuring when we remember it – but we often forgot, because it had to go under his Onesie and it was difficult for the manager.
Siobhan AdCock: Absolutely. I will never tell my parents not to use something that gives them comfort. But no device replaces instincts. You know your child best.
Just keep in mind: Everything technical costs money, and privacy is real consideration. If you can have five applications that will tell you that your child is breathing, you will save money – and maybe stress.
Andrew: Yes! That’s why I want Homekit Cam. It keeps it all local and private. And later it can become a regular safety cam. Why do more companies do it?
When we wrap – some fun children’s technological products I recommend?
Siobhan AdCock: We focused on safety at the exhibition. For example, we looked at nursing pillows and car seats that meet the latest safety standards.
Motorola Pipa stood on the technique side. And there is a low-tech innovation: a glass bottle from Chicco, which is both in silicone non-bruteable and without plastics.
Andrew: Very cool. That’s why I like to ask you – you know when Tech makes sense and when not. I will definitely check it out.
Siobhan AdCock: Thank you! And congratulations again on your growing family.
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