Primary school children say using AI sometimes feels like cheating and teachers warn their `Luddite` colleagues are `freaking out` about the technology. Read...

TechHive Editors Choice At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Matter controller and bridge, with Thread and Zigbee radios 2K video resolution with a tall, 4:3 aspect ratio mmWave presence detection reduces false alerts Compatibile with Alexa, Google, SmartThings, IFTTT Supports Apple HomeKit Secure Video and RTSP Cons Motion-triggered video recordings limited to 12 seconds No HDR support, limiting performance in mixed or backlit conditions Weak weatherization rating: IPX3 Zigbee radio only supports Aqara’s Zigbee devices Our Verdict If you don’t already have a strong smart home hub, the Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 can kill two birds with one stone. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 Retailer Price $129.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Describing the Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 as just another video doorbell is like dismissing the quirky VW ID. Buzz as a run-of-the-mill minivan. Sure, it will keep an eye on your front porch, but it can also control all the other smart devices in your home, thanks to the presence of Bluetooth, Thread, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Zigbee radios; Matter support; compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, and Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video; and a 24/7 recording option with RTSP support for hardcore users. One caveat: Its Zigbee support is limited to Aqara’s own Zigbee devices. It’s still a massive step up from the Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 that TechHive reviewed in the spring of 2024, addressing nearly every criticism leveled at that earlier product. And like that unit, this one comes with a remote AC-powered chime with local storage for the doorbell’s video clips, provided by a microSD card slot (card capacities up to 512GB are supported, but you’ll need to provide one). The chime can get quite loud: up to 95dB. The Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410’s most transformative feature is invisible: It’s a full-fledged smart home hub. Aqara wisely carried over that earlier doorbell camera’s facial recognition feature, while boosting its video resolution from 1080p to 2K (2048 x 1536 pixels) and adding millimeter wave (mmWave) motion detection. All that said, Aqara did make one significant change that will disappoint some buyers; one that might even prevent a few G4 owners from considering an upgrade. More on that in a bit. Design, durability, and weather resistance The Aqara G410 video doorbell doesn’t feature a sleek design, but the ringer button is easy for visitors to locate.Aqara The industrial design of Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 very closely resembles that of the earlier G4 model, measuring 5.57 × 2.56 × 1.2 inches (HxWxD). It’s available in black or gray, both available on Amazon, but there’s also a Select model that’s available in black or white. It’s unclear if the Select model has any additional features beyond a three-month HomeGuardian trial, compared to the 1-month offer that comes with the base model. Like the G4, the G410 is rated IPX3 for protection from the elements. According to our IP code guide, that means Aqara makes no claims for protection against particulate matter ingress, but that the camera is protected against water sprayed at up to a 60-degree angle on either side of vertical. Given that mild IP code, I would recommend installing this doorbell under an eave or awning and not subjecting it to extremely wet climates. Installation and setup It took me less than 15 minutes to set up the Aqara G410, from unboxing to completion. The remote chime I mentioned earlier doubles as a Matter-certified smart home hub (it’s a Matter bridge and controller and a Thread border router). It bears repeating, however, that its Zigbee radio can only control Aqara’s own Zigbee products. But before you get to any of that, you’ll need to charge the doorbell’s battery by plugging the provided USB-C to USB-A cable into a AC adapter (one that you’ll need to provide). I’d previously installed the Aqara phone app during testing of the excellent Camera Hub G3, and that app controls setup for the G410 as well. There’s not much in the way of printed instructions, but once the app recognizes the G410, the in-app directions are clear, and it was easy to connect the doorbell to my Wi-Fi network. The doorbell comes with a small screwdriver to help with installation. You’ll need it to separate the backplate for adding the batteries or attaching the electrical wires for power.James Barber/Foundry The G410 can operate on battery power, but it can also take advantage of hardwired power (from a 12V-24V AC or DC transformer) if you’re replacing an existing wired doorbell, or if you want to pull wire to a newly installed transformer. Your existing chime, however, will not work with the new doorbell. Nearly every video doorbell I’ve tested has been too wide to fit in the narrow gap between my home’s doorframe and brick façade, so I opted for a wireless installation. I installed six AA batteries into the unit and stuck it to the wall next to my front door, using the angled shim to give a better view of someone standing on my porch. While I’m sure the doorbell’s adhesive option would work well on glass or tile, or wood, fiber-cement, vinyl, or similar types of siding, it’s not appropriate for brick. I had to reattach the unit with some industrial strength mounting tape after a week because doorbell’s adhesive failed and it fell off the wall. That’s not meant as criticism of the G410, it’s just an advisory to anyone who wants to install the doorbell on masonry: Be prepared for the messy task of drilling holes and hammering lead anchors into them. I installed Aqara’s hub/chime unit in my kitchen, about 20 yards from the doorbell, which is much further than Aqara’s recommendation of a distance less than 5 meters (about 16 feet). Aqara also recommends the chime be no further than 20 meters (about 66 feet) from your Wi-Fi router. When I first installed the doorbell and chime, I got a weak signal warning in the app. After I moved a vintage metal stand mixer in the kitchen out of the line of sight between the doorbell and chime, however, the signal strength jumped to five bars out of six. Sharper, smarter, and taller video James Barber/Foundry As I’ve already mentioned, the G410’s camera is a significant upgrade over the one in the earlier G4. In addition to boosting its resolution from 1080p to 2K, the new camera also has a taller aspect ratio (4:3 vs. 16:9), which captures visitors from head to toe, along with any packages left on the porch near your door—provided you install the camera in the right place. When I first tested the unit with the ringer button at the same height as the home’s original doorbell, I couldn’t see anything on the ground. I got much better results after lowering it by a few inches. Exceptionally tall visitors will need to bend slightly to ring the bell at that height, but that shouldn’t be a major inconvenience for them. The video quality is strikingly improved, especially in daylight. Its 176-degree diagonal field of view and f/1.8 aperture lens deliver a crisp, bright image, with better dynamic range. It’s still not HDR, but it’s more than good enough for its task. In low light, the improvement over the G4 is less dramatic but still noticeable, with less murkiness and more detail around faces. The results are more than adequate for recognizing visitors and monitoring deliveries. Vastly improved motion detection What’s missing from this kit? A USB-A power adapter for the chime. You’ll need to provide your own.James Barber/Foundry Aqara added a millimeter-wave (mmWave) presence sensor, a substantial upgrade from the G4’s PIR (passive infrared) motion sensor, which could miss people who stood still. Shadows and pets could also trigger that sensor. Unlike PIR, mmWave technology can detect a human presence based on micro-movements, even if someone is standing quietly on your porch. This feature drastically reduced false positives while making notifications faster and more relevant. Passing cars and sidewalk pedestrians don’t trigger irrelevant alerts on my iPhone or Apple Watch, something that has been an ongoing issue with my Ring Doorbell Pro. Motion-triggered recordings are still limited to 12 seconds when you use the free cloud storage plan or local microSD storage. If you want longer clips, you must use Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video or set up 24/7 local recording, although the latter requires you to hardwire the doorbell to a power source. On a positive note, Aqara has made the triggers much smarter. On-device facial recognition can now tie directly into automations, not only in Aqara’s app but across Matter-compatible ecosystems, including Home Assistant. You can trigger a compatible smart deadbolt on your door to unlock when the camera recognizes a family member, for instance. You can also program the doorbell to turn on your smart porch light when anyone approaches the door at night. Aqara lets you transform alerts into actions. A complete Matter hub Aqara’s most transformative change is invisible. The G410 is now a full-fledged smart home hub, with a built-in Matter bridge and controller, Zigbee hub (once again, one that’s limited to Aqara’s own Zigbee devices), a Thread border router, and a dual-band Wi-Fi adapter. That means the G410 can do much more than just show you who’s at the door, it can be your smart home’s brain. RTSP and HomeKit Secure Video support Backside views of the  Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 and chime.James Barber/Foundry Apple users will be interested to know that the Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 supports Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video (HKSV), which stores encrypted security camera recordings in their iCloud accounts. Be aware, however, that this requires a paid iCloud subscription with at least 50GB of storage (you’ll need a plan that provides 200GB for up to five cameras, and 2TB for an unlimited number of cameras). Also, the resolution of video recordings stored in your iCloud will be limited to 1200p (a somewhat curious claim, as all the available information on HKSV that I can find indicates Apple limits such video resolution to 1080p). Not to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but Aqara’s statement that HomeKit Secure Video recordings will be limited to resolution 1200p seems to contradict Apple’s reporting that resolution will be limited to 1080p. Michael Brown/Foundry Whatever the case may be, other hardcore home surveillance system fans will be interested in knowing that the camera hub also supports RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol). That gives you the ability to store its video recordings—including 24/7 recording—on a networked video recorder (NVR), a network-attached storage device (NAS), or with third-party smart home platforms such as Blue Iris and Home Assistant. While RTSP itself doesn’t impose a resolution limit, your network limitations might impose a practical limit. And in this case, using RTSP depends on the doorbell camera’s being hardwired to a power source. The feature is not available when it’s running on battery power. Speaking of battery power, Aqara says the G410 should run on battery power for up to five months, based on 10 activations per day. More frequent visitors and/or inclement weather will reduce that time. For me, the battery level as reported by the app still reads 100 percent after several weeks of use. More cloud options, and the return of the subscription Finally, here’s the caveat I mentioned earlier that might prevent Aqara G4 Smart Wireless Video Doorbell owners from upgrading: The G410 doesn’t include the G4’s offer of a rolling seven days of video storage in Aqara’s cloud for free. What you get instead is one day of rolling storage for 6 months, unless you sign up for Aqara’s HomeGuardian subscription service to get up to 90 days of encrypted storage in the cloud. That subscription costs $5/month ($50/year) for a single Aqara camera, and $10/month ($100/year) for an unlimited number of Aqara cameras. It’s a notable shift, but it’s one that’s in line with what most of the competition is doing. Should you buy the Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410? With its Doorbell Camera Hub G410, Aqara delivers almost everything Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 users have been asking for: Sharper video, smarter presence detection, and better integration with other platforms, including Matter. Add in all the new smart home features, HomeKit Secure Video and RTSP support, and you have an easy TechHive Editors’ Choice winner. That said, the G410 is not perfect. Its stock video clips are short, its weatherization features leave a bit to be desired, and Aqara has moved away from its offer of 7 days of free cloud storage to nudge you toward paying for a subscription. But if you’re looking for a doorbell that can also serve as a hub for your entire smart home, it deserves serious consideration. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best video doorbells. Read...

You want to print something, but what if Windows 11 can’t find your printer? A classic case of technology with an opinion of its own: The printer is there and switched on. Still, it doesn’t show up. This can happen after an update, restart, or when switching to a new device. The good news is that the problem can usually be solved quickly with a few simple steps. 1. Is everything properly plugged in? It sounds simple, but this is one of the most common causes of technical problems: a loose USB cable, a switched-off WLAN printer, or the wrong network. Make sure the printer is actually turned on, connected to the correct WLAN (for wireless printers), and that all cables are securely in place. A quick restart of the printer and PC can often work wonders and is worth trying before diving into deeper troubleshooting. 2. Adding a printer manually Windows recognizes many devices automatically, but not all. If your printer doesn’t show up, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & Scanners > Add device. If it still doesn’t appear after a few seconds, look for the line: The desired printer is not listed. Click Add manually to launch the setup wizard and guide Windows through the process. 3. Update drivers If Windows doesn’t recognize the printer, the driver is likely missing. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest Windows 11-compatible software for your model. It’s a quick and straightforward fix that resolves many issues. 4. If nothing helps Windows comes with its own repair tool for resolving issues, including printer problems. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshooting > Other troubleshooters, then find and run the Printers troubleshooter. Give it a moment. The system may sort itself out on its own. Conclusion Windows 11 has its own peculiarities, printing included. Fortunately, most problems can be solved quickly with a few simple steps, a new driver, or even just a basic restart. If the problems persist, the printer itself may be faulty or outdated. Read...

DXC Technology and 7AI have launched a global AI-powered security service, boosting efficiency and cutting analyst workload across DXC`s customer base. Read...

Whether you’re buying a high-end gaming desktop, a compact mini PC, or simply docking your laptop, those accessories you bought 5+ years ago might be showing their age—and even dragging you down. Believe me when I say that you’ll have a much better PC experience if you upgrade with a handful of accessories that most people overlook or underestimate. After I recently set up my own high-end gaming PC, I realized the blazing-fast GPU and CPU weren’t enough. For a truly elevated experience, I needed to ditch my outdated tech. Here are some next-level accessories and peripherals you should actually consider upgrading to, and why they’re worth every penny. A sharp IR webcam with facial recognition The best modern webcams have built-in infrared capabilities, allowing you to sign into your desktop PC using your face (instead of a password), just as you can on a modern laptop. When I sit down at my desktop, I hit the spacebar on my keyboard to wake up my PC, then the webcam instantly signs me in using my face thanks to Windows Hello. No typing of a PIN or password. It may sound small, but it still feels magically easy whenever I wake my PC from sleep. But the IR camera is just one part of a webcam package. I use a Dell UltraSharp webcam, which combines facial recognition with a 4K sensor. It’s one of our favorite Windows Hello webcams. Now I don’t look blurry and unprofessional in my meetings and recorded videos. Dell UltraSharp 4K Webcam (WB7022) Best Prices Today: $155.39 at Amazon | $175.99 at Dell Home A high-quality mechanical keyboard Mechanical keyboards are one of the best things about using a desktop PC. Even the rare gaming laptop with a built-in mechanical keyboard can’t reproduce the tactile joy of typing on crisp keys with satisfying switches. Plus, mechanical keyboards are customizable—the keycaps, the switches, the RGB, and almost anything else about them. Take a look at PCWorld’s list of the best mechanical keyboards for shopping advice. You owe it to yourself to try one. If you’d like to save some desk space and don’t find yourself using the number pad on full-sized keyboards, no worries! Consider a TKL (“tenkeyless”) keyboard, which is more compact and omits the number pad. Keychron Q3 Max keyboard Read our review Best Prices Today: $229.99 at Amazon A separate keypad for macros Back in 2005, PC geeks loved the idea of the “Optimus keyboard” that sadly turned out to be vaporware. The idea was flashy: a keyboard where every key was actually a little mini display, and the images on each key could change based on context. Twenty years later, I recommend grabbing a Stream Deck if that sort of thing sounds interesting. With its customizable keys, you can seriously boost your productivity by configuring each key to trigger actions, launch apps, automate tasks, and perform keyboard shortcuts. I love the Stream Deck Neo, which is compact and feels just right next to my TKL keyboard that lacks bonus macro keys. For me, the Stream Deck Neo is an essential accessory that speeds up my workflow. Elgato Stream Deck Neo Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Amazon A comfortable mouse that fits your hand I can’t tell you what the “right mouse” is for you, but I can tell you that finding the right mouse will make a world of difference. If you’re on the computer for hours every day, it’s critical that you’re using a mouse that’s actually comfortable in hand. Are you already happy with your mouse? Perfect! Nothing to see here, hop on down to the next accessory. But if you aren’t happy with your mouse, it’s time to make that upgrade. You won’t regret it. Check out PCWorld’s recommendations—best wireless gaming mice, best budget gaming mice, and best overall gaming mice—and try out mice in person at local stores if you can. The various shapes of mice will feel different depending on your grip style, and there’s a lot else that goes into comfort, including size, design, and button placement. Razer Cobra Pro Read our review Best Prices Today: $98.99 at Best Buy | $104.99 at Amazon A fresh fabric mousepad Not all mousepads are equal. In fact, most mousepads aren’t great. The average mousepad is designed more for looks than for performance. Meanwhile, there are uber-premium mousepads with built-in wireless charging that are luxurious but arguably overkill. I recommend getting a mousepad with a fabric surface. I’m a big fan of SteelSeries QcK mousepads because they’re pretty inexpensive—as cheap as $11 for the medium-sized one I use. The cloth surface feels great and will help you move your mouse precisely and accurately. Learn more about the differences between hard and soft mousepads. My first QcK mousepad lasted eight years before I replaced it with a new one. At this rate, I expect I’ll buy a third one in another eight years. SteelSeries QcK Series (Medium) A stunningly beautiful 4K OLED monitor It’s tempting to get a new PC and plug it straight into your existing monitor—and you can definitely do that if you want to. There’s no rule that says you have to buy a new monitor with a new PC. But if your monitor is dated or low-spec, an upgrade could be massive. Things like 4K resolution, HDR technology, vivid OLED colors, and high refresh rates are more than just marketing terms. They’re actual benefits that you don’t want to miss out on, at least if you want a high-end PC experience while streaming videos or playing games. And the best part? You can get an incredible PC monitor for a lot less than you might think. Check out our list of the best monitors and maybe even see a few displays in person at a local store to see how they compare. MSI MPG 272URX Read our review Best Prices Today: $1,099 at Amazon | $1099.99 at MSI Desktop speakers worthy of your PC Speakers aren’t like most other PC peripherals. You can have a fantastic experience with the right PC speakers from decades ago. But the average pair of inexpensive speakers—and especially the speakers built into most PC monitors—don’t offer a great audio experience. If you use speakers with your PC on the regular, consider investing in a better setup. I own a pair of Audioengine A2 Plus desktop speakers purchased nearly a decade ago, and they’re still going strong. They’re convenient for any desk—just two speakers with no subwoofer required, though you can add a subwoofer for more bass if you want. Audioengine A2 Plus Best Prices Today: $279 at Amazon Comfortable, high-quality headphones How are your headphones? You don’t necessarily need modern headphones—if you have a pair you love, then great! Stick with ’em. And if you don’t use headphones at all, fine. Jump on down to the next item. But if you’ve been settling for a lesser pair of headphones, you should make the upgrade. A high-quality set of cans will transform your audio experience, whether you’re listening to music or gaming. And unless you’re an audiophile, make sure to prioritize comfort over sound quality. My Sennheiser headphones were on their last legs and I had already repaired them once with a soldering iron. It was time for something new, so I bought Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X headphones and love them! You don’t know what you’re missing out on until you get there. Check out our list of the best gaming headsets, but if you don’t want an integrated microphone or wireless audio, you don’t need a gaming-specific headset. Headphones can be bulky, though, so I also recommend using an AnchorPro under-desk hook. Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X Best Prices Today: $269.99 at Amazon A microphone that sounds great Microphones are often overlooked, but they shouldn’t be. Whether you’re participating in video meetings, recording videos, or just voice chatting while gaming, a good microphone is a solid upgrade. After mixed experiences with microphones built into headsets, I bought a Logitech Blue Yeti a few years ago and haven’t looked back. It’s big, but the sound quality is amazing for the price range. You’ll see professionals using these in YouTube videos, and for good reason. If you’d rather add a microphone to a headset you already love, there’s always the classic ModMic, too. It’s a microphone you can attach to your existing pair of preferred headphones. Logitech Blue Yeti Best Prices Today: $87.99 at Best Buy | $89.99 at Logitech G | $89.99 at Logitech Gaming A dongle-free gaming controller If you’re a PC gamer who uses an older Xbox controller, it may be time to replace it. A modern Xbox controller connects to your PC wirelessly via Bluetooth, and you can also use it as a wired controller by plugging it in with a USB-C cable. Older ones rely on those obnoxious wireless receiver dongles, and who wants to deal with those anymore? Meanwhile, if you don’t have a PC gaming controller, maybe it’s time to get one. Keyboard-and-mouse setups are fine, but sometimes it’s nice to kick back with a controller. Not sure where to begin? Check out our guide to buying a PC gaming controller you’ll love. Microsoft Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Xbox One/PC) Best Prices Today: $135.86 at Amazon Further reading: The most life-changing PC desk accessories Read...

The money will pay for up to 300 additional National Crime Agency officers and new technology and equipment. Read...

The company`s self-driving technology failed to prevent a 2019 crash which killed a 22-year-old woman and severely injured her boyfriend in Florida. Read...

As technology transforms the war in Ukraine, soldiers are experiencing a new form of trauma: `Droneophobia`. Read...

The Ukraine war has seen remarkable innovations in drone technology but it’s rare to see them saving lives. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Petite, unobtrusive hardware Wi-Fi connectivity and interconnected features work well Very affordable Cons Doesn’t detect the presence of carbon monoxide No battery backup on the hub; any power outage means no push notifications We encountered a minor operational problem during testing Our Verdict This three-alarm smoke detection system offers seamless, long-range interconnectivity and Wi-Fi support, giving you extra layers of fire security. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: X-Sense XS01-M Interconnected Smart Smoke Alarm (model FS31) Retailer Price $109.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The trouble with smoke alarms is that one alone usually doesn’t provide enough protection, even in smaller homes. An alarm that goes off in one room might not be heard in the rest of the house, obviating the entire point of the technology. Interconnected smoke alarms offer a solution: If one goes off, they all go off. But the technology either means having dedicated wiring installed or standardizing on a wireless interconnectivity platform and hoping your mesh of alarms are all in range of one another. Specifications The new XS01-M Interconnected Smart Smoke Alarm smoke alarm system (X-Sense model number FS31) gives the wireless interconnect concept an upgrade by putting a base station in the middle of the mesh. That station doesn’t just coordinate the satellite smoke alarms (it should be noted that these alarms will not detect harmful accumulations of carbon monoxide), it also connects to your home Wi-Fi network (2.4GHz only) and relays information to the X-Sense app on your smart phone. The X-Sense FS31 system worked exactly as promised, despite a wealth of interfering walls, floors, doors, electrical wiring, plumbing, and metal electronics between its three satellites. The satellites are modified versions the X-Sense XS01-WT smoke alarm I reviewed in the spring of 2021, bearing the model number XS01-M. They look identical to the standalone XS01-WT, with the only real difference being the addition of an internal 915MHz radio that’s used for inter-alarm communications. Three satellites come with the base station in the box (a 5-station model is also available for $140). A maximum of 24 satellites can be supported on one network, with add-on detectors priced at $30 each ($20 each at Amazon at press time). The unobtrusive hub of the X-Sense XS01-M Interconnected Smart Smoke Alarm system.Christopher Null/Foundry The base station, smaller than you might think at just 3.5 inches square, is powered by a USB-C connection. Note that it doesn’t carry a battery backup, so if the power goes out, your mobile notifications will go dark; consider plugging the hub into an uninterruptible power supply just in case. Each satellite is powered by an included (and replaceable) 3V lithium cell. The preinstalled batteries promise a 5-year operating life, and the alarm itself boasts a 10-year operating life before it must be retired. Installation and setup Setup is a multi-step affair, and the process is not immediately obvious, as the X-Sense app instructs you to scan a QR code on the back of the manual to begin registration. But that didn’t work for me, and eventually I stumbled my way through the app to find a screen for adding the smoke alarms directly, based on their model number. Again, the app doesn’t indicate how to add the base station but attempting to add an alarm prompts you to first onboard the base station by scanning a QR code on its underside. Once the base station has been added to the app, you can proceed to add the alarms, one at a time, by activating their respective batteries and pressing a pairing button on the side of each device. I encountered no trouble with this part of the process. Performance You can add up to 21 additional X-Sense XS01-M smoke alarms to the FS31 system, but be aware these do not detect the presence of harmful levels of carbon monoxxide.Christopher Null/Foundry The X-Sense FS31’s big selling point is of course the alarms’ interconnectivity, so I tested the devices by placing them in the furthest corners of my house, and then using the X-Sense app’s test feature to trigger an alarm that should, in theory, cause all of them to sound off. Sure enough, the system worked exactly as promised, despite a wealth of interfering walls, floors, doors, electrical wiring, plumbing, and metal electronics between the three satellites. X-Sense claims a 500-meter (1,640 feet) maximum range in open air, and though my home is not nearly that large, the system appeared more than capable at blanketing my entire house with coverage. The sirens are very loud and piercing, and three different siren styles are available, so you can customize different alarms with different sounds if desired. The volume of the alarm on the base station can be set, but all siren alarms remain at maximum volume regardless. Each satellite alarm can also be configured to send a variety of different notifications to your phone, including when alarms are triggered or end; when a device is silenced, tested, or malfunctions; low battery notifications; and offline notifications. Push notifications were successfully sent to both my phone and my email inbox. The X-Sense app gives you an at-a-glance look at all your alarms’ status and displays push notifications if the system goes into an alarm state.Christopher Null/Foundry I also tested the alarms with simulated smoke and found they alerted quickly when exposed to the hazard and stopped sounding promptly when the smoke cleared, with push notifications (and an email) being pushed out in seconds. Finally, I also tested the alarms with the base station disconnected. When one alarm was exposed to smoke, each of the other alarms still activated, even without the central hub to coordinate them. The only difference being that push and email notifications were not sent (with the app showing all devices offline). The absence of battery backup on the hub seems like a missed opportunity. The X-Sense app gives you moderate flexibility in how the system works, including the option to silence an alarm by pressing a button on the base station. (With this option off, an alarm can only be silenced by the app or by disconnecting the power plug.) These options are all very straightforward and self-explanatory. I had no trouble with X-Sense’s system until at one point, one of the satellite alarms dropped offline without warning, disconnecting from the network. X-Sense offers no real troubleshooting options for this event—suggesting only that you should just move the alarm closer to the base station—but even when I put them a few feet apart, the alarm stayed offline, despite force-quitting the app and power-cycling both the alarm and the base station. The only fix I was ever able to find was deleting the troubled alarm from the app and re-adding it through the onboarding process. It has remained connected ever since. For the price of a subscription, you can connect the X-Sense system to a third-party professional monitoring service that will dispatch your local fire department should smoke be detected.Christopher Null/Foundry In the U.S., X-Sense offers a subscription service called the Protect+ Premium (that’s the company’s footnote marker at the end of “Protect”, although there’s no footnote on the page I’ve linked to). The service will automatically dispatch first responders if one of its alarms is triggered. The service, administered by the third-party monitoring company Noonlight, takes steps to avoid sending a fire truck based on a false alarm, starting with a written message. If there’s no response within 20 seconds, a phone call is initiated. If there’s no answer to that call within 60 seconds, a fire truck is dispatched. Protect+ Premium costs $5/month or $50/year. There’s also a $3/month, $30/year Protect+ Basic plan, which requires you to request a fire-engine dispatch by pressing a button in the app when one of the smoke alarms sounds off. Neither plan is something I’d invest in, but you might feel otherwise. Should you buy an X-Sense XS01-M Interconnected Smart Smoke Alarm Despite the lone operational hiccup, the X-Sense FS31 system worked well in my testing, the various hardware components are petite and unobtrusive, and the price—on sale at Amazon for just $70 as of this writing—is wholly reasonable. You’ll need some other means of warning residents of the presence of carbon monoxide in your home, but this interconnected smoke alarm system is a strong fire-safety tool. Read...