Before you go shopping for smart devices, you should determine which one works best for your needs. The three main ones are Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. If you’re an Apple user, the last option is the obvious choice. If you prefer Android, however, Google Home is the one for you. Google’s voice assistant responds to voice commands quickly and can understand complicated directions or follow-up requests.

Amazon Alexa’s answers may not always be as accurate, but its speakers and smart displays are the most affordable out of the three. Apple’s HomeKit is elegant and very easy to use. There aren’t many HomeKit-supported devices, but the major smart home brands are covered. You can also control devices when you’re away — such as a HomePod Mini, Apple TV, or iPad.

By using smart speakers and displays, you can control the gadgets in your smart home with your smartphone. It’s better to have a mix of speakers and displays, so your assistant can hear you no matter what room you’re in.

We recommend choosing ones that have simple touch controls everyone in your family can use. It’s important to consider other people you live with and guests who may be unfamiliar with smart-home setups. If you want to control your light switches, you have to leave them on. This may confuse your guests or children who don’t have access to smartphones.

The most-used Wi-Fi frequencies are 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Most smart-home devices operate on a 2.4GHz frequency. However, the 5GHz frequency offers faster speeds. The new Wi-Fi 6E even supports 6-GHz. It can handle more devices and is more secure, but your gadgets must support Wi-Fi 6E. Choose the right spot for your router, and remember that upgrading your old router to a new one can make your Wi-Fi faster. Think of a long password with a mix of lowercase, uppercase, numbers, and special characters.

Bluetooth is a lot slower and less reliable than Wi-Fi. Even though Wi-Fi may seem like an obvious solution, a smart hub offers more stability and makes connected devices more responsive. Thread, Zigbee, LoRa, and Z-Wave, for example, use different technologies to connect and have a lower bandwidth.

Most smart home devices require an app for the initial setup. In most cases, you need to follow the guide that comes with every device. You have to download the app and scan a QR code or enter a serial number. This is a crucial step before proceeding with the setup.

The Google Home, Apple Home, and Alexa apps usually have a simplified set of controls, so don’t get rid of the third-party app. You may need it to access particular settings in the future.

The Beatles unveil a remarkable “final” song by utilizing AI technology to isolate the voice of John Lennon. Paul McCartney has revealed in an interview with the BBC that Lennon’s vocals, extracted from an unfinished 1978 demo, have been intricately woven into a track set to be released this year. Although the song remains unnamed, reports suggest it could be “Now and Then,” a composition penned by Lennon just two years prior to his untimely demise.

The tape labeled “For Paul” contained several songs from Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono. It captured Lennon playing the piano and providing vocals for what McCartney believes has the potential to become a remarkable piece.

While two other songs from the tape, “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love,” were released by The Beatles in the 1990s, the third track, “Now and Then,” faced hurdles due to an intrusive mains hum that affected the recording quality. The challenges, coupled with George Harrison’s lack of enthusiasm, led to shelving the song’s release.

McCartney shared that AI technology played a pivotal role in the realization of the “final” song. With AI, the vocals and piano, originally recorded on the track, were meticulously separated, facilitating the integration of Lennon’s voice into newly-recorded music.

This innovative approach builds upon McCartney’s previous utilization of AI to isolate Lennon’s vocals, allowing for a remarkable “duet” performance at the 2022 Glastonbury Festival in the UK. The success of that collaboration fueled McCartney’s enthusiasm for breathing new life into the unfinished gem.

The anticipation surrounding the release stems from its ability to create a virtual reunion between McCartney and Lennon. The emotional impact of McCartney “performing” alongside his late bandmate resonated deeply, underscoring the profound connection that transcends time and space.

Despite the virtual nature of this collaboration, Paul emphasized its significance, stating, “It’s John. We’re back together.” This intersection of music and technology serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of The Beatles and their enduring influence on generations of music lovers.