Tom Kolnowski

Tom Kolnowski is the Chief Content Officer & Founder of Digitized House Media, LLC, the publisher of Digitized House | Guide to the Connected Home. When he isn’t writing about smart home technology, sustainability, and high-performance architecture, you’ll find him exploring faraway destinations with his family.
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155 Articles
The new Apple MacBook Air. Image: Apple.
Product GuideSmart Homes

Apple Launches Refreshed iPad Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini Models

Highlighted by an all-new line of iPad Pros, Apple has launched a…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Just in time for Halloween: August Home brings new Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and IFTTT skills. Image: August Home.
Amazon AlexaFeatured ArticlesGoogle Home

August Enables More Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT Skills

Adding to a repertoire of voice commands for its smart door locks,…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Polymer decking from Azek is among a new wave of highly durable decking materials. Image: Digitized House Media.
ArchitectureDesignGreen Building

4 Alternative Decking Materials for Your Outdoor Space

As technology marches forward, the materials we use for constructing our homes…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Apple Home App on macOS Mojave. Image: Digitized House Media.
Apple HomeKitGadgetsReview

Driving the Apple Home App on macOS Mojave

With the recent launch of macOS Mojave, Apple has finally brought the…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
The Bose Home Speaker 500 is one of 3 new Bose products with Alexa built in. Image: Bose.
Amazon AlexaAudio GearGadgets

Native Amazon Alexa Controls Debut in Bose Smart Speakers

In a play to make its audio gear more relevant in today’s…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Google Home Hub aims to be the central command center for your connected home. Image: Google.
Energy ConservationGadgetsNews

Google Nest Hub Embraces the Hybrid Connected Home

Making a wager on the existence of connected home life beyond pure…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
The first Ring camera that can be used indoors or out, the Stick Up Cam is available in wired (shown), battery, and solar versions. Image: Ring.
Amazon AlexaNewsPrivacy & Safety

Ring Branches out With New Stick up Cams

In synchronization with product announcements from new parent company Amazon, smart doorbell…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
The Rachio 3 Smart Irrigation Controller has been upgraded to support Apple HomeKit. Image: Rachio.
Amazon AlexaApple HomeKitConnected Garage

Rachio Brings Apple HomeKit and Siri to Irrigation Control

Filling a gap in the Apple HomeKit home automation ecosystem, Rachio has…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
One of the best ways of future-proofing your smart home is with a media enclosure. Image: Digitized House Media.
Smart Homes

Future-Proofing Your Smart Home with Structured Wiring

A central structured wiring enclosure has become standard fare in many new…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Designed to replace standard toggle or rocker wall switches, the Eaton Aspire Preset Timer Switch works splendidly with bath fans. Image: Digitized House Media.
Energy ConservationGreen BuildingHealthy Home

Control Bath Humidity with a Medium-tech Digital Fan Timer

As homes are designed and built to be more air tight, mechanical…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
With the Fall 2018 release of macOS Mojave, the Apple Home app comes to the Mac desktop for the first time. Image: Apple.
Apple HomeKitNewsSecure Home

Apple Home App Coming to macOS with Mojave Upgrade

It has been a long time in coming. The Apple Home app—the…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Finally, some synergy with Apple HomeKit, Apple TV, and the Home app: With iOS 11.4 and tvOS 11.4, Apple TVs will appear in the Home app and can play AirPlay 2 audio. Image: Digitized House Media.
Apple HomeKitAudio GearHow-To

Your Apple TV Now an AirPlay 2 Speaker and HomeKit Sccessory

Since the launch of Apple iOS 10 and the Home app, Apple…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Nest Temperature Sensor (right) pictured with Nest Thermostat E. Image: Nest.
Energy ConservationSmart HomesSmart Thermostats

Nest Temperature Sensor enables Tailored HVAC Control

Filling a noticeable gap in their smart thermostat line, Nest Labs has…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Nest x Yale smart door lock. Image: Nest and Yale.
Secure HomeSecurity SystemsSmart Door Locks

Nest and Yale begin Shipping Nest x Yale Smart Lock

Bringing the convenience of the Nest connected home ecosystem to your front…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Automating your window shades is easier than ever. These Graber Mezzanine layered shades have onboard Z-Wave motors and work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Image: Digitized House Media.
Amazon AlexaApple HomeKitDesign

Automating Window Shades in the Connected Home Era: Part 2

As we wrote in Part 1 of this series, motorized shades and…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Graber Layered Shades with Virtual Cord Motorization. Image: Graber.
Amazon AlexaApple HomeKitGoogle Home

Automating Window Shades in the Connected Home Era: Part 1

Once a bastion of high-end home automation systems, motorized window shades are…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Moment Photo Case, Wide Lens, and Moment app for smartphones. Image: Digitized House.
ReviewSmartphone AccessoriesVideo

Moment Photo Case and Wide Lens Review

The cameras on our smartphones keep gaining in resolution and flexibility, but…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
Philips Hue Cher ceiling fixture. Image: Philips.
Amazon AlexaApple HomeKitEnergy Conservation

Philips Hue Expands Smart Lighting with Cher Ceiling Fixtures

Moving beyond the smart LED bulbs that have been the hallmark product…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound smoke alarm and speaker. Image: First Alert.
Amazon AlexaApple HomeKitAudio Gear

First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound Smoke Alarm Brings Speaker and Alexa to Ceilings

First it was our walls getting smarter with the addition of audio…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski
iDevices Instinct smart wall switch. Image: iDevices.
Amazon AlexaApple HomeKitAudio Gear

iDevices Instinct Smart Switch to Debut

Aiming to elevate the lowly light switch, connected home accessory company iDevices…

Tom Kolnowski Tom Kolnowski