I’ve tried lots of different ways to light up the patio in my backyard so I can enjoy sitting outside into the wee hours. Everything from fairy lights to path lights to standard string lights has been wrapped around the myrtles or dug into the borders. But none have survived more than a couple of scorching South Carolina summers. So, I was excited to test two new smart outdoor string lights from Nanoleaf and Lifx.
Technology
Smart string light showdown: Nanoleaf versus Lifx
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25387393/247055_VS_Review_04112024_CVirginia_D.jpg?ssl=1 "Smart string light showdown: Nanoleaf versus Lifx")
The Nanoleaf Matter Smart Multicolor Outdoor String Lights ($129.99 for a 49-foot string with 20 bulbs) and Lifx Outdoor SuperColor String Lights ($129 for a 24-foot light string with 12 bulbs) both feature individually addressable full-color and tunable white LED bulbs and are capable of gradient lighting effects. This makes them super versatile. I can have a green and gold-themed St. Paddy’s Day party in March, a red, white, and blue-themed Fourth of July bash, and a lovely soft candlelight white for dinner al fresco anytime.
Both are compatible with all major smart home platforms, so I can set the lights on schedules, control them with voice commands, and have them turn on when the patio door opens using a contact sensor. Most importantly, both these brands’ string lights are seriously sturdy. After watching them survive a cracking spring storm last week, I’m hopeful that these could be a more permanent solution to illuminating my backyard.
I tested the Lifx and Nanoleaf head-to-head over two weeks. Read on to see which came out on top and which could be a good fit for your garden this summer.
How we rate and review products
How we rate and review products
Design and build quality: Lifx looks good, but Nanoleaf is so sparkly!
These are not your mother’s string lights. Nanoleaf and Lifx have gone for bold industrial design, with Nanoleaf building on its dodecahedron heritage to produce a gorgeous light bulb. The faceted face creates a lovely effect that looks like a crystal hanging from my trees and is dazzling even when off.
Lifx has gone for an ultra-modern, Tron-style look — a tubular shape with a stick of light inside. They’re stylish but with less flair than Nanoleaf’s. I do like that the Lifx bulbs attach directly to the string and don’t dangle as far down as the Nanoleaf, creating a cleaner look. This makes the Lifx a better choice for hanging along a structure like the wall of a porch.
Both lights feel solid and durable, and the acrylic bulbs don’t break when dropped. The cables and plugs are similarly super heavy-duty, being weatherproof and holding up to rough handling during installation. Neither offers replaceable bulbs, but if a bulb goes bad, both string lights are covered under two-year warranties.
Light quality: Lifx has serious range
The Lifx’s color rendering and tunable white light are very impressive. With a color rendering index (CRI) of 90 and white light that goes from rich, warm candlelight at 1500 Kelvins to an icy blue cool white at 9000 Kelvins, the Lifx has better color and a broader range of white than Nanoleaf (80CRI and 2700K to 6500K).
Its colors are also more saturated; red on the Lifx is really red, whereas on the Nanoleaf, it’s more pink and softer. But while brighter is usually better in a light bulb, I’d argue that accent light in your garden is one place you probably don’t need to go for the brightest.
Lighting effects and features: Lifx’s color blending is mind-bending
Each Lifx bulb has three addressable zones that blend together in an almost magical way. It’s hard to pinpoint which color you’re seeing; instead, it’s just a soft ambiance, a welcome change from jarring multicolor effects on most addressable lighting I’ve tested.
While the Nanoleaf bulbs can only show one color at a time per bulb, the cut glass design does create an array of different shades. Nanoleaf’s scenes can also cycle through different colors to give a similar effect to the Lifx, but Lifx’s technology is better.
Lifx also has more options for flashier effects. Options like twinkle, color cycle, strobe, and morph created a fun ambiance on my patio, and I could adjust features like speed, colors, and direction. Lifx has a decent library of colorful lighting designs and I really like the art series inspired by pieces such as Van Gogh’s The Starry Night.
However, Nanoleaf has many more designs to choose from, including hundreds of user-generated ones. A handful were created just for the string lights; my favorites were Sunset Sky, which cycled through warm reds and oranges, and Twilight, with crisp whites and soft grays.
I could create my own designs in both apps, with Lifx’s being the easiest to use. Nanoleaf’s app is messy and crashes a lot, but its new AI scene generator makes it easier to create new designs without struggling through the app.
Lifx’s app also has basic functions like setting schedules, which is frustratingly not an option with Nanoleaf — to set a schedule, you need to use a third-party smart home platform.
Cost: Nanoleaf is cheaper and longer
While both string lights start at $130, for that Nanoleaf gives you 20 bulbs on almost 50 feet compared to just 12 bulbs over 24 feet on the Lifx (30 feet including the power cord). The Lifx are closer together, though, at 23 inches apart compared to 28 inches for Nanoleaf.
Nanoleaf is the better deal, especially for a large area like my patio. The 98-foot string with 40 bulbs is $200, and the 147-foot string with 60 bulbs is $300. In comparison, the maximum length of the Lifx — three strings together, totaling 74 feet and 36 bulbs — costs almost $400.
Connectivity and compatibility: Nanoleaf has more connection options, but Lifx is more reliable (so far)
The Nanoleaf and Lifx lights work over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. While the Lifx connected easily, I struggled to get the Nanoleaf on the same network, even though both lights were set up in the same location. Eventually, moving the router closer to the Nanoleaf worked.
Both lights will work with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings. As part of Nanoleaf’s Matter Essentials line, the Nanoleaf string lights connect to smart home platforms via Matter-over-Wi-Fi. This means it works with any Matter-compatible platform. However, you will need a Matter controller to connect.
Lifx relies on individual integrations with each platform, so it works with fewer but doesn’t require any additional hardware. Lifx says a firmware upgrade will bring the option of Matter-over-Wi-Fi compatibility later this year.
As is par for the course with Matter and me, it took multiple attempts to get the Nanoleaf lights onto a Matter platform. I wasn’t able to connect at all using my iPhone 15. Eventually, with a Samsung Galaxy S22 I connected to SmartThings and, from there, successfully shared the lights with Apple Home and Amazon Alexa using Matter’s multi-admin feature. You don’t have to use Matter with the Nanoleaf; you can connect directly to the Nanoleaf app over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but you will need Matter for smart home integrations.
Both these string lights will make spring sparkle
These are both very nice string lights. They’re expensive but built to last. While Lifx has better lighting effects and an easier-to-use app, the Nanoleaf has the edge in terms of overall look. The bulb shape is just gorgeous and looks so nice in my backyard. While not as bright as Lifx, the whites and colors provide more than enough richness and warmth for ambient outdoor lighting. Lifx’s effects and color blending are very impressive, but Nanoleaf’s soft, sparkly glow won me over. Plus, it’s more affordable.
Both Lifx and Nanoleaf have other smart outdoor lighting options, so you can sync their lighting effects across your whole landscape. However, Philips Hue has the biggest outdoor selection (although, strangely, no string lights).
There are also other options for smart string lights, including those from Govee, Twinkly, and Wiz. But these are all the traditional round bulb shapes. Nanoleaf and Lifx have added unique twists to the outdoor string light look, and both have done it very well.
Photos by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
Continue Reading
Microsoft’s Office 2019 apps for Mac will stop working next month, because the company isn’t renewing a certificate that validates Office licenses. Owners of Office 2019 for Mac are being warned they’ll have to purchase Office 2024 or a Microsoft 365 subscription if they want to continue editing documents.
Microsoft previously promised that “all your Office 2019 apps will continue to function,” when it announced end of support in 2023. The company then quietly updated that support note last month to remove the mention of apps continuing to function, replacing it with “Rest assured that all your Office 2019 apps won’t lose any data.”
Starting on July 13th, Office 2019 for Mac and Office 2021 for Mac will both run in “reduced functionality mode,” allowing people to open files but not edit, save, or create new documents. The reduced functionality will impact Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
While Microsoft is providing a certificate update for Office 2021 as it’s still supported until October 13th, 2026, the company is leaving Office 2019 for Mac users out in the cold as support for these apps ended a few years ago. “Office 2019 for Mac reached end of support on October 10, 2023, and no longer receives updates,” says Microsoft. “Because Office 2019 cannot be updated to the required version, this issue cannot be resolved by updating or reinstalling Office 2019 for Mac.”
JimmyTech points out that old versions of Microsoft 365 apps on Mac and iOS will also be affected by this certificate issue, but a simple update will fix it for those users.
Microsoft regularly ends support of software and there’s always the risk you could run into issues running older apps or versions of Windows. It’s still surprising to not see Microsoft make an exception here though, particularly because this certificate issue breaks the main functionality of an app you’ve paid a one-time license fee for.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
You know that little moment when your phone rings and the name on the screen makes you drop everything?
Maybe it says your spouse, your daughter, your boss or your best friend. You answer because you trust the name. Then the voice sounds familiar too.
That is exactly what makes the latest phone scams so dangerous.
Android’s fake call detection can warn you when a caller may be pretending to be someone saved in your contacts. (Silas Stein/Picture Alliance)
Scammers no longer have to call from a strange number. They can spoof a trusted contact’s phone number. Then they can use AI voice tools to sound like someone you know. Android is now rolling out a new feature called fake call detection to help warn you when that familiar call may be a fake.
FAKE AGENT PHONE SCAMS ARE SPREADING FAST ACROSS THE US
Join CyberGuy Live: Lock Down Your Phone in 30 Minutes (Saturday, June 13, 10 am ET)
- Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free, live online class, Kurt the CyberGuy will walk you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do in real time. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Register here: CyberGuyLive.com
What is Android fake call detection?
Android fake call detection is a new protection built into Phone by Google. It is designed to spot suspected spoofed calls when both people on the call use Phone by Google.
Think of it as your phone quietly asking, “Is this call really coming from that person’s device?” If the answer looks suspicious, your phone can show a warning and advise you to hang up. That small alert could stop a scam before fear, panic or confusion takes over.
ANDROID SECURITY UPGRADES OUTSMART SCAMS AND PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY
How Android fake call detection works
The feature works automatically in the background. You do not need to answer a quiz, scan a code or press a button during the call. When a trusted contact calls you, their phone sends a silent confirmation signal to your phone. That signal helps prove the call really came from their device.
If a scammer spoofs your contact’s number, that confirmation signal may be missing. Your phone then checks with your contact’s actual device. If the real device says it is not placing a call, your screen can warn you that the call may be fake.
The system uses end-to-end encrypted RCS technology, so the check happens privately. You can also turn the feature off in Phone by Google settings.
AI DEEPFAKE ROMANCE SCAM STEALS WOMAN’S HOME AND LIFE SAVINGS
Why fake calls are getting harder to spot
For years, caller ID gave people a sense of control. If the name looked familiar, most of us felt safer picking up. That old habit now works in the scammer’s favor.
Scammers can use internet-based calling tools to spoof numbers. That means your phone may display the name of someone you trust, even though the call comes from somewhere else.
Then comes the AI voice trick. With today’s audio tools, scammers can make a fake voice sound shockingly real. They may pretend to be a family member in trouble, a bank employee warning about fraud or a manager asking for urgent help.
SCAMMERS EXPLOITED MOM’S FEARS TO STEAL HER ENTIRE LIFE’S SAVINGS
That combination makes the call feel personal and immediate. It also makes you more likely to act before you think.
Why Android is adding this protection now
Impersonation scams have become a major global problem. INTERPOL’s March 2026 Global Financial Fraud Threat Assessment cited impersonation fraud as one of the leading contributors to more than $400 billion in global losses.
In the U.S., impersonation scams remain one of the top fraud categories reported to the FTC. Losses reached $2.95 billion in 2024.
GLOBAL SCAM CRACKDOWN LEADS TO 276 ARRESTS
Those numbers tell you why this feature deserves attention. Scammers go where the money is. Right now, they know trusted voices and trusted names can open the door.
Which Android phones get fake call detection?
Google says fake call detection is rolling out globally in Phone by Google this month, starting with Pixel devices.
The feature is available on Android 12 and newer devices with Phone by Google, Contacts and Google Messages installed. It also requires RCS capability in Google Messages.
SAMSUNG MESSAGES ENDING? WHAT ANDROID OWNERS MUST KNOW
There is one key limitation. Both you and the person calling you must use Phone by Google for fake call detection to work.
Phone by Google already comes as the default phone app on many Android devices. If your phone uses a different calling app, you can install Phone by Google from the Play Store and set it as your default phone app.
How Android fake call detection protects you
This feature gives you an extra warning at the exact moment you need it most. That timing is important. Scam calls often rely on emotion. The caller may say someone got arrested, a loved one had an accident or a bank account faces an urgent threat.
SSA IMPERSONATION SCAMS ARE GETTING MORE PERSONAL
When the voice sounds familiar, your guard drops. A warning on your screen can interrupt that emotional rush. It gives you a reason to stop, hang up and verify the story another way.
What Android fake call detection cannot do
This new tool helps, but it cannot protect you from every scam. It may not work if the other person does not use Phone by Google. It also may not cover calls from businesses, unknown numbers or contacts using unsupported devices. So you still need basic scam rules.
If someone asks for money, gift cards, crypto, account codes or remote access to your device, hang up. Then call the person or company back using a number you already trust.
Also, never stay on the line just because the caller tells you to. That is one of the oldest pressure tactics in the scammer playbook.
A spoofed call can look familiar on your screen, even when it is really coming from a scammer. (Kurt CyberGuy Knutsson)
How to protect yourself from AI voice scams
AI voice scams work because they sound personal, urgent and believable, so your best defense is to slow the conversation down before you act.
1) Create a family safe word
Pick a simple word or phrase that only your close family knows. It should be easy to remember but hard for a scammer to guess. Then, if someone calls with an emergency and asks for money, ask for the safe word. If they cannot give it, hang up and verify the story another way.
9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU
2) Pause when the call feels urgent
Scammers want you scared because fear makes people act fast. That is why fake emergency calls often sound intense, emotional and rushed. Take a breath before you do anything. A real loved one, bank or employer will let you verify what is happening.
3) Call back using a trusted number
If a call feels suspicious, hang up. Then call the person back using a number saved in your contacts or one you know is real. Do not use a number, link or instruction the caller gives you. That could send you right back to the scammer.
4) Never send money or codes during the call
Do not send gift cards, crypto, wire transfers or payment app transfers because a caller sounds convincing. Also, never share a one-time passcode, PIN or account login code over the phone. Once scammers get that information, they can move fast.
5) Turn on scam protections on your phone
Use the built-in protections already available on your device. Pixel and Samsung users can enable Scam Detection in the Phone by Google app to help flag suspicious calls. Also, consider using strong antivirus software that includes AI-powered scam protection to help detect scams in texts, online content and deepfake videos. Keep an eye on call warnings too. If your phone tells you something looks risky, treat that alert seriously. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
6) Keep your phone apps updated
Update Phone by Google, Google Contacts and Google Messages when updates are available. These tools work best when your apps and phone software stay current. Updates often include security improvements, bug fixes and new scam protections.
Here’s how to check for updates on Android:
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Tap Manage apps & device.
- Under Updates available, tap See details.
- Look for Phone by Google, Google Contacts and Google Messages.
- Tap Update next to each app, or tap Update all.
You can also turn on automatic app updates by opening the Google Play Store app, tapping your profile icon, then going to Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps. From there, choose whether to update apps over Wi-Fi, over Wi-Fi or mobile data, with limited mobile data or not at all.
Kurt’s key takeaways
If a call feels urgent or suspicious, pause before you respond and verify it another way. (Tristan Spinski/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Android’s fake call detection is a smart step in the fight against AI-powered phone scams. It recognizes something many people already know: the name on your caller ID no longer proves the person calling you is real. This feature gives Android users another layer of protection when scammers try to hijack trust. Still, the safest move remains simple. Slow down, verify the call and never let panic make the decision for you.
Should the government do more to stop scammers from using AI voices to impersonate the people you trust? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Congress narrowly voted to fund President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda, giving the Department of Homeland Security $70 billion over the next three years.
The house voted 214 to 212 in favor of the reconciliation bill Tuesday, following the Senate’s 52-47 vote last Friday morning. The vote fell largely along party lines. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was the only Senate Republican to vote against it. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), initially voted against the bill — meaning it would have failed — but changed his vote after huddling with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK), according to The Hill. No Democrats voted in favor of the funding bill, which was done through a budget reconciliation process to avoid a Democratic filibuster.
In a speech on the House floor ahead of the Tuesday vote, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) criticized Republicans for using the budget reconciliation process to avoid negotiating with Democrats, and emphasized ICE’s lack of popularity with the American people.
“At its core, this Republican reconciliation budget bill is a statement about priorities, and the priorities represented in this budget bill could not be more out of step with the needs and values of the American people,” Scanlon said.
Scanlon noted that DHS has yet to spend $100 billion of the nearly $200 billion it received under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. She added that Trump has not only expanded ICE’s reach by increasingly going after legal immigrants but also weaponized DHS against its critics. The bill, she said, will “supercharge” Trump’s abuses.
After the House markup last Friday, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, noted that the bill not only lacks sufficient reforms but also cuts funding for cybersecurity and TSA, whose workers went weeks without pay during the DHS shutdown.
The funding bill comes at a time of deep unpopularity for ICE. One recent poll found that just 33 percent of voters approve of how the agency is doing its job.
And it comes amid yet another threat from border czar Tom Homan to flood New York City with ICE agents. In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Homan said he would send “more ICE agents than you’ve ever seen” to New York City if the state government passed a bill limiting cooperation with DHS.
“Providing a quarter trillion dollars to an administration promising that the public ‘ain’t seen shit yet’ when it comes to mass deportation is a historic mistake,” Todd Schulte, president of the immigration reform group FWD.us, said in a statement. “Supercharging the funding for these already out of control systems will come with terrible human consequences and continue to be met with increasing opposition from voters.”
Correction, June 9th: A previous version of this story said Rep. Tim Walberg voted against the funding bill. He initially voted against it but then changed his vote to support it.
Update, June 9th: This story has been updated to include comment from FWD.us president Todd Schulte.
-
Politics2 minutes agoSupporters cheer new L.A. County healthcare sales tax: ‘It’s a lifesaver’
-
Science7 minutes agoWhy new dads shouldn’t panic about low testosterone
-
Sports14 minutes agoWorld Cup referee, denied entry to U.S. because of suspected ties to terrorists, hailed in return to Somalia
-
World22 minutes agoUS military chief Hegseth warns Cuba against acquiring military arms
-
News47 minutes agoJuly 1 brings big student loan changes. Here’s what you need to know
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoLos Angeles High School locked down as police search for armed juvenile
-
Detroit, MI3 hours ago‘Diarra From Detroit’ sets date for second season on Paramount+
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoSan Francisco police release video of shootout that critically wounded officer
