Smart Home Technology can create a safer and more accessible home. The ability to lock your doors or turn on your security alarm from a remote location adds a layer of convenience to life. Smart devices can lower energy usage, alert you when there’s an emergency and even help clean your home. With the right products you can monitor almost every aspect of your home while you are away.
The two most popular smart home speakers, Google Home and Amazon Echo, have made remarkable advances since entering the market a few years ago. Both have always been great for playing music and answering trivia questions, but keeping your home safer and running more smoothly are their true super powers. Not to be outdone, Apple’s HomePod delivers high-fidelity audio in a small package and serves as a bridge for a variety of smart home devices.
If you’re not the most tech-savvy homeowner on the block—or even if you are—the deluge of smart products can lead to confusion. Which offer nothing but minor convenience and which can truly make your life and home better? And even more importantly, how do you make them all work? Fortunately, you don’t need to be a software programmer to understand this type of technology and use it to your best advantage.
Hub Central
When it comes to smart technology, it could be said that the hub is the heart of the home. A hub or bridge acts as the translator that enables you to communicate with the smart devices in your home. Let’s say you have an Amazon Echo and you install smart light bulbs in all your fixtures. Assuming the bulbs are Amazon compatible, you then connect them to Echo through an app downloaded on your mobile device. Once the two technologies are linked, you can simply direct Alexa to turn the lights on or off as needed by voice command. Use your phone or tablet to send commands remotely.
Some smart devices can connect with any brand of bridge, but some do not. Before making a purchase, make sure your device and control hub are compatible.
Google Compatible Devices
- Philips Hue smart lights can reduce energy use and make home a safer place while providing beautiful lighting. Philips smart lights are also compatible with Amazon Echo.
- Google’s Chromecast is tailor made for people who love watching TV. Once connected, Chromecast allows you to start playing your favorite program with one voice command.
- The Nest Learning Thermostat is a Google device that lets you control your home’s temperature by degrees or by simply saying “Make it cooler/warmer.” It learns your hearing and cooling preferences and adapts to keep every room in the house the way you like it. The Nest thermostat is also compatible with Amazon Echo.
- The Nest Hello video doorbell allows you to view a live feed outside of your home. It even recognizes individual faces.
Amazon Compatible Devices
- The iRobot Roomba 690 is the robot vacuum we’ve been waiting for! With Alexa integration all you need is voice command to vacuum any floor in the house, stop, start or continue cleaning.
- Ring Alarm is a 14-piece whole-home security kit made by Amazon Echo. You can monitor the entire system with voice command or remotely. No special tools or professional installation is required to set up this home security system.
- The Onelink Safe and Sound by First Alert is an Alexa-compatible smoke and carbon monoxide alarm that allows you to get remote notification on safety levels in your home. The Onelink is also compatible with Apple HomeKit.
Apple HomeKit Compatible Devices
- Logitech Circle 2 Wired security camera allows you to live stream your home from any location. Two-way audio and smart alerts to your iPhone or iPad increase security options.
- The iHome Control iSS50 5-in-1 Smart Monitor tracks your home’s temperature, sound humidity, motion and light levels from any location in the world.
- The Eve Aqua Smart Water Controller automates your outdoor irrigation system and monitor exactly how much water you’re using. With this device you can set a watering schedule, turn water off and on remotely and even lock access to prevent water wastage.
With hundreds of bridges and devices to choose from, the effort to bring your home into the 21st century can be intimidating. Despite any confusion, there’s no arguing that Smart home technology provides fun, convenience and so much more. Smart devices can help people of all ages and abilities function more independently in their homes while saving resources and money.
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