Technology is growing at an insane rate and isn’t slowing down. We now see things that were once confined to science fiction. Your smart home can now have a smart watch to call people like James Bond, and you can even control it from your watch.
Several years ago, smart homes were introduced to the market. The building of Bill Gates’ smart home began in 1988 and ended in 2005. You don’t have to be a billionaire today to own smart home, and it won’t take 17 years to build. You have various options for running your home via a central system or using app-based devices.
Smart Home Basics
Let’s begin with the basics. Right now, the following Smart Home options are commonly employed. Their ease of use, installation, and affordable pricing make them a popular Smart Home option.
Smart Speakers: According to reports, 39 million Americans own a smart speaker. Considering all that they are capable of, it is not surprising. The capabilities of smart speakers go far beyond just playing music, though they do this well. Smart-Home systems can do everything from search the internet to tell you the weather to give you a news briefing and can be used in conjunction with your smart-house system as a whole to act as a central control hub.
Almost every aspect of your home can be controlled simply by your voice with smart speakers. Use Alexa to find out who is at the front door, Siri to turn off the upstairs light, and Google to turn the heat down as not all devices will work with your speaker, double-check that the ones you buy are compatible before buying them.
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Smart TVs: No matter whether you have cable or not, smart TVs let you watch pretty much whatever you want. The term smart TV usually refers to the TV itself, but in this case, it applies to all IoT video streaming devices. When it comes to streaming TV, there are many options these days.
It is possible to get a smart TV that streams Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and so forth directly from the TV, or you can purchase a system that pairs with your existing TV. Some of these devices can also be paired with your Central-Control hub and Smart Speakers for added convenience.
Smart Thermostats: Your HVAC can be monitored wherever you use smart thermostats. They can also be set on a schedule to avoid wasting energy when no one is home. With some smart thermostats, there is a sensor option that automatically adjusts the temperature when needed.
Smart Plugs: Using smart plugs, an object can be converted into a more intelligent version of itself. Plug them in your standard outlet, and you can quickly turn them on and off whatever power from your smart device.
Light Automation: There are two options when it comes to light automation. A smart light switch is the first thing you should install. Besides being controlled by an app, many smart light switches come with various lighting options, including dimming. Smart bulbs are the second smart lighting option. Like smart plugs, smart bulbs turn regular lights into smart ones. By switching to smart bulbs, you can automate your lighting. What’s the best choice?
Smart switches are more affordable but require complicated installation. The cost of smart bulbs is higher since they must be paired with a translator hub in order to function. Smart bulbs can dim or soften the light but require a translator hub for compatibility.
Video Door Bells: Not only do video doorbells sense when someone is at your front door, but they can also show you video footage of who is there, as well as allow you to speak to them via intercom technology. It’s no longer necessary to yell, “who’s there?” With your smart device, you can see or ask your smart speaker to show you.
Robot Vacuums: Although a robot maid may still be a long way off, a robot vacuum is the next best thing. You can control them with your smart devices, including your smart speakers. Even better, some of these vacuums have artificial intelligence (AI) just like smart speakers, and some will even stream videos and pictures straight to your smartphone.
Smart Kitchens
Although there is still no robot chef on the horizon, these clever kitchen appliances create a world of convenience for consumers. Many of them can even be connected to smart speakers.
Smart Refrigerators: There is a wide range of smart refrigerator capabilities. These devices can tell you how often they are accessed, alert you if a door is left open, tell you what products you need to buy, and even stream television. These features can be included in one kind of refrigerator, in combination with others, or even altogether.
The information can be displayed directly from the fridge, or an app can show it all. The refrigerators that are app-compatible also run diagnostics to ensure everything is running smoothly. You have to decide what you want.
Smart Ovens: Controlling your oven from any location is possible with smart ovens. There are even smart ovens that Alexa can control. In some apps, you can also search for recipes and queue up the temperature and time needed for them, but you still have to press start. You can at least control the timer on most smart ovens, and they run diagnostics automatically.
Smart Dishwashers: Smart dishwashers run on apps similar to smart ovens and app-compatible smart fridges. Because they are produced by the same companies (e.g., LG, GE, Whirlpool, etc.).
These apps allow you to check the status of your wash, receive notifications when your load is done, and stop/start your load. The majority of these apps can also run diagnostics on your units, as they do for ovens and refrigerators.
Smart Laundry: Since the apps are similar to the previous appliances, laundry is not necessarily a kitchen chore. These smart washers and dryers are just like dishwashers. With your smart device, you can start/stop/pause a load, check its status, receive a notification when it is finished, and run diagnostics.
Smart Dishes: Forks and plates can be bought with sensors that monitor your calorie intake and integrate with apps to help you keep track of your diet. However, you shouldn’t run them through your smart dishwasher.
Smart Slow Cookers: You can manage your smart crockpot with your phone or tablet. You can adjust the temperature, change the setting, and turn it on and off. It makes the most straightforward cooking device even more convenient.
Smart Coffee Pot: A timer on most coffee pots allows you to start brewing at a particular time. With smart pots, you can start a pot of coffee whenever you feel like it from your phone.
Smart Trash Cans: Touch-free trash cans and odor-controlling models are the majority of smart trash cans. On the smart can, there is a barcode reader. Throwing away food allows you to scan a barcode, which is added to your grocery list on your smart device.
Dash Buttons: With Amazon Dash buttons, you can create a button for any household product that you can order from Amazon. As the buttons can be placed anywhere, you could, in theory, use one in your laundry room to reorder Tide Pods whenever you run low. Several companies are interested in developing smart buttons similar to these.
With a Smart Home, even the simplest of requirements can be improved. Your bathroom will become more than a room you have to use with smart-bathroom technology.
Smart Toilets: Touch-free flushing, an automatic bowl cleaner, and an odorizer are some of the basic features of smart toilets. There are some more extravagant features, such as a built-in bidet and heated seats.
Enhanced Vanities: Imagine yourself watching television while brushing your teeth and watching TV in the mirror. Enhanced vanities can help you achieve this. Even fogless surfaces can be achieved with smart mirrors, as well as touch-activated lighting. Improving vanities encompasses more than mirrors, however. A towel-warming drawer is an excellent investment if you want to enjoy a spa experience every day.
Smart Showers: Smart showers come with a variety of features. Some of them even come equipped with an integrated TV. They can be turned on from the comfort of your bed, and they save your ideal shower settings.
Privacy Windows: Installing smart privacy windows is easy, or you can use film to cover your windows. Remote control or your smart device can change the windows from translucent to opaque. Many privacy windows also block harmful UV rays and work as insulators to keep the room comfortable.
Smart Nurseries
Having a newborn is one of life’s most rewarding and stressful experiences. Smart-Nurseries make babies safer than ever, and parents can relax just a little.
Video Monitors: With video cameras easily incorporated into baby monitors, these devices have changed completely. You can visually monitor your baby from any room now rather than listening in. Many monitors connect with your phone via an app, but others have a monitor that can be moved easily from room to room.
Smart Rocking: There are a variety of smart bassinets on the market that have different features. You can control the speed of all of them from your smart device at a minimum. Many of these devices can also emit white noise to soothe your infant and/or have built-in swaddling to mimic the womb.
Smart Health Monitors: Monitors are available for infants that monitor their breathing, heartbeat, movement, and sometimes even their temperature. Wearables and smart crib pads and blankets are just two examples. Monitors prevent SIDS and keep track of diaper changes, sleep habits, and more, sending the data to your smart device.
Smart Changing Tables: Smart bed stands that double as baby stations and smart hubs or a changing mat that determines a baby’s weight, so they’re adequately fed: these innovative products are revolutionizing the nursery industry.
Smart Mobiles: Mobile phones can sense what stage your baby is in and respond to it by playing soothing sounds, movements, and lights. Numerous sleep aids use light, sound, and color to help your child fall asleep.
Sensors: Many parents use sensors to monitor their children’s nursery or bedroom. Your smart device receives alerts when the sensors are triggered. It is possible to place them not only at external entry points but also internally so that you are alerted when someone enters or even moves around the room. Another smart choice is to use climate sensors to ensure that the nursery is always your baby’s right temperature.
Smart Pet Care
With smart pet tech, taking care of your pets is easier than ever. The best thing about these gadgets is that they make life easier for you and your pets. Leave them home alone during the day, feel less guilty, and enjoy your time with them even more.
Video Monitoring: When you’re not at home, check on your pets with video monitors. Specialized pet monitors do more than just let you watch your pets. Most allow you to listen and see your pet; some are even equipped to dispense treats.
Self–Cleaning Litter Boxes: A self-cleaning litter box that washes, cleans, dries, and fills itself can make cat care much easier. To truly be hidden, they have litter boxes disguised as cabinets.
Smart Mats: Many pet owners do not want their pets to mess up their nice furniture. Your pets receive harmless warnings that they shouldn’t step on furniture or enter off-limits rooms with smart mats. New pets can benefit significantly from these, or older stubborn ones can be retrained with them.
Smart Pet Doors: Smart pet doors work with a smart key on your pet’s collar. They only let animals with the key in and out of the door so that no unwanted creatures end up in your home. You can also lock the door when you don’t want your pet going out.
Smart Feeders: Smart feeders automatically dispense food and water for your pets. Using an app on your phone, you can schedule feedings and control portion sizes for your fur babies.
More Smart Options
Smart Fans: Fan devices, like thermostats, can be controlled remotely, set on a schedule, or can sense when they need to be used.
Smart Floors: Heating floors may seem like the height of luxury, but automated temperature-controlled floors that can be controlled from your smart device top the list. Automated heated floors do not exist yet, but many smart thermostats can also operate floors.
Smart Shades: Your phone or other devices can raise and lower smart shades. Some are also set to open at a set time every morning so that you can see sunlight every morning.
Automated Sprinklers: Automatic sprinkler systems that can be controlled via apps make lawn care easier. Keep track of when your sprinklers go off, which are in use, and how much maintenance is needed.
Smart Pool: Pools require a lot of upkeep if you own one. With smart pool apps, you can remotely monitor the chemicals in your pool, automate certain cleaning procedures, and schedule pool maintenance.
Smart Beds: Your smart mattress can be adjusted for softness, warmth, and position. Do you have a snoring partner? The problem can be solved by elevating the phone to their side of the bed. You can also find mattresses with massage settings, built-in alarm clocks, and sleep monitoring systems that track your sleeping habits to help you get the best rest possible.
