Smart Home
You’ve heard the news and have been overwhelmed by the advertising blitz. Smart homes are all the rage, but why should it matter to you and how do you get started?
Simply stated, products that are smart are designed to make your life easier and more automated. A smart product allows you to control virtually any device in your home from your phone or other gadget, even when you’re not physically at home.
You can also set schedules, reminders, and more – for example, a smart refrigerator could tell you when you’re running low on yogurt and automatically add it to your digital shopping list.
The growth of this technology is expanding rapidly and changing daily! Unfortunately this also ushers in more privacy and security concerns (hacking your webcam or security cameras for example). We’ll show you and your family how to enjoy your devices in a safe and smart way.
From appliances to lighting to speakers, everything is connecting to the internet, and there’s no stopping it. Smart home equipment is becoming more affordable and less avoidable on the market. Everything from our dishwasher to our cars will be “on the grid”, ie. connected to the internet (and many devices and appliances already are!). Read some astonishing statistics about home automation as well as where the market is headed.
Want to automate all of your home’s lights, appliances and other devices but not sure where to start? Turning your house into a smart home takes some planning, and the first thing you want to consider is which smart home protocol you’ll use. A smart home protocol, also called a home automation protocol, is the unique language devices use to communicate with one another. These communication signals trigger desired actions, i.e. adjusting your thermostat or turning your lights on or off.
Looking to save money on your cell phone plan? We know how you feel! It’s not fair that cellphone providers take advantage of us and sell us overpriced phones and plans. We’re all tired of it, but unfortunately, we live in an age where we must be available 24/7. Read our cell phone plan comparison to find out who has the best reputation and if they are good in your area.
Can you imagine being able to water your lawn from your office or when you’re on vacation with total control? Welcome to the world of smart sprinklers. With the Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller, you can take command of your yard, no matter where you are. The technology may sound unbelievable, but it’s here and now. If you want a hand’s off way to keep your yard watered, read our Rachio Sprinkler review to see why we chose the Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller as our number one pick for the best WiFi irrigation controller on the market.
A wireless repeater can help extend the range of your wireless network. Typically, if you’re in a large house or office complex, you can use wireless repeaters to extend the reach of your wireless signal without buying expensive new routers. In this particular example, we will be using the Engenius ERB9250.
Is your home smart enough? Can you have the lights dimmed, music on, and temperature set perfectly for when you arrive home? How handy would that be for a date night?
Is your cell phone bill breaking your budget? Is your unlimited plan not really “unlimited”? Does your connection constantly dropping? Good news, the world of mobile service providers has been changing rapidly over the last few years. Gone are the days of the big four carriers with long contracts as your only options.
Outdoor lighting can highlight your home’s features while also increasing your home security. When you add smart technology to that, you can make your outdoor lighting easier to use and control it from anywhere. Outdoor smart bulbs are a simple way to upgrade to smart lighting. Wouldn’t it be nice to control your outdoor lighting remotely?
Are smart home devices invading our privacy? For sure, say most experts. Our smart speakers, TVs, security cameras, thermostats, and any other Internet-enabled device could be spying on us in our own homes. Because many Internet of Things (IoT) devices have cameras and microphones that are always online, they’re a prime target for hackers. An added threat is that some of these devices collect and share data with the manufacturer and other third parties. But the good news is that there are ways to protect your privacy from your smart gadgets. Our experts run through the steps you can take to protect your home network and various devices.
Are you always worried that you or someone in your family has forgotten to close your garage door? If so, you may want to consider getting a smart garage door opener to keep tabs on your door from anywhere using a simple smartphone app. How do they work? And which ones are the most reliable? We’ll give you the lowdown on these affordable and easy-to-install devices.
Smart blinds provide options to increase privacy and security, decrease energy costs by blocking heat from the sun and control natural lighting. They do all of this while adding to your home’s smart capabilities. Opening and closing your window coverings with the push of a button or even a simple voice command help simplify your life.
The windows in our homes connect the inside and outside world, but they also make us vulnerable. Smart windows can help you feel more secure and add to your smart home capabilities.
