What is Smart Home technology?

Have you ever wondered if you could connect to all the gadgets in your home, not just computers and smartphones? but everything: clocks, lights, doorbells, cameras, windows, blinds, water heaters, appliances, kitchen utensils, whatever. Well now it is possible, it is not science fiction; This is made possible by the Internet of Things (IoT) and is a key component of home automation and smart homes.

Home automation is exactly what it sounds like: automating the ability to control items in the house, from blinds to pet feeders, with the push of a button (or a voice command).

There are many categories of smart home products, so you can control everything from lights and temperature to locks and home security devices. They also happen to be fantastic gifts, whether you’re shopping for the holidays or shopping for a housewarming gift.

Smart assistant speakers

In general terms, we define a smart speaker as that audio device that can talk and interact as we do with a smart smartphone. They include virtual assistants connected to the Internet, such as Siri, Cortana, Alexa or Google Home with which it is possible to have conversations. And here we leave you some examples;

Amazon Echo Family

The Amazon Echo is a Bluetooth speaker powered by Alexa, Amazon’s handy voice assistant. Alexa works with various smart home devices directly, as well as If This Then That (IFTTT) to control many others through pairings that you can create yourself. It will take some work, but you can use Alexa to control most of the devices in your house with the sound of your voice.

Google Nest Hub Family

If you prefer Google’s Assistant to Amazon’s, you’ll want to invest in Google’s Nest Hub line of smart speakers and displays. The big Google Home Max delivers truly room-filling sound, while the Google Nest Hub Max is an attractive, bright smart display that puts Google services at the forefront.

Smart plugs

Smart plugs are devices that are placed between normal electrical outlets and the device that is plugged in. This allows you to configure a plug to turn on or off automatically at a scheduled time, there are two different ones, one indoor and one outdoor;

ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2

This versatile dual-outlet smart plug can be controlled with an Android or iOS mobile app and works with voice commands from Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. It lacks IFTTT support, but you can make it work with other smart home devices using HomeKit Scenes and Automations, and it monitors power usage for both outlets.

D-Link mydlink Outdoor Wi-Fi Smart Plug (DSP-W320)

Equipped with two power outlets and a USB charging port, this waterproof plug installs in minutes, supports Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, and will work with other smart home devices using IFTTT applets.

Home Security Cameras

Video surveillance devices that have been designed to record the activities of people in a specific place. Its purpose is to detect any criminal or harmful behavior, and therefore to prevent crime or at least to recognize the perpetrators of criminal acts. Some examples of this products are the following;

Arlo Ultra

It’s the first model we’ve seen that streams and records video in true 4K or Ultra High Definition (UHD), and it’s loaded with cool tech including auto zoom, motion tracking, color night vision, a built-in spotlight and siren, one-click 911 connectivity, a 180-degree field of view and more. It is also completely wireless and very easy to install.

SimCam 1S AI Home Security Camera

In addition to providing crisp 1080p video and accurate motion detection, the SimCam 1S uses facial recognition to tell you who is coming and going and will send smart alerts that differentiate between people, cars and pets. It has a mechanical 360 degree pan mechanism and uses local storage to archive motion-activated recorded video.

Smart locks and home security systems

Smart locks fulfill the same basic function as conventional locks. That is, they protect the home from intrusions and contribute to improving the comfort of use since they do not only use a physical component to operate the mechanism, but rather it depends on other electronic components.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

The August smart locks have been some of our favorites since we reviewed the company’s first model in 2014. The August Wi-Fi smart lock is the company’s smallest model to date and the first to offer Wi-Fi. Integrated fi.

Vivint Smart Home

With Vivint, you get 24-hour home monitoring with incredibly fast response when an alarm is triggered, as well as a variety of optional home automation services, all of which can be controlled from a smartphone, PC, and display. 7-inch touch control panel.

Smart heating and cooling

Intelligent heating systems consist of providing the heat in each room that is needed at all times. No more no less. … For all this, heating becomes efficient and will help you save energy without having to do without the comfort of a warm home. Your best options are;

Ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control

The Ecobee smart thermostat with voice control is the company’s fifth-generation model and, as is the case with every Ecobee launch, it offers more features than its predecessor. Plus it comes with an easy-to-use app, lots of third-party support, and a straightforward installation process, and here’s how you get one of the best smart thermostats you can buy.

Nest Thermostat

Like Nest Learning, it allows you to control your heating and cooling system by phone or voice, set temperature schedules and remotely monitor your energy consumption. That makes it a strong alternative to the Learning Thermostat for almost half the price.

There are many other devices to make your home more autonomous and make your life easier, if you want to know about it we will show you in the following article.