Smart home technology has become a mainstream option for everyone, not only the wealthy and tech-savvy. The tech industry has responded by developing ever-more sophisticated solutions. While many associate this technology with gadgets such as Google’s Nest, Amazon’s Echo or Apple’s HomeKit the term”smart home” is more inclusive than that and encompasses numerous options for your home. This includes everything from remote-controlled lighting and heating to CCTV, home security systems doorbells, as well as smart locks. Some allow you to keep tabs on children, elderly relatives and pets to monitor electricity or water usage; and more.
The main ingredient in any smart home system is integration. That is why the most effective products available are those that work with other devices and systems to make your home smarter. A smart light bulb, for example can connect to a central hub in order to set your lights on a schedule or shut them off when you leave the house. A video doorbell can alert you of unexpected visitors and activate your alarm system to call the police or fire department. Once you’ve bizcrisis.net got the hang of the IFTTT (If this then that) service it is possible to use services like Stringify to automate devices in more complex ways.
Of course, bringing new smart devices into the home is not without the same concerns. That’s why CNET is working to understand the privacy policies of the companies, highlight issues and take questions directly to the concerned companies.
