Smart homes have gone from being a buzzword of the future to a mainstream trend that radically improves lives. According to reporting from CNBC, 2017 will finally be the year of the smart home and enhance consumers’ lives with their ease and convenience. However, the hesitation to act on investing in smart home technology has largely pointed to consumer confusion. With so many devices, which ones are the best ones to try? Here’s a look at the latest devices and the future of smart home technology.
Enhanced security
Security will always be at the forefront of homeowners’ minds, and smart homes will only enhance our safety. Home security camera systems are already harnessing the power of high-tech security set-ups and offsite monitoring so homeowners can keep an eye on their home at the office or on the road. Combining an enhanced security system with a smart lock can help protect your home and give it a smart home upgrade. You can let in guests or contractors while you’re away, keep tabs on who is coming and going, and give your home a boost of security.
Automated household tasks
Smart homes are already starting to show promise by offering busy homeowners relief by automating household tasks. Appliances that connect to the internet can be scheduled to start your laundry and help cook your meals to perfection. Can’t seem to ever work out your grocery list? Smart refrigerators can tell you when you’re out of milk and eggs, or help you order new groceries as needed. Samsung’s fridge can even order your favorite foods right from Fresh Direct just by touching its screen and putting in a quick order.
Central hub control
Connecting online is just the first step in smart home living. You also need a central hub to connect all your devices in one place and maximize the convenience of smart home living. A tool like Harmony Hub turns your tablet or smartphone into a universal remote so you can do everything from change the channels on your TV to control your lights and home security system. But tomorrow’s smart homes will also have appliances and devices that connect to one another in harmony. That way your oven can automatically grab your dinner and cook it while your laundry is freshly dried and folded with a set it and forget it appliance.
Beyond digital
Not everything in a smart home is all about being electric and digital. Even the windows in your home can turn smart with the help of a new, cutting-edge design from Stanford engineers. The windows work like sunglasses and can switch from transparent to opaque or black in under a minute.
These smart windows made from glass plates with metal ions can save a bundle on your electric bill by working to dim itself depending on the light. The hotter the day with bright sunlight streaming in, the more your smart windows can adjust and dim themselves.
Smart garages
Instead of fumbling around for your garage door opener or braving an icy cold garage, you can use Garageio to enter and exit your home easily. Homeowners can raise and lower their garage by connecting it with Amazon Echo, or set it to automatically open when it senses your car coming. Smart garages can also make your car work more efficiently with the addition of EV chargers for your hybrid or electric cars. And with the help of some smart charging station for your devices, your smart garage is suddenly as intelligent as your home.
The smart home has come a long way since the smart thermostat when we delighted in being able to connect it to the Internet and watch it control our home’s temperature. But not every smart home gadget is worth the cost or hassle. Focus on the smart home resources, tools, and apps that improve the convenience and efficiency of your home to enhance your lifestyle and leave the rest.
