Wouldn’t it be so nice to come home from a long day at work to a house that already knows what temperature your house should be, what rooms to light, and whether to play music or a podcast? Luckily, these features are readily available with smart devices and their accompanying services. You can make anything happen without leaving the comfort of your couch. Finances, scheduling, shopping, and many more tasks can be automated. There are a myriad of devices and appliances available with the capability to automatically perform tasks and regulate themselves. Below are a few ways to take advantage of this technology.
Smart Speakers
Image via Flickr by Tokutomi Masaki
A smart speaker, such as the Amazon Echo or Google Home, is a must-have for any home on its way to being fully automated. Smart speakers are equipped with the capability to play music, order pizza, and perform many other tasks. Plus, you can set up the other automated devices you have installed to react to whatever you tell Alexa or Google. Shopping for necessities by talking to Alexa is a popular feature within the Echo. You can tell her to order something as you take inventory of your home, or you can set up a subscription with any product on Amazon.
If This, Then That
IFTTT is a program that does exactly what its name implies. You can set up chain reactions for your smart products or connect apps within your phone. For example, you can set your smart bulbs to turn on when you get home by connecting your Maps app and your Hue hub through IFTTT. You can also use this program to track everything you do or need to do throughout the day to better budget your time and money. The website contains millions of premade “Applets” that you can browse, or you can create your own depending on your individual needs.
Other Smart Appliances
There are plenty of large and small appliances that can perform tasks you would otherwise do yourself. Smart refrigerators can tell you when you’re out of milk, Roombas can navigate themselves around and under furniture, and smart thermostats can detect temperature changes and adjust your HVAC system accordingly. Some thermostats also give you the ability to control your HVAC system with your phone. Most smart appliances can be connected to your smart speaker and controlled by your own voice. Installing these appliances can make your busy life less stressful by allowing you to have control, no matter where you are.
Living in a home that works for you is easier than ever before. Smart devices and the programs that connect them are becoming more accessible, intuitive, and affordable. Companies who specialize in the installation and repairing of these devices are also becoming more common. Almost any device or appliance has a smart version and almost any task can be done automatically as long as you have a smartphone. Taking advantage of this technology and automating even the little things can really simplify your life.
