The Verdict: 5 Smart-Home Ideas Worth Adopting
Get up to speed on the latest home tech from voice activation and automated security to wireless power
Life was supposed to get easier as smart devices became readily available, but the reality seems to be that wading through the information about what’s worth adopting – and what’s not – is time-consuming and confusing. To help you make the best choices, here are 5 of the latest innovations (plus one that’s coming soon) that are simple to use and will benefit your lifestyle – be it through time savings, convenience, or productivity.
Photo from Digital Door Locks
2. Digital door locks
Home security has not evolved for years; in fact, losing the keys is still a monthly ritual for many of us. So it may come as a surprise that fingerprint scanning door locks and smartphone tap-to-unlock access options are available now at hardware and DIY shops.
Imagine if entering your home was as easy as holding your phone to the door, or placing your finger on a small panel. Digital door locks offer flexibility – up to 100 fingerprints per lock – and greater security, triggering an alarm or alerting you on your mobile if multiple incorrect attempts are made to enter. They often come with DIY installation too, and if the fear of being locked out still haunts you, some models offer a backup key option.
Verdict: Keyless entry options are now a very reasonable replacement for your standard deadlock.
2. Digital door locks
Home security has not evolved for years; in fact, losing the keys is still a monthly ritual for many of us. So it may come as a surprise that fingerprint scanning door locks and smartphone tap-to-unlock access options are available now at hardware and DIY shops.
Imagine if entering your home was as easy as holding your phone to the door, or placing your finger on a small panel. Digital door locks offer flexibility – up to 100 fingerprints per lock – and greater security, triggering an alarm or alerting you on your mobile if multiple incorrect attempts are made to enter. They often come with DIY installation too, and if the fear of being locked out still haunts you, some models offer a backup key option.
Verdict: Keyless entry options are now a very reasonable replacement for your standard deadlock.
Photo from Ring
3. Clever lighting
If you thought you needed wiring to set up a series of motion-sensor lights or a new indoor/outdoor security camera, you’re living in the dark ages.
Wireless security lights, such as this set by Ring, have units that operate wirelessly thanks to a built-in rechargeable battery. While motion-activated lights are nothing new, there are now smartphone apps that, when linked to hardware, act as home intercoms and allow you to see, hear and speak to guests who arrive at your door.
Verdict: If good security is something you need and you want to monitor your system regularly, the latest features are a steal.
How does wi-fi work exactly?
3. Clever lighting
If you thought you needed wiring to set up a series of motion-sensor lights or a new indoor/outdoor security camera, you’re living in the dark ages.
Wireless security lights, such as this set by Ring, have units that operate wirelessly thanks to a built-in rechargeable battery. While motion-activated lights are nothing new, there are now smartphone apps that, when linked to hardware, act as home intercoms and allow you to see, hear and speak to guests who arrive at your door.
Verdict: If good security is something you need and you want to monitor your system regularly, the latest features are a steal.
How does wi-fi work exactly?
Photo from Holman
4. Bluetooth garden tools
Tap timers, such as Holman’s Bluetooth Tap Timer, offer you control of your garden’s watering from inside your home, meaning you can control up to eight taps at once with a few taps of your smartphone screen.
Verdict: There are some limitations: you still need to go outside to place the sprinkler or set up your irrigation system. And with a range of only 20 metres, you can’t switch off timers from a remote location, but you can avoid a late-night run through the sprinkler before it floods. If you want to avoid visiting your own garden, keep reading and you’ll find out about the internet-connected peg.
4. Bluetooth garden tools
Tap timers, such as Holman’s Bluetooth Tap Timer, offer you control of your garden’s watering from inside your home, meaning you can control up to eight taps at once with a few taps of your smartphone screen.
Verdict: There are some limitations: you still need to go outside to place the sprinkler or set up your irrigation system. And with a range of only 20 metres, you can’t switch off timers from a remote location, but you can avoid a late-night run through the sprinkler before it floods. If you want to avoid visiting your own garden, keep reading and you’ll find out about the internet-connected peg.
5. Wireless phone chargers
If you own an electric toothbrush, you may have already had cord-free charging in your home for some time. Wireless energy transfer works via coils of alternating currents and what, for our purposes, is best described as magic.
Recent improvements in wireless charging mean you can now purchase pads (basically a thin disc) for as little $10 that you can leave on your desk or bedside table. All you have to do is drop your phone and then wait… two to five hours.
Verdict: This purchase is worthwhile if you value drop-and-go convenience highly. The more affordable options will not charge your phone fast, so here’s some advice: look for one that can handle high-speed charging. Now, if only you could find your phone…
If you own an electric toothbrush, you may have already had cord-free charging in your home for some time. Wireless energy transfer works via coils of alternating currents and what, for our purposes, is best described as magic.
Recent improvements in wireless charging mean you can now purchase pads (basically a thin disc) for as little $10 that you can leave on your desk or bedside table. All you have to do is drop your phone and then wait… two to five hours.
Verdict: This purchase is worthwhile if you value drop-and-go convenience highly. The more affordable options will not charge your phone fast, so here’s some advice: look for one that can handle high-speed charging. Now, if only you could find your phone…
Photo by OMO
And coming next… connected clothes pegs!
Meet Peggy, the adorably named, wi-fi connected clothes peg. You leave this fat-looking peg on your line and it will send notifications to your phone, including the best time to hang out your washing and when to bring your clothes in due to pending rain.
More cleverly, using a light and temperature sensor, it has the ability to advise you of how long your washing will take to dry.
Verdict: Anything that makes doing the washing quicker has us hooked.
TELL US
Do you use and recommend any of these products? We’d love to hear what you think. Please share your experience with fellow readers in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, save and share this story. Join the conversation.
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And coming next… connected clothes pegs!
Meet Peggy, the adorably named, wi-fi connected clothes peg. You leave this fat-looking peg on your line and it will send notifications to your phone, including the best time to hang out your washing and when to bring your clothes in due to pending rain.
More cleverly, using a light and temperature sensor, it has the ability to advise you of how long your washing will take to dry.
Verdict: Anything that makes doing the washing quicker has us hooked.
TELL US
Do you use and recommend any of these products? We’d love to hear what you think. Please share your experience with fellow readers in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, save and share this story. Join the conversation.
MORE
Read more trend reports
1. Voice-activated assistants
The smartphones most of us use have become clever at recognising and acting on our voice commands. In fact, voice is seen as the next big thing for tech companies to conquer.
The ‘assistant’ you choose is likely to be determined by brand of smartphone you have; for example, you’d likely choose a HomePod for Apple iPhones, and Google Home for Android phones. Other unattached assistants, such as those by Sonos and Amazon, offer options that are not tied to any brand but can communicate with a variety of third-party services such as Spotify, smart TVs and connected appliances.
However, these assistants go beyond playing music and nowadays answer increasingly complex questions; what started with adding reminders to your calendar and getting the weather has evolved to include responses to questions such as where to eat, where to shop or what’s the latest news. In addition they can take actions such as turning the television on to a particular channel, finding a movie, or switching off the lights. Some of these are even able to find and read out recipes for you as you cook.
Verdict: If you can get used to the idea of talking to an inanimate cylinder, the assistants can change your life. If, on the other hand, you don’t enjoy speaking commands to a machine, the novelty could wear thin quickly.
Say hello to stylish tech home assistants