Introduction
In the past, if you wanted a smart home device, it usually meant having a complicated setup of multiple devices and apps. Whether you’re an Amazon Echo die-hard or a Google Home enthusiast, these days there’s no reason to have to deal with all that fuss. If you’ve got some smartwares laying around your house that are just collecting dust, here’s why it’s time to upgrade:
The Amazon Echo
The Amazon Echo is a smart home device that can be used to control your lights, music and more. When you say “Alexa” (the name of the voice assistant built into the device), it responds by asking what you want to do. You can then tell Alexa what lighting setting you’d like or ask her to play some music from Spotify or Pandora. The Echo also has an extensive list of Skills (similar to apps) available through third-party developers that allow you do things like turn on/off your coffee maker with a single command. The Google Home isn’t quite as versatile as this yet but it does come close in some areas — especially when it comes down to home automation tasks such as turning off lights with just your voice!
The Google Home
The Google Home is a smart speaker that you can use to control your lights, music and more. It comes with Google Assistant built in, so you can ask it questions like “what’s the weather today?” or “what’s on my calendar?” The device works best when connected to other compatible devices like Nest thermostats or Hue lightbulbs (for example).
The device itself has an attractive design and an intuitive interface–there’s no need for an extra remote control; everything is controlled from your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. The only downside is that it doesn’t feature any internal storage; however this shouldn’t be much of an issue if you already have access to cloud services such as Spotify or Pandora through your phone or computer. All things considered though, this smart speaker offers great value at less than $100!
The Ring Video Doorbell 2
The Ring Video Doorbell 2 is one of the most popular smart home devices out there. It’s easy to install and use, and it allows you to see who is at your door without having to answer it. The 1080p camera has night vision so you can see who’s outside in the dark (or even if they’re just trying to get into their car).
This device connects directly with your smartphone or tablet over WiFi, so all you need is a solid internet connection for this device to work properly. You can even use two Ring Video Doorbells together if desired!
The Nest Learning Thermostat
The Nest Learning Thermostat is a smart home device that can be controlled from your phone, your voice, or even your smartwatch. It’s also compatible with other devices in the Nest ecosystem like the Nest Protect smoke alarm and the Nest Cam security camera. If you don’t want to spend money on an extra device dedicated specifically for controlling the thermostat (like Amazon’s Echo), this device will work with almost any system out there!
The Nest Learning Thermostat works by learning user patterns over time so it knows when they’re home or away based on when they use their system’s apps or talk to their virtual assistant. The result? A more efficient heating/cooling system that saves energy costs while keeping everyone happy at home all year long!
The Google Chromecast Audio
The Google Chromecast Audio is a small, inexpensive device that connects to your speakers and allows you to stream music from your phone. You can use it as a speakerphone or connect it with Google Home for voice control over the music in your house.
This little gadget is incredibly easy to set up: just plug it into an outlet and connect it with any pair of speakers that have an auxiliary jack (a standard headphone jack). Then go through the steps on your phone or computer to connect them together using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi; after doing so, you’ll be able to play music from apps like Pandora and Spotify through those speakers instantly!
Philips Hue Lights
Philips Hue lights are a great way to add ambiance to your home. These smart lights are easy to install and use, as well as compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. They can also be controlled by your smartphone or tablet via the app, which allows you to control them from anywhere in the world.
Samsung SmartThings Hub and Various Devices
Samsung SmartThings Hub and Various Devices
The Samsung SmartThings Hub is compatible with a wide range of connected devices, so you can customize your home automation system to fit your needs. The hub itself connects to your home Wi-Fi and works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT. You can also use it to control other smart devices in your home through voice commands or an app on your phone (iOS or Android).
MyQ Garage Door Controller with the Wink Hub 2
The MyQ Garage Door Controller with the Wink Hub 2 is a smart home device that is easy to install, use, maintain and expand. It’s also very easy to integrate with other devices in your home.
The best thing about this smart garage door controller is that it can be set up on schedule so you don’t need to remember when you want it open or closed. All you have to do is connect your phone with this device through an app called Wink which comes free with purchase of this product!
Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control With Hub, Works with Alexa and Google Assistant, Hub Required for Smartphone App Control and Premium Features, Black, One for Any Room in Your Home (915-000185)
The Logitech Harmony Elite remote control is a smart home device that can be used to control your entire home entertainment system. It’s ideal if you have a lot of different devices and want to keep them all under one app, or if you want your guests to be able to use their own device while visiting. The Logitech Harmony Elite works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use voice commands to turn on the TV or change channels.
It also comes with a hub that must be plugged into an outlet near where your router is located (this makes it possible for the remote control and smartphone app) so that they can communicate with each other over Wi-Fi networks throughout your house without needing line-of-sight access between them at all times like most other wireless products do today.”
Having smart devices makes your home more efficient and functional
Smart devices are one of the best ways to make your home more efficient and functional.
They help you save time and energy by making it easier to control your heating and lighting, as well as allowing you to monitor your home from anywhere in the world. They’re also user friendly, so anyone can use them without having to worry about getting frustrated over complicated instructions or buttons that don’t work as expected. Finally, smart devices offer benefits for security purposes too!
Conclusion
There are so many smart home devices to choose from, but these are some of our favorites. We hope that you have found this article helpful in deciding which device may be right for your home!
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