Smart Home by Mediaplanet_USA

SEPTEMBER 2018 | FUTUREOFBUSINESSANDTECH.COM

An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

SMART HOME

Gadget guru Carley Knobloch talks about why, even if you’re not tech-savvy, smart home technology might be a good idea.

DISCOVER what industry leaders are saying about integrating smart technology into your home.

LISTEN in to the “Tone It Up” girls’ tips and tricks on how to harness technology to keep active and healthy.

SOUS VIDE COOKER BLUETOOTH & WIFI ENABLED FOR A SMARTER KITCHEN

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Food Network star Ayesha Curry discusses the kitchen’s role as the heart of the home, and how technology can improve your family’s kitchen experience.

in this issue

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The American Academy of Sleep Medicine speaks to the pros and cons of smart sleep technology. Page 4

“Love It or List It” host Hilary Farr provides insight on what well-thoughtout design can do for the home. Page 8

Page 9

Harnessing Technology in Home Care

With technology improving all the time, it’s getting easier and safer for senior citizens to remain independent and for home care workers to work more efficiently.

nnovations in technology have created amazing new possibilities for how we execute simple tasks throughout our daily lives, whether we’re asking Siri for directions to the nearest gas station or telling Amazon’s Alexa to turn off the kitchen lights. While these devices can make day-to-day life more convenient for everyone, they can be particularly useful within the senior community. In-home technologies, like the voice-activated products mentioned above, are already being utilized within the home care industry. In-home voice technology products are not only seen as a way to assist seniors themselves, but are also being considered as a potential tool for caregivers to utilize in fulfilling their duties. Some home care providers have conducted experiments exploring the ways in which Alexa could be of assis-

tance in fulfilling the everyday responsibilities of a caregiver. From medication reminders to the ability to place calls or control functions within the house with a mere voice command, these devices have the potential to help caregivers provide an even higher quality of care to their clients. Te c h n o l o g y h a s n o t o n l y produced new ways to protect our senior loved ones, but has also allowed us to improve upon already existing practices. Fall detection is one effort that has benefitted from recent technological advances. In the past, wearable fall detection devices would be equipped with a button that must be pushed in order to alert someone of a fall. Today’s wearable devices can automatically detect a falling incident. In addition, when a fall has been detected, many devices offer the option to immediately send text messages and/or emails to that person’s designated emergency

"Technology has not only produced new ways to protect our senior loved ones, but has also allowed us to improve upon already existing practices." contacts. Other features include the option to send the fallen individual’s GPS location to their emergency contacts, as well as a countdown mechanism that enables the person wearing the device to stop any alerts from being delivered within an allotted amount of time, should the device mistakenly detect a fall. According to the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths, unintentional injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. New technology in fall detection

may not only assist seniors by ensuring they receive assistance as soon as possible after a fall, but may also reduce their time in the hospital and/or the cost of medical services. Technology has also created ways to detect ailments before they become too severe. One company, Pixie Scientific, has developed an incontinence pad to monitor the onset of urinary tract infections (UTI), so that they can be addressed at home rather than requiring hospitalization. Each year, 850,000 older adults receive a UTI diagnosis in the emergency room. UTIs can come on very suddenly, and often cause senior individuals to remain in the hospital for several days. The disposable pads, which fit into a brief or pullup, contain a biosensor that monitors the presence of nitrites in urine, signaling that an infection may be developing. These pads are particularly helpful for older adults who may have problems

communicating the early symptoms of a UTI, such as those with dementia. One important concept to keep in mind is that regardless of how advanced these assistive devices may become, technology cannot easily replace the attention and companionship of a caregiver. Alexa may successfully remind one to take medication, but in cases where a senior is unable to do so on their own, a caregiver is still needed to make sure that medication is administered properly. Nonetheless, technology is making it easier for seniors to feel safer and more comfortable to live independently at home, in addition to providing greater peace of mind to their loved ones. n

Phil Bongiorno, Executive Director, and Kayla Dottery, Director of Communications, Home Care Association of America

Publisher Alexandra Devine Business Developer Abraham Freedberg Managing Director Luciana Olson Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Content Strategist Mina Fanous Designers Chris Espino & John Coutinho Copy Editor Benny Regalbuto Production Coordinator Josh Rosman Cover Photo Daniel Collopy All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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Understanding the Limits and Benefits of Consumer Sleep Technology For those pining for a good night’s rest, consumer sleep technology could be the answer. Ultimately, however, better sleep has more to do with you and how you handle this tech.

yriad devices focus on helping you sleep longer, better and smarter. Apps, trackers and other gadgets promise to enable you to “hack” and optimize your sleep. This emphasis on sleep is positive. Healthy sleep is essential for safety and well-being; it should be a top health priority. But do these gizmos really help? According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, consumer sleep technology is improving, but most current sleep trackers lack validation and have limited accuracy. They can provide general estimates of sleep duration and quality, but struggle to produce precise information, offering little guidance on how to interpret the data generated. There's also a downside. Although sleep is an intricate, beautiful biological process, it is never perfect. Even a “great” night’s sleep includes brief arousals, occuring without your awareness. Hence, some obsess over their

“imperfect” sleep data, which can reinforce sleep-related anxiety and contribute to insomnia. Recognize sleep technology’s limits. No app or wearable device is going to make you go to bed; you must choose to prioritize sleep. It can be hard to wind down at night when mobile devices emit bright, blue-wavelength light that increases alertness. Smart tools such as screen filters and amber-tinted glasses can help limit this light; smart lighting systems can adjust the color temperature of the light to limit alertness. Powering down your devices an hour before you plan to go to bed helps, too. But consumer sleep devices can also identify poor sleeping patterns. Sleep trackers can help set goals and assess improvement. Meditation apps, sound machines and temperature-controlled bedding may lead to better sleep. The number one cause of daytime sleepiness is self-determined insufficient nighttime sleep and only you can

change that. A relaxing bedtime routine and a soothing bedroom environment are good places to start. Keep in mind that these consumer sleep technology tools are no substitute for a medical evaluation. You should talk to your doctor about any ongoing sleep-related problems, such as snoring, pauses in breathing during the night, ongoing insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness. Your doctor may refer you to a board-certified sleep medicine physician and the team of health care professionals at an accredited sleep center for a comprehensive sleep evaluation. With or without the help of technology, it is always smart to sleep well. n

Douglas B. Kirsch, M.D., President, American Academy of Sleep Medicine

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Integrating Smart Home Automation Into Our Lives Three experts discuss what makes smart automation so beneficial, and where they think it’s headed next.

How would you describe smart home automation to a person who’s never heard of it before?

Brad Hintze Senior Director of Product Marketing, Control4

Lesley Penater Vice President of Marketing, Alain Pinel Realtors

Dr. Renee Dua Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Heal

Brad Hintze: The term is growing in recognition, but the context behind it can get a bit confusing. Many think of home automation as "smart" devices; one app turns on a light, another app locks a door. However, it isn't until these smart devices "play nicely" together that the magic of true smart home automation evolves. An example: One button press at night turns off the lights, dials back the thermostat and lock the doors. Another: When you walk through the door, the kitchen illuminates, starting your favorite playlist. From a tap on your phone, a keypad on the wall, a single voice command — or without any action at all — true home automation responds to how you live within your home. Lesley Penater: Home automation has been around a long time. If your sprinkler system was on a timer or you plugged your lamps into an old-fash-

ioned timer to turn them on and off at certain times, you could have considered yourself living in an automated home. Today, an automated home takes this concept to the next level. Smart thermostats controlled by your phone, Google Assistant accessible from any room in your home and a smart fridge that orders groceries when you run low on milk are all examples of taking home tasks and automating them for a new generation of homeowners. Dr. Renee Dua: Home automation is about finding ways to use novel, technology-driven solutions to make our day-today lives effortless while solving important problems. While it can be the voice assistant scheduling a doctor house call or sending a prescription refill, it can also be solutions that automate steps towards your comfort and convenience. In your own opinion, what are the main advantages of investing in a connected lifestyle? BH: It really depends on the

individual homeowner. One homeowner may favor having an entertainment oasis with multi-room audio and distributed video. Another may prefer smart lighting that makes the house appear occupied while traveling. For me, the biggest advantage is the peace of mind I receive. If someone rings the doorbell, I'm able to see and communicate with them. If it's an important delivery, I can tap a button that turns on the entry light, unlocks the door and locks it back up again after they have left. I get an alert when the kids arrive home, I can check in on the cameras and even close the garage if it has been left open. LP: The advantage is just that — staying connected. Like most people living in Northern California, I spend a bit of time in traffic. Opportunities to automate one’s home life offers the ability to be more present for other priorities. Whether it’s as simple as remotely adjusting the ideal temperature for your arrival at home (saving on energy costs in the interim, by the way) or being able to ask

Google or Alexa to add household items to your online shopping cart while preparing family dinner, there is real value in what a connected lifestyle can provide. RD: Investing in a connected lifestyle doesn’t mean you have the latest device just for the sake of it. Technology can build a bridge to some of the most important relationships, like your family physician. The Heal app, for example, allows patients to instantly connect to a qualified doctor at the tap of the button. The doctor can be in your own living room in two hours or less and see what in your house may be affecting your health. On top of the personal benefits, there is a larger impact on the healthcare system. Quality, proactive care that is driven through connected devices can improve patient outcomes, enable doctors to practice relationship-based medicine and reduce emergency room and hospital visits, all while lowering overall healthcare costs. n

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Getting Organized Is Essential to Achieving a Healthy Lifestyle Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott, co-founders of Tone It Up, sat down with Mediaplanet to discuss ways to stay healthy and motivated.

ou both have built your wildly successful fitness empire and wellness community by utilizing all kinds of technology and online platforms. How important is it to our success in health and fitness that we stay connected with each other through an online community? Karena and Katrina: Tone It Up (TIU) is all about connection. When we started TIU, our vision was to create a community where women could support each other, hold each other accountable and cheer each other on through their fitness journeys. TIU team members motivate and inspire each other to lead healthy lives, and that’s the most powerful tool for success. How can readers fit fitness and a healthy lifestyle into their busy schedules? Karena and Katrina: We completely understand that life gets hectic. Just remember to prioritize yourself, because when you feel happy and

healthy, you’re better able to care for others and you’re a better partner, parent, co-worker and friend. We suggest getting your workout done in the morning. Take that time to focus on your health before your day gets crazy. Plus, exercising in the morning boosts your metabolism. We also recommend prepping your week’s meals on Sunday; it will make your week so much simpler. We cook our lean proteins, slice veggies and bake a batch of healthy muffins every Sunday. How important is utilizing wellness tracking data for our own knowledge of our health and fitness capabilities? Karena and Katrina: Tracking workouts is essential for holding yourself accountable and achieving fitness goals. That’s why we’re launching Studio Tone It Up, an app in which you can log workouts, set personalized goals, track progress and sign up for fitness classes with girlfriends. What are some ways in which read-

ers can make fitness more convenient for themselves? Karena and Katrina: Plan out your week’s workouts on Sundays, and you’re much more likely to stick to your fitness goals. Every Sunday, we schedule our workouts in our calendars and sign up for fitness classes. We love to plan workout dates together so we have quality girlfriend time while getting our sweat sesh in! We make it simple and convenient to plan your workouts with our Weekly Workout Schedule on our website. We lay out your workouts for each day and design the schedule to sculpt every muscle group, boost your metabolism and help you feel strong, happy and healthy. Where do you see the health and fitness industry going in the next 5-10 years? Karena and Katrina: We built TIU around social fitness, emphasizing the principles of community and connection. Those will be the most important aspects of the industry going forward. ■

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Hilary Farr on the Elements of Home Design Inspired by her mother, “Love It or List It” host Hilary Farr started designing in Toronto in the '90s, and hasn’t stopped since.

If you could go back in time, what is one piece of advice you would have given yourself on the first few projects which you worked on? HF: To chill. Accept that everything cannot be perfect.

UY EN

What is one trend in home design which you believe is going to make a big impact in 2018? HF: I honestly don't follow trends, so I don't know exactly. But I think that with our current sense of uncertainty and turmoil we want our homes to be sanctuaries. This should bring about softer, more user-

O :C AT H E R I N E

What steps do you take during the planning phase of any project to ensure success later on? HF: I review the wishes and dreams of the homeowners. Then I work on the design from a purely functional point of view. Finally, there’s the budget. With those three elements, I come up with a list of priorities suggesting where we must pull back and where we can splurge. It's a fine balance, but it works — most of the time. Is there one common obstacle/challenge which presents itself in each project you work on? If so, how do you overcome it? HF: Communication. I need to be sure I let the homeowners understand the constraints of the project, and they need to let me know their expectations. There are so many moving parts to a design project dependent on others. And homeowners often change their minds once things are in motion, which can cause delays and increase costs.

Look at your lifestyle to see where you can conserve precious water and energy. Change lightbulbs throughout your home with LED where possible; there are some very good choices with softer light, rather than blindingly white. Don't leave taps running while brushing your teeth or rinsing dishes in the sink — think of all those gallons of drinkable water going down the drain. Cut down energy use with a ceiling fan to cool off a room instead of running the AC all the time. Make sure windows and doors are weather-proofed. Gradually replace old appliances — like dishwashers, washing machines and fridges — with new, energy-efficient ones. Consider replacing an old furnace with a new, direct vent, energy-efficient model. In general, stop using cleaning or garden products that are harmful to the environment — they are likely to be harmful to humans as well. If you're building a new home, look for a LEED-approved builder. These are all costs that will pay you back over time as your energy bills are reduced.

P H OT

hat about a career in home design first caught your interest? Hilary Farr: I didn’t plan on having this career. Although, when I think about my background, it seems almost inevitable that this is my career. My mother was creative, curious about different cultures, a collector. She had an eye for design, and wonderful flare. She’d often take me when she was shopping for our home. I’d see the results of what she had chosen and loved how she could transform a room with new wallpaper, or by reupholstering a piece of furniture. I inherited that same love of creating beautiful spaces for myself and friends, but I didn't consider it a career until I left Los Angeles for Toronto in the ‘90s. Beautiful old homes were going for a song. My husband and I bought one and I created one of my favorite places I’ve ever lived. Some of the Toronto houses were grand, with no updates whatsoever. Many had become rooming houses when the owners fell on hard times. I couldn’t resist the chance to renovate, hoping they’d be appreciated as family homes again. My designs mixed British and LA styles, which turned out to be just what buyers wanted. That was the start of my career: renovating and beautifying homes for resale. I always furnished them as I would want to live. That staging became a business, leading to clients and realtors wanting my services, leading to my career in home design. A very long answer, which boils down to this: I have always loved creating beauty and design where none exists or has been lost, which I was lucky enough to be able to turn into a successful business.

friendly design aesthetics. I see a lot of floral prints from a bygone era made modern with scale and color palettes. I think a longing for green spaces and nature resonates with us, whether or not we are aware. I think surfaces will be softer, warmer and more matte, rather than cold and sleek like stainless steel. I could be totally wrong. Let's see what happens! What are some essential steps that every homeowner can take to design their home in a more sustainable manner? HF: This is a bewildering area. There are so many options out there, some of which are very costly and some of which don't necessarily meet true sustainability standards. There are many companies, designers and architects who are very committed to building and designing with the least amount of impact on our planet.

What would you say to a homeowner who is hesitant to make their home more green-friendly because he or she believes it will be too costly? HF: I would agree that's a valid concern. Then I'd want to know how much they spend on their energy bills, and start from there to show how much those costs could be reduced by spending money upfront by investing in energy-efficient appliances, heating, insulation, etc. And then I'd move on to a guilt trip and ask if they care about leaving a healthy planet for their children and grandchildren. ■

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Talking Food and Health with Food Network Star Ayesha Curry What are some ways that Americans can make healthier food more convenient for their families? Ayesha Curry: Available pre-cut vegetables, fruit and readyto-eat lunches make healthy eating easier. You can also create weekly menus and shopping lists. Having pre-planned meals helps maintain a budget and stay conscious of what you’re eating. In the past 5-10 years, how has modern technology changed the cooking process? AC: Cooking is always evolving and changing. We have so many tools now that simplify things. Modern technology is a big part of that. For someone looking to reinvent their kitchen to make

cooking more seamless, what advice would you give them? AC: Simplify your kitchen. The more space and organization you have in your kitchen, the better. How do you build your grocery list? Are there any tricks you use to make sure you don’t forget anything? AC: Keeping your pantry stocked with everyday ingredients is key. I often plan a menu for the week and base my grocery list off that. What steps has your family taken to reduce your carbon footprint when it comes to the kitchen? AC: We are huge on recycling and reusing. How has your kitchen influenced your family dynamic? AC: It’s our gathering place, where we share meals and talk about our day. Many happy memories throughout my life have been spent with my family around the kitchen table.

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yesha Curry — celebrity chef, author and TV personality — digs into cooking, kitchens, grocery shopping and more.

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Gizmo Guru Carley Knobloch Wants You to Smarten Up Your Home “Smart Home” host Carley Knobloch is no slouch when it comes to smart home technology. She makes a convincing case as to how this tech both benefits your home and saves money in the process.

oes technology have you running for the hills? Carley Knobloch, blogger and TV personality, is no stranger to skeptics, and she’s here to highlight some simple tricks that’ll hook even the most tech-challenged among us. Whether appearing on “The Today Show,” HGTV’s “Smart Home” or CNN, a big part of Knobloch’s mission is conveying to consumers that home technology is for everyone — regardless of income. “I'm always surprised — because I guess I'm so inside the industry — that people think that smart home systems are for wealthy people, that you need to shell out a lot of money,” the TV personality shares. “ You can start a smart home system by buying one product for under $200 or $100.” Even home security can be achieved without massive cost and complicated installation. One example Knobloch offers: peel-

and-stick door and window sensors that connect to a central hub. Since they can be removed and reused, they’re a perfect solution for renters who can’t permanently install a home security system. Another easy-to-use, high-tech home security tool Knobloch loves is the smart lock. “Based on different combinations that I can set for different members of my family, I can be away from the home and know that a child just arrived or a child is just leaving,” she explains, “and get alerts specifically about the different people that are coming and going, like the dog walker or the housekeeper.” The mother of two focuses on health and safety inside the home with a Molekule air purifier, which rids the air of micro-pollutants. “Everybody's always very focused on air pollution outside the home,” she points out, “but actually sometimes your home can be more toxic than the outdoors.” With a simple companion app, Knobloch can consistently monitor air quality.

In this example and many more, apps present a handy (and handheld) way to operate and track devices, and, Knobloch points out, you’ll almost always need one for initial setup of smart home tech. But apps can also limit, rather than ease access to, devices around the home. That’s why the gizmo guru is so excited about the increasing availability of voice control, which she says “democratizes” the smart home. An app is great for the one or two family members who have it installed, she argues, but “it makes it harder for the rest of the family, especially young children or visitors or grandparents to turn off the lights,” for example. “With voice control, anyone can just shout out a command.” But let’s say your smart home tech doesn’t have voice control, or you just noticed that a new model of some device hit the market. Does that mean you’ll need to swap out those possibly pricey recent purchases — and drop even more money — for the latest and great-

est? Knobloch says that’s not a huge concern. “They're always innovating,” she says. “[Smart home tech] is always going to be advancing. It doesn't mean that your old things will stop working.” Recently, her family wanted to add a couple of speakers to an existing Sonos system and wondered if they needed to replace the whole lot. “No,” the company assured her. “Our hardware, if it's still working, is the same hardware, for the most part, that we've had since day one. We've just been increasing the capabilities with software and firmware updates.” Many product lines are going modular, meaning it’s more about adding as your budget grows, rather than replacing. “I see the trend as adding different pieces to the system,” she says. “I think people can invest relatively comfortably in this stuff. Is [a smart thermostat] going to become more outdated faster than a dumb thermostat? Probably. But it's also going to save you money in the process.”

If Knobloch could recommend one device that’s not only underrated, but could potentially save you thousands, it’s a leak detector. “They're so inexpensive,” she notes. “You can put them under any hot water heater, laundry system or sink.” These small but mighty gadgets are a solid piece of evidence in Knobloch’s case that building a smart home isn’t a self-indulgent, superfluous pursuit for people who don’t want to get off the couch to turn off a light. On the contrary, the right devices get your home working for you, saving you money, time and worry. “If one of your pipes burst,” she says, “you'll end up with all of your childhood memories floating in a soup or damage to your basement. There's so many thousands of dollars of damage that can be avoided just by putting one of those dinky little leak detectors in one of those places and avoiding that whole thing.” n Emily Gawlak

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