Interiors by Design
Smart Home Technologies The Home of the Future is Here
By Robyn V. Powell
Thanks to the rapid transformation of home-based technologies, the smart home is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s the new reality. Smart home technology has made our homes more efficient, secure, and comfortable. Through innovative devices, our homes have become virtual hubs of hands-free functionality. By 2025, it’s estimated that there will be more than 70 million smart homes in the United States. What’s possible today and in the future may seem mind-boggling. In reality, transitioning to a smart home is surprisingly easy and affordable. What exactly is a smart home? A smart home enables household devices and appliances to be remotely controlled through an internet connection and a phone or tablet. A connected home enables homeowners to control lights, doorbells, thermostats, and window treatment functions from another room—or even from another country! Smart home technologies have evolved, with new generations of smart devices and appliances now able to connect with each other and with the cloud. This integration has launched the next level of seamless, convenient, and cost-saving functionality. For example, a smart front door lock can now automatically send a message to your thermostat to turn down the temperature every time you leave the house and lock the door—sending energy savings directly into your pocket. With so many smart home devices to choose from, how do you begin to incorporate devices into your existing home?
The growing demand for security and efficiency have made smart home features that improve safety and energy efficiency the most valued choices. Many people are finding that the best way to step into the new smart home world is to invest in a smart speaker. Like a phone, smart speakers come with a personal digital assistant—a voice that communicates audibly with the user and responds to voice commands. Voice assistants can make calls, send texts, look things up online, and get directions. Voice assistants can be quite useful on their own. When paired with compatible smart-home devices, they can be used in many new ways; for example, you can control lights without having to leave the comfort of your sofa or your bed. With the addition of separate phone apps, your voice can act as a remote control for your life—activating security systems, changing temperatures, adjusting window shades, and more.
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June 2021
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