From energy savings and improved safety to luxury and convenience, smart home technology offers a number of benefits. As more devices gain Internet connectivity and other innovative features, the ability to create a true automated home of the future is becoming a reality quickly. These four smart home technologies offer creative uses and outstanding benefits.
1. Smart Climate Control with Nest
For many homes, the thermostat is the heart of keeping your home comfortable. However, it is also likely that you are using the same type thermostat that your parents used in their homes. Nest is looking to change that with their Learning Thermostat.
The thermostat features Internet connectivity to provide access to a bounty of energy saving, convenient features. A smartphone app allows you to adjust your heating and cooling remotely wherever you have Internet or mobile data coverage as well.
The core of the Nest system is the detailed reporting and intelligence features. Based on your daily schedule, the thermostat will optimize your heating and cooling routines for optimal savings and comfort. It automatically detects common routines, such as when you work and seasonal temperature changes, to keep your house comfortable without the need to touch the unit.
2. Wi-Fi Fireplaces Put Comfort in Your Pocket
It seems that everything is gaining Wi-Fi capabilities these days. Whether you are using it to set the mood or keep warm in chilly weather, propane and natural gas fireplaces offer the benefits of wood-burning fireplaces with instant on and off convenience. Escea recently released a full line of Wi-Fi enabled propane fireplaces that allow you to remotely operate and monitor your fireplace with a few taps of your smartphone or portable device. Controls include fan speed, temperature, timers and more.
Indoor and outdoor models make it possible to find uses almost anywhere that you have access to your home network. Possible ideas include a cozy garden nook, your living room or your home library or office.
3. Creating House-wide Audio with Sonos
With recent advances in set top boxes and mobile devices, it is easy to take your computer, television programming or movies from room to room with you inside your home. However, transmitting music and audio throughout your house remains tricky. Sonos is revolutionizing home theater and home audio systems by removing the wires and complicated interfaces.
Instead of using a central receiver and running wires throughout your home, Sonos' full line of speakers utilize the spare wireless bandwidth of your home network to deliver hi-fidelity sound to your Sonos speakers. You can control your speakers using a web interface or portable device to create sound zones, switch audio from another room or combine speakers for a full surround sound experience. Speaker options include the newest Sonos PLAYBAR, as well as multiple 3-way speakers, 5-way speakers and a subwoofer.
The only cables or cords required by most Sonos speakers is a power supply. This means that anywhere you have electricity and access to your home network, you can enjoy your favorite music, radio stations and more. They also offer repeaters to help extend your network out to your yard, pool or other outdoor area with ease.
4. Controlling Your Home through Social Media and WeMo
Belkin's WeMo power adapters and accessories combine social media and home automation to provide a number of uses for any home. From turning lights off and on to audio surveillance, the WeMo line offers simple ways to interact with your home using your computer or iOS mobile device. Multiple WeMo devices can be synchronized and grouped to offer flexibility in managing your automated tasks.
The devices feature a controller app or direct integration with IFTTT. By sending a Twitter or Facebook message with a specific phrase, you can activate your WeMo outlets or sensors instantly. The motion sensor accessory offers the opposite functionality. Anytime that the motion sensor is engaged, it will send a quick message to your email or on your mobile device. These features offer nearly unlimited ways to customize and automate your smart home technologies.
Smart home technologies are bringing innovative convenience and features to virtually every aspect of daily living. From fireplaces that light with a tap of your phone or tablet to turning off your child's television through Twitter, these four options offer creative ways to automate your home. For more options and in-depth guides on home automation, consider CNET's Home Integrator Directory.
About The Author
Willie Pena is a freelance writer, video producer, visual artist, and music producer. He prefers the Oxford comma. In addition to writing for firms such as IBM, Colgate, Transunion, Webroot and a multitude of private clients and websites, he also shoots, directs, and edits the hit celebrity web series “Teens Wanna Know”. Catch his rare blog posts on williepena.com, and connect with him on Google+, LinkedIn.
1. Smart Climate Control with Nest
For many homes, the thermostat is the heart of keeping your home comfortable. However, it is also likely that you are using the same type thermostat that your parents used in their homes. Nest is looking to change that with their Learning Thermostat.
The thermostat features Internet connectivity to provide access to a bounty of energy saving, convenient features. A smartphone app allows you to adjust your heating and cooling remotely wherever you have Internet or mobile data coverage as well.
The core of the Nest system is the detailed reporting and intelligence features. Based on your daily schedule, the thermostat will optimize your heating and cooling routines for optimal savings and comfort. It automatically detects common routines, such as when you work and seasonal temperature changes, to keep your house comfortable without the need to touch the unit.
2. Wi-Fi Fireplaces Put Comfort in Your Pocket
It seems that everything is gaining Wi-Fi capabilities these days. Whether you are using it to set the mood or keep warm in chilly weather, propane and natural gas fireplaces offer the benefits of wood-burning fireplaces with instant on and off convenience. Escea recently released a full line of Wi-Fi enabled propane fireplaces that allow you to remotely operate and monitor your fireplace with a few taps of your smartphone or portable device. Controls include fan speed, temperature, timers and more.
Indoor and outdoor models make it possible to find uses almost anywhere that you have access to your home network. Possible ideas include a cozy garden nook, your living room or your home library or office.
3. Creating House-wide Audio with Sonos
With recent advances in set top boxes and mobile devices, it is easy to take your computer, television programming or movies from room to room with you inside your home. However, transmitting music and audio throughout your house remains tricky. Sonos is revolutionizing home theater and home audio systems by removing the wires and complicated interfaces.
Instead of using a central receiver and running wires throughout your home, Sonos' full line of speakers utilize the spare wireless bandwidth of your home network to deliver hi-fidelity sound to your Sonos speakers. You can control your speakers using a web interface or portable device to create sound zones, switch audio from another room or combine speakers for a full surround sound experience. Speaker options include the newest Sonos PLAYBAR, as well as multiple 3-way speakers, 5-way speakers and a subwoofer.
The only cables or cords required by most Sonos speakers is a power supply. This means that anywhere you have electricity and access to your home network, you can enjoy your favorite music, radio stations and more. They also offer repeaters to help extend your network out to your yard, pool or other outdoor area with ease.
4. Controlling Your Home through Social Media and WeMo
Belkin's WeMo power adapters and accessories combine social media and home automation to provide a number of uses for any home. From turning lights off and on to audio surveillance, the WeMo line offers simple ways to interact with your home using your computer or iOS mobile device. Multiple WeMo devices can be synchronized and grouped to offer flexibility in managing your automated tasks.
The devices feature a controller app or direct integration with IFTTT. By sending a Twitter or Facebook message with a specific phrase, you can activate your WeMo outlets or sensors instantly. The motion sensor accessory offers the opposite functionality. Anytime that the motion sensor is engaged, it will send a quick message to your email or on your mobile device. These features offer nearly unlimited ways to customize and automate your smart home technologies.
Smart home technologies are bringing innovative convenience and features to virtually every aspect of daily living. From fireplaces that light with a tap of your phone or tablet to turning off your child's television through Twitter, these four options offer creative ways to automate your home. For more options and in-depth guides on home automation, consider CNET's Home Integrator Directory.
About The Author
Willie Pena is a freelance writer, video producer, visual artist, and music producer. He prefers the Oxford comma. In addition to writing for firms such as IBM, Colgate, Transunion, Webroot and a multitude of private clients and websites, he also shoots, directs, and edits the hit celebrity web series “Teens Wanna Know”. Catch his rare blog posts on williepena.com, and connect with him on Google+, LinkedIn.
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