Smart home technology has become a popular option for all, not just the wealthy and tech-savvy. The tech industry has responded by introducing ever-more sophisticated solutions. While many people associate this automation with devices such as Google’s Nest or Amazon’s Echo or Apple’s HomeKit the term is much more broad than that and encompasses numerous options for your home. This includes everything from remote-controlled lighting and heating to CCTV, home security systems, doorbells and smart locks. Some allow you to keep track of your elderly relatives, pets, children and even keep track of your children.
The key to any good smart home system is integration. That is why the best products available are those that can work with other systems and devices to make your property smarter. A smart light bulb, for instance can communicate with the central hub to schedule your lights on a schedule or turn them off when leaving the house. A video doorbell could alert you to unexpected visitors and alarm systems can notify police or fire departments. And, once you’ve mastered IFTTT (If This Then That) You can make use of services like Stringify to automate your devices in more sophisticated ways.
Of course, bringing new technology into the home has its own concerns. CNET strives to be aware of company policies, address privacy concerns, and even direct questions to companies.