Featured article by Kate Walker, Independent Technology Author
There is no doubt that the latest technology is making it far easier to look after our homes and to spend time there. In fact, some of the best gadgets have turned ordinary, boring tasks into something far more interesting by allowing us to use simple, satisfying mobile apps to carry them out.
Source: Pxfuel
Smart Door Locks for People Who Travel a Lot
Locking your door when you go out used to be one of the dullest recurring tasks for any homeowner. Yet, the introduction of smart locks has made this a lot more interesting, as well as helping to make your home more secure. It is worth bearing in mind that 40% of Americans had some experience with violent crime or property crime in the 12 months to March 2020.
Smart door locks are keyless locks that you can control using a physical keypad, your voice, or a smartphone app. The lock connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network and you can use your special code to unlock it from anywhere in the world. This gadget may be of most interest to someone who spends a lot of time traveling for work purposes and needs to provide secure access to others while they are away.
Smart Light Bulbs Could Help Save on Security
These are LED light bulbs that can be hooked up to the internet and then controlled remotely using an app. They have proved to be one of the most successful of the smart home products to be launched in recent years, with Philips Hue being one of the best-known systems. You can control the color and intensity of the bulbs to suit your mood and the occasion.
They can increase home security too, as the app allows you to turn on the lights even if you are far from home. This is often considered is a cost-effective approach for new home owners who don’t want to pay for a full security system just yet – after all, it can cost over $1,500 upfront. Choosing the right option from fixed rate, variable or tracker mortgages can help to reduce the cost of a first home, as explained in this mortgage guide from Trussle, but buying property is costly to begin with, and we often can’t afford to install a security system right away. One word of warning, however. While installing smart light bulbs can help deter some would-be thieves, arguably increasing the security of your property, you should also pay attention to their cybersecurity implications, taking the right steps to change the default password and installing appropriate antimalware – which often can be done for free.
“lifx smart bulb” (Public Domain) by goatandtable
A Pet Camera for Pet Owners Who Work Long Hours
It used to be the case that pet owners simply had to leave their beloved animals all alone when they went to work each morning. However, some dog breeds suffer more from separation anxiety than others, with Border Collies and German Shepherds among those most prone to it. The arrival of pet cameras has helped to make this period of separation easier for both parties to handle.
You can relax knowing your cat or dog is safe and well at home, while the most advanced models also give you two-way streaming and audio options. This means that you can use the camera on your smartphone to communicate with him and reassure him that he isn’t alone, helping to avoid stress and boredom. Some of the brands to look out for are PetChatz, Furbo, and Pawbo.
These gadgets all provide clever, useful ways of making any home smarter. Their app-based controls also mean you can put your smartphone to good use to make sure everything works exactly as you want even when you’re not at home.
