There was a time not so long ago that turning off your lights by clapping seemed like the cutting edge of technology. But these days, thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart home technology, everything from alarm systems to coffee pots can be controlled with a simple voice command. And with a good smart home hub, you can easily connect all of your smart home technology, making it easier than ever to manage your busy life and home.
At SevenAV, our audio visual experts do much more than just TV installation, like helping Twin Cities residents get into the 21st century with smart home upgrades. In this post, we’ll walk you through all of the top smart home hubs to help you choose the right one for your home. To schedule your smart home installation, give us a call today!
What Can a Smart Home Do?
Think of a smart home as a home that’s connected for your convenience, allowing users to control devices throughout their homes using networked technology. Connected through your Internet service, smart devices can be used to perform a wide range of operations remotely or even on a schedule.
These are just a few ways smart home technology can be used in a home:
● Turn lights on or off.
● Adjust your home temperature on a timer or remotely.
● Operate your home theater.
● Adjust the temperature and mode on your oven.
● Manage your slow cooker.
● Turn off an appliance you forgot about from work.
● Set the timers on your sprinkler system.
● Monitor and manage water consumption.
● Organize your life or check the news with only your voice.
● Activate privacy glass or alarm system.
● Lock or unlock your doors.
● Check your doorbell cam or security system.
● Open your garage door.
● Get notifications on your alarm system with security alerts and facial recognition technology.
With smart home technology integrated through a smart hub, your home can start working before you even wake up in the morning. Imagine waking up to a thermostat that adjusts on a timer as you get ready to greet the day, then walking into the kitchen to find a freshly brewed pot of coffee waiting.
Get the news and weather while sipping your coffee, then head to work knowing your home will secure itself and the thermostat will adjust for maximum efficiency while you’re gone. The future is here, and it’s more convenient than ever!
Choosing a Smart Home Hub
Most smart home technology can be accessed with downloadable apps on your smartphone or tablet. But when you’re using several different smart devices, having a smart home hub lets you connect everything from one central hub inside your home.
To choose a smart home hub, consider which virtual assistant you prefer and choose a hub that supports the technology you plan to use in your home. Here is a breakdown of three popular smart home hubs:
1. Google Nest Home Hub
The Google Nest comes equipped with Google Assistant and other proprietary Google applications. Attractive and simple, the device functions as an ultimate photo frame for your digital Google images but allows you to control all of your smart devices with its user-friendly dashboard. Features like Voice Match, clear speakers, and Ambient EQ color and lighting make this hub a popular choice for homeowners.
2. Amazon Echo Dot
If you’re an Alexa user and you’re looking for a compact home hub, Echo Dot is a convenient and easy-to-use solution. The Echo Dot speaker and Echo Dot clock are also nearly half the price of many home hubs and offer broader smart home capabilities than Google Nest. One of the standout features is Alexa Guard, which triggers a safety protocol when alerted by your smoke detector or the sound of breaking glass.
3. Samsung SmartThings
Samsung SmartThings is a home hub system with a broad range of capabilities and connects with all major voice assistants including Alexa and Google. SmartThings uses if/then controls to allow for easy home automation.
Get Your Smart Home Hub Today!
If you’re ready to step into the 21st century with smart home technology, SevenAV can help. Get your free estimate by calling 763-420-1070, or contact us online today!