For a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the vast amount of advertising, promotion and media attention, almost all of us are familiar with the term, smart home products! Depending on your personal needs, priorities and preferences, some of these may be more valuable and meaningful, personally, to you than others. Some of these items include: voice activated devices; remote cameras/ video intercom – bells; robotic vacuum cleaners; smart thermostat; convenience of having a central hub, etc. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, examine, review and discuss these 5 examples, explain them briefly (give an overview), and attempt to assess the potential advantages and disadvantages, and why (or why not), they can be for you (or, not).

1. Voice Activated Devices: Most of us by now are somewhat familiar with some of the most popular voice activated devices, especially those on mobile etc. Some are apps on smartphones, while others include a variety of standalone devices. Quite a bit, it includes day to day elements that most pay very little attention to, but some seem to have more functionality! Many things, from giving simple instructions, asking questions, getting directions, etc., to safety-related functions and controls, for one’s safety, thermostat and smoke detection systems, are more easily accomplished using these technologies. . Though, convenient, it does get frustrating sometimes, when the instructions you give, orally, are apparently not articulated (by you), clearly, enough to gain insight!

2. remote cameras; Video intercom – bells: In today’s world, and with the apparent increase in criminal activity, including many crimes involving the home, it doesn’t make sense to have some degree of added protection, for safety and well-being, as well as peace of mind, for you and your family. family? There are several versions of remote cameras, from very sophisticated (and expensive) to more basic. Obviously, there are certain advantages/convenience of these devices, but, also, they cause additional maintenance costs and, yew, hackedpotential security risks!

3. Robotic Vacuums: Robotic vacuum cleaners have proven to be a desirable convenience for many! Do we need them and do they make life easier? Are they as valuable and do as good a job as the conventional ones? There seem to be certain obstacles to using them, including: cleaning stairs and/or multi-level houses; use with pets and/or small children; and, some differences, of opinions, regarding quality and/or efficacy!

4. Smart Thermostat: When one uses a Smart Thermostat, they are able to control temperatures remotely! How important is this to you, and does it justify your higher prices, etc.? Is a setback, enough, for your needs? Like any other remote device, the use of these potentially exposes you to security-related risks.

5. central axis: One thing, which many like, is known as the Central Hub. With these, one can identify, and more easily, simplify, analyze, problems that may arise, earlier and more clearly! They also allow you to change settings (including temperatures, alarms, etc.) from a central location. While certainly potentially convenient, what happens when/if there is a problem/failure/error in this hub?

Smart devices, for your home, are here and they are here to stay. There are a lot of them, and there will undoubtedly be many more (and better/more sophisticated), in the somewhat near future! How interested are you in some of these features, and why would you (or would you not) be willing to pay to buy them?