If you play online casino games, you’ll be well aware of how far technology has come in the last couple of years, with new ways to play and a much-improved user experience. Chances are that you, or someone you know, has invested in some sort of smart home system, whether that’s a voice-activated assistant, video doorbells and more.
Technology for the smart home has advanced at a rapid pace over the last few years and it has revolutionized how we live our lives in our homes. Smart home gadgets are everywhere and the industry is only set to expand in the future.
So, what are the most popular smart home trends at the moment and how are they impacting our everyday lives at home?
What is a Smart Home?
First things first, it’s important to understand what is meant by the term “smart home.” It’s simply a home with an electronic system that connects a number of appliances around the home through the internet, which automates some tasks and can be controlled remotely. Smart systems can usually be controlled in several ways, through an app, manually or by voice.
The Latest Smart Home Trends
Things have moved swiftly in the smart home industry since Amazon’s Alexa was introduced in 2014, and there’s now a proliferation of easily-accessible smart home gadget options. Here are the best smart home devices and top trends that are hugely popular in the industry right now.
Voice-Activated Assistants
One of the first things that people think of when smart homes are mentioned is definitely voice-activated assistants. These devices bring artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning together into one gadget that’s trained to recognize particular voices in the household and perform tasks such as playing music, dimming the lights and even checking who is at the front door.
The most popular voice-activated assistants are undoubtedly Amazon’s Echo series (Alexa,) the Google Nest Hub and the Apple Homepod series. However, there are many more on the market to choose from, with tech companies playing catch up. Other options include Sonos One (which features both Alexa and Google voice control,) Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 and many more.
Smart Home Security Systems
Safety has become one of the main areas of focus for smart home systems. Inside the home, you’re now able to enhance security and peace of mind with smart tech such as remote monitoring, smart locks, video doorbells and more.
Technology for security outside the home is starting to take off, too. You’re now able to open the door remotely for delivery people or a family member who has dropped their keys. You can switch on lights on the porch and in the house if you see someone suspicious around your home. The list of tasks that a smart home security system can perform is long.
Smart Environmental Control
Smart thermostats are one of the most popular smart home tech devices after smart speakers. They’re easy to install, can be completely customized to your ideal temperature and can be synced to your routines so that the temperature is perfect for whatever activity you’re up to.
They can be controlled remotely, too, so you can adjust your home environment from wherever you are. They’re excellent for energy saving and are more eco-friendly, seeing as you have complete control over the house environment. Google’s Nest thermostat is hugely popular and the company claims that it has saved US customers an average of 10% to 12% on heating bills and about 15% on their cooling bills every year.
Home Office
With more people working at home than ever before, smart home innovations have grown with regard to home offices. Smart tech that can make working from home more productive and convenient is in demand and being developed rapidly. A couple of the smart gadgets that are already in use are things like noise-canceling windows and AI-generated backgrounds that hide messy parts of the house from your boss when you jump on that Zoom call. The journey of the smart home office has just begun and you should expect to see huge growth in the next few years.
The Benefits of Smart Homes
Convenience is the number one benefit of having a smart home system. According to a recent survey by Statista, 58% of American homeowners who have installed smart tech reported an increase in convenience as the primary benefit of their system. Smart tech helps people to save time and effort by automating routine, everyday tasks like adjusting thermostats, locking and unlocking doors, turning lights on/off and more.
Energy efficiency is also a huge benefit. Smart lighting systems, thermostats and other appliances can help homeowners consume less energy. Energy Star reported that smart thermostats can help homeowners save $50 to $100 every year.
Home security is another benefit of smart systems. Smart locks, video doorbells, remote lights and more are providing homeowners with enhanced security and peace of mind whether they are at home or away.
Then, of course, there’s the entertainment aspect of smart home systems. Smart speakers, TVs and streaming devices provide a convenient and seamless entertainment experience, with access to music, movies, TV shows and more without even pressing a button.
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