A remote for this and one for that can be very confusing around your home. Your quest is to power up the TV. It’s that simple but where is the remote and which one do you use. When throwing devices that control your fans, A/C and other home systems into the mix the array of devices can become overwhelmingly frustrating.
If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation or it is a daily occurrence, there’s a better way to control automation in your home. Smart home technology may not replace the remote control for your television but it can give you an alternative when controlling your home’s audio, video, lighting and comfort settings. Need to water the lawn? Home automation can to that, too.
Is a universal TV remote all you want?
If you just want the best universal remote on the market, you have choices that include the Smartphone you already own. Of course, this is a good solution but what if you need to answer the phone. An older Android, with infrared (IR), will fill the slot, as will an IR-equipped tablet. Apple products don’t have built in IR so you will need to connect with Bluetooth or WiFi. Many apps on the market will help you set up your smartphone for use as a universal TV remote.
One of the best universal remotes on the market is the Savant. The sleek designed windowed viewing screen and easy to use controls will give you a remote that is so intuitive it knows what you want to watch. Of course, like any good, listener you must first tell it what you like and it will learn your watching habits.
How automated do you want to be?
If you want to take it further, you can control your home’s heating and air, security system, water your lawn, set the temperature of your hot tub or maintain the proper PH of your pool, remotely. All this can be done from your smartphone if you have the right applications installed that are compatible with your home’s systems.
The NEEO is another universal remote that is as smart as your TV and your phone. You can us change the channels, control your electronics, dim the lights, or control the heat but you can’t use it to make a call. The easy set-up and hand recognition make it user-friendly. Compatible with 30,000 devices it is a must see if you are considering any level of home automation.
With the look of a piece of art, the Nest Learning Thermostat has a large display for viewing with the added advantage of remote control from your PC, tablet or Smartphone. With built-in wireless, connectivity is simple. Priced at around $200 from Amazon, the amount you save by controlling your home’s heating and cooling will quickly pay for this artsy addition to home automation.
Do you want to save resources when watering your lawn?
There’s an app for that, too. The Hydro’s system has the smarts to check the weather before watering. It can check the condition of your soil, and plants to give you watering programs that are optimized to save you money on your water bill. The two-part system uses a sensor in the yard and one that controls the flow of water from your irrigation system. The data gathered from the sending unit will determine the length of time your lawn is watered, which can save you a lot on your water bill.
What else can you automate?
Costly but very cool, Phillips Hue wireless lightbulbs let you control the intensity of the light, as well as the color. Three bulbs and a power bridge for Wi-Fi will cost close to $250 and you will need to buy this starter pack so you have the bridge. Individual bulbs are priced at around $60 each but cool convenience has a price and even though this may seem expensive, it is the least costly way to automate the lighting in your home with your Smartphone.
Would you like 24 Hour Surveillance?
No, you needn’t hire a security firm. The Vivint Sky receives high ratings for its speedy event response, remote control of locks, thermostats, cameras, and sensors. This gives you a lot of bang for the buck but it also requires a monthly subscription fee. There are other products like this on the market and it comes down to what you want and how much you are willing to spend, as it does with most items that we desire for our homes.
Are you ready to Automate?
Automating your home is as easy as ever and you most likely have the solution in your handbag or pocket. The Smartphone, its connection to the World Wide Web and the application’s that have been written has opened the door to full home automation. If that is what you, desire. You’ll have to admit, some of today’s technology is pretty cool and the fact that a device that can allow you to talk to someone across world or water the lawn is simply amazing.
2 Point Highlight
A remote for this and one for that can be very confusing.
Automating your home is as easy as ever and you most likely have the solution in your handbag or pocket.
