Hello World! Welcome Friends! Imagine finally having the dream smart home you’ve always wanted. You can turn on the lights as you pull into the driveway and turn down the thermostat while in bed. You can stop feeling stressed about paying those high energy bills, and automate some of the most routine tasks.
As you embark on your smart home journey, there are some key questions to ask. For example, what platform are you going to use to run all of your devices? When it comes to installation, are you going to DIY or pay a professional?
There are two main directions to go about smart home installation. First, you can choose an integrated solution from a company that provides all the platforms and pieces you need, as well as professional installation services. Or you can buy individual smart plugs, bulbs, and other components and use platforms such as Amazon Alexa or Apple’s HomeKit to control your home. There are benefits to both.
Here are some tips for automating your home:
Importance of a Smart Assistant
Let’s face it, living on a Star Trek-like spaceship is pretty awesome. But woke androids aside, if you rely on your home for comfort and convenience, single-handedly controlling dozens of smart devices can be more hassle than it’s worth.
Therefore, having an assistant control all of your smart home devices is super convenient. For example, you won’t have to carry your phone with you everywhere to control the lights or other devices. What’s more, you don’t have to walk up to a specific display like on a thermostat or another third-party screen to control all your devices. With a smart assistant, you can control them from anywhere in your home by just using your voice.
You can use more than one assistant in your home, but you need to ensure that the assistants you use can control all of your devices. Using several assistants allows you to enjoy loads of integrations and do far more complex stuff. It’s a fun but very complex project, even for those with technical knowledge. Moreover, a smart assistant alone is not enough to automate your home. You will need to install thermostats, smart kitchen appliances, cameras, and much more.
Device Compatibility with the Big Three Assistant Platforms
Not all devices work on the big three assistant platforms because historically, all these platforms have had different standards for communicating with them. For example, Apple has been the stickler for having specific hardware requirements for devices to work with its HomeKit platform. Therefore, it is common for more devices to work with Google Assistant or Amazon Assistant, but not with HomeKit.
In 2017, Apple relaxed some of the hardware requirements for HomeKit devices. Hopefully, it will open it up to more smart devices out there. Moreover, Amazon, Apple, Google, and Zigbee alliance have decided to develop a working group called Project Connected Home over IP. It plans to build and promote the adoption of new royalty-free connectivity standards for smart home products with security as a fundamental design tenant.
Pros and Cons of DIY Smart Home
Many smart home devices and appliances are plug-and-play; however, it’s essential to know what you’re doing. While they may seem simple at first glance, many tech products are a lot harder to use than they look. Before you embark on a journey of a DIY smart home installation, be completely honest with yourself. Are you familiar with the tech involved to take this on yourself? Do you know how your DIY platform will connect up to things? For example, if you buy some new light bulbs, how do you ensure they are compatible with your platform?
The installation and ongoing operation of home automation systems will require you to develop technical skills, like familiarity with electricity and IT. For example, you have to understand product compatibility from the LED light bulb to the wireless communication protocols to cable. It only takes one incompatible product to shut down an entire ecosystem.
However, suppose you are tech-savvy and feel confident to install everything yourself. In that case, you may save on professional smart home installation and gain a priceless sense of achievement. Good luck!
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Toodles,
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