Baby steps
Smart devices for every home
Maybe you’re the type of person who doesn’t want to go all in with a fully integrated smart home.
Maybe it’s too much all at once or you live in a rental unit and don’t have the option of installing such a system.
No worries. Here is a list of a few smart devices that can be easily used in any dwelling without an extensive installation procedure.
ECHO DOT AND ALEXA ECHO
Courtesy of Amazon’s intelligent personal assistant service Alexa, these little devices can do many things from playing music to giving you news or weather updates, ordering paper towels or telling you how to spell “antidisestablishmentarianism”, if you are so inclined to ask it. Price range $70-$135.
GOOGLE HOME
Courtesy of the Google assistant, this device is growing in popularity and is cutting into the market share of Amazon’s popular Echo Dot and Alexa Echo. It is designed to work with a wide variety of Wi-Fi- or Bluetoothenabled smart devices for your home. Price range: $80-$180.
INSTEON SMART PLUG
Allows you to control lamps and appliances with voice (using Alexa or Google Home) or smartphone or even programmed schedules. Price range $60-$70.
DOME HOME SECURITY SIREN AND CHIME
Once connected to a compatible hub, this home-security feature triggers sirens to alert you to intruders on your property, or when a door is ajar or a window is open. Price range $50-$60.
NEST LEARNING THERMOSTAT
It lights up when it sees you coming and shows you the time and temperature without you even having to ask. Also, it can learn your schedule and adjust temperature accordingly. Works with Alexa or Google Home for voice control or from an app on your phone. Easy install. Price range $300-$325.
WINK HUB 2
This allows your smart devices to communicate with each other. It uses the Wink app on your phone to control the locks on your door, monitor your home, schedule lights to turn on or off automatically. Also works with Alexa and Google Home. Price range $130-$150.
SAMSUNG SMART THINGS HUB
Uses the SmartThings App, Amazon Alexa or Google Home to control smart devices in your home. Price range $110-$120.
THE CLAPPER
Yes, if this is more your speed, you can still get The Clapper sound-activated on/off switch, initially released in 1985. But now, it can be used alongside a second clapper to control multiple devices. Price range $50-$55.
MORE HELP?
If you’re interested in trying some of these or other smart devices, but are a bit intimidated, consider trying a service like HeroPin. Found at heropin.com, it connects consumers to local technicians to assist when the technology gets a bit overwhelming.