Unavoidable smart homes

The smart home has been a concept for over a decade now, but automated lighting, power systems and appliances have remained expensive, bulky and unreliable. That has changed in the last couple of years, as designs have improved and prices have rapidly fallen. Today, new houses are being bought with smart home systems in place. Soon, having a smart home won’t be a matter of choice.

Why? Costs are falling rapidly thanks to economies of scale, home internet connections are getting faster, and major tech companies are investing heavily in the space.

Why not? Smart home security is a nightmare, particularly at the cheaper end of the market. Consumers have often been willing to sacrifice privacy for convenience, but high-profile hacks could make them think twice.