Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
How to plan your smart home — and weigh privacy risks
You might have heard of lights that turn off with an app or voice command. Or window shades that magically rise every morning.
Technology companies are pushing the “smart home” hard, selling appliances and gadgets that offer internet-connected conveniences you didn’t know you needed. But before you succumb to the temptation — for yourself or others — consider that these devices might also give companies and hackers a key to your homes.
Here’s how to get started on your smart home and what to worry about along the way. school nights. If you rent, a landlord might suspect an unauthorized occupant if you create a guest key that’s used daily. digital assistant might work best. There’s a range of Alexa products, including refrigerators and washing machines. You can command an Alexa microwave oven to “reheat one potato” instead of having to look up how many seconds. It’ll also reorder popcorn with a command — from Amazon, of course.
Likewise, if you’re a heavy Google user, choose devices that support Google’s Assistant. Apple has products under the umbrella of HomeKit, while Samsung has SmartThings. Some products will work with more than one digital assistant.
Some devices, especially cameras, come with extra fees for extended storage and other features. But in most cases, you have to pay only for the product.