Smart home technology is now a standard option for everyone, not just the wealthy and tech-savvy. The tech industry has responded by creating ever more sophisticated solutions. Many people think of smart home technology as gadgets like Google’s Nest or Amazon’s Echo however it encompasses many vdr provider other solutions for your house. This encompasses everything from remote-controlled heating and lighting to CCTV, home security systems doorbells, smart locks. Some allow you to keep tabs on children or elderly relatives as well as pets to monitor electricity or water usage, and much more.

Integration is the primary ingredient of an effective smart home system. This is why the most effective products are those that work with other devices and systems to make your home more intelligent. For example smart lighting can communicate with the central hub to set your lights to a specific schedule or to turn them off after you leave the home. A video doorbell could notify you of visitors who aren’t expected, and your alarm system can call the police or fire departments. Once you’ve learned the IFTTT (If this, then that) service and you’re ready to use other services such as Stringify to automate devices in more intricate ways.

Of course, bringing a wide range of new smart devices into your home comes with its own concerns. This is why CNET strives to know the policies of companies, to highlight privacy issues, and address questions directly to the companies involved.