Many people aspire to be like Ironman, having a home that understands them and does everything with a single voice command. That future is not far as smart devices are getting smarter and smarter each year. While waiting for that time to come, why not take baby steps and turn your current home into a smarter home? There are thousands of devices you could purchase and install to do that, but some are easier to get your hands on and doesn't require much technical knowledge. Here are 3 simple things that you can start with to begin your smart home journey:
1. Smart TV
Almost every house has a TV. Gone are the days where a large, "fat" TV would take up a lot of space in the living room. Nowadays, TVs are getting wider but slimmer than ever and can even be hung on the wall, taking up minimal space. With that said, the next step for TVs is no longer an improvement on the physical size, but on the insides.
A smart TV would be one that has all the functions of traditional TV and more. It should be connected to the Internet (as all smart devices should be) and allow users to view multiple types of media from a variety of inputs. For example, users can download apps such as Netflix to stream video or Spotify to stream music. A better smart TV would even allow for more connectivity possibilities, such as casting video from your smartphone straight onto the big screen. No more watching Facebook videos on the tiny phone screen!
These days, smart TVs come in all sizes and prices, ranging from anywhere less than RM1000 to over RM10,000. Some has more additional functions such as a voice recognition or LG's magic remote. If you're a little sentimental about your current TV, you can consider buying a dongle such as the Google Chromecast to turn your older TV into a smart TV!
(READ: 3 Ways To Make Your TV A Smart TV)
2. Smart Speaker
Music accompanies many of us throughout the day. Whether its working, studying, or exercising, some of us just need the right rhythm to keep us going. Using earphones for long periods of time can be tiring and even hurtful to the ears, and with many of us staying at home during the pandemic, getting a smart speaker for the home is the way to go!
Like any other speaker, smart speakers can be used to blast your favorite tunes while you go by your daily activities. What makes them smart is their ability to understand conversation and your voice commands, then provide you with what you need without you having to stop your yoga routine. You can ask about the weather, simple math questions or just ask to play a certain song you're in the mood for.
As of now, the smart speaker market is dominated by Google's Google Home Series, Amazon's ECHO Dot, and (for those with a higher budget) Apple's HomePod Series. Price can go from less than RM150 for mini versions to RM1500 for the highest end ones.
(READ: Top 5 Smart Speakers In Malaysia)
3. Smart Bulbs
Smart bulbs are exactly what they sound like, light bulbs that are smart. Light plays a big role in our lives, affecting things such as health and our emotions. But we all know the real reason we want to have smart light bulbs. I mean, who wants to get out of our cozy beds when we accidentally forgot to turn off the lights downstairs?
However, smart light bulbs more than just give you the ability to turn them on and off remotely, they usually are LED bulbs which provide more efficient electricity usage and they are able to change colors. That's right, some smart bulbs are able to change into a variety colors based on your settings or the time of the day.
The most popular names in the smart bulb category would definitely be Philips with their Philips Hue series and XiaoMi with their Yeelight series. Of course, there are other up and coming brands too and we can't ever forget the popular Wi-Fi-connected LED strips we see everywhere. Nonetheless, each has their own pros and cons so you'll have to decide what you're really looking for.
These 3 smart devices can be purchased at almost any electronics retail store or online. Most of them are just plug-and-play and require very little technical know-how to operate, making it the perfect starting point if you want to turn your home into a smart one!
If you already have these things in your home and are more than interested to get more things voice-activated, check out the next articles on intermediate level devices that you can get next! Or, go one step further for more advanced devices!
