The future is well and truly here, which means that what used to be everyday objects are now highly intelligent, switching lights on and off and even telling jokes when you want them to!
To help you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new tech, here are some gadgets available for your home that could make your life a whole lot easier…
Nest Thermostat
Keeping your home warm is a constant battle, and it can be almost impossible to get your house to just the right temperature.
The Nest Thermostat effectively learns from your behaviour when it’s initially installed, figuring out what temperatures you prefer, and what time you get up so that it can ensure your home is at the optimum temperature at all times without you having to reach for the thermostat. Not only is this a lot more convenient, but it’s also incredibly energy efficient as the thermostat will make sure the heating stays off whilst you’re away from the home.
Ring Doorbell
A lot of people have anxiety about opening the front door, especially when they don’t know who’s behind it. Ring Doorbells allow you to download an app to your phone so that you receive a phone notification every time the doorbell rings, with a video stream from the doorbell camera so you can know exactly whose outside.
Phillips Hue
If you’re looking to brighten up your home, it’s certainly worth considering Philips Hue lighting. Using an app on your phone, you can change the lighting in each room to one of 16 million shades of colour. You can also programme your lighting to switch on at certain times – so if you’re on holiday, you can control the lighting remotely or set them on timers so that it looks like someone’s always home, deterring potential thieves.
Google Home and Amazon Echo
If you’re looking for a speaker that will not only play music, but control video playbacks, read out news and weather updates and control all of the other smart devices in your home just by the sound of your voice, then you may benefit from installing a smart speaker, such as the Google Home or the Amazon Echo.
All you need to do is ask your smart speaker a question using the ‘wake word’, and it’ll do it’s best to help you. And if you’ve already installed smart devices, such as lighting or thermostats, as long as they're compatible, they can all be controlled via your wireless speaker.
If you’ll be adding any smart technology to your home, it’s important to make sure that your gadgets are protected by a comprehensive home or gadget insurance policy.