What is the Future of Smart Home Technology

What is the Future of Smart Home Technology

In the last five years, smart home technology has become commercially available to the public and sparked a home revolution. Smart home technology promises to automate your home while connecting it to the internet. Already there are dozens of devices on the market with new devices, updates, and ideas becoming available daily. 

Yet this only the beginning. As the industry grows, predicted to reach 53.45 billion by 2022, more technology will be developed, increasing your home’s level of automation and intelligence. Modern smart homes are only the leading edge of the home revolution. Here are predictions for how the technology of the future will become reality in your home.

Diversity in Devices

As the smart home industry expands the arsenal of technological firepower available to you will grow. Currently, the major manufacturers have a handful of products available each, not enough to fully furnish a house.

Currently, you can buy digital assistants, thermostats, locks, television, hubs, and there is a toilet just entering production. The next few years will see more utilities entering the market to ease home chores. These will include fridges, dishwashers, doors, and robotic aides like vacuum cleaners and delivery drones developed.

New smart home customers won’t be buying individual pieces. Full sets of automation will be available for sale by each brand name to ensure full integration. Companies like Axius will advise you on installation to maximize the benefits of smart technology. As the technology deepens its hold, you will increase your control over your house while the workload for maintaining your house decreases.

Device Integration

Smart home technology centers around connecting you to your home and your home with itself, then the internet. Device networking will be improved, increasing their communication with each other and you.

Smart home hubs are currently often misunderstood devices meant to facilitate the automation. As devices talk to each other more, that will change. The hub will grow in importance and sophistication as the floor general of your house.

Future smart home technology will focus less on the individual piece and more on the set. Hubs will be installed first, followed by a full array of technology connected to it. Everything down to the plumbing will network, with the hub using the information and giving commands to improve your experience.

At the same time, voice commands will improve in sophistication and audio detection. You’ll watch your futuristic home breath through a smartphone mobile display connected to the hub, and control all features including television, thermostats, lights, locks, and your children’s’ internet through voice commands. You’ll have total mastery of your home.

Artificial Intelligence Improvements

As AI research progresses your smart home will become… smarter. Individual devices will learn from your actions, such as the television knowing what channels you watch after breakfast and dinner, even turning on while you’re still cooking.

The home hub will learn to analyze and interpret all the incoming data to play your home like an orchestra, making the corrections you need. This will save you money on electricity, heating, and time spent performing chores and other tasks. You’ll be able to set cycles for vacuuming robots and other devices, so chores will become an easy matter.

Truly futuristic homes won’t react to your lifestyle, they’ll be intelligent enough to preempt it. Devices will pinpoint exactly what you need before you need it. Rooms will be vacuumed as you leave them. The hub will grow intelligent enough to take action, and you’ll come home to find the oven warmed up and your favorite show on.

Home Internet Networks

The internet is as much a technology of the future as it is the present, and soon it will reach your smart home in a personal way. Closed ethernet networks will be installed in homes very soon. This will create a private network exclusive to your family and smart home.

All your devices and computers will communicate with each other in real time, meaning that when you make an adjustment to your daily routine, all your devices will know and compensate.

This private network will also host a home security system network like none seen before. Facial recognition software will give you and your family access with just a touch on the lock.

While away on vacation, you can patch in and view your home remotely. If there’s an intrusion, you’ll be notified. Doors will lock themselves and the police will be called.

Security Risks

Consider the consequences of your computer being compromised by hackers; your ID will be stolen, data lost, and potentially your computer hijacked. Now imagine your home being hacked.

The consequences would be far more severe on all fronts and possibly include physical damage to your home. Future smart home technology will require hardened security systems and expert consultation to keep you and your home safe.

The next privacy crisis already looms. Major corporations have a record of tracking, storing, and selling our social media data for profit. The potential is there for them to mine your home for data based on how and when you use your smart tech, then sell that to advertising companies or think tanks.

While hackers can be fire-walled and eventually arrested, the corporate security breach is far more difficult to deal with and even in modern day hasn’t been punished.

Consumer Support

As smart homeowners grow more numerous, Axius’ role as a provider of top quality support will expand. As a wider variety of devices appear on the market, smart home planning will become an exact science.

Technical aspects of your home such as Ethernet threading and hub calibration will require experts on scene for you to achieve the best results for your home.

In addition to installation, homeowners will need repairs, technical aide, and security services managed. Axius works first as a home construction planner, helping you build futuristic homes from the ground up to be fully integrated with you.

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Everything to Know About Smart Home Technology

In today’s technologically advanced world, smart home technology is one of the newest ways to connect your home to the internet and create a living space that is intelligent and smart. Smart home technology can allow you to do things like remotely switch off lights or set the perfect thermostat temperature and innovations are being released all the time. However, due to the number of devices available, it is important to understand some of the fundamental elements of smart home technology.

What Is Smart Home Technology?

Essentially, smart home technology spans a spectrum of devices which promise to transform your house into one which is automated. As a result, these devices can extend into spaces where they complete extremely complicated tasks. Due to this, before wading into the wealth of devices which are marketed for your smart home, you should clearly define and understand what you want to do. For example, smart home technology can allow you to set your air conditioner to a certain temperature while you are at work, open your blinds during daylight, operate your coffee maker, and even feed your pets. In short, you should always clearly understand what you want the devices to do before you go about automating your smart home.

Purchasing Specific Devices

One of the easiest and quickest ways to begin connecting your home is by purchasing devices which will perform specific jobs. Devices like the Belkin WeMo plug into your power outlets, connect to your wifi and then can be controlled for your iOS device. With the WeMo, you can then set timers, activate switches, set predetermined schedules, and even monitor whether they are functioning as you expected. Devices like this are a great line of entry into automating your home as they are simple to use while still performing important tasks.

In a similar vein, smart thermostats are another extremely useful tool in connecting your home. These dedicated units perform one purpose, and they are extremely convenient. Smart thermostats can be controlled from anywhere, many can learn your preferences and act on schedules, and most will activate your AC or heat before you return home from work. Often, smart thermostats are one of the easiest ways to automate your house, and they can help you begin saving money on your utility bill.

Overall, to get the most out of your smart home system, you should always plan and perform the proper amount of research. Before diving headfirst into the sometimes-overwhelming world of internet-connected devices, you should understand the fundamentals aspects of systems as well as which ones would be most beneficial to your lifestyle. In short, always do your research and develop a basic understanding before outfitting your house with any device.

Focus on One Brand

When you first begin purchasing internet-connected devices, you should make sure that all devices are compatible together. For example, if your purchase products released from Amazon, Apple, and Google, they may not connect with each other easily. One easy way is only to buy products from one brand or purchase a system like the Axius  which will connect all of your devices.

The Early Investment Pays Off

At first, while these products may initially appear to be extremely expensive to purchase and place in your house, the system will pay for itself over the course of time. Essentially, you should think of your smart home as an investment; while the first investment may seem high, the recurring returns will slowly begin to pile up. For example, devices like a smart thermostat or lights will enable you to drastically lower your utility bills as you can turn off lights and lower the temperature on a specific schedule. Instead of being scared by the initial prices, you should always focus on the long-term returns.

Potential Security Threats

Although Internet-connected devices will radically transform your home, they can also develop into dangerous security threats. As they contain access to your WiFi Network and data resting there, hackers often become interested in accessing them. Along with assessing the security features of every individual device before purchasing one, you should also purchase a centralized platform which will further boost the overall security presence. The Axius Sense will allow you to proactively fix any issues with your devices as well as securely connect any of them. You should always ensure that your devices are up-to-date in order to protect yourself from any devastating consequences wreaked by hackers.

Similarly, along with assessing the security protocols of your devices, you should also check to understand what privacy features are offered. Because many of these devices are new to markets, you may need to consciously opt into any private features as they are often disabled by default. First off, you should check the settings of your device and research to see if your data is shared with outside sources to avoid sharing potentially sensitive information.

The Importance of a Centralized Platform

Once you begin to connect more and more devices across your house, it is extremely important to have a centralized platform which will allow you to manage these devices much more quickly and easily. The Axius Sense is one such tool which quickly connects to your router before allowing you to securely monitor all of your internet-connected devices. Plus, the Axius Sense is regularly updated unlike most other devices on the market. With the Axius Sense, not only can you have the peace of mind that your devices are securely connected and safely protected from viruses, you also tap into an intuitive interface which will allow you to manage all of your devices seamlessly.

Technology Will Continue to Develop

These devices are extremely new to markets, and they will continue to be improved on, and present more and more features. As a result, with the help from devices like the Axius Sense, you can make sure that your house will be able to integrate any new technology seamlessly. Given the speedy pace at which new technology is being released, it is important to connect your devices from the beginning.

The post Everything to Know About Smart Home Technology appeared first on Axius Blog.

Smart Home News – July 2018

Smart Home technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) is a field that is growing and expanding almost on a daily basis. Each day there is a new company with a new product that helps us connect our homes, devices, and appliances in ways we never thought of. We like to stay on top of the changes taking place in our industry, and we like to pass them on to you! Here is a quick summary of many of the top smart home news articles and products.

From speculation about the future to products that help you connect with your kids from anywhere, these are the top stories and products we have our eye on! 

Top 6 Articles in Smart Home News

1. Homes calling 911 for you

OnStar added a technology years ago to many popular vehicles to alert authorities in case of an emergency, and Noonlight is bringing this innovation to the home.

For the aging population this is a very interesting alternative to wearable devices like LifeAlert.

Why should someone in the midst of a heart attack or comforting an injured child have to dial 911 when any one of the internet-connected gadgets in their home could do it for them?

Read More at CNN

2. Smart Locks make home deliveries easy

Who hasn’t arrived home to a message that you missed the UPS delivery guy and he’d be back tomorrow. Normally it’s at a time when you still won’t be home.

Worse than that, how many people have arrived home expecting to see a delivery from Amazon or another online retailer missing, oftentimes stolen.

Good news, UPS is testing a program in New York City to use smart locks to create secure areas to leave packages when you’re not available to receive them!

Tired of missing deliveries when you’re not home? UPS wants to make it easier to get packages in New York City.

UPS on Tuesday said it’s started a pilot program with Latch smart access devices to provide in-building deliveries to multi-unit homes in the Big Apple. This collaboration could increase security and convenience for people who aren’t home to receive packages, said UPS.

Read More at Cnet:

3. Talk to your Kids without giving them a phone

If you don’t think your kid needs a phone before they even hit puberty then you’re not alone. The company ToyMail has created talkie toys that can be used to message a phone.

You might have already seen this company… they did win a spot (and quite a bit of popularity) from a recent spot on Shark Tank.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4HxhpOaP_Q/

4. Healthcare in a Smart Home?

Don’t like visiting the doctor? Of course, you don’t. What if your home could monitor the unique health needs of each individual living in a home?

This could start with something as simple as motion sensors turning lights on brighter depending on who was in the room, but could advance to the point of disease monitoring and management.

Smart homes are no longer an emerging concept.Consumers are not only warming up to the idea but also buying home automation products.

Smart speakers seem to be the favorite, with sales jumping from a meager 6 million units in 2016 to a whopping 33.2 million units in 2017. The developing ecosystem of home automation products that each of these current smart speakers provides is encouraging the sale of related lighting, energy and home security products.

Read More at PR Newswire Cision:

5. Questions about Digital Assistants

One of the biggest concerns about Smart Home digital assistants like the Google Home and Amazon Echo is the fact they are always listening.

Is this a huge benefit or is this technology unsettling? Are these devices the next step in modern convince or are they an invasion into our homes and privacy?

Heather Woods, Professor at Kansas State University looks at both sides:

The smart device market is exploding. Smart home kits for retrofitting “non-smart” houses have become cheaper. Earlier this year, Apple released the HomePod speaker, the company’s response to dominant smart devices Google Home and Amazon Echo. Amazon, too, is expanding its lineup. Recently, it debuted the Amazon Echo Look, promising to make users more stylish.

Read More at “The Conversation”

6. Mini Smart Security Cameras are here

Ezviz, Inc.  has released Its newest products, the Mini O and Mini Plus HD smart security cameras.  These two cameras are both designed to be affordable but packed with features.

These cameras are also the perfect type of device for a monitoring and management service like Axius. Not only will you have the piece of mind that your home is safe, but you’ll know its working properly and being monitored for you.

If Indoor Security Camera’s are on your list of devices to upgrade your home with, check out the newest offering here:

EZVIZ Inc., the global smart home security brand, is ensuring consumers can head off on holiday this summer confident their homes are secure and protected. Mini O, Mini O Plus and Mini Plus high definition smart home cameras enable homeowners to keep a watch on their properties and receive a motion detection alert if there is any untoward activity with footage they can view on their mobile devices. All three cameras feature IFTTT integration, wide angle video and audio coverage, real time high definition viewing with exceptional night vision and two way audio.

Read More at IrishTechNews

Keep an eye out next month for another update of smart home news from the IoT world!

In the meantime, if managing your smart network is becoming a choir contact us, we’d love to help!

The post Smart Home News – July 2018 appeared first on Axius Blog.

Security Camera Installation Tips

How to set up your own surveillance system

You want to make sure your family, friends, employees, and property are safe. A good surveillance system helps.

This article offers handy DIY tips and tricks from our experienced installers, and gives you an idea of how products like these work best:

The easiest way to get started is with an all-in-one security system like the Samsung SDH-C74083HFN. It includes eight cameras, a digital video recorder, and plenty of cable. A wireless option like the popular Nest Cam lets you keep an eye on your home without drilling holes and running cables.

If you need help choosing a camera, read the Security camera buying guide. Otherwise, let's get started!

Plan ahead

Installing a security system is something you want to do right the first time. You can make small adjustments in placement and monitoring, or add more cameras later. But you don't want to find out your camera has a bad viewing angle after you've already drilled holes in several walls.

Don’t skimp on the number of cameras, length of cable, or megabytes of storage – you will need more than you think.

“Sometimes you don’t notice something’s missing or damaged for a couple of days," says Crutchfield A/V designer Norm. "So you want to be able to go back and look.”

Having enough storage — via a digital video recorder or a cloud-based service — gives you that flexibility.

Get close-up views of all entry points on the ground floor

The ground floor of your residence is the most vulnerable, so you'll want to buy enough cameras to cover each entry point, at bare minimum. "Think of every entrance," says Norm. "The garage and basement doors count."

It can be tempting to try to cover a door and a couple of windows with one camera. But a distant view robs the image of detail, and detail is crucial when you're trying to figure out exactly who's at your door. Norm — an experienced security system installer — recommends that you double-cover the front door.

"I suggest two cameras – one above the door looking down so you can see faces, and one with a longer view so you can see what that person is doing.” Also, invest in night vision. Night-time is obviously when you’re most vulnerable. Make sure you know how far away your camera can see in the dark.

Power affects placement

Even wireless cameras require a power source. Battery-powered cameras, like those in the Arlo Pro Home Security System, can be placed away from wall sockets, but something like the Nest Cam will have to be plugged into an existing outlet. Cameras that draw power through an analog connection, Ethernet, or USB cable can be installed anywhere you are willing to run wires.

Read Full Article Here: Security Camera Installation Tips