The Connected Home: Why Smart Homes Are The Future

So, what is a smart home?

There are many different ways to have a smart home, but it’s mostly a home that has devices that can be controlled by voice or through an app. Smart light bulbs, like Philips Hue tend to be the gateway because they’re so easy to set up. The next step is usually a smart speaker, like the Sonos One, which has access to both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, because then you can control devices with your voice. After that, the sky’s the limit. You can get washing machines that notify you when the load is done or it’s time to add fabric softener, and security systems you can monitor from any location.

For Matt Gaskell, Director, Devices & Services Partnerships ANZ at Google, the benefit of smart home living is the freedom it provides. “Technology can be even more useful when computing is anywhere you need it, always available to help you. When devices fade into the background, working together with AI and software to assist you throughout your day, in a seamless way, this shows that smart devices are really doing what they should.”

Appliances and the internet of things

Have you ever been at the supermarket and suddenly realised you’re not sure if you have milk, or cauliflower? With a smart fridge, you could just check the camera inside and find out. Or, if that level of smarts is more than you’re comfortable with, there’s always the LG 508L Instaview Refrigerator with its ThinQ system, which uses an app to listen to the sounds the fridge is making to diagnose issues if you’re worried there’s something wrong with it, often years down the track of purchase.

Smart home devices aren’t just about turning things on and off and accessing cameras, but about getting notifications if the dishwasher is low on rinse aid, or understanding how much electricity your devices are using.

Smart/voice assistants

Odds are, you already have access to a smart assistant on your phone and discovered how helpful they can be for setting timers, responding quickly to messages and converting units. With a connected smart home or a smart speaker, you can take that to the next level. Matt Gaskell particularly likes having Google Assistant in the kitchen. “Many Aussies are enthusiastic cooks, and the Assistant can be an ideal companion for the budding chef. Having a hands-free assistant in the kitchen opens up a world of opportunities to make dinner prep simple and mess-free. Simply asking: “Hey Google, show me recipes for green smoothies”, means you can avoid any mucky hands on devices. You can also ask the Assistant for nutritional information, dietary substitutes and how-to videos.”