Smart technology for the home is surpassing some of our wildest sci-fi dreams. The kinds of things available now are just astounding. The problem is no longer whether or not these things are useful. It is trying to figure out which ones are the most useful to you. We at Artisan Electric are here to walk you through the growing world of smart home technology. 

For most of us, the new smart gadgets in our phones and other electronics have been simple conveniences to help find a restaurant or ask directions. We tend to think of these things as extras rather than necessities. It turns out, voice activated devices may well be smart enough to save lives. 

A recent horrifying event involving a domestic violence situation was ended with a man’s arrest when Alexa called 911 during the attack. As a woman was fending off her attacker, Alexa heard the man use the words “call the sheriff,” and that is exactly what Alexa did. The police arrived in time to save thewoman from a deadly attack. 

This is obviously an extreme case, and hopefully no one ever finds themselves in a situation like this. But the incident can serve as a lesson to us all. Voice activated devices and other smart gadgets are now more than just novelties. Without going to the extremes of these circumstances, the smart devices available for simple home use are everywhere these days. 

Here are the top 5 smart home gadgets according to some the leading tech experts.

The Amazon Echo is a Bluetooth speaker that does so much more than play tunes. It is equipped with Alexa. You can talk to the Echo while it guides you through recipes. Need a pizza? Just ask Alexa on the Amazon Echo. One of the big draws of the Echo is that it is capable of working with just about any smart home brand available. This thing is the first device we have that will make you feel a little like Captain Picard on Star Trek. 

This thing is amazing! The Ring doorbell that we touched upon in last week's blog is an example of the smartest doorbell technology.   It links to your smartphone and utilizes a video monitor. The video is a fine 1080HD which provides superior clarity. You can talk to whoever comes to your door from anywhere in the world. It can be hooked up to a phone, pc, or tablet. And by the way, the video has infrared so you can see everything, even at night. 

Similar to the doorbell, WyzeCam provides continuous monitoring of your property, both inside and out. And again, what sets this apart from older security systems is the smart technology which links WyzeCam to your phone or other electronic device. This also comes with a 1080HD camera. The resolution is absolutely crystal-clear. It also has motion detectors which will send alerts to your phone. (Probably a good idea to keep the cat out range of this thing). 

Anyone who pays their own utility bills will appreciate a smart gadget that saves energy and money. The Nest Thermostat literally monitors the energy use in your home and corrects it according to your own specifications. It can sense when no one is home and adjust the heating and cooling appropriately. The smart sensors provide analytical data on energy usage and allows you to correct and adjust using your smart phone. This is smart technology that just makes sense.

I include this because I know these things are important to some folks. Yes, this is a smart device that allows you to check on and communicate with your pet while you are away from home. It is made of a durable material which cannot be chewed up and become dangerous to your pet. The wall mounts make it nearly impossible for a dog to paw it off the wall. There is a two-way video display and voice system. Pet Chatz also has a trigger for your pet to call you. Maybe not quite the urgency of a mortal attack, but Pet Chatz does offer a way for loving pet owners to check in and make sure everything is safe at home with the animal members of the family. 

The important thing to keep in mind is that smart technology is no longer an indulgence for people who have too much money. Smart gadgets make our homes safer. They can save money and energy. And they bring our lives into a tighter orbit at home.  At Artisan Electric we can help you sort through the options and help you find the technology that fits your needs. Give us a call at 603-743-4005.

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