Smart Technology for the Smart Home
The stuff that you only saw in the movies before are now becoming a home-reality – home features are getting more intelligent. Almost everywhere, houses are being built with advance technology that can be controlled by a push of a button. “Smart” features in a home can include technology like, Wi-Fi operated light bulbs, security cameras, and remote controls for just about anything you can think of.
One feature that is getting a lot of attention right now is the CES: Nexia™ Home Intelligence System — a smart home automation system that lets you remotely manage features and functions in their homes such as door locks, heating and cooling, video surveillance, lights, shades and energy usage through the use of any web-enabled computer, iPad, and most smartphones. That means that homeowners can crank up the heat before leaving the office, or unlock the front door before approaching with an armful of groceries with the use of their Smartphone or iPad.
Pella SmartSync is another Nexia capability that allows you to control shades and blinds with a single remote control, computer, iPad/Android Tablet, or Smartphone. This system helps to reduce heating and cooling costs, make the home look occupied or unoccupied and helps control privacy.
All right, here’s a gadget that may sound crazy! Ever heard of a Wi-Fi connected light bulb?
The light bulb is a soon-to-be reality that will transform your house into a mood-lit, low-powered, eco-friendly “smart” home. These lights already incorporate a few chunks of silicon in their bases to help control them, and with its tiny circuit board you’re enabled to do all kinds of new things. With this, you can turn your lights on and off from a computer hooked up to your home’s wireless hub or router. Which means, you’ll also be able to control mood lighting “states” with a remote control or with your iPad or Android Tablet.
Now, what if I told you that you could have a window that’s like a TV screen?
It would come in handy for the upcoming Super Bowl in February. Well, Samsung’s Smart Window just came out with a transparent screen that will fit any window up to 46 inches at a resolution of 1366 x 768. The window is completely translucent, but what you’re viewing on the screen is completely private from those on the outside. Unlike traditional LCDs, this one lacks back light units (BLUs), relying on ambient light to let you see what you’re doing. With the BLUs taken out, you can see right through the display to whatever’s beyond – your back or front yard, for example. And when it’s dark out, the panel includes a special transparent BLU that acts as a light when the other lights go out. It is also fully controlled by your touch, like an iPad/Android Tablet or Smartphone.
Using “smarter” home features not only can bring privacy and security into your home but it also creates a more comfortable and accessible living environment, which is what everyone wants in their home. These sharp new gadgets are so advanced and they look like a lot of fun! What do you think?