Imagine coming home, unlocking your front door with your phone rather than struggling with your keys, having the lights turn on automatically when you walk through the door and your coffee machine making you a hot drink.
How nice would it be to sit outside whilst a robot vacuum cleaner sets about cleaning your home? If you’ve headed for some winter sun, you can ensure that the heating is on before you return home – and you can link your hub with that of your friends and family and enjoy calls as if you’re in the same room.
For many of us, Smart Technology is something of an unknown, so this is a guide to what you’ll need, the type of smart gadgets you could buy for your home and where to get help with the set up.
The phrase ‘smart’ in connection with technology is widely used – we have smartwatches, smartphones and smarthomes so it’s not immediately clear what a smart device is.
We generally accept that smart technologies refer to various devices, systems and applications that use internet connectivity and other advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence to automate tasks. Smart technology can be extremely useful in security, in the home and in healthcare – and every year, homes are becoming ‘Smarter.’
A Smart home is not fundamentally different from any other home – it’s just one that uses technology to improve the way we live in, and use, our homes.
Smart homes contain ‘smart’ versions of common household appliances – light bulbs and switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, locks, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, washers and dryers and so much more. Using internet connectivity allows appliances to be remote controlled and communicate with other devices.
Smart devices are different to standard devices because they are ‘intelligent.’ They have embedded sensors, artificial intelligence powered by software and machine learning. Some smart devices can sense the environment and react in a smart way – for example, a smart sun shade with a temperature and light sensor will lower when it gets warm and a smart robot vacuum cleaner can sense your furniture or other barrier and avoid them.
Smart devices ‘speak’ to each other. A contact sensor on a window can tell a thermostat to shut off when its open and motion sensors tell lights to turn off when no one is in the room. Also smart devices can receive over-the-air updates which means that they can be updated with features they didn’t have when they were bought. For example, a smart thermostat may be updated over time – whilst a standard one cannot.
There is so much smart technology in the public domain, available to people of all ages. It is incredibly helpful for anyone but particularly for those of us who belong to the older generation, have mobility issues or other problems associated with ageing. Smart technology can play a significant role in maintaining our independence and making our lives so much easier.
You’ll need an internet connection and a Wi-Fi router is also essential. You’ll also need some smart devices such as light bulbs, locks, thermostats or speakers and a smart home app or similar to set up and program the devices.
You will then need a smart phone, tablet or voice-controlled smart speaker like Alexa , Amazon Echo or Google Nest to control them. You don’t have to have everything at all at once though, start small – perhaps with light bulbs and build you smart home over a few months or more. You might need a hand working out which devices to buy that will work with what you have and to set up your new gadget and learning how to connect it to your existing devices. Should you have any questions on this, we recommend visiting your local electronics shop and asking for advice.
Generally, to set up a new smart device will require the use of a smartphone, and it's likely to be more practical for you if this is your own, as you will be able to log into your own accounts to update your settings as and when required.
However, if you do not own a smartphone, it is also possible to ask for the help of a friend or family member who does have access to one. Should you own a voice-enabled smart device, such as a smart speaker/ hub, this will enable you to control your other smart devices once they have been set up and connected by your friend/ family member.
For example, once you are set up, you will then be able to ask your smart hub to turn on/ off your smart lights without the use of a smartphone. However, should you need to interact with your smart home devices whilst away from home, this will not be possible without an internet-enabled smartphone or tablet with you.
Should you own a smart tablet, for example an iPad, a Samsung Galaxy Tablet or a Fire Tablet, this will enable you to set up your devices without a smartphone while it is connected to the internet.
There are so many smart gadgets on the market that it can be confusing about which one to choose. Good housekeeping has a guide to some of the best.
You will need a smart home hub because these tie all your devices into one smart network to be controlled through one mobile app or by voice command.
Smart hubs allow different types of devices from other brands to be accessed through the same interface – all devices that would otherwise to be incompatible. Smart speakers are extremely versatile – whilst some people use them only to play music, they can make calls, set alarms, play games with you – the quizzes can be useful when you want to entertain family and friends – and control your entertainment and media systems. Some of those on the market include Amazon Echo Dot with Clock, Apple HomePod mini, Google Nest Mini and Google Nest Hub.
The Amazon Alexa voice assistant can allow you to set up ‘drop in.’ which is like an intercom between your Amazon Echo and your family’s. Your family will need to enable the service on their Echo device but once this is done, you should be able to connect directly. For example, your son or daughter could say ‘Alexa, drop in on Mum’ and when you connect, the Echo will chime to notify them that you are connected and you can have a conversation just as if you were in the room with them. The drop in feature can bring peace of mind for your family – they can check if you’re OK or arrange to call you at a regular time.
The best smart locks will let you send codes to family or friends who are looking after your home or pet whilst you’re away on holiday or if you have a cleaner or carer visiting regularly, they will be able to have access.
If you don’t want them to have the code or the link to open the door, then you can simply unlock the door from wherever you are.
You will be able to view the activity – when a door opens, closes or if it’s left ajar. This is also useful if you go shopping and, like so many of us, wonder if you locked the door when you went out!
These allow you to connect and control your standard appliances remotely.
You can check which of your gadgets are active and, with a built-in energy monitoring feature, how much power is being used.
You can schedule lamps to turn on and off in an ‘Away’ mode so it looks like you are home giving you a greater sense of security. Smart plugs are useful for turning off your Christmas tree lights easily – rather than having to bend down and fiddle with small switches and you can turn your television off rather than remining on standby overnight.
It’s possible to set the television on a timer that will, for example, turn off the television every day from midnight to 8 am, saving energy and money. It is possible to fill your kettle in the morning, leaving the kettle switch ‘on’ but the smart plug ‘off’ – then by turning the smart plug on remotely from your smartphone when you’re a few minutes from home, you’ll have a fresh cup of tea as soon as you arrive.
A smart thermostat, like a normal thermostat, allows you to schedule your heating – saving you money on heating bills and reducing the amount of energy you use.
The difference with a smart thermostat is that you can control your heating remotely using an app on your smartphone or via a website. You could turn your heating on when you’re travelling back from holiday or, if you go out and realise you’ve left your heating on, you can turn it off from your phone.
Like a smart meter, most smart thermostats can show how much heating is being used so you can check on your energy bills. Some brands of smart thermostat will monitor how you heat your home and learn your routine allowing a hands-off approach to scheduling your heating.
Some smart thermostats can also control your hot water as well as your central heating. Being able to switch on the hot water is a real benefit if you’ve been away and want to have a hot shower when you get home. Some of the most popular are Amazon Smart Thermostat and Nest Protect.
Smart lights may look like traditional light bulbs but, controlled by smartphone app or by voice control though systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple iPhone, you’re able to switch them on and off and control the brightness, colour and temperature.
You could say ‘Alexa, make the kitchen light brighter,’ or ‘Alexa, turn the living room lighting blue.’ You are able to programme a schedule, perhaps to turn the lights from cool in the morning to warm in the evening or to switch on and off whilst you’re away as an added security measure.
There are different bulb types to choose from – LED strip lighting, chandeliers and even a selection of waterproof lights for the garden. The best smart lights are made by a broad range of manufacturers, from market leaders like Philips Hue to lesser-known companies making similar bulbs for a fraction of the price. Some brands are compatible with the traditional switches already fitted to your home.
Smart meters can detect any water leaks allowing you to identify leaks and deal with them before they become a major problem.
This means you will not only save water but save yourself the cost of repairs to your home.
You can set up an interior security camera to monitor your home whilst you’re away.
A friend of mine was looking after an old and infirm relative who used a camera, with his full agreement, whilst she was at work to make sure all was well.
This proved very useful on one occasion when he suffered a fall – and she was able to get help swiftly and unlock the door for the emergency services.
Choose one of the best video doorbells and you will be able to improve your security and convenience.
If you live in a Beechcroft apartment, you are likely to have a door entry system but if you live elsewhere, it’s worth considering one of these.
These are far more than smart ‘peepholes.’ You can see and speak to guests, delivery drivers and other visitors from your smartphone or other smart display. Most register movement near the doorbell if you have visitors who don’t announce themselves. Some even record footage when a visitor is detected.
These smart video doorbells can work alongside smart lights and smart locks to give you security. You will need to look at camera quality, intelligent features and installation when you are choosing one – there are smart video doorbells to suit all budgets.
This is a good way to avoid scams – do take a look at our blog on scams.
If your friends and family aren’t able to help you, there’s plenty of useful advice on the internet.
You may also wish to visit an electronics shop, who will have experts that can advise you on where to begin.
PC Mag has a useful beginners guide on the website.
We all see our children and grandchildren embracing all the latest technology but many of us over the age of 55 are reluctant to do so – even though it could make our lives easier.
Much of the research carried out in this field reveal that, compared with young and middle-aged people, a larger proportion of older adults have negative attitudes towards technology and the older we are, the less willing we are to adopt technologies.
Researchers suggest that this is partly because of the ‘conservatism’ that comes with age – we prefer to stick to old habits and are reluctant to accept changes.
We live in an exciting technological age – and it’s incredible to remember that in the UK many people didn’t have electricity in their homes until after World War I and, when it was first introduced, electricity companies had to convince people that it was useful!
Beechcroft's modern properties for the over 55's are located across the south of England.
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