Smart home

 In part five of The Smart Home Series, I take a spin with Securifi’s Almond+ Wireless AC Router and Smart Hub combination. After setting this unit up in my house, I quickly realized the power it has to provide increased Wi-Fi speeds, as well as serve as a home automation hub to manage gadgets like the Peanut Wireless Smart Plug.

If you’ve ever wondered how hard it is to set up a smart lock and how it would simplify your day to day, this is the review for you. I just installed the August Smart Lock and August Smart Keypad and you won’t believe how easy it is to set up and use.

 If you’re like me, you’ve probably grown to hate your router, loathe your range extender and wonder why you have so many Home Automation hubs doing unrelated jobs. The Almond+ takes care of all of those, capable of acting as a router or range extender and a Home Automation business rule hub for connected Z-Wave and Hue compatible devices. The best part it’s all done through the hardware or an app and only takes a few minutes. Check it out.

 Whether you have an existing doorbell in place or using the good, old-fashioned door knock, there’s a cutting-edge way to change the way you easily upgrade your doorbell. Ring Video Doorbell, just as its name states, and more, including two-way microphone and security features, all in HD.

 Technology is changing everything, transforming even the mundane into something pretty cool. Take padlocks, for example. You know, those big metal things you use to secure your valuable stuff? Well, they’ve evolved quite a bit from the rusty old dinosaur that used to adorn your grandfather’s shed. Today, you don’t even need keys to unlock them, and you can manage a range of different locks with a tap on your mobile phone. Sound way-out and futuristic? Read on and I’ll give you my review of the Dog and Bone Keyless Bluetooth Padlocks.

 It’s time to take a look at the August Smart Lock, the intelligent, secure access for the home’s door entrance. It’s also a product that is part of the “Works with Nest” family which syncs with an existing Nest product, including the Nest Thermostat.