Smart home

A power outage doesn’t have to mean an end to all of the high-tech fun. Check out some cool gadget ideas for keeping entertained, and connected, during an unfortunate blackout.  

Home security systems have long been complex, complicated wired systems that required an engineering degree and an electrician to install. Fortunately, technology has improved to the point where they’re now inexpensive and very easy to use, and we may have found one of the easiest and most versatile cameras available with a super clear HD video picture.

In the last few months, we’ve seen Nest and Canadian companies ecobee and Sinope release their latest takes on the smart thermostats. Now, more than ever, you have options. What do you want your thermostat to do for you? Warm your house automatically when you’re home from work? Interact with other smart devices? Save you money? Perhaps this is the year you prepare for the Great Canadian Winter with a new Smart Thermostat.

If you have as many smart home devices as I do, you’re probably popping in and out of all apps all day long. Until I heard about Muzzley, I didn’t realize there was a better way to navigate and use all of my favourite gadgets all within one app.

I know what you’re thinking. It’s now just fall and you’re telling us to prepare for Winter? Well, you and I know that winter is one of those things you definitely want to prepare in advance for. For example, you’ll have a hard time finding snow shovels while it’s snowing, so why it all out? In this installment of the preparing for the Great Canadian Winter, we look at winterproofing your home with the help of some handy smarthome products.

Meet 4 homegrown tech firms bringing innovative new wearable tech and smart home products to the world stage.

As the heating season approaches, it’s time to look forward to the snow falling outside, curling up by the fire to open the mail and staring at a ridiculous heating bill. This winter, help manage those ridiculous bills with a couple Smarthome Helpers. Inside, you’ll find an option for both Baseboard heating and Forced Air systems.

IP cameras are best known for home security, or for installation in a baby’s nursery. I recently found another use for the connected cameras we have as part of our security system: I repurposed them to monitor our injured dog. Because of the real-time feed from the cameras, we are able to leave her for short periods of time, the vet has video proof of her recovery process and our household is much closer to normal than it would have been otherwise. In fact, I’m not sure how we could have pulled this off without remote camera access.

Home monitoring and surveillance is not just for the rich or nefarious.  Sure, we all have that house on our block that’s tricked out with half a dozen cameras and tripwires (despite their being an aging Datsun in the driveway), but find out why real people have a real need for home monitoring.

Universal remotes can be the saving grace of your home theatre. They eliminate clutter and confusion and make all your devices work together seamlessly. Check out the new universal remote control Logitech calls, “the most powerful and intuitive remote for home entertainment and home control.”