Smart home

When Philips Hue launched I was fascinated and excited by it: a light bulb that connects to my wireless network that could be controlled by my iPhone … and change to any colour! Very cool. Hue has done well, and the line has diversified, growing to encompass other smartphone platforms and different bulb types. With Hue Go, Philips is launching a different type of product: a light that stands alone or connects with your network … but that you can take with you. I had the chance to use it for a week. Here’s what that was like.

In this edition of Connected Home, I take a look at keyless entry. There’s a much smaller selection of keyless entry home devices than some other things like light switches and bulbs, but what’s out there is high quality and easy to enjoy. Are you looking for a new deadbolt system altogether, or something that works with your existing keys and lock system? I’ll lay out some options for you and compare a couple products out there already.

Today I take a look at the Piper Home Security Camera and a few Piper accessories to see just how well they perform. I’ve extensively tested these products over the past few days, so there’s definitely a lot to cover here. If you’re thinking about getting a home security system that’s easy to use, provides multiple layers of security, and has no monthly fees, then read on to discover whether or not the Piper System could be for you. Hint: Testing went quite well. Not perfect, but not bad either!

If you’d like to give your Dad the gift of peace of mind this coming Father’s Day, you might want to consider helping him turn his home into a modern-day Smart Home. The products within the Smart Home realm can increase home security, reduce costs (particularly electrical and heating costs), and add convenience to your father’s daily life. Click on through if you’d like to learn all about several of these very useful products!

Continuing our look at the ‘connected home’ let’s take a look at the idea of keeping your home ‘lived in’ while you’re travelling. This is especially handy this time of year while the weather warms up and many of us start making plans to travel and get out a lot more. Whether you’ve got a road trip or a vacation coming up, home security can be a concern while you’re away. With all the smart home technology you can employ nowadays it’s easy to give your home the appearance of remaining occupied as usual even though you’re out and about. If your home will be unoccupied for an extended period of time this can be particularly useful.

Home automation is starting to take off in the mainstream, mostly thanks to low-cost alternatives to custom systems; while there’s still a market for the integrated home automation system, for many consumers there’s a choice between entry level and midrange “network” products and “non-network” products. What does that mean and which type of product is right for you? Read on to find out.

Smart keyless entry into your home is still a project in its infancy. Being that there really aren’t more than a handful of devices out there, it’s easy to both shine and sputter in the spotlight. The August Smart lock is one that looks to rise above its competition, promising an easy installation and the ability for you to use your existing keys to boot. I timed my installation and I’ll take you through my thoughts as you read on.

There’s a new gadget available and I’m pretty sure you’re going to want one. I know this because as much as I may have initially scoffed at the idea that it would be a product I would ever want or need, I’ve come to the realization that it is indeed something I have to have. It’s the new Philips Hue Go–a WiFi enabled portable mood light that can be used indoors or outdoors.

There has always been an interesting conversation surrounding the use of in-home security cameras. The main reason people buy-in to the idea is to keep an eye on things while they’re out living their lives. However, the “big brother” feel of having a set of eyes on you when you’re at home isn’t for everyone, even if the lens itself is set to privacy mode and not actually recording. Every product has its pros and cons, so let’s take a look at the Canary all-in-one home security system and find out if it deserves that spot on your mantle.