Welcome to the SmartHome Oakland blog! Here we’ll try to give some ideas and insights into what’s new and what’s possible with the rapidly increasing choice of network-connected devices.
Every week brings new ideas and cheaper smart devices that you can easily install in your home, from lightbulbs to switches to thermostats, cookers, TVs, speakers, doorbells, alarms, locks, cameras… the list goes on. But there are some possible pitfalls that you ought to consider.
While nearly every device conforms to some common standards (wifi, bluetooth, Z-wave or Zigbee) we are also seeing more and more pay-for-service business models, at all price points. So it’s becoming increasingly important to have a longer-term plan for your smart home, otherwise you’ll end up with a patchwork of apps and connectivity and an increasingly frustrating experience.
Competition in smart home devices is intense, and not all companies will survive. Neither will all products. We all know the frustration of being left behind in the upgrade cycle, or of companies dropping support for products we own, and we should be prepared for when this happens. The great news is that with the steadily dropping prices it can now make sense to buy now with a plan to replace/upgrade in 2, 3 or 4 years time.
So we think there’s never been a better time to start to turn your dream of a truly smart home into reality, and to be able to do it one step at a time if you wish. We think the key is to think big (even if it’s not yet possible then it soon will be) and work back from there.