3 Smart Home Devices That Will Change the Way You Live

By Satta Sarmah Hightower

Thinking about maybe having a smart home? You’ve heard about all the things you can do—turn on your lights, kick up your speakers, set your thermostat, see what’s on TV. All conveniences, but not life changing.

We think home security devices are really worth going smart. We’ve picked 3 that will make a difference in your life. These are easy to use, easy to install smart devices that will give you peace of mind. Amp up your home security with these essentials. Install the hardware, the apps, then coordinate the management of all from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Smart Doorbells: No More Guessing Who’s at the Front Door

Equipped with surveillance cameras, smart doorbells let you see who’s at your door without unlocking and opening it. Many smart doorbells also come with motion sensors so you can see who is on your property day or night, even when you aren’t home. Smart doorbells have helped deter burglars, even given police more evidence to solve crimes. For many homeowners, that’s the ultimate benefit of these smart devices — added security, safety and peace of mind.

Smart Locks: Convenience in the Click of a Button

Smart locks allow you to see what is locked or unlocked at your home, whether you are near or far. You can use your smartphone, tablet or another authorized device to automatically unlock or lock the doors to your home — no key required. Simply click a button on your device or wave the device in front of your door and you can deactivate the smart lock and gain entry. Multiple family members can gain access to the smart lock system, making it easy for everyone to come and go as needed. These devices also work during power or internet outages, ensuring home security at all times.

Networked Cameras: Added Safety and Security

Networked cameras are the cornerstone of smart home security.

Networked cameras are digital video cameras that record images. The system then compresses these data files and sends them over the internet or via a local network, which is a network that connects computers within a limited area, such as in a residence or school area, to give you around-the-clock visibility into what’s happening inside or outside your home.

Networked cameras combine the real-time capabilities of traditional surveillance cameras with the advanced capabilities of today’s smart technology, along with ease of installation. Many of these cameras are motion-activated and are equipped with floodlights, so you can see both wanted and unwanted guests. Some networked cameras also feature two-way audio, so you can communicate with whomever is there. Like smart doorbells and smart locks, you can control these cameras from your smartphone or computer and receive real-time alerts whenever the camera detects motion on your property. Whether it’s a delivery or a would-be burglar, you can keep track of what’s happening at your home any time and no matter where you are.

Making the Most of Smart Doorbells, Smart Locks and Networked Cameras

Privacy and data sharing concerns are two key reasons some consumers have been slow to adopt smart devices. Even with all the automation and convenience smart devices add to our lives, these concerns are more than valid.

If you’re worried about privacy or security, The Center for Internet Security has a good list of suggestions for you:

• Use a separate Wi-Fi network for your smart devices for added security. You’ll need to purchase another router to do this.
• Update your device whenever new security patches become available
• Use a different password for each of your smart devices.
• Before adopting a solution, be sure to research companies and products. Read online reviews from trusted technology sources, and conduct online searches via Google to find out whether a particular product has experienced data breaches or security issues.

Taking all these steps will help you enjoy the convenience and safety of using smart doorbells, locks and cameras.