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Making your own smart home is simpler than ever, but selecting the best intelligent home system to link all of your gadgets and enable seamless communication is a choice that needs careful thought.
Make the appropriate decisions regarding how you will assemble all this equipment before buying. As 2022 draws near, you have several excellent options to consider.
Major smart home market participants include Google, Amazon, Apple, and SmartThings. Their voice assistants (Alexa and Google Assistant), ecosystems, and intelligent speakers simplify automating your house and operating linked smart devices.
And things are about to get even more accessible with the launch of Matter, a smart initiative backed by Big Tech that, in theory, should make it easier for consumers to set up and manage a smart home. KS Renovation Group will share more about it with you.
How To Choose Smart Home Ecosystem
Your preferred digital Assistant is an excellent place to start. Siri from Apple, Google Nest Hub, and Amazon Alexa may all be utilized as the hub of a smart home system.
As an alternative, check the compatibility of some smart home devices you're considering purchasing.
Your devices will need to work together through these ecosystems, so you must consider compatibility (how each application supports many devices) and the variety of capabilities available (like automatic scheduling).
But don't worry—this isn't like iOS against Android or PC versus Mac—many smart home gadgets work well with various operating systems, so you don't have to pick one and stick with it for the rest of your life.
To determine whether the smart home devices you are contemplating will fit into your existing system, look for the "Works With" tag on the box.
Read on for our guide to the most significant and extraordinary smart home ecosystems, whether you're expanding your existing system, switching platforms, or beginning from scratch.
Top Smart Home Platform
Amazon Alexa Assistant
Since its debut on the initial Amazon Echo smart speaker in 2014, Amazon's Alexa digital assistant has expanded to a wide range of speakers and other gadgets. The best Alexa experience may be had with an Amazon Echo speaker, but Alexa is now available on various devices that don't bear the Amazon logo.
In addition to responding to inquiries about the weather and your schedule, Alexa can also contact the many smart home appliances you own and get them to communicate with one another, such as when you need to turn off all the lights in a particular room once.
There are two categories of Alexa devices: those that operate with Alexa, typically meaning they can be managed with your voice from another Alexa device, and smart speakers and other gadgets that already have Alexa built in. Look for products with the phrase "Works with Amazon Alexa" to make this critical difference.
One compelling reason to choose Amazon for your smart home platform is the reach of Alexa, which is integrated into devices like the Ecobee4 thermostat, the Ecobee Switch+ light switch, and even TVs with the Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Editions.
You can easily integrate Alexa into your house to give you voice access to all of your smart home functions.
Apple HomeKit
The premise behind HomeKit, a software framework built into Apple products, is straightforward. Rather than having a variety of smart home apps on your smartphone that may or may not sync with one another, HomeKit ties them all together and puts control front and center on your gadgets.
Your iOS, iPad, or macOS device's Home app allows you to control everything, and as you might assume, Siri is also compatible. To adjust the temperature of a smart thermostat or switch off a smart light, you can launch the Home app or ask Siri to do it.
Apple HomeKit is divided into two pieces. Devices must adhere to the HomeKit protocol, a background software technology; it is incredibly safe because Apple takes encryption very seriously. The Home app is another component of HomeKit that you may access on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Something must have a "Works with HomeKit" badge on the package for Siri, the Home app, and Homekit to function (or on the online listing). A Siri gadget is always nearby because of Siri's integration into the iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod.
The Home app features three sections: Home, Rooms, and Automation, which let you automate smart home behaviors. Home lists all your smart home devices, with your favorite ones at the top. When you leave the house, for instance, you may have the warmth reduced, the alarm set, and the lights turned off.
Although connecting eligible items to Apple's smart home platform hasn't always been simple—there is some fiddling involved in using a mobile device to scan codes—HomeKit has improved over time, and the Home app has become progressively easier to use.
You can now couple devices using QR codes on the device or, if the device maker enables it, NFC, thanks to recent updates to iOS. With Shortcuts, a method to group several activities activated with a single tap on your phone or one Siri command, HomeKit has also been improved to provide more complex settings.
Google Assistant (Google Home Automation)
Like Amazon's market leader, Google's Alexa rival launched with the Google Home speakers in 2017 and is now available outside in-house products.
The classic Google Home, the Nest Mini (previously the Home Mini), the Google Home Max (which was formally discontinued in late 2020), the Google Nest Hub (with a 7-inch display), the Google Nest Hub Max, and the Nest Audio are just a few of the Google-made speakers powered by Assistant that are currently available for purchase.
Additionally, Assistant functionality is now available in speakers and screens from independent producers like JBL, LG, Sony, Lenovo, Panasonic, and Sonos.
Similar to Alexa, there are two categories of Google Assistant devices: those that can be spoken to and have the Assistant built-in (this includes smartphones and Chromebooks) and those that can be controlled by it.
The Google Assistant is the same on all gadgets, such as your Android smartphone or Wear OS smartwatch. The app has several features, including managing your music, displaying news and weather data, operating other smart home appliances, creating timers and reminders, and even placing and receiving phone calls.
You can connect multiple Google Nest speakers for multi-room audio and have up to six users on the same network for custom calendars and music playlists.
Because of its widespread use, Google Assistant has an advantage over Alexa because you are presumably already accustomed to it if you own an Android phone. It may accompany you all day long, from the time you ask about the weather in the morning, through your commute and workday, until the time you go home.
Although Alexa can be used for this (you can designate it as your default assistant on Android and access it from the Alexa iOS app), Google Assistant is the default. It may be more convenient for most users.
What Is The Best Smart Home Platform: Best Of The Rest
The smart home systems that are most likely to come up when you shop for equipment for your connected house are listed above, but they are by no means the only ones.
Since having realized that consumers seek simplicity when syncing up their smart homes, there is an ever-growing selection of hardware and software alternatives available for your consideration.
Samsung SmartThings
The SmartThings platform from Samsung is attractive. Currently concentrating on the software side rather than the hardware side - even though all current SmartThings devices are functional, more won't be produced – Because SmartThings is an open ecosystem, a variety of linked devices can use the technology.
The SmartThings Hub, including the new Aeotec model, features radios for both the Zigbee and Z-Wave standards, enabling support for a wide range of equipment that does not bear the SmartThings logo. You have many options and versatility when you combine Samsung's other products, which range from TVs to smartphones.
You can find more about Zigbee and Z-Wave in our article What Is The Smart Home?
The SmartThings app for your phone has a simple design that allows it to manage individual devices and groups in rooms.
SmartThings is more than just a single hub for managing all your devices; it also understands how to communicate with them and persuade them to cooperate.
Therefore, you may integrate your Yale door lock and Philips Hue smart lamp with SmartThings to have your light switch on when you get home.
Although it's not the most user-friendly system available, it is one of the most reliable. If you're ready to invest time and energy in getting everything set up, you'll be well-rewarded with a truly smart home.
IFTTT
Although it can connect smart home gadgets, IFTTT (which stands for If This Then That) isn't truly a full-fledged smart home platform. It operates by using "Applets" made up of triggers ("if this") that lead to actions ("then that"), such as turning on the smart home lights if it's nine in the morning.
IFTTT was innovating before Alexa, HomeKit, and Google Assistant were popular. It is compatible with well-known brands, including Philips Hue, Belkin WeMo, Lifx, Ring, iRobot, Nest, and Tado. If necessary, it may also be connected to Alexa and Google Assistant.
It doesn't quite have the simplicity and usability of the other solutions listed. Still, it works for hobbyists who want greater control over their smart home devices. IFTTT can be an additional add-on to any central smart platform you decide to use.
Both a mobile app and a website are available for controlling IFTTT. With Applets spanning all types of apps, services, devices, and more, it's worth looking beyond the smart home sector. You can use it from automating your tweets to changing the wallpaper on your Android device.
Control4
Control4 systems are more of a custom, customized solution that can include lights, smart locks, home security systems, garage doors, wireless music, and more. They don't have the same high-profile kit from companies like Amazon or Google. Although you'll need a technician to install it, it supports over 35,000 gadgets and works with smart home technologies like Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
The audio and video capabilities stand out; there are many speaker options due to Control4's 2017 acquisition of Triad. This is something to consider if you want to stream movies and music throughout the house and add in a few smart home extras simultaneously.
Even a universal remote control is available for controlling everything, and you can choose between a 7-inch or 10-inch touchscreen to handle all of your gadgets from a single console. The accompanying iOS and Android apps allow for some smart home functions, but they fall well short of the plug-and-play, quick setup, and operation offered by Apple, Amazon, and Google's smart home platforms.
Logitech
Although Logitech hasn't yet created a full-fledged smart home platform, it does have a few products that specialize in making the rest of your tech more autonomous in addition to its line of smart home gadgets.
The Harmony Hub and the Harmony Elite (a hub and a remote, respectively) from Logitech have upped the ante by controlling many gadgets and smart home devices, with more integrations regularly added. Logitech started with its Harmony remotes, which have been smartening homes for years.
It's an efficient approach for integrating all of your smart home and entertainment equipment. Therefore, if you've ever wanted to integrate your PlayStation 4, Sonos, or Netflix with the rest of your smart home and basic TV controls, you can do so.
Again, the hub is the most crucial component for managing your smart home, and the Pop Home Switch connects to the Wi-Fi of your smart home and searches for compatible devices it can handle. It works with various devices, including Nest, Samsung SmartThings, Lifx, Philips Hue, Lutron, Insteon, and more. It can also be integrated with Alexa and Google Assistant (though not Apple HomeKit) as an extra bonus.
Yonomi
Yonomi may be the answer if you're seeking a one-stop shop to automate your smart home routines using your current technology. It's simply an app that you can hook into various devices, customize automation with, and add controls to.
It has more ifs than IFTTT and provides a more extensive range of controls than HomeKit, Alexa, or Google Assistant. It is very similar to IFTTT, with a stronger emphasis on smart homes.
Your phone's Yonomi software essentially serves as the central hub for your smart home. You could program your Sonos speakers to play music during dinner parties, dim the lights, and adjust the smart thermostat to a specific temperature. Alternately, arrange activities at particular times or once you get home.
The list of supported devices is remarkable and includes products from Logitech, Sonos, Philips Hue, Lifx, Lutron, Nest, Ecobee, TP-Link, Netatmo, and August, among others. Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant can be added to give voice control.
Smart Life (Tuya)
Tuya's creation, Smart Life, offers businesses the fundamental building blocks they need to create their smart products.
What it means for you is that there are a ton of high-quality, reasonably priced smart home appliances from various brands that can all communicate with one another.
Teckin, Novostella, Gosund, Treatlife, and Avatar are just a few brands that use the Smart Life app, which is a much better choice than their native apps.
The fantastic smart home system Smart Life is an economical substitute for the well-known systems mentioned above.
What Is The Matter?
The Connected Home over IP (Project CHIP) initiative, which brought together some of the most prominent names in technology, including Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung, gave birth to the smart home standard a few years ago.
The Zigbee Alliance was in charge of achieving the goal of developing a single, smart home standard.
Consumers could choose two smart home devices from two different brands, and as long as they both had the relevant logo on the box, the buyer would know they were compatible. The idea was to make it easier for manufacturers to develop products that work with all of the major voice assistants and each other.
For the first pairing, Matter employs Bluetooth Low Energy, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Thread. This relatively new networking technology connects devices from many brands without the requirement of a hub.
After reviewing most smart home platforms, you can analyze how the platform suits you.
To improve your home with Smart Ecosystems, schedule a free consultation with KS Renovation Group and create the home of your dreams.
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