When the tech talks back, that’s when I’ve officially gone crazy.” Once those were wise words by one of the many of us who have a habit of thinking out loud and talking to our technologies.
Now, the idea of technology talking back to the user is normal. Innovative technology from Apple’s Siri to smart home device personalities like Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Assistant interact with and respond to a user’s voice.
Smart home devices have been growing quickly in popularity. Smart home devices have a broad range of features and offer a level of convenience, safety and energy efficiency in the home. Using personal devices and voice commands, smart home devices can be used in a variety of ways from igniting lighting, A/C and heating to allowing access to the home. All these functions have to be compatible with the smart home devices in order to be automated.
Smart lighting is a popular feature of smart home devices. By using a Google Home and talking to the Google Assistant, lighting levels can be changed.
Color, brightness and hue can all be automated in any room. With the levels easily changed to improve comfort, the Google Assistant serves the needs of the user.
The lighting can be changed by voice or device or set on a timer. When beginning the process of automating lighting, Best Buy recommends the Phillips Hue A-19 starter kit.
Smart home security is another big feature of smart home devices. Smart home devices can interface with smart locks on doors. On campus, an ID acts as an access card to open building doors. With smart locks, a phone can become an access card. No more fumbling with keys while carrying a full armload of groceries or supplies.
From a smart device, access can be given to another person’s phone temporarily. Higher integration of security features allows users to command more remotely, but even basic integration can allow for more peace of mind.
The feature that most people recognize in a smart home device is the ability of the device to communicate. The Amazon Echo and Echo Dot, high tech gifts for people of all ages and technology skill levels, were big during the holiday season.
With just a little setup, the Alexa family of devices has a host of possibilities. A simple voice command allows the user to ask for the weather, and Alexa will respond with the forecast. Games like Jeopardy and Millionaire Quiz (the unofficial “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”) are available to play with Alexa on the Amazon device family. Alexa will ask a question over the device speakers and will interact based upon the answer.
The Alexa family of devices is quickly growing, and Alexa is constantly being given more skills.
To give a shout-out to one of my favorite radio stations in the area, an Alexa can now enable the 105.7 the X.
This specific skill allows Alexa to stream my favorite station for music and The People’s Morning Show.
Smart home devices have a large number of abilities and are being designed to do more. This column only covered a few of the powerful features that smart home devices are able to perform when integrated in the home.
