Page 30 - Seniorstoday May 2024 Issue
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Smart plugs sit between a device’s plug golden glow and your dining table lights
and an electrical outlet, giving you remote switched off during your evening TV time,
access to your devices, such as a toaster, you can save this lighting configuration as
coffee maker, or bedroom light. “Watching TV” in the mobile app. The next
Imagine entering the kitchen to the aroma time you settle in for your evening show,
of freshly brewed coffee. Setting up your tap this lighting mode, and your lights will
coffee maker the night before — ensure the adjust accordingly.
smart plug is connected — and switching Even more interesting is that you can
the machine on through its companion create a simulation at home to turn your
app when you wake up the next day lets lights on and off with a smart schedule
you carry on with your morning routine when you’re out of town. This simulation
while your steaming cup of coffee is being will deter intruders by giving them the
prepared. impression that your home is occupied.
By the same logic, you never have Integrating your doorbell camera
to worry about accidentally leaving with your smart light is another clever
appliances on when heading for your technique. Whenever the camera detects
evening walk. As you’re walking, someone approaching your door, the light
switch the devices off through the phone automatically turns on, giving you a clear
application. view of the camera feed from your smart
Some smart plugs have a feature to doorbell (and potentially shooing away
measure onboard energy usage. They burglars).
identify which gadgets are the biggest
energy guzzlers, so you can tweak your Digital Voice Assistant
usage accordingly to cut costs in the long
run.
Smart Lighting
Contrary to common belief, voice assistants
are more than just entertainment or
weather announcers. They’re evolving into
essential household tools, integrating with
Smart lighting operates on the same smart home devices, serving as security
principle as smart plugs, allowing you to measures, and even assisting with financial
schedule and adjust lighting levels from inquiries.
anywhere. Voice assistants are commonly housed in
With multiple smart home lights, you smart devices that connect to your home
can also set the scene. For example, if you Wi-Fi. Basic devices include smartphones,
prefer your living room bathed in a soft tablets, and watches, while more advanced
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