Introductions at CES looked to create a safe – and even spa-like – environment for the home, trends accelerated by the pandemic last year, which was also the reason CES was virtual for the first time ever.

As 5G networks allow for increased IoT connectivity, cities will become smarter, integrating more connected infrastructure. Smart cities will lead to new IoT applications that require further testing and measurement processes.

Included in Apple’s HomePod mini is a new technology called Thread. Thread is a wireless standard, like Zigbee or Z-Wave, that allows your smart home devices to talk to each other. But, what sets Thread apart is its approach to connectivity.

Google’s new Seamless Setup makes it much quicker and easier to add compatible new devices to your smart home. It builds on the existing ‘Works With Google’ system, which you may have seen carried on the boxes of many smart home devices, and makes things even simpler.

A couple in Orlando, Florida, was able to rescue their 5-month-old puppy when their house caught fire — all thanks to myriad smart home devices. This is when we see how technology truly shines through.

SmartThings users can add Nest devices to the platform once they install the new Nest app. The app can scan for nearby available devices, or the user can navigate a menu and add Nest devices manually. Nest devices on the app have been certified in the Works With SmartThings (WWST) program to ensure there won’t be a problem with the software.

The internet of things (IoT) has been a booming sector of the tech industry in recent years. As people are now spending more time at home than ever, the importance of connected devices has taken on new relevance. Because of this need, 2021 will likely be the year that consumers and businesses alike upgrade their smart home and office technology.