Moving Out? The Ultimate Guide To Understanding What To Do With Your Smart Home Devices.
If you are moving from your smart home and don’t want to take your smart devices with you, there are many things you could do. Let’s start! If you plan to leave your smart devices behind, it could be a great selling point for customers.
For safety, devices like security cameras and door locks need to be fully logged out of, and you should aim to provide proof to the buyers that you no longer have access to the devices.
It is better to leave some smart devices in place, like a thermostat. HVAC accessories like temperature sensors, smart air conditioning, and radiator controllers should all be left behind along with smart door locks, external security cameras, flood lights, and smart window blinds. The same goes for smart irrigation systems and permanent external devices like smart lighting and weatherproof audio equipment in your garden or pool area. Anything that is made-to-measure should be left behind and the buyers will always appreciate these add-ons.
While vacating the property for its new owner you should make sure to log out of everything. Delete devices like security cameras, sensors, thermostats, and door locks from the smart home apps on your phone, ensuring you can no longer access them and also factory reset everything. Some devices work with specific accounts associated with them, in which case you should delete those accounts as well.
You don’t have to delete your Alexa, Google Home or Apple HomeKit accounts when moving to a new property. Just remove the devices you plan to leave behind and factory reset them. The devices you plan to take to your new home will automatically continue working with the accounts.
Source: https://www.gearbrain.com
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The Many Reasons Why We Need 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) On Smart Home Devices
The lack of two-factor authentication (2FA) on smart home devices is a serious concern indeed. Without the much-needed second layer of account protection, it is easy to be exploited.
While we often discuss IoT device exploits that require a network connection, losing control of a device account doesn’t always require network access.
Without 2FA, it would be easy for someone to get our account credentials and remotely disable the system monitoring and we would be none the wiser until it is too late!
However, if 2FA is implemented, any ill-intentioned hackers would need to go through two levels of authentication before being able to access anything which makes it much harder for them. In many cases, 2FA relies on another device, dongle, USB key, or constantly rotating numeric code. While it might not be a serious concern if all one has in the house is smart lights, but if you have smart cameras or devices that control and manage temperature or water flow, it is critical to be safe and have 2FA.
Source: https://staceyoniot.com
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New Updates Indicate Apple Is Working Hard To Establish Itself In The Smart Home Space
Apple introduced various new features aimed at its smart home initiative during the annual WWDC event. Apple’s smart home strategy relies heavily on encouraging third-party hardware manufacturers to adopt Apple’s platform, HomeKit, which aims to simplify the process of getting gadgets from various companies to work together seamlessly. For instance, instead of developing an Apple smart lock, they promoted smart locks that use Apple’s software and integrates tightly with the iPhone’s Home and Wallet apps. Other HomeKit-enabled gadgets include motion sensors, lights, air conditioners, video cameras, and doorbells.
For Apple, this strategy aims to position iPhone and Apple Watch as controllers for a wide variety of in-home functions, making them more valuable to current customers and discouraging them from switching to an Android phone when it is time to upgrade.
Users will be able to engage Siri by saying “Hey Siri” to non-Apple gadgets bringing Apple on par with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant who already have this capability. The company believes that adding Siri into third-party devices could boost Apple products in the smart home space. Other updates include users can use HomeKit to schedule events like switching on/off the lights, activate a camera, and so on. For the best experience, users will have to subscribe to iCloud service. Apple also announced that it would be supporting Matter, a standard that is designed to allow smart home gadgets to work together, along with Samsung, Google, and Amazon.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com
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Samsung SmartThings Users To Enjoy A New, Fresh Interface
Samsung has rolled out a new update for their smart home app SmartThings which includes a brand-new user interface. The older interface had a slightly muted color scheme, full of grays and earth tones. With the new UI, there is a fresher look that has been rolled out to the Android users.
While the interface of the old app was oriented around the different rooms users had assigned for their smart home gadget, the new layout now focuses on five spaces.
They are favorites, devices, life, automations, and menu.
The Favorites, a new homescreen, will allow users easy and quick access to the frequently used scenes and devices while the Devices space will have a full list of all connected smart devices. Life – for access to Samsung’s add-on services, like SmartThings Cooking. On the Automations menu, users will be able to create and organize Samsung’s if-this-then-that automations, like triggering lights based on motion sensors and so on. The Menu section is essentially for everything else, including notifications, settings, and device history. It is always good to see Samsung focusing on SmartThings since it is no longer making original hardware for its smart home platform but instead is relying on third-party manufacturers to create SmartThings-compatible devices.
Source: https://www.theverge.com
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You can teach an old 🏡 new tricks with smart devices. Whether your house is one or one hundred years old it can be a smart home. Sign up today to receive the best deals and offers on smart devices right to your inbox. 🙂
Yes! Apple’s Siri Can Now Be Used With Third-Party Smart Home Devices
Apple, the tech giant, recently announced during the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote that they would be opening up its Siri digital assistant to work with third-party smart home devices. The news came as part of a batch of new features for the smart home, including a new ability to watch TV with friends and a way to use an Apple HomePod mini as part of a speaker setup for your home theater. Apple also announced that the Apple Watch and Home app will also be getting updates which will enable more convenient smart home features. With the third-party Siri integration, users will now be able to use the assistant to control non-Apple devices such as smart thermostats among other devices.
Apple introduced SharePlay, which lets you and a friend or two share the same stream. Everyone in the watch session will be synced through FaceTime.
The more together watch time, the more the system will learn about the shows that you are interested in as a group and give suggestions based on them. Apple Watch will be able to control the smart home security features post this update. The Watch can bring up HomeKit-compatible live security camera footage with a voice command. If you have a package waiting at the door, your watch will let you know. With Siri able to control non-Apple home devices and support for the Matter smart home standard, there should be a surge in the number of devices able to integrate with HomeKit.
Source: https://gizmodo.com
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The Pandemic Changed The Smart Home Landscape, Perhaps Permanently.
IoT devices were ruling the marketplace before the pandemic hit. Post pandemic, the demand went higher in a different way. The focus in the market has now shifted towards a “new normal” which is the integrations of social-distancing and technology-driven construction processes.
Whether it is the functionality, materiality or the security of the house, everything is being redefined.
Most houses constructed now have a view of the smart home devices that come with the home. Automation at home is eliminating multiple touchpoints. The technology behind touchless automation existed way before the pandemic began, making it easier to adopt once the pandemic hit the world.
There are various other innovations that are taking place which will help in eliminating more touchpoints. Voice-driven systems are being integrated into cars that are connected to smart home systems making it easier to control all smart home systems on the road. Security cameras are being enhanced to ensure that any movement triggers some sort of an alarm eliminating the need for 24/7 manual monitoring. With all this in mind, smart home is going to be the future for construction companies.
Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com
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Set Up Your New Smart Home With No Trouble – All Thanks To Android 12
Setting up smart home devices is one of the biggest pains in the smart home world. However, once the devices are connected, it makes life simpler and easier, but things can go wrong while setting up the device. The latest update from Google on Android 12 aims at tackling this issue. Currently, the process of setting up a smart home device can include connecting to its local Wi-Fi network meaning you will lose connectivity with your phone’s data connection. With Android 12, the update will allow you to maintain simultaneous connections on Wi-Fi to peer devices as well as your home access point.
Sometimes your phone is smart enough to swap back over to mobile data while you’re connected, but it’s one of those wildly nondeterministic smart home things, and the experience can and will vary. But with the Android update, it will make sure that this case is never experienced.
This will help people when they want to triage something on the phone over the internet whilst being connected to the smart home device at the same time. The update is expected to make the whole process much smoother.
Source: https://www.androidpolice.com
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You can teach an old 🏡 new tricks with smart devices. Whether your house is one or one hundred years old it can be a smart home. Sign up today to receive the best deals and offers on smart devices right to your inbox. 🙂
Top Smart Home News Stories For The Week Of July 5, 2021
Yes! Apple’s Siri can now be used with third-party smart home devices. Samsung SmartThings users to enjoy a new, fresh interface. And… Moving out? The ultimate guide to understanding what to do with your smart home devices. Check out these stories and more in this week’s top smart home news for July 5, 2021.
Android 12 is set to include a change to support “concurrent peer-to-peer and internet connections.” That’s a complicated way of saying that your phone will be able to connect to both your home’s Wi-Fi access point and a smart home gadget for its setup process.
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While the pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge, it has also given us a lot of insights into the shortcomings of past practices. For instance, the greater usage of technology in smart homes is now expediting the effectiveness and the efficiency of various processes.
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Apple publicly affirmed its commitment to the Matter smart home standard, which will enable smart home devices from rival companies play nicely together.
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Samsung has updated the user interface for its smart home app SmartThings, replacing the slightly muted color scheme of the old app — full of grays and earth tones — with a new UI and overall fresher look.
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Apple is taking a different approach with its smart home strategy than it does with its main platforms, such as iOS and MacOS, where it builds the hardware and controls the software. New features include a way to unlock your front door with an iPhone through a digital key in the Wallet App and Siri integration with third-party gadgets.
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With 2FA implemented, any ill-intentioned hackers would have to get through the second level of access before modifying his device. And that’s harder. 2FA often relies on a second device, dongle, USB key, or constantly rotating numeric code. Text messages are used for 2FA as well, but they’re inherently insecure.
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There are some important steps to complete before handing over the keys, especially when it comes to your privacy and security – but also the privacy and security of the property’s new owners. Devices like security cameras and door locks need to be fully logged out of, and you should aim to provide proof to the buyers that you no longer have access to the devices.
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Be The Superhero Of Your Smart Home
You can teach an old 🏡 new tricks with smart devices. Whether your house is one or one hundred years old it can be a smart home. Sign up today to receive the best deals and offers on smart devices right to your inbox. 🙂
How Can You Use Smart Home Devices To Make Running Your Airbnb Easier And Safer?
Smart home devices can help you ease the burden of running an Airbnb and give you some simple ways to make your guest’s stay more safe and comfortable.
The best part about smart home products is that they offer remote access to information about your property. They can also provide factual data about your Airbnb rental that helps solve disputes and back up insurance claims. Here is a list of smart home devices that can help you in this venture. Outdoor security cameras are a must for Airbnb homes. As a property owner, you will be able to monitor the arrivals and departures of your guests. It also adds another layer of protection when the property is vacant. Indoor cameras are highly discouraged for Airbnb rentals because guests should always have privacy when they need it, and indoor cameras violate this privacy. It is a good idea to disclose to your guests that you have cameras on the property.
With the installation of smart locks, you will no longer have to worry about hiding the door keys at a secret place. The smart lock offers two main benefits. The first is the ability to allow and limit access to the property. That means you can provide guests with an access code that works for the duration of their stay. The second benefit here is the ability to log arrival and departure times. Additionally, if you have firm house rules about checkout and check-in times, smart locks can allow access only during specific hours.
Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are definitely the next things you would want to add to your rental property. It can easily notify you when there is an issue and dangerous situations can be averted in time. Smart thermostats, smart light switches, and smart bulbs are great to have for saving electricity and money. They provide flexibility to the users. You will also be able to remotely control all these devices when no one is at home.
Source: https://www.makeuseof.com
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You can teach an old 🏡 new tricks with smart devices. Whether your house is one or one hundred years old it can be a smart home. Sign up today to receive the best deals and offers on smart devices right to your inbox. 🙂
Smart Home Insurance Concessions: Better Insurance, Lower Bills
With smart home systems taking over the control of our homes slowly, there are insurance companies that connect to this network to reduce the premiums. Smart home systems also provide data to insurance companies, helping them determine risks and costs for insurance. They are recognizing people who are taking steps to secure their home and offering incentives to install smart home products. A few of the common smart devices that providers might offer incentives for installing in your home are smart thermostats, security systems that include window and door sensors, smart locks or video doorbells, gas and water shutoff sensors, automatic interior sprinkler systems, and smart fire alarm systems or smoke detectors.
Most insurers offer discounts between 5%-20% on your homeowners insurance premium, depending on the smart device and its ability to reduce your likelihood of filing a claim.
Every deal has its own pros and cons. The pros in this case are that you will get added security with convenience, energy savings over time, and central control to most of your home appliances. On the other hand, the disadvantages include the cost, cybersecurity threats, and outages due to network/power. When considering the discount savings on homeowners insurance, weigh the pros and cons of installing a smart home device to know if it is worth the investment. Depending on the home insurance provider, you will be able to work out which provider can give you the maximum benefits.
Source: https://www.bankrate.com
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You can teach an old 🏡 new tricks with smart devices. Whether your house is one or one hundred years old it can be a smart home. Sign up today to receive the best deals and offers on smart devices right to your inbox. 🙂
