Easy-to-guess default passwords will be banned and smart device manufacturers will be required to tell customers how long their new product will receive security updates under plans to protect Internet of Things (IoT) devices and their users from cyberattacks. Laws will also require manufacturers of smart devices including phones, doorbells, cameras, speakers, TVs and more to provide a public point of contact to make it simpler for security vulnerabilities in the products to be reported – and fixed with software updates.

If you’re interested in creating a smart home, one of the things you might find yourself considering is the use of an all-in-one smart home starter kit. For the most part, simplicity and ease of use are the two guiding principles of these kits. A starter kit can be a great way to bring smart home technology to a home. But does it make sense for you?

When Steve Jobs revealed the first iPhone in 2007 he introduced it as three devices in one; a telephone, an iPod with video and an internet communicator. Now, we think his predecessor Tim Cook could pull off a similar trick by taking Apple into another new product category – the smart display.

If smart lights, thermostats and security cameras are the staples of the smart home, think of smart sensors as the invisible network meshing everything together. Or, if you prefer, the eyes of the smart home. But the word sensor is itself pretty vague and there’s a huge range of different methods for how these sensors work and how they transmit data.

When considering why homeowners purchase technology products for their home, one must consider the principal drivers behind the purchase. These days, simplicity and convenience are paramount – particularly at a time when the pandemic has already complicated so much. Today, while stuck at home, many homeowners are working on projects that will make life less stressful and make their homes more secure. And many of these projects involve connected devices like smart locks.

Connected cars can now communicate with other smart devices around them, including those that might control the heating, door locks or lights at home. Some systems can even advise whether the kids have left for school. There is a clear convenience benefit and for many it will provide peace of mind when away from the nest. But is car-to-home connectivity more than a fancy trinket, and do the benefits come with any challenges?

With social distancing restricting social interaction, adults 50 and older not only snatched up new devices, but also were more likely to use them daily. They purchased more smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and wearables, and audio devices such as earbuds and headsets.