What Is Smart Home?

Smart home devices provide a convenient (and fun!) way to streamline many daily tasks and simplify your life. For example, voice-activated assistants can:

• Let you place online orders
• Provide real-time traffic updates before you head out
• Help you control some of your home's most basic functions

In this guide, you'll learn about what you can do with personal assistants, items for home access & control, and home security devices. But keep reading for valuable information about networking and wireless Internet technologies, and why you need them to get started.

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A Note About Networking

Wi-Fi is the foundation of home automation. Having reliable wireless networking technologies in place before you install and manage your smart devices is the first step.

So what do wireless networking devices do? Basically, they keep your smart home humming along smoothly. They help ensure you have a network that can handle your current devices and those you'll be adding in the future. Thanks to up-to-date routers, modems, and range extenders, you'll be able to give dead spots and dropped signals the boot.

Browse wireless and networking products by clicking the button below, or keep reading to find out about the wonders of personal assistants. 

Stay in Control

By now, you know about the importance of a solid network and how personal assistants fit into your life. Now it's time to learn how smart plugs, lighting, and thermostats let you take charge of appliances and some of your home's basic functions.

Smart Plugs

With smart plugs, you can teach “dumb” appliances to talk to each other. Having a smart home connected to these special plugs is like conducting an orchestra: You can call on each connected object to power up in real time. For example, you can turn on a crockpot remotely when you're at work, or set a lamp on a timer when you're spending the weekend away. You can even monitor the energy that each connected item consumes.

Lighting

Smart lights are really something to behold. You can set brightness, schedule lights to turn on and off remotely, or create personalized ambience with a variety of colors and hues. You can even enjoy automated lighting, which may help you reduce energy costs.

Thermostats

So, what can smart thermostats do for you? Provide more comfort and convenience, of course! Set and maintain the perfect temperature right from your smartphone, or create a thermostat schedule so you don’t have to worry about wasting energy when your house is empty. How cool is that?

Browse savvy home access and control options by clicking the button below. And read on to learn how security and monitoring systems can help you protect your family and your home in real time.