With technological upgrades taking over the world a little bit more every day, it can be hard to adapt to our new environment. Technology is a fickle thing and that makes stepping into the future with the latest gear to make your home a smart home is no simple task. The first thing you need is a Hub –a place by which you can run the show, the bridge, the command station, enter various Sci-fi references here. Your hub can take all of the various languages that your technology uses to communicate (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) and translates them so that you only need one app to control your world. Something as simple as upgrading your television to a 4k TV (the picture is about 4 000 pixels wide, resulting in super high definition images) can set you ahead of the curve. Of course, if super high-def. isn’t your thing, you can opt instead for a Smart TV, which can connect to your Hub. It is Wi-Fi enabled and thereby allows you to access an entire world beyond antiquated cable.
A new set of blinds can further propel you into the world of smart technology –you see them in the movies –blinds that you can control with a push of a button allowing you to block out the sun for a little extra shut eye or bring in a little mood lighting. You can even connect it to systems that will schedule when the blinds should be open and closed so that you don’t even have to bother with the buttons. Of course, if natural lighting isn’t your thing, there are a number of ways to connect the light fixtures in your home to your smart phone –adjusting the brightness, the warmth, and even the colour of your bulbs just by tapping your touch screen.
An upgraded thermostat and heating system can allow basic things like room temperature can also be controlled by the push of a button or the touch of a smart phone. If your room still isn’t as state-of-the-art as you would like, your ceiling fan can also be connected to your smart phone to cool down your room on those hot summer nights when you’re too tired to get out of bed. If you plan on stepping up your home tech game, there are companies who are working on smart flooring that can track your movement and even light up in different colours to change the ambiance in the room.
Cool new tech isn’t just for you, though. If you’re a pet kind of person, there’s some gear out there that’s for both you and your furry little one. The Petcube® allows you to view your little fur-baby when you’re away or at the office so you never have to miss them too much. However, if you want to be more interactive, the PetChatz® allows your pet to see you too so that you can talk to them, or even feed them a treat.