Smart home technology has become a mainstream option for all people, not just those who are wealthy and technologically adept. The tech industry has responded by introducing ever more sophisticated solutions. Many people believe that smart home technology is a result of devices like Google’s Nest or Amazon’s Echo however the term also encompasses a myriad of solutions for your house. This includes everything from remote-controlled heating and lighting to CCTV doorbells, home security systems and smart locks. Some allow you to monitor your elderly relatives, pets, or children and even monitor your bizcrisis.net/5-rare-jobs-to-work-from-home children.

Integration is the most important aspect of a good smart home system. This is why the most effective products are those that integrate with other devices and systems to make your home smarter. For instance, a smart light bulb can communicate with a central hub to set your lights according to a predetermined schedule or to shut them off when you leave the house. A video doorbell can alert you to unexpected visitors and alarm systems could call the police or fire departments. And, once you’ve mastered IFTTT (If This Then That) and Stringify, you can utilize services such as Stringify to automate your devices in more intricate ways.

Of course, bringing new smart devices into homes has its own set of issues. CNET is dedicated to understanding the privacy policies of companies, voice concerns and ask questions directly to companies.