The Top Smart Home Devices of 2016

Whether your outlook on the future looks like the Jetsons, or a bit more like Black Mirror, one thing is for certain, smart-home technology is going to evolve by leaps and bounds in the coming year. In fact, Gartner predicts that by 2020, there will be roughly 25 billion Internet of Things-enabled products, most of which will be used to help with home automation. While the ubiquity of smart-devices is certainly a motivating factor for smart home adoption, its the ability for home-products to sync with each other that’s really driving the movement. Let’s take a look at what we can expect from smart home technology in 2017

Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo is an internet connected speaker that also works as a personal assistant, giving you instant access to news, weather, and your favorite music from Spotify, Pandora, and more. The Echo is notable for providing listeners with 360° sound, meaning that the device has speakers on all sides of its tubular design. In addition to requesting updates from the internet (ie. weather news, sports…) the Amazon Echo also works as a smart home hub that can connect lightswitches, thermostats, and almost anything else on this list.

LIFX Smart LED Light Bulb

LIFX is a smart light bulb that wI-fi to bring connectivity to your home. An accompanying application allows you to control single or multiple lights to your preference. For those of you who are looking to spice up your home, these light bulbs send off more than your typical white light, they host a wide spectrum of colors and hues to provide a bit of funky flair. These light bulbs are excellent for those looking to make their first steps in the smart home transition.

Scout Home Security System

It always pays to be safe rather than sorry, and with the Scout Home Security System, you’ll never need to make that choice again.  The system is comprised of a number of interconnected sensors that communicate in order to provide complete protection. With the ability to purchase individual sensors separately you can build your ideal system to fit your home size. The Scout system is equipped with a mobile application to give you live updates to let you know when anything is out of the ordinary.

Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera

Looking for a bit of additional home security? Look no further than the Nest Cam high definition indoor security camera. This 1080p camera from DropCam is equipped with a rotating magnetic base providing a 130 degree wide angle view. For an additional fee the optional Nest Aware cloud services allow you to revisit past footage and set activity zones for more precise alerts. With a built in speaker and microphone, the Nest Cam allows you listen and talk through device, which could be more than handy if you’re trying to get the dog off the couch while you’re at the supermarket.

Quirky + GE Aros Smart Air Conditioner

We have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the air conditioner. We love them because they make the hot, humid summer weather bearable. On the downside, these appliances are massive power hogs. The Quirky GE Aros Smart Air Conditioner gives you the ability to control your AC’s settings through a wi-fi connection. With this AC you can turn the power on and off when you’re out of the house, giving you the ability to keep the house chilly without running the machine all day. It’s controlled with a mobile app that works on iOS and Android that also allows you to set a budget, giving you notifications for when you’ve exceeded it or are coming close.