Smart Homes in Easy Steps: Master Smart Technology for Your Home PDF
Preview Smart Homes in Easy Steps: Master Smart Technology for Your Home
In easy steps is an imprint of In Easy Steps Limited 16 Hamilton Terrace · Holly Walk · Leamington Spa Warwickshire · United Kingdom · CV32 4LY www.ineasysteps.com Copyright © 2018 by In Easy Steps Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher. Notice of Liability Every effort has been made to ensure that this book contains accurate and current information. However, In Easy Steps Limited and the author shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by readers as a result of any information contained herein. Trademarks All trademarks are acknowledged as belonging to their respective companies. Contents 1 About Smart Homes Introducing the Smart Home Controlling Smart Devices Connectivity for Devices Day in the Life of a Smart Home Security Issues 2 About Digital Voice Assistants Digital Voice Assistants Using Digital Voice Assistants Functionality Using IFTTT Digital Voice Assistant Apps Settings 3 Alexa and the Amazon Echo About Alexa and the Echo Setting up the Echo Using the Alexa App Alexa App Homepage Alexa Skills Music on the Echo Dropping in with Alexa Using Smart Home Devices 4 Google Assistant and Google Home About Google Assistant and Home Setting Up Around the Homepage Device Settings More Settings Using and Creating Routines Adding Actions Linking Smart Home Devices Managing Home Devices 5 HomePod and the Home App About the HomePod Using the Home App Managing the Home App Managing Rooms 6 Using Smart Devices Installing Devices Related Apps for Devices Smart Home Hubs Registering with Apps Using Multi-Device Apps 7 Smart Lighting About Smart Lighting Getting Started Setting up a Room Using Lights Customizing Lights Smart Lighting Scenes Creating Routines Settings 8 Smart Heating About Smart Heating Elements of Smart Heating Smart Heating App Adding a Smart Thermostat Setting the Temperature Creating a Schedule Applying Eco Settings Smart Heating Settings Home and Away 9 Smart Security Smart Security Cameras Smart Alarm Systems Indoor Security Video Doorbell Smart Locks 10 More Smart Home Options About Smart Plugs Robotic Lawnmowers Robotic Vacuum Cleaners Miscellaneous Smart Devices Smart Entertainment 11 Looking Forward Robots in the Home Artificial Intelligence (AI) The Smart Home Future 1 About Smart Homes This chapter introduces the concept of the smart home and shows some of the uses for smart home devices. Introducing the Smart Home Controlling Smart Devices Connectivity for Devices Day in the Life of a Smart Home Security Issues Introducing the Smart Home The concept of the smart home, i.e. one in which most of the electronic devices are controlled via voice controls, apps, or accessed remotely, is not a science fiction vision of the future; it is very much part of the here and now, and a realistic and affordable option for most households. For a smart home to work to its full potential there are a number of elements that can be in place: • Smart home devices. • Digital voice assistants, or hubs. • Apps on smartphones and tablets, and online access. Smart homes can operate without all three of these elements; e.g. smart home devices can be operated without digital voice assistants or apps, but to get the complete smart home experience, it is worth having all three in place. Some people consider smart home devices to be an irrelevance that automates tasks that are already easily done manually. However, similar things were said when the television remote control was first introduced. The range of functionality for smart home devices ensures that it is likely that they will become as common in the home as the ubiquitous TV remote. Range of devices Also known as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart home technology now spans a wide range of devices (and this is increasing regularly) as manufacturers realize the commercial importance of smart homes. Some of the current devices are: • Smart lighting systems, including smart light bulbs and a bridge that connects to your Wi-Fi router. Individual lights can be controlled around the home with an app, a digital voice assistant, or a remote control. Groups of
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