Smart Home Automation

Get a Smart Home with Your Smart Phone

Smart Home Automation

Homes of the Future were staple exhibits at the World’s Fairs of the 19th and early 20th centuries. They appear in 1960’s cartoon The Jetsons and futuristic features made their ways into the cabins of the Star Trek Enterprise along with numerous other Science Fiction living quarters. Technologically controlled homes have even been featured in some horror films. But today, these “Homes of the Future” have become homes of the present.

Don’t be too daunted by the idea of a “Smart Home” – you already have one. All it means is adding some automation into your house to make your life easier, like your television’s remote control or your garage door opener. You don’t have to pay for a pricey Crestron or AMX system either – you can do most of it from your iPhone.

Never lock yourself out of your house again

Several companies have cropped up that have built front door locks that open via iPhone, like the Kevo app, which can unlock electronic deadbolts. Lockitron even senses when you walk up to your front door and unlocks it for you using Bluetooth 4.0, and with Kwikset, your deadbolt pops open with a tap to your phone. Just…don’t forget your phone and your keys at home at the same time.

Lights! iPhone! Action!

Phillips sells home LED bulbs through the App store that work with your iPhone app and allow you to control the brightness and color of your lights. They come in a 3-pakc for $299, which isn’t cheap, but the fact that you can program the lights when to turn off, on, or change to a different color make it cool enough to be worth it. They’ll also last for 10 to 20 years and use 1/6th of the energy of traditional bulbs.

Feed Your Pets Without Getting Out of Bed

While we do not promise that your pet will let you sleep in, you can at least feed them without getting out of bed with the PintoFeed iPhone app and food dish. You can use your phone to set a feeding schedule or feed your pet on demand. There’s even a built-in security camera on the pet dish so you can get live video.

And yes, you can even open your garage door with your iPhone. It’s called “MyDoorOpener.”

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