Gone are the days when you needed to press a button to control your environment. Now, you can control a whole range of home appliances and gadgets by simply using your voice.
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It’s hard to beat the convenience of voice-activated home technology. However, although some home appliances and gadgets operate on their own, perhaps using a custom app, most voice-activated technology options require a home hub such as Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant.
Some products have the added advantage that you can program them to carry out a sequence of commands, using applets from If That Then This – such as “if movement is detected in the bathroom, switch the lights on.”
No more fumbling for your keys in the dark—the August Smart Lock Pro does away with all that. Compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant, you can control the lock via voice commands to let visitors in or open the door for yourself. It can also be controlled from an app, which automatically opens the door when you approach, and can even be used remotely to open the door, perhaps to accept a delivery. This system can also be connected to your existing locks.
Have you ever jumped into bed, and then remembered that you forgot to switch off the kitchen light? Well now you can just say the word and your lights will turn off instantly. But smart lighting home technology can do much more than simply turn lights on and off. The Philips Hue system lets you program a whole range of lighting scenarios, from gentle light to wake you up and help you wind down, bright light for working, and even different colored ambiances depending on your mood. It provides specific lighting arrangements for different rooms, such as the kitchen and the bedroom, and also enables security lighting, outdoor lighting and even home entertainment. This system is compatible with the most popular home hubs.
Precise temperature control not only helps you to be comfortable in your home whatever the weather, but it also helps you to save on your energy bills. This Honeywell WiFi Smart thermostat with voice activation is a great way to stay in control of your home heating and cooling. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as its own app, and you can also use the touchscreen directly on the thermostat, if you prefer. With 7-day programming, humidity sensor, and even different background colors, this thermostat is smart and stylish.
Want more options? We’ve got you covered. These are the best smart thermostats for every budget and style.
If you’re fed up with trying to maneuver your trash can lid open when your hands are full or sticky, then you’ll love this smart trash can from Simple Human. Not only does this stylish home technology bin open on voice command or movement sensor, but the exterior is also impregnated with nano-silver particles to stop germs from breeding. There’s an integral holder for can liners, and the dual compartment option makes recycling a cinch.
Cut down on the need to clean your faucet by installing this smart faucet from Delta. Using Touch2O technology and the power of Alexa, you can switch it on and off, adjust the water temperature and dispense specific amounts (in metric or imperial measurements). You can even instruct it to fill a water bottle. Of course, it also works manually!
When relaxing on the couch, no-one wants to get up and adjust window blinds, so now you can use your voice instead! This clever automation kit works with Google or Alexa and allows you to control your blinds just by speaking a command. You can also give command via your smartphone.
This system even has temperature sensors so you can program your blinds to lower when the sun’s out. And, with solar recharging, there’s no spike in your energy bill.
Did you know that now you can do much more on your TV than just to binge-watch Game of Thrones? This LG UHD 65-inch TV works seamlessly with Alexa to make voice-controlled TV simple. You can change channels, adjust the volume and browse channels just with voice commands. Don’t know what channel your program is on? Just ask and the TV will find it for you. And, you can also view photos, play games or search the internet, all from your TV. And when you’re not watching it, this TV converts to a stunning piece of wall art with changing images!
We’ve all played the exciting game of squinting at the electronic keypad on the microwave to find the exact setting we need. But that will be a thing of the past with Amazon’s voice-controlled microwave from the Basics collection. By connecting it to Alexa, you’ll be able to cook rice, defrost vegetables, reheat that forgotten cup of coffee and make popcorn, all using the preset commands (and new presets are being added regularly). It also works with Amazon dash to reorder popcorn when you’re running low on supplies. And, don’t worry about little voices switching it on—there’s a child-lock included for safety.
This voice-enabled controller from Ambi-Climate works with Alexa and Google, and also via an app, to manage a mind-blowing range of possibilities. Adjust your air conditioning on-the-go, program presets, or use applets from If That Then This to automate processes. And best of all, the in-built artificial intelligence function learns your habits so the system can predict your needs, helping you save on your energy costs.
Who would have thought that a refrigerator could do so much more than keep food fresh? But, the Family Hub refrigerator from Samsung does a whole lot more and can be voice-activated via the SmartThings app. The internal camera lets you see exactly what’s inside, even when you’re in the grocery store, and the fridge can also shop for food and help with menu plans.
In addition, this smart fridge can keep family schedules—individual voice recognition lets it personalize notifications!—and you can also leave a message, share photos on the door display, play music or mirror programs from your Samsung TV.
Smart refrigerators are all the rage, including this moodup refrigerator which we predict will be a top appliance of 2023.
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