How to make your home smarter

A smart device or appliance is one that’s connected to the internet (you might also hear the phrase Internet of Things or IoT). Almost any electronics around the house can be smart, including speakers, TVs, washing machines and lightbulbs.

Two strengths of smart devices are:

They can be controlled remotely, letting you operate your appliances through an app or digital assistant. This could be from the next room, or a different country. As long as you have internet access and the device is connected to your home WiFi, you can control it. For example, you can check you turned off the oven, or keep an eye on your security camera, while at work.

They can be automated, letting you prescribe a “routine” of rules for your devices to follow. They can react to the environment, your voice or other devices. For example, you can tell your heat pump to turn on at sunset or your espresso machine to switch on right before your morning alarm. You can automate several devices at once, such as dimming the lights, locking the doors and turning on your electric blanket with a single phrase such as "time for bed”.

The easiest places to start

Developing a smart home doesn’t mean shelling out for a bunch of new internet-connected products. Here are some simple ways to make your current devices smarter.

TVs: To smarten up a “dumb” TV (or one that no longer streams the services you want), simply hook it up to a smart streaming box such as Apple TV, or a dongle like Google Chromecast.

Smart plugs: A smart switch is great for simple on/off devices, such as lamps. It controls power to the device, so you can leave it permanently “on” while remotely flicking the switch or setting timers. Don’t use switches on appliances that need supervision, such as heaters.

IR (infra-red) remotes: A smart IR controller can send a signal to nearly any device controlled by remote. Often they come pre-programmed with remote control commands for major brands, but you can also teach them new commands by cloning signals from existing remotes.

Smart home appliances: must or bust?

Some appliances aren’t yet at the point where being smart is especially convenient.

Helpful

• Oven: Set it to switch off when you leave the house, or preheat when you arrive.
• Coffee machine: Wake to a freshly made coffee or preheated machine.
• Slow cooker: Turn the temperature down and extend the timer if you’ll be home late.
• Robot vacuum: Leave it cleaning while you’re out.

Not smart enough (yet?)

• Washing machine: It can’t load or unload your washing. The most useful features, such as delayed starts, are already present in most “dumb” washing machines.
• Clothes dryer: As with washers, the good features are already common in non-WiFi models. Dryers are also a fire risk, so shouldn’t be operated while no one’s home.
• Fridge: External screens and internal cameras are both fun, but not particularly useful – it’s hard to identify items in a packed fridge.

Smart assistants: Google vs Siri vs Alexa

A digital assistant is the easiest way to control smart devices, usually through voice commands via a smart speaker or mobile app.

Smart assistants have a multitude of uses, including:

• answering queries;
• making phone calls or sending messages;
• playing music, movies or TV shows on another device;
• starting and stopping smart appliances.

The three most popular smart assistants are Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri. Nearly every smart appliance works with at least one of these three. You don’t have to pick one and ignore the others, but it will make your life easier.

Google Assistant

🗸 Built into most Android devices.
🗸 Can be used with a wide range of smart speakers.
🗸 Lots of voice options, and good pronunciation of Māori place names.
🗸 Compatible with a variety of smart devices from many brands.
✖ You can’t change the activation phrase from “Hey Google” or “OK Google”.

Siri (Apple)

🗸 Built into all iPhones, iPads, Apple watches and other Apple devices.
🗸 Decent compatibility with third-party smart home products through the HomeKit platform.
🗸 Only accessible via Apple devices.
✖ The HomePod Mini is the only smart speaker Apple sells in New Zealand (but it is very good).

Alexa (Amazon)

🗸 Excellent compatibility with smart home products of other brands.
🗸 Good range of Amazon-branded speakers and other brands with Alexa built in.
✖ Isn’t pre-installed on mobile devices. The Alexa app isn’t as easy to use as a phone’s built-in assistant.

Smart speaker parental controls

There are stories of children using their home smart speaker to buy the toy they’ve been wanting or cheat on their homework. Smart assistants do come with parental controls that can block purchases without adult authorisation, restrict what media can be played, or set time limits for when the speaker can be used. These features aren’t enabled out of the box, so you’ll have to read up on parental controls for your model.

New builds

The best time to plan a smart home is while you’re building. Even if you don’t want IoT features immediately, it’s easier to build infrastructure now than to retrofit later. That includes having electricity and ethernet cables in the right places.

Smart features you should think about designing into your build include:

• lights;
• blinds or curtains;
• doors/locks and security cameras;
• windows;
• heating and cooling;
• ventilation.

The key to a well-connected smart home is your network – whether it’s WiFi, ethernet or a combination. If you’re planning a large or multi-level home, think about a mesh WiFi network. Mesh replaces a single router with several WiFi devices spread through your home to ensure comprehensive coverage. WiFi dead spots are the bane of a smart home, so it’s good to eliminate them. However, mesh networks usually cost more.

Data and privacy

To activate smart features on appliances, you have to share some information about yourself – that’s your compromise for the added convenience. Sharing data does come with risk, but there are a few ways companies help to protect your private data:

Anonymisation: Identifying information such as name, email address and location is stripped out before data is sent. If someone does intercept it, it can’t be traced back to you.

Encryption: Data is scrambled in a way that allows only authorised recipients with a ’key’ to decrypt and read it. Data can be encrypted multiple times, for better protection.

How you can protect your data:

• Don’t buy an appliance if it doesn’t have a clear data privacy policy or use data encryption.
• Before installing an app to connect a device to the internet, read its privacy policy in the app store.
• Provide the minimum personal information required when signing up.
• Disable any app permissions that aren’t necessary.
• Regularly clear data on apps associated with your appliance and keep them updated (set the apps to update automatically if you can).
• If you end up not using the smart features on your appliance, disable its access to the internet and uninstall its apps.

Security

Data breaches aren’t the only risk with smart devices. Any device connected to the internet is at risk of being hacked. We’ve heard of baby cameras being illicitly viewed, smart doors unlocked by burglars and TVs spying on conversations, though examples are rare.

How to secure your smart home:

• Add passwords to devices whenever possible, especially your smartphone.
• Change default usernames and passwords, including on your router.
• Make sure your router’s firewall is turned on.
• Turn off the ability for others on your home WiFi to control your devices, where possible.
• Enable data encryption whenever available and opt for the highest level.
• Set long passwords including numbers, letters and punctuation. Change them every few months.
• Keep devices’ software up to date.
• Disable any smart features you aren’t using.
• Use local storage such as an SD card when available – it’s more secure than storing information in the cloud.