Advancement in technology has created the contemporary concept of having many small devices that are connected to control your home, manage security systems, environmental controls, lighting, energy use and other features. This multi-device system which are compatible with each other for seamless integration allowed the ability to control your home right from the palm of your hand. The convenience brought by the technology and capabilities of smart home devices continue to grow and expand.
Home automation is continuously moving forward, and it is no overstatement to say that the trend of home automation is rising at an ever-increasing pace, and the roles these devices play are becoming a staple in our homes. The magic of condo living can make your smart home extremely safe and secure with its many "smart" features that will keep you safe 24/7 without having to worry about potential dangers that could befall.
A Simple Setup is one of the most important things when you are setting up a smart home system in your home. With the huge number of products available in the market nowadays, it can be quite confusing when choosing products your home needs. To help narrow your choices, here are 15 smart devices and ideas to use in setting up your smart home.
Smart Lights
Smart lighting is one of the most common home automation technology. It is also one of many ways of creating a magical ambiance as you welcome your guests. And it also elevates your mood as you relax and unwind in the soothing light. It reduces the glare on TV screens. It does not require a lot of power. With smart bulbs, you can adjust the brightness and color of the lights. Smart lights can also be used as an outdoor lamp, sconce or accent lighting to brighten your hallways. It dims down when you walk by or it could be turned off completely if you do not pass by for an extended period. It only uses energy when it is turned on, and yet, its ability to use very little energy means it can save you a lot of money by lowering your overall power bill and less usage which makes it environmentally friendly as well. With the variety of light settings, your condo design can get more appealing with smart lights.
The top 10 best smart light bulbs in the market:
- Philips Hue White And Color Ambiance
- Wyze Bulb
- Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED
- Sengled Smart LED with Motion Sensor
- Ring Solar Pathlight
- Lifx Mini
- TP-LINK Kasa Filament WiFi Light Bulb
- Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Lightstrip
- Govee LED Light Strips
- Nanoleaf Shapes
Smart Plugs
Smart plugs have been designed to turn any appliance or electronic device into a smart device by merely inserting the small smart plug into a standard power outlet on a wall. It allows you to remotely turn on and off any appliances you plug into it from your phone, tablet, or other device. It also allows you to remotely control the appliance or other electronic device. The compatibility of the smart plug allows you to easily control it with your mobile phone, tablet, PC and many others. With these smart plugs, you do not need to switch power outlets and extension cords in search of a power outlet at night making condo living light and easy. This is probably one of the easiest devices that will give you a tremendous light in creating a smart home concept in your condo.
The top 10 best smart plugs
- VOCO VL-115 110v Smart AC Home Appliance Outlet Wall Outlet Volt AC 120V 110V Dual Switched Switch Plug Socket Electric Lamp
- Tp-Link Smart Plug
- TP-Link Smart plugin
- Wemo Insight Switch
- GE 12729 Smart WiFi Outlet
- Smanos Wi-Fi Plug Wi-Fi Socket
- GANZ WiFi Wall Outlet with USB Charger and 2 Mini Plugs (GV-WOP2)
- Yeelight Wall Mounted WiFi Wireless Plug Socket
- GANZ Wifi Plug, Motion Sensor, Wall Outlet Wireless, 60W Remote Control Wi-Fi
- GANZ WiFi Plug, Motion Sensor, Wall Outlet Wireless, 60W Remote Control Wi-Fi + 2 USB Charging Ports (GV-WOP1)
Smart Home Security
In the current world of technology where there is a growing demand of crime rate in almost every country in the world and this is one of the common crimes that people get targeted by. In today's modern society located in cities and townships it can be difficult to get away from all these troubles. There has been a huge increase in condos where condos are being constructed to keep everybody safe from safety and other security related problems. There is a growing demand by the people who want their homes to be secure. To make your condo safe and secure, together with condominium security, you can rely on smart home security systems like Smart Doorbells and Smart Locks that will help you out in creating a safe and smart home concept in your condo.
Smart Doorbells
Smart Doorbells are electronic communication devices that transmits sound or video to your phone or tablet through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or by using an internet connection. These communication devices are very useful as they can be used for security purposes like communication with your families on the other side. These can help you to control who comes and goes through your home without having to be present at your door step all the time.
The top 6 best smart doorbell camera kits:
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro Second-Gen
- Dropcam Pro
- Netgear Arlo Pro Wire-Free HD Cameras
- Google Nest Secure Alarm Alerts and Smart Home
- Samsung SmartThings Bulid-In Wifi Enabled motion sensor
- Chromecast Ultra
Smart Locks
With the recent rise in crime rate and crimes against women, people have been demanding a better security system in their homes. In addition to this, most of the homes located in high crime areas are occupied by a single person who is a victim of a crime, robbery or other crimes. To make your home secure and free from any issues related to security, you can use smart locks with these technology called smart locks for safety and security purposes. There are many different types of smart locks available for use.
The top 5 best smart door locks:
- Samsung Connect Home Wi-Fi Mesh Router with SmartThings Hub
- August Smart Lock
- Nest Secure Alarm Alerts and Smart Home Kit (Indoor & Outdoor)
- Yale Assure Lock
- LG SmartThinQ Hub (ThinQ) Security Cam
Smart Smoke Detector
From the invention of fire to this modern world, smoke detectors have become an important part of our lives because it detects the smoke in your home. Smoke detectors are really important because it can be used for safety purposes like, when you are sleeping or there is no one in your house to know that there is a fire in your home, it can detect smoke and can send an alert through an alarm to alert other people in your place. With Smart Smoke Detectors, when the alarm goes off, you'll receive not only an audio alert but also include helpful voice instructions instead of just a siren. Your smart phone also tells you what the problem is, whether it’s smoke or Carbon Monoxide, which alarm was activated, and sometimes even the severity of the smoke.
The top 6 best smart smoke detectors:
- Nest Protect
- Roost Smart Battery
- Amazon Echo Dot
- OneLink Safe & Sound
- Samsung SmartThings Wireless Alarm Security
Smart Security Sensor
The Smart Security Sensor monitors your areas where you set it up. When it detects any suspicious activity, it automatically records and notifies users through phone calls and texts because of its built-in security cameras and sensors. It would also monitor changes in water levels and other environmental factors which makes condo living convenient and efficient while maintaining a healthy environment.
Smart Home Appliances
With the introduction of smart home appliances, it has made the life of people easier and convenient because now, people can control everything through their mobile phone or any other device. People can now control their ACs, security systems or any appliance located in their homes. Smart home technology has created a safer and more convenient environment for everyone. With smart home appliances, condo living will be easier with easy access to the different systems in your condo like refrigerators, ACs and many others making it an eco-friendly place to live.
Smart Fridge
Smart refrigerators are like an iPad that holds your Food. Apps let you keep grocery lists, search recipes, check the weather, control the machine’s temperature, read news updates, and even lets you check your Twitter.
Smart Faucet
Smart faucets makes it easy to control the temperature of a sink, a hands-free shower head, a bidet, a faucet. This allows you to set the temp and pressure at each point without having to worry about different pressure settings at each point making condo living more efficient.
Smart Bedside Lamp
The Smart Bedside Lamp is an alarm clock that can provide sleep data such as body temperature, brain wave data such as alpha and beta waves and can send you snooze messages based on your sleep patterns. It can display the time and date simultaneously with several other functions like music playlists and alarm times. You can also use it as a night light if you want to read by its light. This Smart Bedside lamp
Smart Washer and Dryer
A Smart Washer and Dryer system can clean and dry your clothes in a single cycle. This can save you time and money and help reduce the amount of water you use. It also allows you to wash non-clothes items like towels or bedding. You can even prewash fabrics, such as linens, before they go into the washer and dryer to extend their life.
Smart Blinds
The Smart Blinds are connected to your smartphone. Users can control it either by their phone or by using a switch on the wall. You can set how much light to let in or when the blinds should open or close.
Robot Vacuum
The Robot Vacuum is a rolling robot vacuum cleaner that helps you clean your home automatically. You can have it clean when you are away or have it clean when you are in the house. Robo Vacuums can also be assigned in different areas of your condo unit. Its efficient cleaning system make condo living smooth and clean.
Smart thermostat
Smart Thermostats are thermostats that can connect to WiFi and allow you to control your temperature, humidity, etc. Condo units in cold and humid areas needs this type of thermostat. The biggest advantage of having the best smart thermostat is that you can control it remotely through your smartphone, tablet or PC which can make your life easier by tracking the temperature of your household. It helps you to save energy significantly without compromising with the climate of your home. It helps you by saving up to 20% on heating or cooling costs. Some of these thermostats even work without Wi-Fi connection but still there are some options available in market that works on Wi-Fi connection as well.
Smart Entertainment System
Smart Entertainment Systems let you play music, watch shows and browse the internet from your TV. These systems can allow you to do all of the above from a single device, that too wirelessly. The smart entertainment system also provide you easy access to your favorite channels or shows. From Smart Speakers to Smart TVs to your devices such as phones and iPads.
Smart TVs
Smart TVs are a smart way to integrate with other smart devices to provide a better home entertainment system. Smart TVs can provide a connected entertainment system that allows the user to connect digital media players to their TVs, control third party content across multiple devices, and be connected to WiFi for remote access. Smart TVs can provide clean and safe entertainment to your family and they enhance the room’s value.
The best smart TV features:
- Wi-Fi with Chromecast - The Wi-Fi with Chromecast is a smart way to access your favorite Google and Netflix shows and movies from any device you own including tablets and smartphones. This feature may not be available in every TV but many of the latest TVs have this feature, both Smart TVs or regular TVs.
- Voice search - The voice search feature lets you use voice commands to search for specific content such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV etc. You can use a certain voice command on your Smart TV and it will search all of the relevant content sources to show you what you requested. This feature is available with many TVs on the market.
- Web browser - A web browser allows you to access the internet from your television as long as it is connected to a broadband connection. You can even play games from the Wifi connection provided by this option, but some advertisers may block some websites if their content is inappropriate for kids or teenagers, if this happens then try other web browsers such as Firefox or Chrome. And many more
Smart Speakers
Smart speakers that connect wirelessly with your smartphone or other smart devices such as computers or tablets can provide a range of features from music, internet radios and audio streaming to news and weather reports. Many have voice control over the system which will provide you an easy way to control your remote controls by making a simple spoken command. The companies providing these Smart speakers have a wide range of products to suit every user’s needs from individual Bluetooth speakers to smart wireless systems that can control multiple devices, including televisions. And if you underestimate the convenience these Smart speakers provide then just try out their demo videos on Youtube as they will show how well these speakers work.
Top 5 Best Smart Speakers
- Google Home Mini
- Sonos One
- Amazon Echo
- Apple HomePod
- Google Nest
Smart Hubs and Device Controllers
Hubs or device controllers are integral to controlling and making use of multiple devices through one interface. Each device controller provides a different way of connecting your devices such as WiFi connections to allow your Smartphones and Tablets to connect with other devices such as Smart TVs or music players. Hubs also provide you with the ability to control other smart devices such as lights, thermostats and blinds through a single remote control. Hubs and device controllers can be easily fitted into any home and cost less than 20 dollars whether it is an individual hub or a central hub for all of your smart devices.
Best Smart Hubs and Device Controllers
- Amazon Echo (4th gen)
- Samsung SmartThings Hub v3
- Apple HomePod mini
- Amazon Echo Dot
- Starling Home Hub
- Hubitat Elevation
- Amazon Echo Show 10
- Apple TV 4K
- Samsung SmartThings Wifi
- Google Nest Hub Max
Smart homes are provided in growing cities all over the world because it is becoming popular for everyone. And with smart homes, condo living has become much easier for people because of the easy and convenient facilities provided to them. It also reduces the amount of time and money spent on general cleaning and maintenance for your condo unit. A lot of Condo unit owners upgrade the homes into a smart "hub" because it provides smarter ways to increase efficiency, security and convenience. Smart technology is practical in condos or condos, installing smart features in their houses which help them to save a lot of electricity bills every month.
Living in Vista Residences enables you to enjoy convenience, where everything is pretty much within walking distance or a few minutes away from the property. With your Smart home that provides everything you need and a unit with everything within your reach, it is guaranteed that you’re at a maximum comfort. With a security that is 24/7 and CCTV monitoring, features and amenities that are designed to deliver comfort, safety, and security within the property at all times, which makes condo living a worthy investment.
Vista Residences is the condominium arm of Vista Land. It has become a formidable player in the vertical development sector of the real estate industry since 2003. Now, it continues to address keep on the demand for condominium living in projects across the country’s major cities and business districts.
In line with Vista Residences’ thrust to offer convenience among its residents, it also features an AllDay Convenience Store and Coffee Project in all its projects.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
