Things aren’t always what they seem. In the world of home technology this statement couldn’t be any truer. Over the years, we’ve witnessed an evolution of electronic systems, where they’ve not only improved how they perform, but also how they look. Today these pieces of technology can mesh with the home environment so seamlessly and transparently, you’d never guess just how smart, self-sufficient, and cutting-edge the house really is. In fact, the homes that look the most devoid of technology are often the smartest.
Both manufacturers of high-tech products and the professionals who install them into homes are happy to oblige to this mode of thinking. After all, it makes their products and their services more attractive to a broader range of people—those who like what technology can offer but would rather not have their homes feel like test labs.
You don’t have to look hard to notice this trend taking shape. Smartphone apps have become THE way to monitor and manage a home’s electronic systems, virtually eliminating the need for invasive wall-mounted touchpanels. Professional home systems integrator Jason Griffing shares his advice on how to best integrate an app-controlled home into your life, while our comprehensive Smart Home Systems Buying Guide will introduce you to the various app-based control systems available. You’ll discover the top manufacturers in the business, learn which features to look for in a system, and understand how they can conform to your lifestyle. Need more proof? Interior designer Bethany Johnson provides 10 Tips on How to Make A/V Equipment Fuse with the Design of a Home Theater.
The integration of app-based controls and the development of architecturally friendly technology are both having a big effect on the smart home landscape—and manufacturers are getting even sneakier in their approach. “We’re bringing sexy back to ordinary parts of the home,” says Ryan Fant, co-founder of Keen Home, a company that has turned a common heating and cooling vent into a smart device by concealing temperature and motion sensors within its design. Other manufacturers are doing the same, as you’ll see in Smart Sensors Turn Everyday Products into Home Monitoring Devices.
Whether you’re in the market for a great A/V system, a couple of smart devices or a full-blown home control system, technology doesn’t have to intrude on a home’s design or your life. It can blend in beautifully and go completely unnoticed—yet still change your life in some very positive ways.
—Lisa Montgomery
lmontgomery@ehpub.com
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