In most outdoor entertainment spaces, rain showers bring the party inside, but in this exterior A/V paradise, which was recently earned the Electronic House Home of the Year award for Best Outdoor Space, the family can enjoy music and movies no matter the weather. Should Mother Nature throw a monkey wrench into their plans, they […]
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NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte on Cruise Control with Home’s New Automation System
After winning the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship in 2000, veteran race car driver Bobby Labonte has been investing in some well-deserved relaxation far from the frenzy of the track. In late 2017, Labonte purchased a 4,000-square foot cabin on over 15 acres of land within a mile of High Point, North Carolina, with the […]
Get the GuideHGTV House Hunters Gem: 1980s House Ready to be Automated
The location, the view, the layout—all three checked off the must-have list when a recent HGTV House Hunter was introduced to this 1,360-square-foot home in San Clemente, Calif. Situated within walking distance to the ocean, the 3 bedroom house also had “good bones.” The only thing missing was smart home technology. But this didn’t prevent […]
Get the GuideMotorized Kitchen Cabinets Lift to Reveal Appliances in New Smart Home
When you’re willing to get creative with the smart systems in your house, some really great things can happen. The owners of this 4,000+ square foot penthouse apartment in Sarasota, Fla., were ready to think outside of the box when they hired local home systems integration firm Wicked Smart Homes to rig their digs with […]
Get the GuideIt’s Time to Fool with Mother Nature: Use the Weather Forecast to Automate Your Home
by Jay Basen We all know how to get a weather report by asking Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for the information … or checking an app … or programming a home-automation system to present the Web-based data on a touchscreen. We can even install a weather station at the premises to glean super-local data […]
Get the GuideSmart Home Skeptics Become Fans of Elan Home Automation System
It’s a familiar story among many homeowners: past experiences with expensive, complicated home automation systems have left a bad taste in their mouths. Consequently, when they move into a new home, they are reluctant to try the capabilities of newer, simpler, more reliable systems. As Mark van den Broek, owner of Sarasota, Fla.-based SmartHouse Integration […]
Get the Guide3 New Smart Home Devices Controlled by Google Assistant
Google Assistant, along with other voice-control platforms like Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri, is gaining steam as a smart home control solution. According to a study by Parks Associates, consumer adoption of voice assistants more than doubled from 2015 and 2016. Based on this growing popularity, manufacturers have been developing and introducing voice-controllable smart home […]
Get the GuideLutron and Alexa Join Forces to Create a Voice Controllable Home
One of the best ways to experience what it’s like to live in a smart home is to see one in action. It’s one thing to read about innovative new technologies like automated lighting, whole-house music, and voice control of home devices; it’s another thing altogether when these electronic marvels can be demonstrated to you […]
Get the GuideBest Smart Home Gadgets to Control With Amazon Alexa
Voice control in the home has evolved from a novel concept to a legitimate method of operating various devices that can add real value to your lifestyle. Instead of tripping over the dog as you reach for a light switch in the hallway you can activate the fixtures by uttering a simple voice command. As […]
Get the Guide10 Best Places to Shop for Smart Home Devices; Best Black Friday Deals
Forget about scouring the Earth to find that perfect home tech gift. They’re widely available and at places you probably already frequent. You can buy the perfect sweater, perfume, and socks at Kohl’s … then visit their new “Smart Home Experience” zone, where you’ll find lot of Amazon Echo devices. Head to Target for a […]
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