Guides, reviews, and device recommendations for smart home and home automation topics. Topics covered include home security, climate control, home maintenance, automation hubs (Zwave and Zigbee), home assistant, and smartthings.
When creating a smart home, you might consider upgrading various appliances with internet-connected hardware. That way, you can utilize smart home control and automation. Samsung’s SmartThings is a means of connecting smart home devices. Using SmartThings, you’ll be able to sync with smart bulbs, security cameras, thermostats, and more. This … read more
Home Assistant (HASS) one of the best open-source home automation platforms available today, other than maybe OpenHAB. This python based smart home automation platform integrates with over 1000 services and components, making it significantly more versatile than commercial smart home hubs such as SmartThings, Wink, or Vera. However, one of … read more
Smart homes and smart home automation continue to flourish. With a bevy of connectivity options, Samsung SmartThings is one of the top options. It’s compatible with tons of devices including light bulbs, thermostats, and security cameras. Samsung SmartThings centers on a required hub. This acts as the heart of a … read more
While there are tons of smart home connectivity technologies, Samsung SmartThings ranks among the best. A bevy of hubs including the SmartThings Link for the NVIDIA Shield TV make cobbling together a smart home simple. Additionally, SmartThings supports loads of devices, from smart speakers to door locks, security cameras, and … read more
Home Assistant is by far the best home automation software I have used. One thing that would make it even better is if I could control home assistant with Google Home. The biggest advantage of Smart Home hubs such as SmartThings, Wink, etc., over home assistant, was the integration with … read more
In this post, I will show you how to easily add an animated weather radar on Home Assistant. Home Assistant can track and control and automate all your devices at home. With the by adding a weather map on home assistant, you will have one more piece of information about … read more
Smart home technology offers many benefits. Namely, there’s ample opportunity for smart home automation. This works through device connectivity, where smart home gadgets communicate and trigger various events. While there are many communication protocols, Samsung SmartThings delivers top-notch compatibility. Since it functions with many protocols including Zigbee and Z-Wave, Samsung … read more
In the smart home space, devices connect using various protocols. Z-Wave is a radio frequency (RF) protocol which provides connectivity and interoperability between individual gadgets. It’s similar to Wi-Fi or Zigbee. Loads of devices utilize the Z-Wave protocol, from security cameras to door locks. Z-wave components are an essential part … read more
One of the easiest upgrades for a smart home is a smart thermostat. Though Nest and Ecobee are among the most popular options available, Z-Wave is a solid contender. Nest is a “learning” thermostat that can automatically learn your habits and adjust the home conditions automatically. Ecobee, on the other … read more