Page 26 - MASALA LITE ISSUE 89 | FEBRUARY 2018

26 TRENDING NOW

A Beginner’s

Guide to a

Smart

Home!

Wondering how to jump on board the smart home

bandwagon? It’s time to stop doubting ourselves and

learn about the diff erent components and devices

that make up one. Tech enthusiast Anand Chawla even

recommends his favourite devices.

GETTING STARTED – THE HUB
What if all the devices in your life could Smart home hubs off er unbeatable
connect to the internet? Not just computers functionality, as they can connect
and smartphones, but everything from clocks, all of your devices to the cloud
speakers, lights, door bells and cameras to and give you one app that acts as
window blinds, hot water heaters, appliances a sort of universal remote. It is
and cooking utensils; whatever you want, you important to weigh a number of
name it! And what if those devices could all considerations before purchasing
communicate, send you information and fulfi l a smart hub. These include, what
your commands? It’s not science fi ction; it’s the wireless protocols is it compatible
Internet of Things (IoT), and it’s a key component with? What devices will work with
of home automation and smart homes. your hub? What about operating
For years, smart home gadgets were systems? Does it operate on voice
largely hypothetical to many of us. But by command, or do you have to control
2017, everything from the Internet of Things to it through an app?
AI-powered assistants and robotic vacuums
have become ubiquitous elements at home.
Clearly, converting an ‘ordinary’ home into a Winner – Google Home
technological wonderland is becoming easier Though, I wrote about this beast in last year’s Masala,
and less expensive. With new players constantly Google Home still remains my all-time favourite for the
releasing new products, it’s also becoming easier following reasons:
to be confused and overwhelmed by all the
options. So in this beginner’s guide to a smart • It’s by far the easiest and most powerful app to use.
home (in Thailand), we’ve picked out some of • It’s compatible with both iOS users and Android
the diff erent components that make up a smart users (more features for the Android users though)
home, what they do and our favourite device for • Fantastic integration with hundreds of smart
each category. home devices.
• There is an all new Google Home Mini for a budget
option (with all the same features) and the
Google Home Max for those who want amazing
sound quality.

Essentially the Google Home can respond to voice
commands, and can both control smart home devices and
stream music. But where the Google Home diff erentiates itself
is in its integration with Google Assistant, which lets you search
for everything and anything. Plus, if you also have a Chromecast
or an Android TV, you can control it via voice through Google
Note to fellow tech enthusiasts – this is a Home.
simple beginner’s guide – and some of the
more advanced and expensive options are Runners up – Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung
intentionally left out. SmartThings, Logitech Harmony

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