TECH HOME SPECIAL .....................Home, Smart Home

Home, Smart Home





Imagine an apartment where you can control all the lights using your smartphone; with cameras that keep an eye on your property when you aren't around, sensors that detect when someone enters a room, power points that inform you of energy consumption, and robots that start cleaning your apartment as soon as you leave for work. Well, all of this technology is already here. It isn't too expensive, and the best part is you can set it all up yourself within a few hours...

SMART LIGHTS

Besides creating ambience and highlighting home décor, the right kind of lighting helps you relax after a hard day at work, and it can even aid in overall wellbeing and mindfulness. But this does not mean you'll need to install a whole range of bulbs with varying wattage and colours. Simply consider the iota Lite (`1,899 per piece).

Download the iota Lite app on your Android or iOS device, turn on Bluetooth, fit the bulb into a standard bulb holder, and switch it on. The app automatically seeks out iota bulbs within Bluetooth range and allows you to connect to them with a single tap.

The bulb by itself is capable of 16-million colours. And you can change to whichever colour you want by using the app. You can set the lights to blink for selective calls and SMS notifications, sync it with your weather app for mood lighting, dull or brighten its luminance, and even pulsate in time with your music to create a party atmosphere.

Alternatively , you could consider the Philips Hue Starter Kit (`15,472; `3,647 per extra bulb). What you get is a box that comprises three Hue bulbs and the Hue Bridge that connects directly to your Wi-Fi router via an (included) RJ45 cable. Set up is simple, and you can use the Hue app to give each lamp in the room a different colour to create an ambience.

While the iota light is a fantastic budget option that can be controlled via Bluetooth, the Wi-Fi-based Philips Hue scores over it in the number of smart apps and bulb options that are available. Both brands come with alarm and timer features, and promise a bulb life of around 15,000 hours. You can, of course, add more bulbs to your system whenever you want ­ all controlled from your smartphones and tablets.

http:www.goiota.com | http:www2.meethue.com

REMOTE SURVEILLANCE

or security, you could consider the F D-Link Cloud Camera ­ DCS-933L (`3,999) to be your eyes while you are away .With this device, you will be able to login remotely through the mydlink Lite app (Android, iOS and Windows Phone) to get a live video feed of your home.

Set up is fairly simple: it requires you to make a one-time connection with a PC and follow the installation process from the included CD.

Once the camera is installed, you will not need the computer. Just ensure it is connected to a power source and a wiredwireless network with web access.

With the app, you will be able view a live feed, receive snapshots, video clips and e-mail notifications whenever it detects motion. You can check in even when the room is dark. Infrared sensors on the Cloud Camera are capable of providing night vision up to 15 feet and a built-in mic lets you hear what's going on. You can configure the image and video quality to conserve bandwidth usage as well.

http:www.dlink.co.in

WIRELESS SOUND

Another way to add the smarts to your home is to use Bluetooth speakers to play music wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet. Or, you could use the fantastic speakers from your old stereo system. For the latter, you would need the D-Link Wi-Fi Audio Extender ­ DCH-225M (`2,899).

This device not only allows you to wirelessly stream music to the speakers connected to it, but it even acts as a wireless range extender, strengthening Wi-Fi signals in places where you got weak or no coverage.

First, plug the DCH-225M into a power point that is within the existing wireless range of your home network. Then, follow the steps in the installation man ual to set it up. Once you're done, you will see the device name appear as a Wi-Fi hotspot when you search for net works on your lap top or smartphone.

This Wi-Fi point can be used for in ternet access in places where you didn't get a signal earlier.

Now, the DCH-22M also comes with a 3.5mm audio port on its underside. Connect your old speakers to this port. To play music from your phone, connect to the new extended Wi-Fi hotspot. You will also need a music app that supports the DLNA standard (we used BubbleUPnP) or Airplay on iOS to stream music.

http:www.dlink.co.in

PLUGS & SENSORS

Did you know that your regular power outlet can be converted into a smart point without any rewiring?
D-Link's mydlink Wi-Fi SmartPlug ­ DSP-W215 (`3,750) will do just that for you. Its set-up is a little long-winded and requires a couple of tries to get it working. Also, the Smart Plug requires a large, 15A socket ­ the type that's usually used for larger appliances like microwave ovens, fridges and air conditioners.

But once it is connected to your Wi-Fi network, you can switch it on or off via the mydlink Home app for Android and iOS devices.

Using your phone, you can also set on-off schedules and monitor energy consumption. The plug itself includes a thermal sensor that cuts the power if it starts overheating.

You can control multiple SmartPlugs via the app and also set “triggers“ to activate more than one appliance when you walk into a room. To do this, pair the SmartPlug with D-Link's Motion Sensor ­ DCH-S150 (`3,750).

This little device (set up is similar to the SmartPlug) detects mo tion up to 26 feet around it to send alerts to your phone, mailbox and even to the SmartPlug. Using the app, for instance, you can use the Motion Sensor to switch on the air conditioning whenever you walk into a room.

http:www.dlink.co.in

CLEANING ROBOTS

The Milagrow BlackCat 3.0 (`26,990) is a robot that will clean your floors, with minimal human intervention.Besides a vacuumcleaning mechanism, it is kitted with a side brush to loosen dirt, a UV light for disinfection and fine-mesh HEPA filters that trap particles like pollen and dust mites. It also comes with a Velcro damp mop attachment that can be peeled off, washed and used again.All the dirt is collected in a 400ml bag-less dustbin, which is easy to detach and clean.

The BlackCat is fitted with multiple sensors to detect obstacles and avoid collisions. In fact, it is smart enough not to fall off a flight of stairs or the edge of a table. That said, it's capable of climbing on and off a slightly raised platform of up to 20mm. And if you don't want it to stray beyond a certain area, just place the included infrared beacon on the floor to create a “virtual wall“.

Using its remote, you can set the BlackCat's speed, choose a cleaning mode ­ spot spiral, zig-zag, wall-to-wall, or auto ­ and program a daily schedule as well. The remote uses radio frequency (RF) instead of infrared, so it can be controlled even when it is not in direct line-of-sight. It can vacuum up to a 3,500 square-foot area before requiring a recharge, and when it is low on battery , it will return to its charging dock for a recharge.

Milagrow's bot isn't the only one around. There's the iRobot Roomba 600 series (starting at `32,900) that boasts of similar features except the scheduling option and the UV light disinfection system. And also the Samsung VC SR8900 (`44,900), which comes with some nifty features: it can scan and map an efficient route around a room and empty its dustbin into an enclosure in its docking station.

milagrowhumantech.com | irobot.in | samsung.comin

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

This is about the only device where you'll require professional help from an electrician to set up. Once installed inside any existing 6to 8-module switchboard and connected wirelessly to your Wi-Fi router ­ the Pert 8-Node (`5,999) allows you to use your smartphone to switch lights and appliances on or off from anywhere in your home, or even from any other location, provided there is a working internet connection.

Each switch can also be configured ­ via the Pert app for Android and iOS ­ to work as a light dimmer so you can create the perfect ambience in your home.

More importantly , you can use the app to view the energy consumption of all your utilities.

The Pert website has detailed step-bystep instructions along with an accompanying video to help with installation.

http:www.pert.me

Savio D'Souza & Ashutosh Desai

TNN

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