Thursday, February 18, 2021

10 Fun and Festive Amazon Alexa Features to Try This Christmas

If a hub is required to use a smart device that you're gifting to someone else, I'd recommend buying it as part of the gift, unless the recipient already has one. If you want to give someone a SwitchBot Bot and they don't have a Hub, then they won't be able to control it through their phone, which may affect whether they'll use the gift or not. This is especially true forPhilips Huedevices that won't connect to WiFi unless you also have the Hue Bridge. Don't give someone a single Philips Hue bulb unless they already have a hub or are planning to buy it. This is a highly compatible smart switch, easily controlled through Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, SmartThings, and Ring with the included hub.

smart home alexa ideas

First Alert has been making home safety devices for decades, but the Onelink Safe & Sound could be its most innovative one yet. It's a reliable smoke sensor and carbon monoxide detector with a 10-year battery backup, as well as an Alexa-enabled speaker. Many brands, like Bose and Ecobee, sell various smart devices with Alexa. The fourth-gen Echo is a great choice to act as a control panel for the rest of the connected home devices.

Best Smart Sprinkler Controller

As an added bonus, this model also allows buyers to use Google Assistant instead of Alexa if they prefer. Sign up for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products & services — delivered weekly to your inbox. The Ring Pro 2 is an excellent addition to your home security system. It will satisfy all your basic needs, while also adding a bit of flare to your smart home. As we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.

Flic – Control home appliances and other smart devices with just your voice. Climate comfort.When a motion sensor detects motion, Alexa can automatically turn on the fan. This is a good routine to turn on in the summertime, especially for a room that is always hot. When someone walks in, it will turn on the fan at whatever percentage you specify.

A car USB charger with extra smarts

Steven also has a background in film criticism, having reviewed over 400 movies and TV shows. He uses his movie industry knowledge to help inform his coverage of the streaming and home entertainment markets. Steven is a Tech Editor for the Insider Reviews team, where he oversees streaming and home entertainment product coverage. He previously served as High-Def Digest's Gear Editor from 2013 to 2019, and his work has appeared on Ben's Bargains, Steve's Digicams, Big Picture Big Sound, and Consequence of Sound.

smart home alexa ideas

Other smart units monitor for leaks and alert you if they detect an issue. Some smart security devices can send an emergency text to a friend or relative if you are in trouble and need assistance, as well as contact the authorities. Making lights flash and change colors in different patterns while you’re entertaining to create a fun, festive atmosphere. One of the most exciting aspects of a smart home is that it’s completely customizable.

Giving or receiving gift cards? The BBB warns about …

Many models are equipped with a dual-mode feature that allows both human and animal use. No matter what stage of development your home automation system is in, you’ll love these ideas for how to make your space even more convenient and user-friendly. If you’re using another smart hub, the process may vary slightly, but the general steps are similar. Explore these options and make your smart home as unique as you are. Now that your new smart home is connected, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your connected world.

One idea we saw on YouTube was to say “intruder alert” if you know someone is in the house. This could trigger an announcement such as “I’m calling the police” or something similar. The YouTube video did this more as a joke, but there could definitely be some real use cases here for using announcements in emergency situations.

Essentially, this routine ensures your home is quiet, locked up, and saving money while you’re away. Best of all, you can set it for when the last family member leaves home, so your kids can head out after you do, and you can be sure everything is locked up as it should be. Implement smart home interfaces in your Alexa skill to enable device functionality for users. For a list of Smart Home APIs for difference skill types, see Smart Home Skill Types. For ideas about how to combine Alexa interfaces in different products, see Get Started with Device Templates. For the definitions of the message properties, see Alexa Interface Message and Property Reference.

smart home alexa ideas

Alexa.SmartVision.ObjectDetectionSensor – Users can receive notifications when their smart-vision device detects an object. Alexa.RangeController – Model properties of a device that the user can set to one of a range of values. Alexa.MotionSensor – For devices that can sense physical movement in an area. Alexa.InventoryLevelUsageSensor – You can report the approximate usage of a consumable installed in your device.

I take great care in my home's temperature so as not to overwork the HVAC system and to not end up paying too much in energy bills. A pioneering recommendation platform where you can research, discover, buy, and learn how to connect and optimize smart devices. Alexa.SceneController – Users can activate or deactivate multiple smart home devices that are grouped together into a scene. Alexa.BrightnessController – Users can control the brightness of devices, such as light bulbs. Anyone who needs coffee to start their day should consider the Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker. You can use voice controls to turn it on and off and adjust brew strength.

smart home alexa ideas

Alexa.DoorbellEventSource – For devices that can raise doorbell events. Alexa.AutomationManagement – For devices that support automation, such as thermostats. I like to keep my lighting simple with a warm light yellow hue, but don’t let me stop you from working on spreadsheets or drafting up a presentation in club vibes with neon pink or green lighting. You can skip out on a waterproof speaker and install this showerhead with a built-in speaker, instead. The Kohler Moxie Alexa-enabled Showerhead is a rechargeable device that adjusts its volume to the acoustics around you.

Best for kids

You can let your teenager decide what to use it for -- even if it's simply to turn off a light or fan without having to get out of bed. This SwitchBot Bot is a compact little robot that presses buttons for you. If you lose whatever your AirTag is attached to away from home, you can put it in Lost Mode, so you'll get tracking notifications when it's detected in the Find My app. AirTags are IP67 certified, making them water and weatherproof for versatility of use. It's one of the best keyless entry options for upgrading your existing door lock. It only replaces the thumb-turn on the inside of your door, so you can keep your existing lock , too.

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