4 Cool Tech Products That Will Let You Control Your Home Through Your Smartphone

For a while, consumers have heard about the future of the tech-connected home. Everything from toaster ovens to security systems will connect to the cloud, providing information and automating processes. Imagine a future in which your refrigerator will automatically order milk when you run out.
While refrigerators aren’t quite that advanced, they are becoming increasingly more sophisticated. They are joined by many other features in a person’s home, which now have the ability to communicate with homeowners and other appliances within the house. What’s the best news of all? A homeowner now doesn’t have to pay a home automation company tens of thousands of dollars to make this happen. Many features of a smart home are available online or in your local hardware store for very affordable prices. Here are a few of the most notable.

Nest Learning Thermostat

There’s a reason Google bought Nest, the company’s learning thermostats are considered leaders in home automation. Many other smart technologies use Nest as a communication hub, extending their capabilities and creating a home that works harmoniously through smartphone apps. Once it’s put in place, Nest starts working for a family, learning its daily habits and automatically adjusting its settings accordingly. The company says it can lower a household’s heating and cooling bills by as much as 20 percent.

Ring Video Doorbell

When your doorbell rings, what do you do? Do you creep over and look out the peephole? Try to find a window to peer out? Ring Video Doorbell takes the guesswork out of the process. When your doorbell rings, you’re notified on your smartphone, with video of the person on your doorstep displaying on your screen. If you accept the call, you can speak to the person, whether you’re at home or on the other side of the country, allowing you to communicate with the person without having to answer the door.

LiftMaster Garage Door

If you’ve ever accidentally left home without closing your garage door, you know what a frightening feeling it can be. LiftMaster garage door owners can access the MyQ® Connected Home, which sends an alert to a homeowner’s smartphone if a garage door suddenly opens. Homeowners can also check the status of their garage doors through the app and open or close it remotely.

Belkin WeMo

By now you’ve likely heard of the smartphone-connected slow cooker or iron. The ability to control appliances remotely holds a great deal of value for homeowners. With Belkin’s WeMo Switch, homeowners have access to an adaptor that can be used with any appliance in a home or office, including lights, heaters, fans, and kitchen appliances. Once connected, you can shut power to connected appliances on and off using your smartphone.

Technology is moving at lightning speed, enabling you to access some of the most exciting products on the market. Now you can set your home up to connect to your smartphone without spending a fortune. Over time, you’ll be able to add on to these items and build a truly connected home.