WHEN WE ARRIVE home, we just need to say the word and the lights activate, the heating turns on, and Pink Floyd starts playing on our HomePods. If you didn't know about smart home tech and Apple's version of it, HomeKit, you might think that our house was running on magic... But, while it may look like some form of wizardry. smart home tech is more practical than that.
Smart homes are now more affordable and user-friendly than ever before. If you want a thermostat that can turn the heating on when you're heading home, smart lights that do different things at particular times of day, or a hose that waters your lawn when you're away, today's smart homes can do all that and more. In this feature we'll show you what's available, and how you can add new enhancements to your humble abode. From high-tech home entertainment to smart security, everything you need to know is right here.
If the tech here seems a bit too expensive, or more elaborate than what you need, don't worry; there are simpler offerings. You can get plenty of app-controlled options, so for example most wireless security cameras have an accompanying iPhone app, as do Bluetooth-controlled smart bulbs and lights.
A HomeKit hub
What you'll need...
> From $99 > www.apple.com
A hub handles the communication between your HomeKit accessories and your Home app, and Apple currently makes three products that you can use as a hub: the secondgeneration HomePod, the HomePod mini, and the Apple TV 4K.
A smart home bridge
> $59.99 > www.philips-hue.com
Some products, such as Hue smart bulbs, don't let you access all their best features unless you connect them via a bridge; this is a wireless hub that connects to your Wi-Fi router and adds Hue to your network.
A Thread border router
This story is from the May 2024 edition of Mac Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2024 edition of Mac Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro
Get your iPhone to follow your every move
Death Stranding Director's Cut
An outstanding horror tale
AirPods 4 with ANC
A new design and Active Noise Cancellation
iPhone 16 Pro
Bigger and better in almost every way
Apple, AirPods & your hearing health
Can AirPods Pro really be an effective alternative to traditional hearing aids?
What's next?
More Apple product releases and upgrades to come
KIT OUT YOUR HOME OFFICE
Create the perfect working environment in your own space
Create great movies now!
Turn your video clips into slickly edited stories with pro production values
Say hello to...macOS Sequoia
What’s new in macOS 15? What is Apple Intelligence, and what can it do for you: Will my Mac be able to run it? We tell you all this and more
Philips VoiceTracer Pen
Capture recordings and convert speech to text