Summary
How to turn any ‘dumb’ device into a smart one.. Thermostats that regulate the temperature while you sleep, sprinkler systems that irrigate your grass according to the weather, and lights that switch on automatically when you return home from work: There appears to be a new device out there these days that may help you use the internet to automate or control every job in and around your house.
How to turn any ‘dumb’ device into a smart one
However, what if you still want the advantages of a smart home but don’t want to part with your current gadgets? It’s simple. We’ll guide you through the steps.
We at tkgap assist you in getting the most out of your technology in addition to providing device protection and repairs. Here’s our approach to turning any device into a smart one, including inexpensive devices that you can buy and set up quickly.
Get a smart hub
Your smart home’s brain is this gadget. It connects all of your smart devices to the internet wirelessly. Many hubs include a voice assistant, such as Google AssistantTM, Siri® from Apple, or AlexaTM from AmazonTM. These assistants let you operate your technology without depending on an app on your phone by asking a simple question, such as “Alexa, turn on the TV” or “Siri, turn off the lights.”
Make sure your smart home is protected
Your smart home’s brain is this gadget. It connects all of your smart devices to the internet wirelessly. Many hubs include a voice assistant, such as Google AssistantTM, Siri® from Apple, or AlexaTM from AmazonTM. These assistants let you operate your technology without depending on an app on your phone by asking a simple question, such as “Alexa, turn on the TV” or “Siri, turn off the lights.”
Make use of smart plugs
Curious in how to add intelligence to nonsmart devices? Purchasing a few smart plugs is the simplest thing to do after obtaining your hub. These are the easiest and least costly method to upgrade a conventional appliance, such as a humidifier, slow cooker, or light, to a smart one, and they cost less than $50 per.
All you have to do is put in a smart plug, connect it to your WiFi network, and install the software on your smartphone. After that, as long as you have an internet connection, you may use your phone to operate your appliance from anywhere by connecting it to the smart plug.
If you own a smart hub, voice commands may also be used with smart plugs. See our guide to smart plugs and this explanation of how and why they can save you money for more information.
Use smart bulbs to upgrade your illumination
With just a few fast clicks on your phone or a voice command (if you have a hub or standalone voice assistant), you can switch on and off your smart bulbs at any time, from any location. In order to help you save money and energy, you may dim smart lights, group them together by room or zone, and even sync them with music.
It’s easy to set up a smart bulb: You may now proceed by simply screwing it in and downloading the bulb’s app onto your smartphone. Though certain brands and types are more costly, most smart bulbs cost around $15 and last at least two to three years longer than regular ones.
Add a smart thermostat to your HVAC system to upgrade it
Traditional thermostats, which use a device mounted on the wall to manually adjust the temperature in your house, are well known to all of us. Purchase a smart thermostat to have greater control. After connecting to your Wi-Fi, it builds a climate plan for your house based on your schedule, preferred temperature, and the weather to save energy when you’re away or asleep.
The price range for a smart thermostat is $60 to $400, but whatever end of the spectrum you choose, you’ll probably be able to recoup most of that money in the first few years of ownership. Make sure your HVAC system is compatible with a smart thermostat by visiting the manufacturer’s website before making any purchases. Here’s all the information you need to convert to a smart thermostat if you want to learn more.
Create a smart TV by using streaming devices.
You have streamed material if you have viewed a YouTubeTM video on your laptop or a NetflixTM episode on your tablet: It’s just using your computer, phone, or TV to see or listen to audio or video information that’s available online.
To convert a conventional TV into a smart TV, you will need a media streaming gadget such as:
- Google TVTM with Chromecast®.
- Stick AmazonTM Fire TVTM.
- Apple TV.
- Roku® 4K.
By connecting your TV to the internet, you may stream music, movies, TV programs, and live TV. While some gadgets cost more than $100, some are less than $50. Remember that the majority of these products are compatible with TVs manufactured after 2005 as long as they include an HDMI port; however, you may need to purchase an affordable HDMI-to-AV adaptor for earlier TVs.
See our guides to streaming and the top streaming devices for further information.
