UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | Rich and famous Real Muloodi’s are fitting out their homes with amazing technology, transforming their mansions into ‘smart’ homes’, like the UGX36 Billion Luxurious Ruparelia Residence and Hamis Kiggundu’s 5M USD Mansion.
But what are ‘smart homes’, and why would you want one?
A smart home is a teched-out home, equipped with household devices that can connect to the internet and communicate, send you information, and take your commands. This goes beyond computers and smartphones, and includes household items such as speakers, lights, doorbells, cameras, window blinds, appliances, and more.
Smart homes allow you to automate tasks you would normally have to do yourself. An example could be your coffee machine automatically turning on in the morning and brewing you a fresh pot of coffee as you wake up.
Homeowners can operate smart devices with mobile/computer apps, voice commands, automation, or artificial intelligence. These smart devices may be inbuilt to the house, or added or upgraded later.
Not only do they make life more convenient, switching to smart home automation can also increase your property value. According to a study by Coldwell Banker and Vivint, more and more home buyers are attracted to homes equipped with smart technology. Smart home functionality can both drive the price up higher, and help you sell your home faster.
Smart home automation is not just for the rich and famous, it is where the world is headed. Subsequently, more companies are bringing smart technology to Uganda. Many audio-visual professionals can help you tech-out your home, or you can work with a company that specialises in smart home technology, like Smart Home Automation East Africa (SHAEA).
There are various ways in which your homes can become “smarter”. Let’s explore some of the things you can do with smart home technology.
Smart Speakers
A smart speaker, like Google Nest, is a virtual assistant that can understand what is being said and act upon it. Smart speakers allow you to control the smart tech around your home with your voice. From turning on or off smart lights or your smart TV, to setting reminders, compiling your shopping list, scheduling meetings, as well as providing information like the weather forecast, time, date and more. You can also stream your favorite music on command.
Smart Lights
Smart lights can help you conserve energy, as well as provide convenience. You can control them through apps on your phone, or through voice commands through your Google Nest smart speaker. You can automate, control, and dim lights with no physical switch at all. You can group lights together by room or location, and control them all at once. The lights also provide a sense of security if you schedule a time for them to turn on and off, making it look like you are home even when you are not! They can also change colors; with Smart LED Color Bulbs, you can say “Hey, Google, turn the living room lights blue,” and instantly get bathed in a calming aqua glow.
Smart Plugs
Similarly, smart plugs can also be controlled using an app or voice, whereby any devices or appliances plugged into a socket can be turned on or off. With automation, you can set appliances to automatically turn on at a specified time… There’s nothing like the smell of freshly brewed coffee as you wake up in your cozy bed the morning!
Smart Doorbells
A smart doorbell with a built-in camera can help you screen welcome and unwelcome guests. Google Nest Doorbell can record footage 24/7; will recognize family and friends; and can send person, motion, and sound alerts, all when combined with a Nest Aware subscription. If you have a Google Home smart speaker, you can get audio alerts when your smartphone isn’t handy. It also provides a live feed that can be viewed on any other Google Home Hub or Chromecast-enabled device.
Robot Vacuums
How does a robot vacuum sound? You no longer have to suffer manually dragging around a traditional vacuum to clean your floors. The iRobot Roomba works with Google Assistant, so you can make it start, stop, pause, resume, and go home using voice commands. Or, you can set it to clean at a particular time of the day, and dock itself back on its charging station when it is done.
Smart Locks
Can’t remember if you locked your door before going to bed? With a smart lock, you can just ask Google what the door’s status is. Lost your keys? No problem, you don’t need any! Set unique code for each member of the family, and you can even set temporary codes for guests.
Smart Cameras
Smart security is a must for a smart home. With a Nest Aware subscription, you can get a live feed from your home when you are not there. You can also record activity and person alerts. Further, it can pair with Google Home to bring up live views on a Google Home Hub, Chromecast, or any device with Chromecast built in. It can also trigger warnings by playing loud music or turning on lights to scare off an intruder.
Chrome Cast
Lastly, the Google Chromecast is the perfect addition to your entertainment system. Easily plugged into your TV’s HDMI port, you can access content from several platforms such as Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu. You can also use your phone or computer to operate the TV, and never have to look for a remote ever again.
These are just some of the luxuries smart homes can bring. Smart homes provide buyers with comfort, higher property value, and utmost convenience at their fingertips.
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