1. Do your research

1. Do your research
JB Hi-Fi

Whether you’re looking to start installing Connected Home products, or updating or adding to what you already have, finding out as much as you can about each product and how they work together is always good advice. The first thing you’ll notice is how easy it is to be connected. The future is clearly here, and it’s all surprisingly simple. All Connected Home products rely on a hub, or a central point of control. This is where you can turn everything on and off, program start and finish times, and find out all the information you need. The three big products in this space are Google Assistant, Apple Siri and Amazon Alexa.

By themselves they connect to the web to make finding out the latest news, weather and traffic conditions, or any information you need, easy. You can also make phone calls, organise your day and play your music, all with just your voice. These virtual assistants can also be the hub or your home, by connecting them to your smart lights, security systems, appliances, speakers and even your power points. They enable you to control all these things just with your voice, or your smart device from anywhere in the world. What you’ll also discover when you research virtual assistants is how well priced they all are, especially when you think about what they can do.

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1. Install it at your own pace

1. Install it at your own pace
JB Hi-Fi

One of the great things about having a Connected Home is that you don’t have to do it all at once. You can take your time and install new products as you need them, or when you feel comfortable. By starting with the core technology – the smart speakers or home hubs – you have the basis for everything you need. If you need to replace an appliance, or want to upgrade, JB Hi-Fi has a huge range of smart options to choose from.

They stock smart fridges, washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, dryers, air conditioners, wireless speakers and a big range of smart power options, including lights. So, what’s the difference between these and regular appliances? The main difference is you can control them all from the one spot, whether that’s your home or your smart phone or device.

You can turn your lights on without leaving your bed, or before you enter a room, or you can program them to come on whenever you want. And coming home to a warm or cold house without having to leave your heater or air conditioner on all day is a great energy-saving feature. You can even control your TV, and what you watch or record, without having to lift a finger.

However, if you’re building a home or renovating, you can install it all at once. Most new-home builders will offer Connected Home packages as part of their service. If you’re renovating one room or a whole house, speak with JB Hi-Fi about what you can do.

1. Think about security

1. Think about security
JB Hi-Fi

Having a Connected Home is not just about appliances. It can also have a very serious, and important, component – safety. Security cameras are simple to install and connect, and you can monitor them wherever you are. You can simply clip-on or suction most of the cameras, giving you the flexibility of moving them wherever you want whenever you want. You can buy just one, or a whole system, and link them all to your Wi-Fi and smart phone or device. You can even link them all to your TV and monitor them from your sofa. Smart doorbells also enable you to talk to whoever is at your front door, without even being home. That’s an obvious security advantage but it’s also great for parcel delivery. JB Hi-Fi also sells a range of smart baby monitors, giving you that extra peace of mind when you have young children.

4. It’s not just for humans

4. It’s not just for humans
JB Hi-Fi

Connected Home technology is not just for humans. There’s a huge range of products for your pets, allowing you to do everything from keep an eye on them when you’re not home, to monitoring how much they eat every day. You can even speak to them when you’re not there, all through your phone, and flick them treats when they behave. And you can use all the footage to share your pet’s best bits online.

5. Make sure it’s all compatible

5. Make sure it’s all compatible
JB Hi-Fi

When you decide to create a Connected Home, the key is to make sure everything you want is compatible and works together. When you search for the product you want at JB Hi-Fi, you can do it by compatibility, filtering all the products that work with each hub or control speaker. And, of course, all you need to make it all work is an internet connection and Wi-Fi.

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