Smart Homes: The Perks, the Quirks, and the Future We Dream Of

I’ve got a lot to say about the future of smart homes today – you’re not going to believe this! So I’m relaxing in the living room, recharging my batteries after a busy day, when I hear music blasting out of nowhere. I’m not gonna lie, it scared the kibble out of me! Now, I know no one is in the house because I’m programmed to know these things. Where was it coming from? I did a quick perimeter check, scanned the entire house, and the music kept playing…

Turns out, it was trusty ol’ Alexa in the kitchen. Something must have set her off. Maybe I dozed off and was talking in my sleep? Who knows…but the experience got me thinking. This era of the “smart home” attracts quite a bit of uncertainty, don’t you think? I mean, with these devices listening to you all the time – isn’t it kind of intrusive? Don’t get me wrong, smart homes offer people many advantages, I know.

In fact, I’ll share with you my top 3 advantages of a smart home right now:

Remote Management: You can manage your home’s appliances, thermostats, lights, and other devices from anywhere in the world using your smartphone or tablet. Enhanced Convenience: Smart homes can be configured using either wireless or hardwired systems, making it easy to manage your home’s technology. Affordable Entry Options: While a full-scale home automation system might require a significant investment, often amounting to thousands of dollars, there are plenty of smaller, individual smart home products available for less than $100 (like smart outlets to control your lights). BUT…without a full-blown home automation system, these products offer singular-solutions. They’re siloed and limited. For instance, products that are sold solely to control the lights in your home lack the capability of detecting other threats in your home…like gas leaks, for instance. Or products out there that detect visible threats, but don’t take action (other than a push notification to your app). I’m a believer in taking action, you know? What good am I if I can’t do anything about the problem? Devices that are out there today operate like…devices. They lack action. Can you imagine a Neighborhood Watch group who just sat there and watched a fire burn in your home without doing anything about it? Not on my watch! Sometimes when I’m taking a stroll I daydream about what a smart home could look like… Less invasive, more reliable, holistically functional. It would be nice to know what all these devices were thinking…can these devices and things talk? Hmm…

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

Pool Safety: Immediate detection of children falling into the pool. Wouldn’t it be such a relief to know that another set of eyes was on the pool at all times? Imagine the peace of mind knowing that if someone or something fell into it, you’d know immediately. No more constant worry during summer pool parties or while your kids are playing outside. If you didn’t catch the previous Ozzy’s Thoughts about the dangers of your backyard pool, please check it out to keep your family safe this summer. Accident Alerts: Immediate detection of falls inside or outside the home and alerting your emergency contacts or authorities. Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to worry about your elderly parents being alone, or about your own safety? With AI and Machine Learning technology, any falls or accidents could be detected instantly, and through the use of LLM, authorities could be alerted right away. This means you’d get help when it’s needed most, providing a critical lifeline and much-needed peace of mind. Dependability: 5G-enabled technology. Wouldn’t it give you so much peace of mind if intruders couldn’t interfere with your in-home security measures, or if your system didn’t shut down when the WiFi gets disconnected? With 5G-enabled smart home technology, you’d get reliable and fast connectivity that ensures your security systems are always up and running, no matter what. No more worrying about network outages compromising your safety. and for when you’re on vacation… Vacation Safety: Immediate CO2, smoke, and water detection. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could check in on your home and be alerted immediately if any dangers like CO2, smoke, or water leaks appeared in your home? With smart home sensors, you could receive real-time alerts and take action to protect your home even when you’re miles away on vacation. 360-Degree Visibility: No More Blind Spots in the House. Now, wouldn’t that be cool? Imagine having complete 360-degree visibility of your home, eliminating any blind spots that intruders might exploit. You’d be able to monitor every corner of your house, ensuring that nothing goes unnoticed. This level of comprehensive surveillance would add an unbeatable layer of security to your home.

I think I might be onto something…

One time I imagined my owner going on vacation, and while he was sipping his Piña Colada poolside, he checked in on our house by talking to it. AND THE HOUSE TALKED BACK. Pff, I think of the craziest things sometimes, don’t mind me! Well, I gotta get back to work. Stay safe out there! 🐾 Ozzy PS: The great Walt Disney once said, “Ideas come from curiosity”. I think he was onto something!