In an era where anybody can buy an Alexa and a couple of smart lightbulbs, the idea of what a smart home actually is appears to be one of confusion.

It used to mean a fully integrated home, but with the advent of stand-alone devices, people tend to conflate having a couple of smart devices with having a truly smart home.

This confusion will continue, especially now that it's predicted smart device adoption will grow due to the Coronavirus.

According to tech research firm ABI Research, our newfound emphasis of working from home combined with strategies to keep a home safe in a Coronavirus world, will only further increase homeowner's desire for a smart home. It is projected that smart home device sales will increase by 30%.

And the reason is obvious.

Smart homes are generally safer homes, especially when we are battling a virus that can live on surfaces for up to 72 hours. With a smart home, the need to touch things like light switches and thermostats is minimised.

But, despite popular belief, an actual smart home is more than just a few devices working with a smart speaker.

An Alexa plus a smart plug and a couple of smart bulbs does not a smart home make. A smart home isn’t just a few smart devices sprinkled throughout the house.

A true smart home is when all of those devices work together as one cohesive system. By upgrading components like window shades to smart shades, you not only gain the ability to control them remotely, but also have them communicate with each other and react automatically on your behalf.

All of your shades in the bedroom can open and close at the same time, for example. Or, as the light moves across your windows, one set of shade can lower while the other rises.

A truly integrated smart home system acts intelligently to keep your home energy efficient, safe from intruders, and convenient for you and your family.

Thanks to a central hub and an ecosystem of devices that are built to work together, a true smart home works cohesively and smoothly, and all of your devices work in concert with each other.

It's a home in which you can say, "Good morning" and the lights turn on, the shades open, the thermostat adjusts, and even the coffee starts brewing.

Furthermore, it is a home in which you have both remote and local control, as well a remote and local monitoring. It's a home in which you can check on the family pet as easily as the HVAC while you're at work.

A fully integrated smart home gives you easy control and monitoring over components like:

• Lighting
• TV
• Sound
• Shades
• Climate
• Security system
• HVAC filters
• Fire/smoke alarms
• CO2 detectors
• Water leaks

While we don't currently have smart homes with full artificial intelligence natural language control systems like J.A.R.V.I.S. in Iron Man, those days are not far off. Smart home technology has come a long way in the last 20 years. Voice control and artificial intelligence have made remarkable strides in the last 10 years.

The future is voice. The future is integration. If you're ready to step into the future and take your smart home to the next level, we're here to help. Call today to see how we can upgrade your smart home. 800-878-9705.