The Smart Home

In this episode, Wes and Scott talk about the Smart Home — all the different tech available, how it works together, pitfalls to avoid, hardware, software, and more!

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Show Notes

2:25 - The tech

Wifi devices
Zigbee
- Can operator on low power
- Usually Cheaper
- Water Sensor, door sensor, temperature
iOS
- HomeKit sucks
- You need an Apple TV or iPad to access outside of your house

9:13 - Controlling your smart home

Smart Things
Home Assistant
- Host your own
- Lots of add-ons
- You need to babysit it
Android
- Google Assistant
Google Pixel squeeze to assistant is way better than saying “Hey Google”.
Google Home
- Google Home is awesome
- Custom sayings with IFTTT
- Custom via Routines
Alexa

23:52 - Software

Stringify
IFTTT
- Basic automations
- Makers accounts
- Web hooks to trigger actions
Homebridge
- Make non-iOS stuff work with HomeKit
- Swipe up control is nice

28:15 - Hardware

Light Switches
- Leviton
- Lutron
Bulbs
- LIFX
- Philips Hue
  - AMAZING
  - Much cheaper now than before
Blinds
Chromecast — turn the TV off
Plugs
- Wemo
- Leviton
- Sonoff
Power strip
- Change each plug or have timers
Thermostat
Cameras
- Ring Doorbells
- Ring Flood Light Camera
  - Super slow to open the app
- Wyze cameras
  - Small one
  - Larger Panning Camera
Mesh Wifi
- Google Wifi
- Amplifi
Fire Alarms / CO2
- Nest Protect
- Dumb
- Lithium
Garage Door Opener
Non-connected “smart items”
- Solar powered lights on a timer. No app needed, no WiFi connection needed
- Roomba - meh. We play “find the body” when it comes home.
- Locks - Code based lights

67:32 - What we want in the future

Scott
- Motion sensors
- Door sensors
- Locks
- Blinds
- More bulbs
Wes
- Fireplace
- Constantly recording cameras
- Sensors galore
  - Windows open
  - Doors open
  - Garage door
- Zigbee Hub
- Xiaomi Sensors
  - Gear Best

××× SIIIIICK ××× PIIIICKS ×××

Scott: Philips Hue
Wes: All the recommendations from above

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