Confession: It took us a minute to come around to smart home devices. For starters, it all just sounds so expensive. Not to mention inaccessible (you can't exactly install a smart thermostat if you don't own your apartment). But then we started dabbling, and everything changed. Have you seen one of those smart lightbulbs change ever so subtly from warm golden light to clear bright blue? It's practically magic. The mood shifts whichever way you want it to (yours truly was surprised at how soothing she found barely green light to be). And the room looks different, too. Then there's just the convenience factor of it all: The fact that you can let in a dog walker, check on said dog while he's home alone, turn up the lights if you're on vacation, see what's happening in your driveway, and even adjust the temperature—all from the convenience of your desk chair, or a desert island halfway across the globe…that's incredible. And not weird at all! We might still need some time to get used to talking to our speaker systems, but the rest is a go.
Sound
Get a smart speaker for the main hangout room.
Sure there are bigger, more technologically savvy smart speakers, but for anyone just getting comfortable with the whole "Hey, Google" thing, we recommend this little guy. Because, also, it's adorable and affordable.
SHOP NOW: Google Home Mini, $49, store.google.com
Sure there are bigger, more technologically savvy smart speakers, but for anyone just getting comfortable with the whole "Hey, Google" thing, we recommend this little guy. Because, also, it's adorable and affordable.
SHOP NOW: Google Home Mini, $49, store.google.com
And a waterproof portable smart speaker if you have outdoor space.
Image may contain: Electronics, Speaker, and Audio Speaker
For outdoor spaces—think rooftops, fire escapes, the front stoop—you'd like to turn into fun zones, there are waterproof portable speakers galore. But this one has 360-degree sound and is Alexa compatible!
Confession: It took us a minute to come around to smart home devices. For starters, it all just sounds so expensive. Not to mention inaccessible (you can't exactly install a smart thermostat if you don't own your apartment). But then we started dabbling, and everything changed. Have you seen one of those smart lightbulbs change ever so subtly from warm golden light to clear bright blue? It's practically magic. The mood shifts whichever way you want it to (yours truly was surprised at how soothing she found barely green light to be). And the room looks different, too. Then there's just the convenience factor of it all: The fact that you can let in a dog walker, check on said dog while he's home alone, turn up the lights if you're on vacation, see what's happening in your driveway, and even adjust the temperature—all from the convenience of your desk chair, or a desert island halfway across the globe…that's incredible. And not weird at all! We might still need some time to get used to talking to our speaker systems, but the rest is a go.
Sound Get a smart speaker for the main hangout room. Sure there are bigger, more technologically savvy smart speakers, but for anyone just getting comfortable with the whole "Hey, Google" thing, we recommend this little guy. Because, also, it's adorable and affordable. SHOP NOW: Google Home Mini, $49, store.google.com Sure there are bigger, more technologically savvy smart speakers, but for anyone just getting comfortable with the whole "Hey, Google" thing, we recommend this little guy. Because, also, it's adorable and affordable. SHOP NOW: Google Home Mini, $49, store.google.com And a waterproof portable smart speaker if you have outdoor space. Image may contain: Electronics, Speaker, and Audio Speaker For outdoor spaces—think rooftops, fire escapes, the front stoop—you'd like to turn into fun zones, there are waterproof portable speakers galore. But this one has 360-degree sound and is Alexa compatible!