These days, it seems like there’s nothing our mobile devices can’t do. The following gadgets and their compatible apps will take your living space into the 21st century. With smart technology and a mobile device to act as a universal remote, these companies offer all you need to turn your house into a smart home.
1. Stack
Stack is the first in responsive light technology. Built-in censors enable Stack's lights to adjust to your needs and home environment, making them more effective in conserving energy than any traditional LED bulbs. These lights also make light switches obsolete because they can sense when a person enters or leaves a room. If everyone goes on vacation, users can track any activity in their homes through an occupancy log on the Stack Lighting app. Actually, forget hiring a house sitter all together because the app has a feature that'll turn lights on and off to mimic your presence while you're gone.
2. Sonos
Home sound systems just got way easier. Sonos offers speakers with amazing sound quality in different sizes with simple set up. The Sonos app turns your phone or tablet into a remote that'll control any speaker in your home. If you want to switch from rock to hip hop, the app allows you to access music from all your digital libraries and hundreds of streaming services all in one place—that means you can queue up songs from Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud, and more to play as one cohesive playlist—without having to switch between streaming services. Oh, and since the speakers and app are connected over your home's wireless network, your jams won't be interrupted by any rings or pings and you can make calls while you listen.
3. EcoBee
Ecobee is THE digital thermostat. Why is it so much better than the rest? It has extra censors to read varying temperatures in different rooms of your house. This technology allows you to regulate the best temperature for your entire home instead of just the room where the thermostat is located. Ecobee gets to know their owners too. After a few times adjusting the device to your favorite temperature, it'll learn and remember preferences and adjust accordingly. The connected app gives users the opportunity to change the temperatures even when you're not home. So, if you want to cool down after a run in the heat, Ecobee can make sure your home is at a cool 68 degrees before you step foot in the door.
