Presenting

A smart home is one that anticipates its owners' needs, takes worry off the table and makes living in it as convenient as possible. Perhaps the most well- known example of this—besides in slick sci-fi films—is Bill Gates' multi-million-dollar abode. Every member of the household (including guests!) has lighting, temperature and music preferences input into the home's main system so they can be detected as he or she moves from room to room, and can be accommodated accordingly. Similarly, the basic watering needs of a decades-old maple on the Gates' property are closely monitored electronically so the tree is never in danger of becoming too dry. While these are extreme examples of the potential functionality of a smart home, the concept stands—equip the home with the capability of making life easier. Of course, the real question is…do such high-tech advancements really achieve that goal, or only succeed in making things too complicated? HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED In recent years, the science involved in automation has become more streamlined, and of course, with the prevalence of smartphones and the average person's familiarity with its capabilities, including apps of all varieties, the technology is not quite as intimidating as it once was. The industry has recognized that simplification is key. In order to want to take advantage of the capabilities now made possible, manipulation of those capabilities—including programs, settings, options, etc.—must be user-friendly. A LOOK AT THE TECHNOLOGY According to the GSMA, the global trade body for the mobile industry, the connected home market is estimated to grow to $44 billion in 2017. Assuming that most homes will employ some form of these new technologies, let's take a look at the basic options available. It's sometimes difficult to imagine a world in which cell phones were not as prevalent as they are today, but innovators were dreaming up ways to create smart homes decades ago. In 1975, a company in Scotland developed X10, which allows compatible products to communicate via existing electrical wiring in your home. Commands are given through a remote control or keypad that transmits the desired messages. An obvious issue with this technology is that electrical lines are already in place to serve a specific purpose; when this additional layer of functionality comes into play, things can get complicated and a bit muddled. For that reason, X10 devices are still in use, but many new systems have been developed over the years to avoid this very problem. Instead of traveling through THE COSTS INVOLVED CAN VARY—ANYWHERE FROM $200 FOR A SIMPLE SET-UP TO AS MUCH AS $250,000 FOR A HIGHLY INTEGRATED SYSTEM. FannieHillman.com | 9

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