Tag: smart home

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Smart Home

Enter the Portal…

These truly are testing times! Though, what is good to see, is how everyone is trying to stay connected.

I did share in a previous blog post on how you can stay in touch with friends and family – the technology that is available via your mobile phone, tablets (iPads etc..) and computers. But recently, I was asked, what do you do if you don’t want to use your mobile phone or if you want a bigger screen?

Well… then you can either purchase the Portal by Facebook, or Echo Show by Amazon – both are what we call a ‘Smart Display’.

Now – whilst I could go through all the features of both – there is some simple things you need to know first – before making a decision.

Are your friends and family on Facebook? Do they use WhatsApp? Are you on Facebook and WhatsApp? Do you use Facebook Messenger?

If you answered Yes to the above – head over and get yourself the Portal by Facebook. If No – then the Amazon Echo Show is for you.

Now – I’m going to be honest, the Portal is great for video calling, staying in touch – and you can even use ‘Alexa’ commands with the Portal. If your primary goal is to stay in touch, have excellent video calling capabilities and use either Facebook or Whatsapp – this will be great for you.

Yes – you can use a tablet. Yes, you can get this all on an iPad (or something equivalent) but where the Portal is better is in sound and quality. Also there’s some additional features like the camera will follow you and stay focused on you, you don’t need to be holding the phone/tablet to your face as the Portal (not only looks nice) but sits nicely on any worktop, cabinet, table, surface at home.

Now – if you’re worried, oh… the camera will always be watching me… then guess what, you can always turn the camera off

Now… if you don’t use Facebook or WhatsApp or are just worried about Facebook collecting more information and data about you… (but being honest… everyone, everywhere is collecting data about you), then you can look at the Amazon Echo Show. It’s like the Echo… but with a display.

For video calling – the Show uses Skype. So you’ll have to make sure the person you’re calling has skype installed. From personally experience – and talking to friends (not on skype)… it’s not the best video calling platform out there – but it is an option.

So…. want a specific display for video calling, with better sound and video than your phone or tablet…. I would seriously think about the Portal.

Already got a display and want something you can plug into it? … then you can get a Portal that plugs into your TV!

The little device plugs into your TV… and makes the whole TV the display for you to see (and talk to) family and friends.

Again… privacy concerns are addressed…

A few options – to stay connected, stay safe and keep talking.

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Podcast - Bal’s Tech Talk

My 4th Podcast!

I’ll be honest. I thought, I’ll record a few podcasts – not many people will listen and I’ll park the experience.

Fortunately… I’ve had some listeners! 49 plays on my last podcast!!! – Whilst it’s not setting the world on fire, I feel we can continue to grow – and see where this takes us.

So, Ladies and Gentlemen… my 4th Podcast is available from all your favourite podcast apps and places you go to listen to podcasts! – Search for ‘Think Lean Get Digital’ on your Apple Podcast app, Spotify, Google, etc… and SUBSCRIBE! – it makes life so much easier for you… honest 🙂

M&M’s Bal? – Yes… we talk (at the end of the podcast so you have to listen to all of it) about M&M’s….

Leave a review – and let us know what you think! – and oh, that’s Kat and I in the photo above… with some M&M’s!

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Smart Home

Smart Blinds…

I’ll be honest. I wasn’t expecting that much feedback on the ‘Smart Dining Table’! – it was phenomenal!!

“Bal – really? You don’t need a table to be smart. Just be practical!”

“How’s about not having devices on the table – as per the news headlines.”

But my favourite was from my old friend, Hugh… who said “Sensors to detect food and keep plates warm would be progress. However, the purpose of a dining table is to not only enjoy your food, but hopefully engage in conversation with good company. Rather than a wireless charger, perhaps a Faraday layer to block the use of phones?”

That is very true, Hugh. The purpose of the dining table is indeed, to enjoy your food – however, no issue with it being a little smart, right?

So, on Sunday morning – when I was up, I was kindly asked to open the blinds. With a slight roll of the eyes… I did as I was told. I opened the blinds.

Which then got me thinking… Why haven’t I got Smart Blinds?

Is there such a thing, Bal?

YES! – There is!! Ikea!!! They have introduced Smart Blinds… watch the video below… it explains it…

That’s right – you can pop down to your local Ikea. Not only pick up a hotdog… but either the Kadrilj or the Fyrtur Smart Blind!

How awesome is that! – Runs on batteries, connects to your Alexa or Google Home… and you’re up and running!

Now, I will talk more about how Ikea is becoming ‘Smart’ about their home offerings in another blog post.

Back to the blinds. So, this got me thinking… they got to be expensive, right? – Well… not really….

Now… the problem is… I’ve already got blinds fitted.

Do I have to really change all the blinds in the house?

Well.. the answer is No!

That’s right Ladies and Gentlemen… you can retro-fit a device that’ll make your current blinds… SMART!

I know right – I should become a Smart Home Expert!

Manually pulling that string to open or close your blinds will be a thing of the past….

You can buy a device… which has a battery (which lasts for 2 months, and can be charged for a short period of time – or you can leave the charger in – or you can use a solar panel to charge it)… it connects to your phone… it connects to your Alexa or Google Home… and will open and close your blinds for you!

How awesome is this! All the blinds in my home.. can now be Smart!

The only problem is…. some of these devices are new and expensive. The one in the above photo is £130 per device.. but you can buy 2 for £180 and there’s various other promotions on. The more you buy, the cheaper it is…

So there you go… Bal helping your home become smarter. Hugh, what do you think now hey?! 🙂

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Uncategorized

Let yourself in… make a cup of tea

End of last week… Waitrose announced that they will have an option – where delivery drivers come into your home, unpack your shopping… and then leave.

Now, the thought of someone else in my house… does not fill me with confidence.

But let’s look into this in a bit more detail.

Firstly…. Waitrose (may have.. not sure, can’t confirm) read my blog post about Smart Doors. And that Smart Locks you can buy these days.

So, part of this option/trial/experiment… Waitrose will provide you with a Yale Smart Lock (worth £200!)

The lock itself… needs a code to be inputted… and then you can enter.

The code is sent to the delivery driver at the time he needs to enter… it’s a one time code… and can’t be used again.

Now… that is a little better for me.

Also.. the driver will be wearing a camera. So all footbage from the moment the code is entered, to the moment he leaves… is all captured on camera.

The delivery driver will store everything where it needs to do. Fridge items in the fridge. Freezer items in the freezer…..

Now this is only available in South London. And it’s an experiment.

Personally, I think it’s a great idea…. it’s through these experiments and pilots, that ideas can really grow. The great thing here is the time that’s saved for the customer…. Firstly, they don’t even have to be at home!

Looks like we’re moving closer to the automated smart re-filling home.

Want to try it out?

Sure… go to https://www.wya.waitrose.com and apply now!

 

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Uncategorized

Bal, what TV should I buy?

I’m often asked… and rightly so, as I’m a bit of a tech person… what TV should I get Bal?

That’s a great question.

My answer used to be, how big is your room… now it’s more like, what is it you want to watch?

Our behaviours are changing… due to technology! –  We’re watching less TV… you probably knew that, right? – we’re watching more YouTube on our tablets, catching up on episodes via our phones and the short video clips via social media channels such as Facebook.

So, what you’re saying is… I don’t need a new TV Bal?

Well… depends how old your current one is… but ignoring that fact, and based on you asking me… I’m going to say Yes. Yes you do. Yes you do need a new TV.

Why?

Well… whilst it’s great watching clips and short videos on your phone or tablet…. Isn’t it great to watch a film every now and again on a larger screen? What about some sports…. maybe a game of football in 4K? If you have sky sports… you could go multi-screen! Flick between matches and games on the same channel!

Now…. Back to your original question… which TV should I get.

Simple.

Smart. 4K. TV. That’s all you really need. Size of the TV depends on how big your room is.

Now, whilst I won’t go into specific makes and models… because you get what you pay for. If you want more than the standard 2 HDMI ports…. You’ll have to pay more. If you want something with good quality sound… then you’ll have to pay more.

You want it to be SMART – so it connects to your Internet, and you can watch films via your Netflix or other such account… and there’s so much more you can do (you can still watch those YouTube videos without straining your neck at a 45degree angle downwards.

4K – so the quality is there. There is truly a huge difference between HD and 4K.

Now, this is relevant for today.

I’ve seen 8K and was blown away.

But you don’t need anything like that for the moment.

You can pick up a half decent Smart 4K TV 49” for around the £350 mark.

Yes there’s deals and offers – and you can find them cheaper (you can also find them more expensive) – but that’s the approx. price you should be looking at to pay.

You can go fancy, and get a curved one. Is it worth it – the jury’s out on that one.

You could improve sound by getting a sound bar. I would recommend this. Most new TV’s have an optical port – for you to plug your soundbar into. Fast becoming a home cinema.

So… whilst I was unable to answer your original question of what TV… I hope I’ve provided some guidance… to what… and to how much….

I once bought one of my TV’s when I was shopping at Tesco…. no joke! – I went in to buy some Milk and cookies (essentials for bedtime)… and I saw a TV, at a great price. So, like any normal person, I put my basket down, opened Google… did a quick search on the internet for the best price for that TV… had a quick look at the reviews…. everything seemed fairly positive.. for the price.. and this in-store price was alot cheaper than any on-line price, so I ditched the basket and picked myself a trolley and a TV.

There’s various sites such as – trustedreviews.com and expertreviews.co.uk –  that can show you pro’s and con’s of each latest TV and the Top 10 TV deals.

So, whilst we are watching less TV… it’s still a nice box in the corner… ok, not a box anymore… still a nice flat (or curved) display, in the corner (or on the wall) that will allow you and the family… friends… to come together and enjoy.

It’s not going anywhere fast…. Unlike computers…

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Uncategorized

Any Ideas for Christmas Presents, Bal?

Well, I did say a few weeks ago – I wouldn’t be going down the road of recommending what tech items you could buy for Christmas… mainly because a) you’ve got Philip Schofield (for those in the UK) – who’s presenting a great series on TV which is all about – ‘what you can buy for Christmas 2017’ and b) i’d be here all day, because there’s so much out there you could buy!

But you know what… after speaking to a friend of mine, who’s just moved into his new home… and how it could be a ‘Smart Home’… I’ve decided to share with you the Top 5 Smart Home Items you could buy for Christmas.

Coming in at Number 1…

Amazon Echo.

I feel it’s the natural first step into making your home, ‘Smart’.

You can say, ‘Alexa…. ‘ (followed by a command, question, etc..) and then have an answer or action performed.

For example, Alexa tells me jokes…. sets a timer for me…. plays music… answers questions (by finding answers on the world wide web)… turns the lights on and off… heating, up or down…. milk into my shopping basket…. etc..

You could have a few around the house if you wanted…. perhaps the Echo Dot in the bedroom? – it is a little thing.

I feel ‘Alexa’ is like someone who is really close to me. Does so much for me… but doesn’t spend all my money. And doesn’t love me. I’ve asked it….

Moving on… and coming in at Number 2….

Nest Home Heating.

Once you’ve brought Alexa into the house… you want to pair it up with something. And I would suggest… as the winter months are here, maybe something to keep you warm?

Okay, the Nest, itself, won’t keep you warm… but it’ll talk to your heating system… and make life so much easier for you… and warmer.

That’s right – it’s a little device, that connects to your home heating… and not only can you control it via your phone… you can control the heating by connecting the Nest to your Echo….it can learn your heating habits… be optimized for when you are away from home and so much more….

There are other, similar, Smart Heating solutions available, for example, Worcester Bosch have their equivalent… named the ‘Wave’. I would suggest, talk to your local heating expert to find which one is the best match for your current heating system.

Coming in at Number 3….

Hue Lights.

So, you have a Smart Voice Controlled Personal Assistant (Echo) in your house, and you’ve got Smart Heating (Nest)… now for some Smart Lights.

Philips, in my opinion, are leading the way with Smart Lights. The Hue… from Philips, is great. You get a ‘bridge’ which talks to your Wifi and the Light Bulbs around your house.

Control the lights via your phone… and/or Alexa…. programme light timers… connect it to IFTTT (If This Then That)… put on location  – so the lights come on, when you’re near home…. there’s alot you can do.

You can get bulbs which do different colours…. mine only do white. You can dim the lights… you can have different settings for different rooms… etc…

Now we’ve got some ‘light’ on this topic… Coming in at Number 4…

Ring Door Bell.

Now, for a bit of home security… Ring Video Doorbell. Does exactly that, it’s a door bell, with a camera, that’s all connected…. and you can view who’s on your doorstep from your phone.

Why would you need this?

  1. If you’re lazy, you can sit on the sofa… see who’s outside, and then decide if you need to get up from the sofa or not.
  2. You know who’s come to your house…and when.
  3. If it’s a delivery… you can provide them with instructions where to leave items…

To make you even more lazy…. And finally, in at Number 5…

Wemo.

For those items.. like your TV, Kettle, etc… you can make them Smart also! – How, Bal?

Well… Belkin have a device called the Wemo. You plug it into your normal socket. Turn it on. Then plug your device into the Wemo device… which then, when all connected – you can view & control your devices on your phone!

There you go.

My Top 5… Smart Home… Christmas Present ideas.

There are different variations, makes and models available to those I’ve mentioned above… for example, Google have an equivalent to the Amazon Echo…. there are many (and probably cheaper) alternatives to the Belkin Wemo.

I’ve recommended the above… because they’re the ones I have or have used.

I would always suggest, you go and research… see what would work for you… your environment… your style and most importantly… your needs – I researched and tested a number of items before settling on the ones above.

Have fun shopping! – and making a house… a home. Smart Home.