Five Smart Home Control Trends for 2019

Your Home Will Be Smarter Than Ever

It seems like there’s a new smart device released every day. Beyond smart cameras, lights, and door locks, even toilets, showers, ovens, coffeemakers and more are beginning to make an appearance. What’s driving all this change? It’s the same technologies that have fueled the ability of our smartphones to do so many things – artificial intelligence, powerful cloud software, and inexpensive processors. All these factors allow new and old vendors of home solutions to add intelligence to almost any function in your house.

Early this January, the ever-larger CES consumer technology show featured a plethora of new innovative devices and systems for home control and automation. While we can expect to see many more intelligent refrigerators, sprinkler controllers, and washing machines, many of the advances come with devices and technology that are available now. The difference is that their functionality is improving as they evolve from convenient novelties to essential features. Soon we will get as accustomed to these technologies as our smartphones.

Since it’s the start of the new year, it’s a good time to make some predictions about smart home control in 2019. These trends have been evolving for several years but are certainly accelerating even faster this year. If you haven’t outfitted your residence with smart technology yet, this year will be a great time to do so, and we’ll be happy to help you.

SEE ALSO: See All The Possibilities In the Smart Home With Our Interactive Dollhouse

Voice Control Will Be Everywhere

As they get smarter with advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri continue to surge in popularity. Expect to see voice control embedded in more devices in the coming year, like thermostats, appliances, and even bathroom features like toilets and showers.

Already wireless speaker companies like Sonos have models like the Sonos 1 that integrates Amazon’s Alexa voice control. TVs from manufacturers like Sony and LG are controllable through Google Assistant, while Samsung incorporates its own Bixby voice assistant. Naturally, with home automation systems like Crestron, you have several options for voice control, and you can automate home systems through these platforms rather than have to worry about which voice system works with a specific device. The next place where voice control is coming? In your car. Manufacturers like BMW, Ford, and Toyota are already updating car systems to be compatible with assistants like Alexa, so you will be able to tell your smart oven to preheat for dinner on your way home!

Smarter Automation Will Increase

With intelligence getting incorporated into more devices, it’s easier than ever to put together sophisticated automation scenarios in the home, for a fraction of the cost. Smart thermostats, smart lighting and switches, and motorized shades are all affordable solutions work well together. If you want a morning scene to ease you into waking up, softly turning on your lights, raising your smart shades, starting your coffeemaker, and turning on your favorite TV channel, this will all be easy to accomplish. Simply activate your system with a voice command, a button push, or at the scheduled time of your choosing. Living a “Jetsons” lifestyle of the future is now very much a reality and doesn’t cost a fortune.

More Focus on Good Design

People want smart devices and technology, but they also want it to look good in their homes. Smart technology vendors are increasingly focused on excellent design and ergonomics. This may take the shape of clever ways to mount smart speakers, keypads, and cameras, to better-looking control touchscreens. We will see more sleek touch controls and screens that look like your smartphone on smart appliances. More stylish options and colors for integrating technology features will be available without sacrificing the design and decor in your home.

Smarter Home Security Options

We’ve already seen tremendous advances in home security and surveillance. Intelligent locks, cameras, and sensors help to monitor many more elements in the home. Expect even more in 2019, with the power of artificial intelligence making monitoring smarter. Smart cameras will detect people, animals, and the delivery truck, so you’re only notified if something unusual is going on. Smart sensors will report all kinds of environmental conditions in the home and will intelligently analyze and monitor data over time rather than alert you for every small change.

Getting Smarter About Wellness

Does all this technology help us lead a healthier life? It can. Expect more new wellness features in home automation and control solutions. For example, sensors and equipment that monitor and improve indoor air quality are starting to be seen. Smart wearables from Apple, Fitbit, and others already monitor a wide range of activity and sleep, and those devices collect useful information that can be used intelligently. If high stress is detected through breathing and heart rate patterns, music can be suggested to improve mood. Sleep sounds can be programmed through home speakers to promote more restful sleep. Wearables and home automation track the activity of people with disabilities or the elderly, making it easier to keep tabs on their well-being. Automation – and especially voice control – also has the added benefit of making it easier for disabled people to manage home functions.

Are you as excited as we are about the possibilities with smart home control in your home? Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment with one of our experts.