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Automate Your Home with These Fantastic Apps
The smart home is a reality these days, with low-cost and easy to use hardware and apps that let you control your lights, blinds, music system and more right from your phone. Whether you want to keep your house safe or maintain the perfect temperature, these apps have you covered.
Users can record customized phrases and then activate them with a simple Siri command. Favorite scenes will also be suggested on the lock screen or on the Siri watch face in watchOS 5. Those can be activated with a quick tap.
Just to note, you will need version 2 of the Hue bridge, which is square shaped, to use Siri Shortcuts.
Designed for the iPhone and all iPad models, the Philips Hue app can be downloaded now on the App Store for free.
If you're new to smart lighting, a starter kit with two A19 white bulbs and a Hue Bridge can be purchased now <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016AEHV24?tag=aa_guide-20 ">for $67.40</a> now from Amazon. There are a number of other types of bulbs available, including color options.
<a href="https://appadvice.com/post/philips-hue-app-receives-major-update-with-new-scenes-improved-navigation-and-more/1055281310/339659614 ">Back in May</a>, the Hue app received a major update with a simpler navigation UI, a new color picker feature, 30 new lighting scenes and more.
One of the easiest ways to use Philips Hue and LIFX.
The app’s many features include a wake up and sleep timer, which makes for a better night’s sleep. To get started, simple tap an effect and see it applied to any bulb group of your choice. Don’t like what you see? Select something else with ease.
Why we love it
One of the best apps for both Philips Hue and LIFX.
For August owners who want full control of their home access.
August Home lets you control your August Smart Lock, August Doorbell Cam, August Smart Keypad and August Connect from your phone. From a single app, you can secure your house, control access, and even see who's at the door. And you don't even have to be home to do it.
Why we love it
We're all about smart devices that make us feel like we're living in the future. And August's suite of gadgets makes just walking into your house feel like you're entering a spaceship. Whether it looks like that depends on how you've decorated, but that's on you.
For people who have Kevo locks and want to use them.
Kevo locks are so intelligent that you don't even need your phone to use it. If your device is in your pocket or bag, all you have to do is touch the smart lock to get into your home. You can also control who can do that by issuing eKeys wherever you are. Your permissions can even be limited based on time or person, and you can even track who comes and goes from the app.
Why we love it
We don't like to admit we're control freaks, but the idea of having complete control to grant permission and monitor who can enter our places brings out the Bond villain in us. We just like data, that's all. And security is important so that nobody can get their stupid hands on our death beams.
Whether you're looking for official apps to go with that smart thermostat you just got or third-party apps that work with different manufacturer;s products, we've got you covered.
For those looking for a smarter more comfortable home.
The Honeywell Lyric App has simple to use scheduling, with 8 daily setpoints all customizable across every day of the week. Smart alerts help ensure on-time maintenance for ideal system operation or will let you know of extreme temperatures or humidity levels in your home. You can calculate energy savings and control your Lyric Round thermostat anywhere by iPhone, iPad device.
Why we love it
It's the simplest, most intelligent way to control your home temperature.
For those looking to save energy and adjust the temperature of their home from anywhere.
Nest uses sensors, algorithms and the location of your phone to do the right thing automatically, like turning off the heat and turning on the camera when you leave. And everyone at home can get notifications and control the Nest products they need with their own Nest Account.
Why we love it
The Nest thermostat is smarter than our old one and way easier to program. It's also built to save on our energy bills, and a standard unit doesn't care one way or another about that. It combines intelligence, usefulness, and just plain good looks to keep us comfortable, so what's not to like?
