Creating Smarter Homes
The 80’s were great for a variety of reasons; however, it wasn’t just the wild hairstyles, outlandish fashion and pop culture we’re referring to! It was the developments that were made in computer technology, paving the way for the future of the IoT (Internet of Things) - and where SMART technology was born.1
Fast forward 40 odd years and who would have imagined that pretty much every electrically operated device in your home could be fully automated and integrated into a Smart hub? Allowing you to control not just your lighting, heating, TVs & entertainment systems, but also your fridge freezers, washing machines, and ovens with the aid of your trusty mobile device!
Energy waste around the home can come from a variety of formats, such as lights left on that aren’t needed, heating rooms that aren’t being used, or those pesky devices that consume energy when they’re left plugged in but not in use. By automating your home with Smart technology, you can save precious energy and spend less money too.
There are several Smart home product categories and prior to automating your entire property, you’ll probably want to ensure that the initial investment is going to be worthwhile too! We’ve outlined some of Euronics top products and features, to help you make an informed choice when selecting the right Smart tech for your home.
Fast forward 40 odd years and who would have imagined that pretty much every electrically operated device in your home could be fully automated and integrated into a Smart hub? Allowing you to control not just your lighting, heating, TVs & entertainment systems, but also your fridge freezers, washing machines, and ovens with the aid of your trusty mobile device!
Energy waste around the home can come from a variety of formats, such as lights left on that aren’t needed, heating rooms that aren’t being used, or those pesky devices that consume energy when they’re left plugged in but not in use. By automating your home with Smart technology, you can save precious energy and spend less money too.
There are several Smart home product categories and prior to automating your entire property, you’ll probably want to ensure that the initial investment is going to be worthwhile too! We’ve outlined some of Euronics top products and features, to help you make an informed choice when selecting the right Smart tech for your home.
Smart TV’s: What Are the Benefits?
It’s all about never missing your favourite programmes again, and with the introduction of Smart tech, this was all made possible. Whilst you don’t need to connect your TV set to the Internet to watch regular television, there are various benefits if you do…- Apps: Most Smart TV’s will come with a set of TV and film streaming apps already installed such as Netflix, Amazon video, catch-up TV on apps such as BBC iPlayer, and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
- Streaming and casting: Smart TVs allow you to stream videos, music and pictures straight from your phone, tablet or laptop to your TV. This is known as casting, and our friends at Which? have prepared this handy guide on how to connect your iPhone, Android phone, iPad or tablet to your TV here.
- Recommendations: Who else spends hours scrolling, watching trailers, or asking for recommendations for shows on social platforms? Painful, isn’t it? Based on your viewing experiences, a Smart TV will serve you recommendations that align with movie genres you regularly watch. Very handy!
- Smart home control: Some Smart TV’s will let you access and control everything on your own network, such as washing machines, light bulbs, thermostats and more! (Your local Euronics experts will be able to guide you through the various features.)
Smart TV brands
Smart TVs are available from all of the major manufacturers, such as Sony, Samsung, LG, Linsar & Hisense, so buyers have plenty of choice when it comes to selecting a model.Here’s our summary on the technology available:
- Sony: Powered by Google TV, Sony’s Smart TV’s offer a clean interface with plenty of customisation options that allow you to organise your home screen with the apps, channels, and services you use the most.
- Samsung: Whilst other major TV brands have Freeview Play built in as standard, Samsung hasn't gone with the crowd! Utilising their own Tizen Smart TV platform instead, which has a solid reputation for being one of the best around. 2019 saw the launch of Samsung’s SmartThings software which gave the user the options to control other Smart devices, like light bulbs and thermostats.
- LG: LG’s Smart TV platform is called webOS and gives the user options for home screen customisation, alongside two different remote options; a standard version, or the Magic remote. Like Samsung, LG have launched their own Smart technology, ThinQ software, that allows you to connect other ThinQ compatible LG appliances from your TV.
- Linsar: Unusual in the tech sector, purely for being a British brand, Linsar started life in 2006 focusing on affordable AV products and has since expanded to manufacture a variety of different home appliances. Linsar Smart TV’s come complete with Freeview HD, Freeview Play, and Smart Apps preinstalled.
- Hisense: Hisense Smart TV is personalised, intuitive, and allows you to access all of your favourite entertainment and built-in apps from the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and Freeview Play on Hisense VIDAA U. Hisense TV models have interactive guides available online for you to ensure your Smart TV is customised just the way you like it.
Video Recorders & Blu-Ray Devices
If you’re not ready to splash out on a new screen, there is another way you can connect your current model to the internet, a streaming box will allow you to convert your existing TV into a Smart TV! (Although we strongly advise you check with your local Euronics UK experts prior to purchasing for added peace of mind).
- Humax: Coming with a 1 year guarantee as standard, Humax models offer as standard, access to the Google Play Store, have Google Assistant and Google Chromecast built-in, and Freeview HD which offers over 95% of the Nation's favourite TV, with over 70 live TV channels to choose from.
- Freesat: With a Freesat recorder, you can record up to 4 programmes at once, with live restart on select channels, store up to 500 hours of SD entertainment, and it gives you access to 170+ channels with no monthly fees - including over 20 in HD and multiple radio stations. Working in harmony with your existing satellite dish, the installation is simple and allows you to connect to the internet for streaming and on demand services like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, My5, Netflix, YouTube & BritBox.
Heating & Air Treatment
If you’re looking for purified, humidified air flow all year round, then look no further than Dyson’s range of air treatments! Utilising Dyson’s link app you can adjust and control the conditions in your home from anywhere, and run cleaning cycles which let you know when the filters need replacing. How cool is that?
Find your local Euronics UK store
Many of our independent store owners began life selling all things electrical! From generators to batteries, alongside household appliances, and as such offer a wider variety of Smart technology in-store. For expert advice and further information about Smart products that are available, why not find your local store and pop in?
References:
- IT Online Learning: History of the Internet of Things (IoT)
- Shell Energy. Can a smart home save you money?
- Tech Hive. Smart home guide for beginners: Make your home more convenient to live in without spending lots of time or money.
- Architectural Digest. 17 Ways to Turn Your Home into a Smart Home.
- PC Mag. The Best Smart Home Devices for 2021.
- Which? Technology. What is smart TV? Best smart TVs for 2021.
