Everybody is talking about smart homes these days — but what exactly does that mean? If you have one or two Amazon Echo smart speakers in your apartment or a Google Nest router along with a speaker, do you have a smart home? Or is your home only smart if you’ve got a smart camera monitoring your smart doorbell, your smart lights automatically waking you while your smart blinds roll up, and your smart AC going on just in time to cool your office for the day’s work?
Smart homes for smart people
If you haven’t started your smart home yet, here’s how to start — or if you have, here’s how to make it better.
Illustration by Samar Haddad for The Verge
In our special Smart Home Week articles, we give you the down and dirty (or, if you have a robovac, the down and clean) on smart homes. We answer questions such as what exactly is a smart home, do you need one, and if so, which of the several ecosystems should you use? We also feature articles on each of those ecosystems — Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant — written by people who actually use them and can tell you how well (or badly) each system worked for them.
We examine some of the privacy issues surrounding smart homes (and tell you which are myth and which are real). And finally, we take you to a community of ecologically smart homes, show you how these brand-new smart houses worked, and introduce you to one of the families who actually lives there.
Enjoy!
One couple’s starter home in a connected community in California shows how smart energy powered by smart home technology could be the future of affordable, energy-independent living.
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
As connected becomes the default for every household appliance — from TVs and washing machines to ovens and vacuums — we break down exactly what makes a home ‘smart’ and help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
One connected lock does not a smart home make. If you want to get serious with home automation, start with a smart home platform.
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
You’ve heard the stories about safety issues of smart home devices — but are those stories fact or fiction? Here are some answers on what are and are not legit concerns.
Pam Baker
The Verge staff varies widely as to how ‘smart’ our homes are, ranging from one or two stray devices to entire planned networks.
Barbara Krasnoff
If you’re a tech nerd, then Home Assistant may be the smart home ecosystem for you.
Chris Person
It’s had its ups and downs, but Apple’s smart home platform is in a great place right now. Here’s why I stuck by it all these years.
Wes Davis
From its expansive ecosystem to the dreaded ‘by the way...’ pitch, here’s everything you should know before Amazon Alexa controls your smart home.
Jess Weatherbed
After a messy start, Google’s Home ecosystem is finally starting to come together.
Megan Wollerton
SmartThings, one of the first and open smart home automation platforms, has come a long way since its early days.
David Ludlow
Try these smart home products powered by Hubspace and The Home Depot.
Vox Creative
One couple’s starter home in a connected community in California shows how smart energy powered by smart home technology could be the future of affordable, energy-independent living.
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
As connected becomes the default for every household appliance — from TVs and washing machines to ovens and vacuums — we break down exactly what makes a home ‘smart’ and help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
One connected lock does not a smart home make. If you want to get serious with home automation, start with a smart home platform.
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
You’ve heard the stories about safety issues of smart home devices — but are those stories fact or fiction? Here are some answers on what are and are not legit concerns.
Pam Baker
The Verge staff varies widely as to how ‘smart’ our homes are, ranging from one or two stray devices to entire planned networks.
Barbara Krasnoff
If you’re a tech nerd, then Home Assistant may be the smart home ecosystem for you.
Chris Person
It’s had its ups and downs, but Apple’s smart home platform is in a great place right now. Here’s why I stuck by it all these years.
Wes Davis
From its expansive ecosystem to the dreaded ‘by the way...’ pitch, here’s everything you should know before Amazon Alexa controls your smart home.
Jess Weatherbed
After a messy start, Google’s Home ecosystem is finally starting to come together.
Megan Wollerton
SmartThings, one of the first and open smart home automation platforms, has come a long way since its early days.
David Ludlow
Try these smart home products powered by Hubspace and The Home Depot.
Vox Creative
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