There’s been a lot of reporting in recent months around Apple’s efforts to expand its footprint in customers’ homes with in-development products like a
No, the biggest problem with smart homes is that honestly, a switch on the wall that always works, even when you don’t have your phone on you and even in the dark when you are half asleep is a pretty optimal interface for things like lights.
The problem with the idea of smart light switches is that they are only useful if you aren’t already in the room and turning on your light when you aren’t there is a pretty niche use case.
For me, one of my principles is that smart home stuff should work normally , with automation as a bonus. That means smart switches, not bulbs, and generally means no subscriptions or internet dependencies.
Some use cases for my smart switches are:
automatic timers for multiple rooms to make the house appear lived in, or to match my schedule
voice response, in case my hands are full r I don’t want to get up
easier dimming - I can say “set dining room light 20%” faster than I can get up, walk over, and futz with the switch
scenes, such as work mode, to set everything just the way I like it
For example, one of my automations is
half an hour after sunset, turn on dining room light to 50%
if weekday, set to 30% at 9pm, and turn on bedroom light
if weekend, do it an hour later
turn off dining room half an hour later
turn off bedroom light half an hour later
If I’m home, this matches my schedule. If I’m not, maybe I look like I am. Maybe you think this looks needlessly complicated but it’s convenient and it’s not something you can do without smart devices
No, the biggest problem with smart homes is that honestly, a switch on the wall that always works, even when you don’t have your phone on you and even in the dark when you are half asleep is a pretty optimal interface for things like lights.
If only they made smart switches you could use, perhaps?
100% agree that smart bulbs are incredibly stupid and you should go with a switch if you want to smartify shit.
The problem with the idea of smart light switches is that they are only useful if you aren’t already in the room and turning on your light when you aren’t there is a pretty niche use case.
I use them to timeout lights all the time and schedule outdoor lights.
For me, one of my principles is that smart home stuff should work normally , with automation as a bonus. That means smart switches, not bulbs, and generally means no subscriptions or internet dependencies.
Some use cases for my smart switches are:
For example, one of my automations is
If I’m home, this matches my schedule. If I’m not, maybe I look like I am. Maybe you think this looks needlessly complicated but it’s convenient and it’s not something you can do without smart devices