Boasting a private theater was once considered the ultimate luxury reserved for film stars, movie moguls, and industry titans with access to unlimited film libraries. Nowadays, technological advances have made it possible for most homeowners to enjoy a state-of-the-art audio and entertainment space.

Is it time to add a personal cinema to your home? Let’s take a look at the benefits.

Perks of a Home Theater

Private media rooms are designed to replicate the experience of watching movies in a public movie theater but in a more intimate, comfortable environment. Best of all, you can watch TV shows and play video games in your home theater, which is an advantage you can’t experience at a commercial theater. Most of them come with viewing screens that are 18 feet long with elaborate sound systems and cushy seating. 

For decades, homeowners and business owners alike relied on low-cost incandescent light bulbs to illuminate their properties. However, smart LED lighting has grown in popularity because they’re more energy-efficient and durable than the lightbulbs of years past. Say goodbye to standing up to turn your lights on or off, and say

Stay tuned to learn more about this innovative lighting solution. 

For decades, homeowners and business owners alike relied on low-cost incandescent light bulbs to illuminate their properties. However, smart LED lighting has grown in popularity because they’re more energy-efficient and durable than the lightbulbs of years past. Say goodbye to standing up to turn your lights on or off, and say hello to controlling your lighting with your phone. 

Stay tuned to learn more about this innovative lighting solution. 

Information on Smart Lighting

Smart lighting is an advanced way to light your home and business. Smart LED bulbs come with software that you can connect to a mobile app, smart home assistant, or other smart accessories, giving you the freedom to automate and control your lights remotely. One of the main benefits of smart lighting is that they’re hassle-free. If you’re worried about needing to add extra old-fashioned, unsightly wall switches to your home or office, you’ll be pleased to hear these lighting solutions don’t require additional light switches. 

It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up businesses, both big and small, as well as consumer behavior on a scale we’ve never seen before. Both the public and private sectors are doing their best to stop the spread and contain infections. Although the full economic consequences of this pandemic are unclear, we know the devastating impact it can have on people, particularly those who are more vulnerable.

AMT Integration’s mission is to connect people with innovative technology solutions to simplify and enhance their lives both at home and at work. As an essential business, we’re able to continue serving our customers, but it’s not business as usual. We care about your safety, so we’ve implemented the following guidelines to keep our clients and staff safe during this outbreak. 

These procedures are mandatory and effective immediately. 

It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up businesses, both big and small, as well as consumer behavior on a scale we’ve never seen before. Both the public and private sectors are doing their best to stop the spread and contain infections. Although the full economic consequences of this pandemic are unclear, we know the devastating impact it can have on people, particularly those who are more vulnerable.

A few years ago, no one could have predicted being able to use our voice to do mundane tasks, such as turning our lights on and off. Today’s smart home systems can do a lot more than adjust your home’s temperature and keep track of your security system. Thanks to the internet of things (IOT), your smart home system can control nearly every aspect of your home.

Given the current COVID-19 outbreak, you may be stuck at home for an indefinite amount of time. If you’re bored, consider taking on a few personal projects, such as upgrading your home to a smart one.

Learn how to make your regular home into a smart one.

A few years ago, no one could have predicted being able to use our voice to do mundane tasks, such as turning our lights on and off. Today’s smart home systems can do a lot more than adjust your home’s temperature and keep track of your security system. Thanks to the internet of things (IOT), your smart home system can control nearly every aspect of your home.

Given the current COVID-19 outbreak, you may be stuck at home for an indefinite amount of time. If you’re bored, consider taking on a few personal projects, such as upgrading your home to a smart one. 

Learn how to make your regular home into a smart one.

How Do I Transform My Home Into a Smart Home?

If you’re new to the smart home game, you may feel intimidated because there are so many devices to research. We recommend you invest in multiple components, such as smart bulbs, sensors, speakers, security cameras, and more. You can connect every component to a central hub that helps them communicate with each other, and you can control each device with your smartphone. 

Removing strangers from your Wi-Fi network is easy, but detecting them is hard. You may not even notice unauthorized users, such as your neighbor’s kid, who uses your internet to watch viral videos. Although you want to be nice and allow others to use your network, strangers who mooch off of it usually don’t have your best interests at heart. 

Discover why it’s important to only allow trusted users to connect to your Wi-Fi.

Removing strangers from your Wi-Fi network is easy, but detecting them is hard. You may not even notice unauthorized users, such as your neighbor’s kid, who uses your internet to watch viral videos. Although you want to be nice and allow others to use your network, strangers who mooch off of it usually don’t have your best interests at heart. 

Discover why it’s important to only allow trusted users to connect to your Wi-Fi.

Is It Dangerous to Allow Strangers to Connect to My Wi-Fi?

The only people who should be on your network are your family. If your Wi-Fi connection is set to public, then your neighbors or passerby can connect to it. If they misuse your network, they can slow down your connection’s speed, introduce malware to your devices, or access illegal websites. 

Being nice to strangers and allowing them to connect to your internet isn’t worth the risks. Follow these best-practice security guidelines to minimize the risk of unauthorized network intrusion.

Sharing Your Wi-Fi Is All About Trust

Let’s start by breaking down what it means to share your internet connection. One of the primary reasons why every household with Wi-Fi needs a router is because it provides a firewall between an untrusted network, such as the internet, and a safe network, such as the local network you use for all your devices. 

Smart home devices should provide your family with a sense of security and comfort. By the end of this year, there will be approximately 44.7 million smart households in the U.S. alone; chances are, you probably own a couple of these devices. Cyberspace has converged with our realities, and many people can’t envision their lives without a digital personal assistant, robot vacuum cleaner, or talking thermostat. As our homes become smarter, their security becomes more vulnerable.

Keep on reading to find out if hackers can break into your smart home.

Are you no longer looking forward to going to work? If you’re feeling demotivated, it probably has more to do with your office’s atmosphere than your responsibilities. According to the American Society of Interior Designers, 68% of employees are dissatisfied with their office’s lighting. Lighting is one of the most important factors in ergonomics, but this part of an office’s design is usually overlooked and rushed. 

Dim lighting can strain your employees’ eyes and leave them with headaches, which results in fatigue; this causes low productivity and will hurt your company’s bottom line. Harsh lighting is just as bad as dim lighting, as it also causes eye strain and can trigger migraines. 

Is there a perfect lighting balance? Keep on reading to learn how your office can benefit from better lighting. 

How Poor Lighting Impacts Mental Health

As more companies are taking an interest in their employees’ mental health, the primary focus is usually on fostering a casual environment by incorporating team-building activities and allowing employees to work from home once a week. However, most companies overlook poor lighting, even though it’s associated with a range of ill-health effects. 

Are you no longer looking forward to going to work? If you’re feeling demotivated, it probably has more to do with your office’s atmosphere than your responsibilities. According to the American Society of Interior Designers, 68% of employees are dissatisfied with their office’s lighting. Lighting is one of the most important factors in ergonomics, but this part of an office’s design is usually overlooked and rushed. 

The internet has revolutionized the way our homes and workspaces operate. Thanks to the automation of home devices, such as smart thermostats and Wi-Fi enabled appliances like robot vacuum cleaners; technology is transforming the way people interact with the most mundane household items. Even offices are taking advantage of the ever-expanding line of smart home appliances, with more and more offices calling themselves “smart offices.”

The internet has revolutionized the way our homes and workspaces operate. Thanks to the automation of home devices, such as smart thermostats and Wi-Fi enabled appliances like robot vacuum cleaners; technology is transforming the way people interact with the most mundane household items. Even offices are taking advantage of the ever-expanding line of smart home appliances, with more and more offices calling themselves “smart offices.”

A smart office is a workplace powered by technology, and the goal of a smart office is to incentivize employees to work more efficiently and, of course, work smarter. Sensors, beacons, and mobile apps help employees perform their job duties better and faster; this, in turn, gives employees more time and mental capacity to take their tasks to the next level. Think about it: employees used to have to stand up and walk across the room to clock in and clock out. 

Now, an employee can clock in and clock out from the comfort of their desk by using a mobile app. The simple act of clocking into work saves employees a few minutes of their time, and although this doesn’t sound like much, a few minutes can be the difference between meeting deadlines or falling behind. 

Furthermore, employees who work in a smart office have better communication as opposed to people who work in a traditional office. Sensors can notify you if a particular conference room is booked and tell you how long it’ll be occupied. Employees no longer waste time walking up and down flights of stairs only to find out the conference room is already in use. 

Best of all, employees can be in constant contact with each other through messaging systems and chat rooms. The accessibility of online messaging makes cubicle life feel less isolated. Smart technology promotes productivity, is fun to use, and keeps office employees satisfied. All of these benefits increase your business’s bottom line. Here are some reasons to consider turning your regular office into a smart office. 

You take pride in inviting your friends over to your house on the weekends, and your home is now hailed as the hang out spot among your friend circle. The living room bustles with sounds coming from your television when your friends get together. However, you can’t help but feel like something is missing from these gatherings—could it be that your entertainment center is too dated? If you’re still not using a flat-screen television or you don’t own a set of speakers yet, then it’s time for an upgrade. 

Don’t let your archaic entertainment center be the reason why your friends stop coming over. There are several ways to give your entertainment center a boost, such as investing in a new television with superior viewing angles and speakers to enhance music. Ultimate entertainment centers are comprised of modern, smart electronics and should look organized and elegant. 

Choosing the Right Flat Screen TV

Looking at flat-screen televisions can be intimidating, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the terminology and latest specs. Selecting the right TV for you depends on how frequent you’ll be watching shows and your personal needs. Start by considering who will be using this TV. Will it be just you? Do you have a spouse or children who take turns watching TV? By answering these questions, you’ll determine if it’s necessary to go for a TV with streaming capabilities and Wi-Fi connectivity. This will also help you decide which screen size to go with. To determine the best television size, consider your room’s dimensions, planned audience seating size, and your room’s arrangement. 

Next, you’ll need to determine your cost range. Costs of televisions vary greatly based on their features, technology, and picture performance. The saying “you get what you pay for” reigns true when purchasing a television; at the same time, don’t feel pressured to invest in a 4K resolution TV if you’re not hosting extravagant parties every weekend and are looking for simplicity. There’s now a wide range of technology that can enhance picture quality such as 4K resolution, High Dynamic Range (HDR), processing type, expanded colors, and even the way an LED is backlit. 

You take pride in inviting your friends over to your house on the weekends, and your home is now hailed as the hang out spot among your friend circle. The living room bustles with sounds coming from your television when your friends get together. However, you can’t help but feel like something is missing from these gatherings—could it be that your entertainment center is too dated? If you’re still not using a flat-screen television or you don’t own a set of speakers yet, then it’s time for an upgrade. 

You know about smart homes, and you’re most likely living in one. Have you ever pictured your office benefiting from smart home technology? What started off as a futuristic concept is now an attainable reality that you and your employees can take advantage of. From 2015-2017, the number of smart homes increased from 17 million to 29 million, according to data from McKinsey Quarterly. That growth is only projected to keep increasing, with experts predicting that the smart home market will surpass $158 billion by the year 2022. It’s no longer just homeowners who are making use of smart home automation, now you can also use smart home technology at your company’s office. 

 When you upgrade your office to smart home technology, you’ll not only be modernizing your office to new, smaller appliances that are more eye-catching, but you’ll be able to monitor your systems around the clock. This will dramatically increase the efficiency in your office. You might hold some understandable reservations about implementing smart home technology into your office, such as worrying if your employees will be confused about smart technology usage. However, programmable ecosystems should set your mind at ease, since connected smart home devices learn how people live and know how to adjust to their comfort accordingly. In a business setting, these smart home devices can automatically optimize an office’s environment by learning the times your office is most occupied, as well as by helping your employees be the most productive they can be. 

Connected smart devices will help your company cut back on inefficient operations. All you have to do is take advantage of the wide selection of smart home technology and tailor it to your office; this will turn your space into a more valuable, strategic asset. 

Increase Energy Efficiency 

One of the most important smart home advantages that can be applied to your office is learning to automate your environmental control. The market for smart thermostats, which includes both residential and commercial, is expected to grow by more than 20% within the next five years. Having the privilege to automatically monitor your office’s energy usage to adjust your space’s temperature, lighting, and water usage goes a long way toward reducing wasteful energy consumption. The emergence of smart home thermostats gives companies the opportunity to boost their efficiency, and smart home thermostats can lower your office’s electric bills by roughly 25%. A smart home thermostat will reduce heating and cooling to a minimum when employees aren’t present in the office, but the smart thermostat will also optimize these temperatures when people are in the building. It’s no secret that smart thermostats provide one of the most immediate returns on investment. 

Enlist a Virtual Assistant

Have you ever needed an extra hand at the office? You’re already busy enough running your company and ensuring that your employees are working at their peak performance. Take some of that weight off your shoulders by making use of a virtual assistant that ties all of your smart devices together into a cohesive office. 27% of people in the United States currently own a virtual assistant. These consumers primarily use a virtual assistant to connect with and command apps instead of picking up their phones to manually do it. Using your phone is becoming the old-fashioned way of commanding apps. Imagine using your personal virtual assistant to quickly skim through emails, schedule meetings, and receive important information within a matter of seconds. Ask your virtual assistant what the weather is like outside, or you can ask about what last quarter’s revenue looked like. Although Artificial Intelligence still needs further development to fully emulate human-to-human dialogue, the prospect of an AI robot that you can hold a full conversation with is only a few years away.

You know about smart homes, and you’re most likely living in one. Have you ever pictured your office benefiting from smart home technology? What started off as a futuristic concept is now an attainable reality that you and your employees can take advantage of. From 2015-2017, the number of smart homes increased from 17 million to 29 million, according to data from McKinsey Quarterly. That growth is only projected to keep increasing, with experts predicting that the smart home market will surpass $158 billion by the year 2022. It’s no longer just homeowners who are making use of smart home automation, now you can also use smart home technology at your company’s office.

Smart technology is no longer limited to your phone—it’s everywhere. The latest home trends all incorporate smart home technology, which is designed to make your day-to-day life fun and easy to navigate. Smart homes aren’t necessarily new, they have existed since the 1920s. The first smart home technology that was developed are the appliances that are staples to our homes today. Smart home technology came to be with the advent of the vacuum cleaner. The next two decades introduced the television, washer, and dryer. Although we no longer perceive these appliances as “smart,” they were innovative during this time period. Now, these are items that your home can’t do without. 

Similarly, smart home technology is now an advancement that your home can’t do without. The idea of a futuristic home was once a concept that only existed in science fiction. Now, smart houses are a tangible reality. 28% of all houses will transition to smart homes by the year 2021, according to the media research group, Kagan. 

You don’t need the entirety of your home to be fully self-automated, but there are a few parts of your home that can easily be upgraded to smart home technology. You don’t need to live in a mansion to reap the benefits of smart home technology. Not only are smart homes an intelligent experience, but they are also a personal one. Why would you willingly stand up to do simple tasks, when they can now be done through your phone? Phones and tablets are the brains of your smart home, as several tasks can be performed now by using apps. The truth is, manually doing chores is becoming an artifact of the past. Smart home technology improves your daily routine.

Smart Home Light Bulbs

Have you ever been comfortably sitting on your couch, enjoying your favorite show when suddenly you realize that you forgot to turn off your lights? It’s annoying. Lucky for you, by switching to smart home lighting, you won’t ever have to go through that undesirable experience again. Upgrading your house’s lights should be the first step in your smart home journey. Not only is it the easiest step, but it is also one of the most affordable changes you can make. Simply by changing your dated LED lights to smart light bulbs, you will experience a shift in the environment. Smart light bulbs can be controlled using an application on your phone or tablet or through your computer. 

You can program your lights to turn on and off at a certain time. You can even program your smart lights to start dimming at a certain hour, no dimmer switch required. One of the best parts about upgrading to smart light bulbs is the accessible price range. If you’re not too concerned about looks and are looking for a bulb that is both functional and cheap, a white smart lightbulb will suffice. If you want a pop of color in your home, you can also upgrade to color-changing smart light bulbs. Color-changing smart light bulbs are fun and customizable. Right out of the box, most color-changing smart light bulbs can be adjusted to mimic the sunrise and sunset. You can set your light to any color of the rainbow; you can even replicate a rainbow. You can streamline your color-changing light bulbs with your everyday tasks. You can make your light bulb turn green whenever you receive an email. Do you find it difficult to wake up? When your alarm goes off in the morning, you can set up your color-changing smart light bulb to flash red while your alarm blares. Your smart light bulbs will change the mood of your atmosphere with no effort. 

Smart technology is no longer limited to your phone—it’s everywhere. The latest home trends all incorporate smart home technology, which is designed to make your day-to-day life fun and easy to navigate. Smart homes aren’t necessarily new, they have existed since the 1920s. The first smart home technology that was developed are the appliances that are staples to our homes today. Smart home technology came to be with the advent of the vacuum cleaner. The next two decades introduced the television, washer, and dryer. Although we no longer perceive these appliances as “smart,” they were innovative during this time period. Now, these are items that your home can’t do without.