Smart Home Automation Trends for the New Year

The world of smart home automation is constantly evolving. Every year there are brand new solutions that make your home more comfortable, safer and easier to control. 2017 will not be any different. Whether you are currently living in a smart home or you’re starting from scratch, these innovations are transforming the ways we synchronize technology into our lifestyle. Of course, if you are interested in smart home technology, you’ll probably want to be ahead of the curve. This article tracks what we believe will be the hottest trends of 2017, so you can start incorporating them into your Utah home today. 

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Voice Control

Controlling your technologies with your voice may seem like science fiction. However, companies like Amazon and Google are proving that this technology is ready now. The Amazon Alexa products--the Echo and the Echo Dot--can easily synchronize to your Crestron automation system. Alexa will learn most commands already programmed into your system, so you all must do is tell her what you want.

Adding voice control means increasing the convenience of your smart home; the only thing you need in order to make automatic adjustments to your home environment is your voice. Even if you can’t find the remote or your smartphone: turn the television on, dim your lights, adjust the volume, select your channel and have movie night just by asking Alexa. Voice control technology has dramatically improved over the past several years. The Echo devices, for instance, are designed to learn your speech patterns and hear your voice over any background noise. After a few days with Alexa, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without her.

A Better Router

Every year there are more must-have wireless devices. But is your home Wi-Fi ready to handle all the new traffic? 2017 might be the year to invest in a new and better router. If your home is larger, consider a wireless mesh networking solution. Usually, you start with a router and then add on extenders or access points. A mesh network is already configured with the main router and several satellite points so that every room has a strong connection.

New routers are also designed to be more attractive. While this may seem like a trivial point, a better-looking router means you can feel comfortable leaving it in the open. A router that sits on a bookshelf in the living room is closer to your devices than a router in the basement. Proximity can really improve the strength of your wireless system.

Multi-Purpose Media Rooms

Rooms with options are going to be big in 2017. Homeowners no longer must devote a whole room to one purpose, like dedicated home theaters. While this is still a good option for many, some homeowners want to use that space for multiple purposes. Now, you can have a media room that includes a pool table, piano, and classic arcade games, while still providing a cinema-level movie watching experience.

This change is thanks to smart home innovations and some clever design. Today, there are screens and projectors that can display the best quality picture even with some ambient light present. If you want your movie time to be completely dark, consider blackout motorized shades that can descend when the film begins. Work with an integrator to place speakers and subwoofers precisely for a perfect audio experience in every seat. Then, utilize hidden technology to conceal your projector, screen, and speakers. Voila, you have a home theater that can do it all.

We here at AMT Integration will stay tuned in to all these trends and what’s to come. If you’re ready to modernize your Park City home, contact us here or give us a call at 801-330-8320.