(Newswire.net — June 26, 2018) — Imagine that your smartphone talks with your lights, security system and thermostat to create a comfortable and welcoming environment minutes before you return home from work. This vision may be a reality thanks to fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks. According to the 5G innovator Qualcomm, consumers will enjoy unprecedented levels of performance, efficiency and improved user experience. Fifth-generation mobile networks empower us to enjoy a truly smart home. You may be asking yourself “what is 5G” or “how will 5G help me?”. Well, 5G technology creates a faster, smoother communication among your devices, and transfers data at a much faster rate than 3G and 4G networks with lower latency and higher network capacity. As a result, your home network will accommodate sophisticated smart devices.
Until recently, some smart home devices were fun, but a little gimmicky; like using your Android app to change the color of the LED bulb from white to pink for your daughter’s princess party. That ability didn’t save time or make much difference in your life; however, integrating 5G offers more power to connected devices. Here are the steps you can take to harness the power of 5G and to save time, energy and money.
1. Upgrade to a 5G phone
Your smartphone is the hub for your smart home, just like your brain is the hub for your busy life. Most smart devices pair with a phone app. When you use a 5G-enabled phone, you are free to make the best use of the latest tools.
2. Choose the right voice assistant
Smart devices also typically pair with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. Your phone allows you to control your home remotely, and your voice assistant allows the ease of hands-free control while you are cooking, working or doing chores. You don’t need to stop your work to check your calendar, change the music or to send that important text.
More importantly, a voice assistant offers an easy interface to communicate with your connected devices such as your security system, thermostat, lighting, entertainment center or smartwatch. Managing your life is as easy as chatting with a friend.
3. Decide which functions to automate
There is a connected device for just about any function in your home, car or office; however, they are not all equal in quality or usefulness. Start by choosing devices that make a difference and that play well with your 5G phone, voice assistant and mobile devices.
For example, a smart thermostat may pay for itself by controlling your climate control so it only runs when it matters. GLAS is a new smart thermostat that allows users to program different sleep, awake and away temperatures. Tools like this pay for themselves through increased energy efficiency without sacrificing comfort.
A smart security system offers ways to check on your home, your family and your pets anytime, and may automatically call for help if needed. As you learn which integrations work for you, you may choose to expand for a fully connected home. That is finally possible due to more advanced mobile networks.
4. Explore integrations and apps
Some of the best devices connect to your network and integrate with automation apps like IFTTT and Zapier. These apps allow you to create your own smart integrations by choosing to have one action automatically trigger another action. For example, a text about a “snow day” might trigger a schedule change for your smart heating system. Once you learn the basics, the options are only limited by your creativity.
5. The finishing touches
Smartwatches also use 5G technology so you can control your integrated appliances from your wrist. As virtual reality devices improve, they too will integrate.
Fifth-generation technology moves the smart home beyond an idea into reality. When used correctly, connected devices work together to save you time and money while optimizing your family’s comfort.