In this episode, Wes and Scott talk about the Smart Home — all the different tech available, how it works together, pitfalls to avoid, hardware, software, and more!

Sanity.io - Sponsor

Sanity.io is a real-time headless CMS with a fully customizable Content Studio built in React. Get up and running by typing npm i -g @sanity/cli && sanity init in your command line. Get an awesome supercharged free developer plan on sanity.io/syntax.

Stackbit - Sponsor

Build modern JAMStack websites in minutes. Stackbit lets you combine any theme, site generator and CMS without complicated integrations. Join the beta today by visiting stackbit.com/syntaxfm.

Show Notes

2:25 - The tech

• Wifi devices

Zigbee

• Can operator on low power
• Usually Cheaper
• Water Sensor, door sensor, temperature

iOS

• HomeKit sucks
• You need an Apple TV or iPad to access outside of your house

9:13 - Controlling your smart home

• Smart Things
• Home Assistant
  • Host your own
  • Lots of add-ons
  • You need to babysit it
• Android
  • Google Assistant
• Google Pixel squeeze to assistant is way better than saying “Hey Google”.
• Google Home
  • Google Home is awesome
  • Custom sayings with IFTTT
  • Custom via Routines
• Alexa

23:52 - Software

• Stringify

IFTTT

• Basic automations
• Makers accounts
• Web hooks to trigger actions

Homebridge

• Make non-iOS stuff work with HomeKit
• Swipe up control is nice

28:15 - Hardware

• Light Switches
  • Leviton
  • Lutron
• Bulbs
  • LIFX

Philips Hue

• AMAZING
• Much cheaper now than before

Blinds

Chromecast — turn the TV off

Plugs

• Wemo
• Leviton
• Sonoff

Power strip

• Change each plug or have timers

Thermostat

• Ecobee 3 Lite
• Ecobee 4 with Alexa
• Nest
• Nest-E

Cameras

• Ring Doorbells

Ring Flood Light Camera

• Super slow to open the app

Wyze cameras

• Small one
• Larger Panning Camera

Mesh Wifi

• Google Wifi
• Amplifi

Fire Alarms / CO2

• Nest Protect
• Dumb
• Lithium

Garage Door Opener

Non-connected “smart items”

• Solar powered lights on a timer. No app needed, no WiFi connection needed

Roomba - meh. We play “find the body” when it comes home.

Locks - Code based lights

67:32 - What we want in the future

• Scott
  • Motion sensors
  • Door sensors
  • Locks
  • Blinds
  • More bulbs
• Wes
  • Fireplace
  • Constantly recording cameras
  • Sensors galore
    • Windows open
    • Doors open
    • Garage door
  • Zigbee Hub
  • Xiaomi Sensors
    • Gear Best

Links

• Sanity
• Stackbit
• Google Home Mini
• Amazon Echo
• Google Pixel
• Apple Homepod
• Raspberry Pi
• GearBest

××× SIIIIICK ××× PIIIICKS ×××

• Scott: Philips Hue

Wes: All the recommendations from above

Shameless Plugs

• Scott’s Level Up Pro
• Wes’ Courses

Tweet us your tasty treats!

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets