Believe it or not, the work required to install the hardware and automation to create these notifications was challenging.
The goal was simple enough: because there are bears in the area, the resort requires all homes to have a separate trash room and on Fridays the trash service collects and returns the bins from each home’s trash room. In preparation the exterior trash room door must be unlocked and the interior door locked. You shouldn’t unlock the exterior trash room door too early (ie the night before) or else the bears, who actively check the doors, will feast. The trash service timing varies between 6 am and 1 pm and getting up at 6 am to unlock/lock the doors isn’t my idea of retirement.
There are plenty of electronic locks on the market but I learned the hard way that Amazon won’t allow an automated routine to unlock a door or disarm an alarm system. You must trigger the routine manually on your phone or issue a voice command with a code word.
So despite using Alexa for the rest of our automation we use Apple HomeKit for the doors because Apple allows automated unlock routines. The Apple feature also unlock the doors with a swipe of an iPhone, using a digital key.
I think this one of the reasons why home automation hasn’t really taken off. There are too many competing standards and too many proprietary relationships. For instance, the My Q Liftmaster garage door skill will open your garage door as part of the Amazon Key delivery service but you must use a 3rd party automation like LiveKey to include garage door opening in an automated Alexa routine. (LiveKey doesn’t integrate with Schlage so it isn’t an option for a door unlock routine.) Similarly, Ring is owned by Amazon so it won’t work directly with Apple HomeKit. To top it all off home automation is expensive and not particularly user friendly.
I read an article a while back about how Amazon is disappointed with Alexa - most people just do a few simple tasks and don’t add new skills after the first week. Our Alexa is like a sad wanna-be friend, constantly asking if we’d like to hear a joke or offering irrelevant and unrequested ‘by the way’ comments.
It is arguably dumb to have two automation hubs (Apple Home and Alexa) and multiple 3rd party intermediate automation (LikeKey, SmartThing, IFTT) but if you want best in class individual devices and functionality (like Ring and automated unlock routines) it is necessary.
The latest installment in my home automation and security system exploration. This time: the comedy and horror that occurs when the home system becomes a battleground.
Prev installments about AI, paranoia, and home security cameras here, and the wild, dangerous, exciting future of smart toilets, here.
A Gothic Lantern is a captivating piece of lighting that brings the allure of the Victorian Era into your home. The lantern is adorned with ornate top and bottom ornaments, reminiscent of the Gothic style that was prevalent during the Victorian Era.
My curiosity to create something new and interesting got me into this gothic style rechargeable lantern.
The design is both nostalgic and timeless, making the Gothic Lantern a perfect fit for homes that cherish a touch of historical charm.
Read this tutorial for detailed step by step instructions on how to build this lantern and for a complete instruction on how the electronic circuit works inside the lantern.
To stop these burglary techniques and provide you some peace of mind, there are several ways to fortify the security of your locks and your house.
Put in smart locks.
Another excellent option for increasing lock security and thwarting burglary attempts is smart locks. On the residential property security sector, they are gradually gaining traction.
Boost the security system of your house.
Increasing the general security of your home is another approach to keep a thief from ever trying to enter it. If a burglar notices additional security features like an alarm system, cove security cameras, or outdoor illumination, they will probably pass past your house.
Install high security locks with anti-snap technology.
A simple and affordable method of enhancing your home's security is to replace your locks with ones that resist snapping. Give our locksmiths a call at 0808 164 2928 if you require anti-snap lock installation done by highly skilled and effective technicians.
Maintaining the safety and security of your house is essential to ensuring your personal safety and security.
Home Automation In the fast-paced world we live in today, the concept of a smart home has evolved from being a luxury to a necessity. With technology advancements, smart home automation has made life more convenient, efficient, and secure. Let’s dive into the realm of smart home automation and explore how it simplifies your daily life.
Creating a Welcoming Haven: Preparing Your Home to Accommodate Your Parents or Grandparents
Designing Spaces with Comfort and Accessibility in Mind
As our loved ones age, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that our homes provide a safe and comfortable environment for them. Whether you’re preparing to welcome your parents or grandparents into your home or creating a dedicated space for them to visit, making the necessary adjustments can greatly enhance their quality of life. In…
Formal in DC Metro
Mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room photo with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv
Homeowners associations (HOAs) serve to maintain a neighborhood's aesthetic homogeneity and to defend the property rights of its homeowners. HOAs generally perform a good job, but because their rules and restrictions are set and enforced by a group of neighbors, they can go too far and cause problems for some residents.
Parking constraints. The ways and places where residents can park their cars are sometimes restricted by HOAs. The HOA might even have rules on what kind of car you can leave in your driveway, prohibiting things like ATVs or motor homes that might be considered unsightly.
Fence prohibitions. In housing projects where unobstructed vistas of wide-open lawns are desired, no-fence regulations are typical. Because most municipal construction requirements demand that swimming pools be enclosed by a secured fence for safety reasons, no-fence laws may also preclude a homeowner from creating a backyard pool.
Forced sales. The laws in your state will determine whether the HOA can do this and the procedure the board must follow, but it's possible that you could lose your home for anything as simple as skipping a few dues payments. As an alternative, the board may put a lien on your house for the amount you owe, which will prevent you from selling it until the lien is satisfied.
Laws vary by state. Since many homeowners are unaware of the regulations in their state, they may be expending time, energy, and money to abide by restrictions that the HOA is unable to enforce. Check out this page to see the laws that are particular to your state if you're unsure about the legality of a HOA rule.
Pet restrictions. In townhouse developments and other neighborhoods where properties are close together and fences are not allowed, pet restrictions are typical. You may be able to keep a cat or other indoor pet if your HOA permits it. No matter where you reside, make sure to install cove security systems to protect your home and loved ones.
Ultro - Virtual Assistant | Control Smart Home Devices
Сheck out more 👉 https://dribbble.com/shots/20276261-Ultro-Virtual-Assistant-Control-Smart-Home-Devices
To enhance the user experience, we have integrated voice control in the Ultro app. While designing, we made sure to add animations to give animations, so that users could see how their commands operate. It will give them better clarity and satisfaction.
If you are interested to know what other functions we store for our users and want to learn about the whole design process:
Have a look at our case study! Here's the link Behance Case Study 🚀
We are top-notch design agency focusing on UI/UX design, web design, branding & marketing ✌️