One of the most amazing things about the smart home field is that every week, there is a new household item that has been automated and computerized. Gradually, we see more and more mundane elements that turn into something much more exciting and much more dynamic.
Take your window blinds for example. It is now possible to turn them into “smart blinds”, by installing an affordable electronic pulley system, which can be controlled via a smartphone. Here's how you can get one and what it can do for you.
Smart home technology is definitely a niche. You might consider “smart blinds” to be a niche within a niche. There are few manufacturers, and none have the prominence or presence of Samsung, Nest and Phillips.
There are two companies that I am most excited about:Loxone and MySmartBlinds. These are the two biggest competitors in the “smart blind” market, but they couldn't be more different in their approach.
While Loxone does not sell a smart blind product. per se , sells a “solidline air tubular motor” for £156 (just under $200). This is certainly a bit of a mouthful. It connects to an existing blind system and allows you to control it remotely from an on-premises switch or mobile app. Watch them at work on the (Vertical Annoying Vertical Video Syndrome [Weird &Wonderful Web] The Scourge Of Vertical Vertical Video Syndrome [Weird &Wonderful Web] Vertical Video Syndrome may be a catchy name that we can use to classify some videos and the people responsible for them, but the problem is real. Are you suffering from this digital ailment? Read More) video below.
It is worth emphasizing that it is not A pre-built product. To build a smart blind system, you'll need basic electronics and programming skills, and time to commit to actually putting it together . To get an idea of what this entails, check out the video below.
You'll also need to buy additional products, such as a 'miniserver' to control the system (which costs £297, plus delivery), and switches to control it.
If this seems like a Herculean effort, that's because it is . This seems to be an issue with Loxone. The UK-based company sells a number of smart home products, including a music server, but they all require a significant amount of assembly and setup.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. I imagine a lot of people would relish the opportunity for a weekend DIY project. Fortunately, for everyone else, there are turnkey solutions on the market.
The second most prominent player in the smart blind market is MySmartBlinds. Unlike Loxone, it's a completely out-of-the-box product, which is ideal for those who don't have the confidence or desire to build something from scratch.
Unlike Loxone's offering, MySmartBlinds is also cheaper, at just $100. It consists of a Bluetooth LE-compatible motor box, a rechargeable battery pack, a manual switch, and the components you'll need to put up any standard horizontal blind. 2-2.5 inches.
Another big difference to Loxone's offering is that you don't need to interact with it through an intermediary device, such as a hub or miniserver. You can connect directly through an iDevice running iOS 7 or later, or an Android phone or tablet running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean or later.
There are also a number of MySmartBlinds accessories that can be purchased separately. If you don't like the effort of periodically recharging your unit, you can purchase a compatible solar panel. This costs $45. The downside is that you'll have to put it in the center of your window, and really, What will the neighbors say? ?
You can also purchase an additional MySmartBlinds compatible smart switch. At $60, this costs much more than the solar panel, but it allows you to control up to 32 shades (eight shades in a group and four groups per switch).
MySmartBlinds also sells a replacement charging cable. This is $14.00 and is basically a standard micro USB charger. You can buy them cheaper on Amazon.
For some smart home products, the value proposition is immediately apparent. The Nest Thermostat, for example, will save you money on your heating bill 13 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With a Nest Thermostat 13 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With a Nest Thermostat You might be surprised how many Little Tricks You Can achieve with your new Nest Thermostat! Read more . I'm pretty skeptical about robot vacuums though Robotic vacuums are a waste of money and here's why robotic vacuums are a waste of money and here's why the appeal of smart vacuums is undeniable. But they are not for everyone. You should think long and hard before buying one. This is why. Read More
What's so great about smart blinds that you'd spend $100 or more per window? I can think of three possible situations..
If you've ever traveled for an extended period of time, you probably know that your biggest anxiety is whether your home is safe. The moment it becomes apparent that your home is vacant, it becomes an attractive target for burglars.
With Smart Blinds, you can create the look of someone living in your house. Both the Loxone and MySmartBlinds offerings allow you to schedule when to open and close your blinds. So you can open them in the morning and close them at night.
You can combine this with other smart home technology to turn your house into a virtual Fort Knox Safe and Sound:4 Smart Home Security Devices. Safe and Sound:4 Smart Home Security Devices. Read more. Light your home smartly with Philips Hue lights Light your home smartly with Philips Hue lights with Philips Hue If you can afford the upfront cost, you won't find a smarter lighting system better supported and easier to use in the market. Read More With a motion detector Build a motion capture security system using a Raspberry Pi Build a motion capture security system using a Raspberry Pi Of the many projects you can build with the Raspberry Pi, one of the most interesting and permanent Useful is the motion capture security system. Read More Thanks to smartphones, however, lower-cost solutions are now available. Read More
In many major cities, privacy is at a premium, as people live face-to-face in crowded apartments and suburbs. If you're aware that your neighbors can peek into your apartment while you're away, you may want to consider installing smart blinds.
With smart blinds, you can time your blinds to close when your neighbors get home or when your kids get home from school.
In the summer, you'll notice your electricity costs go up as your air conditioning unit struggles to keep your home cool.
Fortunately, strategic use of smart shades can help. By setting them to shut off during the day, you can slow down how quickly your home heats up, thereby reducing the pressure on your air conditioner.
If you wanted to be Really voila, you can dock your AC unit with a Smart Plug 6 Non-Belkin WeMo Smart Plugs 6 Non-Belkin WeMo Smart Plugs Read More, allowing you to turn it on an hour before you get home. This will save you cooling an empty house.
You. Do you have smart blinds? Have you found any unique uses for them? Are they worth the money? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
