Deal: Ring 2 Smart Doorbell for $89.99

-
B&H is currently having a sale on the Ring 2 Doorbell for $89.99. We've discussed the Ring 2 previously in our Beginners Guide to Smart Video Doorbells and still maintain that it is one of the best wireless camera doorbells available. As it usually costs $200 and is occasionally on sale for $150 - this is a great deal at $90! This deal expires today.

Click here to see it on B&H's website.


Popular posts from this blog

A Beginner's Guide to Presence Detection

-
Image
One of the most difficult aspects of home automation to do correctly is Presence. However, it’s also one of the most useful. Knowing if your home is occupied allows your automation to do things like turn off all the lights, turn down the heat or a/c, or even activate an alarm system when you leave. These obvious use-cases make setting up presence detection a must-have for most smart homes; but unfortunately, this is incredibly easy to get wrong. Flaky detection methods coupled with the natural complications caused by the normal comings and goings of a multi-person house can yield unpredictable behavior and trigger light, sirens, and tempers unexpectedly (see Getting Automation Right).

Read more

A Beginner's Guide to Smart Switches

-
Image
We’ve installed our thermostats, set up our doorbell and are loving the control it gives us. We’re starting to see the possibilities that home automation brings. Some of the key components that any smart house needs live on the walls of just about every room in our house. That’s right, we’re going to talk about light switches.

We physically interact with light switches every day. They are some of the most simple and reliable pieces of equipment in our houses. Every family member and guest understands how to use them without instructions. And therein lies the problem. How do we change out a simple, reliable, and intuitive piece of hardware for an inherently more complex one without sacrificing reliability and intuitiveness? Each manufacturer tries to answer these questions in its own way; some more successfully than others. Let’s examine some of the factors that go into choosing a good switch.

Read more

A Beginner's Guide to Smart Bulbs

-
Image
Last week we discussed the various options available for replacing your light switches. Another way to smarten up your home’s lighting is with smart bulbs. These are light bulbs that are controllable via your all-purpose hub or a dedicated bridge via an app or automations. Smart bulbs have several advantages and disadvantages over smart switches which means they might have a place in your home, even if you’ve installed switches!

Let’s talk about some of the pros of using smart bulbs:
Read more