Changes in the availability and pricing of technology have brought the "smart
home" from the richest tiers of homeownership to a quickly growing group of
users.
According to the Atlanta Constitution-Journal, smartphone and tablet
apps let homeowners "turn lights on and off, let in a delivery person or see
whether their kids are doing their homework — from anywhere in the world."
The Digital Life system developed by AT&T Mobility, now available in
eight markets, lets you do everything from operate the garage doors to make sure
your children are doing their homework, company executives say. And Comcast's
XFinity package offers features from home security to Internet features like
Facebook and Internet radio service Pandora on your TV.
Insurance companies are even getting into the act, giving users of these
systems discounts on their insurance, with the amount based on the type of
monitoring service and features, industry officials say.
"The moment that the savings are really showing (on insurance and utility
bills), that's when this really becomes a no-brainer," says telecommunications
analyst Roger Entner.
Source: "New
technology monitors home from phone" (Chicago Tribune, 3/31/2013)
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