What is a Smart Home?
A smart home, also referred to as home automation, is a residential home that uses internet-connected devices to enable the remote monitoring, control, and management of appliances and systems, such as a dishwasher, oven, washer and dryer, lighting, and ac/heating.
According to TechTarget, "Smart home technology ... provides homeowners security, comfort, convenience and energy efficiency by allowing them to control smart devices, often by a smart home app on their smartphone or other networked device. A part of the internet of things (IoT), smart home systems and devices often operate together, sharing consumer usage data among themselves and automating actions based on the homeowners' preferences."
Examples of Smart Home Technologies
Many new appliances and gadgets are now “smart” enabled. Here are a few examples of smart home integration:
Smart TVs connect to the internet to access content through applications, such as on-demand video and music. One of the main benefits is access to a large number of channels that offer TV programs, movies, and music without the need to connect a TV antenna or subscribe to a cable/satellite service. 
Using smart locks and garage-door openers, users can grant or deny access to visitors. Smart locks can also detect when residents are near and unlock the doors for them.
With smart security cameras, residents can monitor their homes when they are away or on vacation. Smart motion sensors are also able to identify the difference between residents, visitors, pets, and burglars, and can notify you or authorities if suspicious behavior is detected.
Kitchen appliances of all sorts are available, including smart coffee makers that can brew you a fresh cup as soon as your alarm goes off; smart refrigerators that keep track of expiration dates, make shopping lists or even create recipes based on ingredients currently on hand; slower cookers and toasters; and, in the laundry room, washing machines and dryers.
Smart lighting is lighting that you can control from an app. The app enables you to change the brightness of the bulbs, as well as, the intensity of the lighting, from warmer to cooler lighting for such activities as watching movies, family meals, or reading. Switching from one intensity to another is as simple as tapping a smartphone or speaking to your favorite voice-activated networked device.
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Image: Samsung SmartThings
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