Here are the smart home tech trends we’ve seen so far in 2021
As a rapidly growing and highly popular industry, smart technology is always ripe for new trends and innovations from year to year. This year has been no different! The COVID-19 pandemic and increasing desires for seamless smart home integration have brought about some exciting smart home trends since we turned the calendar to 2021.
Here at TCA Electric, we’re always looking to stay on top of home automation and smart tech so that we can provide the best residential electrical services possible to our customers. As we’ve gone about our work in 2021, here are some of the major smart home trends we’ve seen this year!
A focus on health and wellness
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected seemingly every aspect of our lives and just about every industry. The smart tech industry has been no different in that regard. Since the latter half of 2020 and continuing into 2021, one of the biggest smart home trends has been a move toward more health and wellness smart devices.
From doorbells that take your temperature to the most sophisticated home gym systems we’ve seen on the market, many new smart devices are focusing on the wellbeing of homeowners. Not only are these devices aimed at preventing the spread of viruses, but the more fitness-focused devices can help keep folks healthier, too.
Smooth, seamless integration
While plenty of smart home devices are able to connect seamlessly, many others require some form of intermediary (or “bridge”) to connect to your Wi-Fi. This could get complicated, especially if they required a physical ethernet connection, and it simply didn’t feel as “smart” as forming a direct connection.
In 2021, one of the other trends we’ve noted is a move away from bridges toward seamless integration of Wi-Fi capability in a greater variety of smart devices. This has broadened the “Internet of Things”—that is, the network of non-traditional devices connected to the internet—for a smoother smart home experience.
Bringing style up to speed
Smart home technology is all about integration and convenience. Over the years, smart devices have often shared a common aesthetic: clean, sleek, white, and generally very modern-looking. But in contrast with their goal of integration, this one-size-fits-all aesthetic simply doesn’t mesh with every home’s style.
In 2021, we’ve started to see a move toward greater variety in the design and aesthetic of smart devices. Rather than a slew of devices with the same style, smart home companies have started taking notice of design trends and acted accordingly. While plenty of devices still bear that modern aesthetic, there is now a greater variety in terms of colours, shapes, and patterns that might better suit your home’s style.
Privacy takes center stage
As the smart home technology industry has grown, so has awareness of the privacy risks that come with using devices from companies like Google, Apple, and Amazon. Taking note of this awareness, many manufacturers of smart devices have begun focusing even more on privacy and security with their offerings.
Security has always been paramount, even more so now with the continuing expansion of the internet of things. The more devices you have connected to the internet, the more important it is that each one has effective protection from hackers. But additional safeguards are now trendy as well—for instance, lens shields that can cover smart cameras. These trends have brought greater control and privacy to smart home owners.
TCA’s Smart Home Experts Are Keeping up with the Latest Trends!
If you’re looking to make your home smarter with smart devices and home automation, it’s important to partner with an electrician that keeps up with the latest trends in smart home technology. Here at TCA Electric, we’re always keeping our ear to the ground and taking note of how smart tech is innovating and changing. That helps us ensure we’re providing the best solutions for all of our customers!
Whether you need a new device or two installed in your home or a complete home overhaul, the licensed and professional electricians are here to make your smart home vision a reality. Contact us today to get started!