smart house – PSafe Blog

These Are the Smart Devices Every Smart Home Needs

PSafe Newsroom — Fri, 12 May 2017 18:00:46 +0000

Smart homes are being revolutionized by the gadget market on what seems like a daily basis. They are becoming smarter by the minute, as new smart devices and appliances are released to make our lives easier. Many of these smart home devices can be controlled through our smartphones, too, making them even easier to use.

There are seemingly endless possibilities when it comes to making your home smarter. Apps on your device can control more than just smart locks, thermostats, and lights. Smart appliances are becoming more versatile in their usage, and can cater to household users in a variety of different ways. The following are some of the most useful smart home necessities on the market that you need right now.

BeOn Smart Bulbs

With the recent drama related to Amazon’s crash, a different method of smart lighting is on the market. BeOn smart bulbs are a Bluetooth-compatible, interconnected lighting system that even operates when the power fails. The lights are battery-powered, and can work on a timer that functions based on your preferences. They are pegged as a more costly product, but for the advanced smart home user, BeOn is a premium choice to power the home.

Nest Protect

Smoke alarms can be pesky, but they are necessary. The smart smoke detector is a revolutionary device for a seasoned concept. Nest Protect has capitalized on a household nuisance that is receiving rave reviews. The Nest Protect second generation model is an upgraded version that has a smooth aesthetic and works well with Android devices. The app presents a “silence” option that allows the user to quiet the smoke alarm in case of a non-emergency, like a cooking mishap or an extra smoky candle.

Samsung App Fridge

This is arguably everyone’s favorite appliance already, and Samsung has revolutionized the refrigerator to make it even more enjoyable to use. It features a touch screen that takes inventory of the groceries in the fridge, orders new food when the stock is running low, and has temperature-control settings for different compartments that can be controlled by apps as well.

Of course, there are other useful and necessary appliances to add to a smart home on the market. The recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas showcased many examples of such tech, and almost everything is compatible with Android devices. Just ensure that, no matter the size or capabilities of the smart home features, you install and execute everything with security in mind.

Top Smart Appliances That Are Worth the Money

PSafe Newsroom — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 21:48:32 +0000

Your kitchen may soon be taken over by smart technology. Over the years, smart technology has dramatically improved, which means that the selection in 2016 is pretty great. From smart refrigerators to smart silverware, everything seems to be going digital. The following is a selection of some of the best smart appliances to own right now.

Tefal ActiFry Smart XL
This is a great smart appliance to have on hand for football season. With this smart fryer, you can make just about any fried food you’ve been craving, in addition to stir-fries and even dessert. All without doing any work. You control the device through a phone app, from recipe instructions to how you want your food to be cooked. The smart fryer is also dishwasher safe, has a non-stick pan, and offers the option to cook on a low-fat setting. This fryer will set you back about $400.

Perfect Bake Pro
Baking just became easier with the Perfect Bake Pro. It is available from Amazon for about $100. The set includes three bowls and a scale so that you can bake without measuring — the scale will weigh the ingredients for you. Use the scale by itself, or connect the device to a phone app that will tell you how to make your favorite recipes.

SmartPlate
This smart appliance makes it even easier to control your food portions. Simply place food on the plate, and it will weigh your food and tell you how many calories are in your meal. This is a particularly great option for those with diet goals. You can wirelessly connect your plate to your phone, and can keep track of your meals through their app without having to record your meals online or in a notebook. The app can also keep track of your workout goals and schedule. Think of SmartPlate as your nutritionist and personal trainer in one.

Juicero
This smart juicer takes “smart” juicing to another level. At almost $700, it’s not just a juicer. It offers a hassle-free way to get your fruits and veggies. With this product, you’ll download their Juicero app to control the device, which will allow you to manage a weekly Juicero subscription service. This service will send you packs of raw, organic fruits and vegetables, which you will then use your smart juicer to make for you. Juicero is currently available only in California, but it will soon be available to purchase in other states.

Everything You Should Know About the Safety of Smart Locks

PSafe Newsroom — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 11:49:58 +0000

Smart technology has taken over our lives. From making our coffee in the morning to controlling the temperature of our home, we trust a variety of smart objects to complete tasks for us. Unfortunately, the abundance of this smart technology also contributes to its lack of security. We’re so focused on how a smart lock, for example, can make our home more secure against intruders that we may ignore the fact that it’s a device that can easily be hacked. Odds are, if you have a smart lock — or are interested in purchasing one — then security is a top concern for you. It’s time then to get informed about potential security risks with smart locks. After all, a smart lock system might set you back a few hundred dollars — and it might not be worth it.

Unencrypted Passwords
One of the biggest risks with some smart locks is an unencrypted password. Certain models from Quicklock, for example, store the lock’s password in plain text. This is the easiest way for a hacker to gain access to your lock — and your home. Further, there are many locks that have this issue. This seems like a big oversight. If you still want to invest in a smart lock after this, make sure you do your research on what specific models have to offer.

Lack of Updates
While this can be an issue with many Android devices, it’s an even bigger issue with smart locks. Smart locks are designed to be “secure.” But how can they truly be secure against cyberthreats without frequent security updates or bug fixes?

Hacking Opportunities
There are many ways that a hacker can gain access to your home through your smart lock. One way a hacker could take control of your lock involves you unlocking your door. A hacker could essentially “copy” the information sent to unlock the door, and then “replay” it to gain access to the lock. DEF CON 2016 showed that, with little money spent, a hacker could gain access to more than 75% of the smart locks currently available. Many Bluetooth locks from Kwikset and August (among others) were the safest to use.

The Conclusion
Smart locks don’t offer all that much more than a regular lock. The technology is cool, but there are still a lot of improvements that need to be made to the current selection. Even though a smart lock might help to protect your home from old-fashioned lock picking, many smart locks are still capable of being dismantled — in addition to all of the ways they can be hacked.