STACK #209 Mar 2022

TECH LIFE MARCH

visit stack.com.au

STACK ’ s TECH TipS

STACK’s ten tips to set up the perfect smart home

1 Find the dead spots in your house. Many smart home devices such as security cameras rely on a good Wi-Fi connection, so any barriers can impede performance. These can include construction materials, thick walls, or even fridges. To locate a dead spot, just pick up your smartphone, and observe the signal as you walk around the house. Chances are you already know where they are. 2 Resolve said dead spots. This is the easy part, and the best method for our money is setting up a mesh router. With a mesh network, a router is served by ‘satellite’ units that link up to create excellent overall coverage. A mesh network will eliminate those dastardly dead spots. 3 Learn how to geofence. Setting up geofencing can be your best friend. Think of it as a virtual blanket across the home linked to the GPS on your smartphone. Connect lights, security cameras, and smart locks, and when you leave in the morning, once the GPS on your smartphone is out of reach, lights will turn off, security cameras will activate, and the front door will lock automatically. The reverse will happen when you return. 4 Stay updated. Whenever prompted to update firmware on a device, jump on it as soon as you can. Firmware updates can improve features, fix bugs and, more importantly, resolve any potential security risks. 5 Get what you need. Have a plan of what you want to achieve in converting your home to a smart home and stick to it. It’s tempting to invest in the myriad of different devices out there, but have a goal and a budget and as Gold Five says in Star Wars , stay on target! Starting a smart home is an exciting – and rewarding – process, but it’s important to set off on the right foot. These quick and simple tips will help you launch your connected ambitions confidently.

O ver the last two years, we’ve spoken at length about the benefits of a smart home and how to implement one in the house. However, smart technology isn’t just limited to domestic use, as it's being utilised in a diverse range of situations. This month we’re looking at some of the alternative uses and benefits of smart devices. You may well be surprised...

What was the hottest tech in…

1980

Gunpei Yokoi joined Nintendo in 1965 as an assembly line engineer before being promoted to the head of research and development in the ‘70s. On his daily commute, he noticed a bored businessman stabbing at the keys on his calculator with

There’s another bumper month coming up on the tech front in April, with Mother’s Day taking centre stage. We’re also going to be deep diving into dash cams and outlining the tech behind them and the best choices for your car. And last, but by no means least, we’ll be focusing on (sorry, we’ll get our coats) the latest developments in cameras. On The Radar

a finger to keep him occupied; it proved to be Yokoi’s eureka moment. With the popularity of arcade and console gaming fresh on his mind, he had an idea to design a handheld game using inexpensive LCD technology. The concept was approved by Nintendo’s president, and the design for what would become the first Game & Watch game began. In early 1980, Ball was released, a simple game based on juggling a ball using rubber keys to move a character left and right. It was a success, and more games followed, including a version of the popular arcade title Donkey Kong in 1982. Overall, Game & Watch handhelds would go on to sell close to 44 million units. Yokoi would use the blueprint for what would eventually become the Game Boy.

30 MARCH 2022

jbhifi.com.au