STACK #185 Mar 2020

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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Smart sockets Smart plugs; what do they do? Once linked via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, these handy little units allow the user to control any device plugged into them. So if you connect a TV, lamp or even your coffee machine, you can either set up a scene to activate

through the home app, the uses are

Philips Hue Smart Plug

innumerable: maybe you want to be notified on your smartphone about movement in the house while you’re at work, or in order to save money, a scene can be set to activate lighting when you enter a room. A day/night option on the app means you can set the lighting at 100 per cent brightness during the day, but when you get up during the night, lights can be set to just 20 per cent if you need to use the toilet and don’t want bright lights. Eve also produces a door and window sensor that is easy to install and can trigger a scene when opened or closed. Different heights on doors and windows are compensated by a series of blocks in the pack that allow the sensors to be raised to fit any architrave or door trim. Samsung has a SmartThings range of sensors available, too. Its motion sensor comes with a magnetic stand for wall mounting affixed with double-sided tape, allowing multi- directional positioning to capture every

The king of smart lighting, Philips Hue has extended its range to encompass smart plugs. Featuring a small cube design, this smart plug uses Bluetooth and ZigBee to connect. Easy

when you come through the door, or switch on the devices remotely from a smartphone. Built to the same standards as a normal Australian plug, a smart plug is an essential addition for eradicating electricity loss through vampire energy (i.e. devices that drain when in standby mode) or controlling lights when you’re away on holiday. For the environmentally or financially conscious, some smart plugs will monitor energy usage so you can determine which devices are consuming the most power. Eve Energy Smart Plug The beauty of Eve products is the ease of setting them up – download the Eve or Home app and scan the QR code that comes in the box to connect – and that’s certainly the case with the Eve Energy Smart Plug. This differs to many smart plugs as it connects via Bluetooth as opposed to Wi-Fi. Setting scenes is a breeze through the app and the energy monitoring is highly detailed: set your electricity rate and then you have the option of keeping tabs on current consumption and projected cost, and total consumption and total cost. These can be monitored hourly, daily, weekly or monthly.

to install via the Philips Hue app, utilising the Hue Routines, scenes can be scheduled or the Hue Motion Sensor employed so lights can be activated through movement in a room. Energy monitoring is unsupported. Sensor It As the name suggests, motion sensors do just that: sense motion. Useful applications for a motion sensor include security protection on doors and windows, or to trigger a scene when you step through the door at night. Most premium models also feature a pet-friendly mode to ensure that your cat or dog is not triggering the sensors all day long. The battery operated Eve Motion can either be wall mounted or sat on the floor/table. Again, connected

angle. Easy connectivity through the SmartThings app opens up a plethora of scene options. It can detect motion for up to 4.5 metres and features a 120-degree view range.

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MARCH 2020

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