Tech Questions? Get Answers: 3/8/2023

Q: Can I turn on my coffee pot with my computer or smartphone?

A: Yes! Welcome to the Internet of Things (IoT)! Many devices are being made “Internet Enabled.” Refrigerators, washers, dryers, and even coffee makers now have computers in them that can connect to the internet. These smart devices are connected to apps on your phone, or through a website, you can log onto with your computer. These apps and websites are created by the appliance manufacturer and give you many options to monitor and control your appliance.

But beware! As mentioned in last week’s column, when a door is opened for data to flow, it also presents an opportunity for criminals to hack your system. Internet-connected devices come with a default login and password to get you started. It is very important that you change those because the defaults are very easy to find online as they are listed in the user’s manuals. There is even a website showing the feeds from over a thousand unsecured security cameras from around the world.

There are many ways to automate your home. Countless manufacturers make web-enabled devices, including outlets that allow you to turn on and off unconnected appliances like lamps. With so many different manufacturers making smart devices, having a different app or login for each brand becomes inconvenient, which is the opposite of what we want from smart devices. Fortunately, there are some services that work with many different brands so you can have one hub to manage all your web-enabled devices.

Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Siri are three popular places to control smart devices. They are all user-friendly but come with limitations. OpenHAB and Home Assistant are open-source (community-developed, not corporate) alternatives that give the user more control over how to automate their home. These two options, while more powerful, are more complex to set up, but with that complexity comes many more features. For example, the system can detect when you (your cell phone) arrive home and run a sequence of events. These events, like turning on lights, the TV to your favorite channel, and even starting a pot of coffee can be set depending on variables like time of day, day of the week, or if the sun has set yet.

Home automation can be fun, convenient, and safe if set up correctly. Contact your local tech expert to get you started in home automation.