Computer Shopper - UK (2020-04)

ISSUE386|COMPUTER SHOPPER|APRIL2020 91

with the Arlo cameras (these also save power
by only waking up when motion is detected).
Wi-Fialso workswell when youneed alot of
bandwidth, such as for asecurity camera.
Thedownside of using Wi-Fiisthatit’s
only as good as your signal, so if you have
dead spots or connection issues with
wireless in your home, you may have
problems getting some smarthome kit to
work. Agood mesh system, such as the
Netgear Orbi, can help solve these issues.
Thepower requirements mean thatyou
don’t get battery-powered switches and the
like. So if you buy aWi-Fismartlight bulb,
you can only turn it on or offusing avoice
assistant or the app.You can also use a
third-party systemto controlyour devices,
such as using aSmartThings motion sensor
to trigger your TP-Link smartbulbs through
the SmartThings Hub.

CONFIGURING YOUR NETWORK

No matter whattypes of smarthome devices you choose,quality

networking is amust,whether that’stocontrol devices using an

app or just because you want the best-qualityvideo fromyour

security cameras.

To get the best networkin

we recommend thatyou insta

awireless mesh system in you

house.These use multiple

satellites to eliminate dead sp

from your home.Currently,th

Netgear Orbi RBK50 (Shopp

375) is the fastest and most

powerful system,and comes highly recommended.There’sanew

Wi-Fi6version of therouter,although this model is considerably

moreexpensive than the one that’scurrently on sale.

g,either,particularly as away

home bridges thatyou

e.Inour own home,we

ave run an Ethernet cable

omthe router under the

oorboards and into ahall

upboard,whereitconnects

oan 8-portswitch.Our smart

home hubs arethen plugged

nhere,out of the way and,

importantly,located in the

middle of the house for the

best performance.

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g,

all

ur

pots

he

per

p

Don’t forget about wired networking

of hiding away any smart

have

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Thefinal downside is the number of

supported devices,with wireless networks

usually topping out at around 100 devices,

although some can go higher.

BLUE IN THE FACE

Bluetooth is agrowing technology used

by smarthome devices, as it’s cheap and

reliable. Many smartlocksuse Bluetooth,

only opening whenyou get your

smartphone in range. However,Bluetooth

devices can be connected to ahub to give

you remote control.

Cleverly,Bluetooth devices thatare

compatible with Apple HomeKit can be

remotely controlled if they’reinrange of a

HomeKit Home Hub (a HomePod, Apple TV

or iPad). Forexample, the Nuki SmartLock 2.0

can be controlled remotely if you have a

HomePod within range of it, saving having to

buy the Nuki Bridge for remote control.

ROSETTASTONE

Beyond the standardprotocols, thereare

devices thatspeak their own language.

Ty pically,you’ll find thatthese arefor specific

systems, such as asmartwater leak systemor

asmartalarmsystem. In these cases, you’ll get

ahub thatplugs into yournetwork, while

other devices arecommunicated with via the

proprietary wireless communication.

Using ahub doesn’t restrict communication,

however.For example, the Philips Hue Bridge

can be connected to Amazon Alexa, Apple

HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings, making

all your lights available for automation

through all those systems.

RIGHT:Wi-Fiisessential forasmarrtttt

home, but make sureyou get a good

signaleverywherewithameshssyste

ABOVE:Asmarthome system can connect

devices from lotsofdifferent manufacturers