Picture this scene: You walk into your home and everything is ready for you without you having to lift a finger. The lights turn on as soon as you enter the room, the air conditioner adjusts the temperature to your liking, even your coffee is ready automatically while you are still changing. Does this sound like a scene from a sci-fi movie? The truth is that this is the everyday reality of smart homes that are now part of our lives.
A smart home is not just a set of modern appliances, it is a home that interacts with you, understands your needs and responds to them efficiently. Using technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, the home becomes a real partner in your daily life, helping you save energy, simplify routine tasks and increase your comfort and safety. In other words, a smart home gives you the convenience and time to focus on the things that really matter to you.
If you think about the difference between a regular home and a smart home, the answer is simple: a smart home learns from your habits and adapts to them. If you come home at 6 a.m., everything is set up for you to relax right away. If you forget to turn off the lights before bed, don’t worry, the home will take care of it. Even if you forget that the door to your apartment is open, you will receive a notification on your phone to remind you.
Smart homes rely on a central system that brings together all the electronic devices in your home, making them work together in harmony like a complete orchestra. The refrigerator sends you notifications when you run out of food, the washing machine automatically starts the wash cycle when needed, and all this while you relax on the couch watching TV.
This is not just a luxury, but a step towards a smoother and more efficient future in managing our daily lives.
Smart homes over time
Smart homes have gone through many important stages over time, and there were people and events that changed our understanding of our daily lives. Let us go back in time to learn about the most important milestones that shaped the development of smart homes:
In 1966, an American professor named James Siebert decided to do something crazy: he invented the world's first smart home system, which he called the "Echo 4", which operated household appliances and recorded family appointments, but the biggest problem was that it was so huge that no one could afford it. A year later, in 1967, Westinghouse developed another device and called it the "Echo 4", but this version was slightly smaller, and its advantage was that it recorded shopping lists and operated electrical appliances in the home, but it was not intended for commercial use.
In 1984, the term “smart home” was first officially used at the American Building Institute in North Carolina. This was the first official recognition that technology had entered our homes in a way that would change our lives. In 1991, in Amsterdam, the first smart home project was presented to the public, which aimed to integrate smart devices into everyday life. This project was sponsored by the Dutch government, and was a major step towards smart homes.
In 1998, Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, built a smart home in Medina, Washington. The house used a central control system for everything in it, from lighting to heating and other appliances. This house became a model for the world of smart homes. In 1999, Sun Microsystems introduced a new idea called “Genie,” which aimed to connect all devices together over the Internet. This was the beginning of the idea of the Internet of Things ( IoT ), which is the basis of today’s smart homes.
In 2000, LG announced the world’s first smart refrigerator, which could connect to the internet and give you alerts about food you needed to buy. It was a revolution in home appliances. In 2003, Apple launched the first integrated remote control for smart homes, with the iPod acting as the “brain” of the smart home, controlling everything from lighting to sound.
In 2006, the city of Seoul in South Korea launched the “Smart City” project, which aimed to integrate technology into every part of citizens’ lives, from homes to streets. This project marked the beginning of the smart cities we see today. In 2010, Nest Labs introduced the world’s first smart thermostat. This device learned from your habits and saved tons of energy, and it was a huge success, becoming the foundation of every smart home.
In 2012, Google bought Nest Labs for $3.2 billion. The deal was a strong signal that smart homes would be part of the future. In 2013, Amazon launched Alexa, a personal assistant that can communicate with all the smart devices in your home. Now you can turn on the lights, unlock the door, or order a pizza with just your voice.
In 2014, Dubai announced the Middle East’s first smart home project, as part of its 2021 vision to become one of the smartest cities in the world. In 2015, Samsung launched the SmartThings platform , which brings together all the smart devices in your home on a single mobile app, allowing you to control everything from anywhere.
In 2016, Elon Musk, founder of Tesla, introduced the idea of a “sustainable home,” where everything is powered by solar energy, and these homes rely on smart technologies to preserve the environment and save energy. In 2017, Apple introduced the HomeKit platform , which brings together all the smart devices in your home under one roof, and gives you complete control over them through your iPhone or iPad.
In 2018, Google launched the Google Home Hub , which combines Google Assistant with an interactive touchscreen that controls all the smart devices in the home. In 2019, Tokyo announced the Olympic Smart Home Project, which aims to provide smart homes for athletes and visitors during the 2020 Olympics.
In 2019, Amazon launched a new feature in Alexa called “ Alexa Guard ,” which made the Echo device monitor the house while you were away. If it heard the sound of breaking glass or a fire alarm, it would send you an immediate alert on your mobile phone. This feature greatly increased the security of smart homes. In the same year, Google launched the Nest Hub Max , which had a large screen and a smart camera that recognized faces and controlled all smart devices in the home. This device was a qualitative leap in the ease of use of smart homes.
In 2020, with the spread of the Corona pandemic, the demand for systems that facilitate life at home increased significantly. In March, Apple launched the “ HomePod Intercom ” feature, which allows you to send voice messages to all rooms of the house using only your voice, which was very useful for large families who had to spend a lot of time together at home. In April 2020, Samsung launched a smart washing machine with “ AI Control ” technology that learns from your washing habits and adjusts the settings automatically. This washing machine helped a lot in saving water and energy, and was ideal at a time when people are spending more time at home.
In September 2020, Ring launched the Always Home Cam , a small drone that flies around the house and monitors all the angles that regular cameras can’t reach. The idea was a dream come true for tech and home security enthusiasts. In 2021, LG introduced a new technology at CES in Las Vegas called “ AI DD ” for washing machines, which can automatically recognize the type of fabric and clothes and set the optimal cycle for them. This was another step towards saving and preserving clothes.
That same year, Austin, Texas, announced the Whisper Valley project , which includes 7,500 smart homes that use 100% clean energy. This project was one of the largest sustainable smart home projects in the world. In June 2021, Ecobee introduced a new smart thermostat called the SmartThermostat with voice control , which has a built-in voice assistant and can talk to Alexa , Siri , or Google Assistant . This device combines all the features you might need in a smart home.
Wyze launched a new security camera called the Wyze Cam v3 , which works day and night and records high-quality video even in the harshest lighting conditions. The device was affordable and accessible, making smart home security accessible to everyone. In September 2021, Google announced a major update to the Google Home platform , making it easier and more integrated to control smart devices. This update made all devices work together and talk to each other better than ever before.
In October 2021, Apple launched the HomeKey service , which opens the door to your home by simply bringing your iPhone or smartwatch close to the door. This service increased the security and ease of entry to smart homes. In 2022, Amazon launched the Echo Show 15, a large smart device that acts as a control center for all smart home devices, and you can hang it on the wall like a picture. This device combined luxury and multiple functions in one place.
In February 2022, Samsung introduced a new robot called Jet Bot AI +, which uses artificial intelligence to automatically clean the house. The robot was able to avoid obstacles and know which areas needed more cleaning, which was a breakthrough in the world of smart cleaning. In March 2022, Google acquired Raxium , a company specializing in microLED display technology , with the aim of developing smaller and more efficient smart displays for use in smart homes.
In the same year, Elon Musk announced in August 2022 that Tesla plans to launch the “ Tesla Home ,” a fully solar-powered smart home that will be integrated with Tesla electric cars. The project is still in development, but it is very promising. In October 2022, Amazon launched the “ Halo Rise ,” a smart device that tracks your sleep using a smart radar and analyzes your sleep habits to improve them. This device was a new addition to the lives of people who spend more time at home.
In December 2022, the city of Toronto, Canada, announced Project Quayside , an entire neighborhood of smart homes that uses IoT technologies to create a sustainable, smart community. The project served as a model for future smart cities. In January 2023, Apple introduced a new update to HomeKit , which allowed users to control all smart devices in the home using a single app in a more efficient and convenient way.
In February 2023, Google introduced a new “ Matter ” protocol that allows smart home devices from different companies to communicate with each other easily. The protocol aims to unify the smart home experience and make it easier to use. In March 2023, the city of Los Angeles announced plans to build the largest smart home project in the United States, funded by the federal government, with the goal of providing smart and sustainable housing for citizens.
Smart home features in the eyes of celebrities
In 2018, billionaire Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, said in an interview with Joe Rogan in Los Angeles: “Smart homes are the future. There has to be an integration of renewable energy and artificial intelligence to make life more sustainable.” Musk has long been a proponent of the idea of smart homes.
In 2019, American author Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, wrote on his personal account in Menlo Park: “A smart home allows you to focus on the things you love instead of wasting your time on daily tasks. Technology has become a real partner in our lives.” In 2020, global star Oprah Winfrey said on her famous show in Chicago: “Smart homes help us live more comfortable and safe lives. When your home speaks to you and cares about your safety, you feel comfortable and reassured.”
In 2020, English novelist Ian McEwan told the BBC in London: “Smart homes are not just a luxury, they are part of the fabric of modern life. I think this technology will change our understanding of home.” In 2021, American actress Jennifer Aniston told Vogue in Beverly Hills: “My smart home is a place where I can escape the stresses of life. I like a home that can read my needs and provide comfort without me having to ask.”
In 2021, Japanese writer Haruki Murakami told The New Yorker in Tokyo: “The smart home is where technology meets spirituality. The comfort of technology in the home allows you to enjoy life more deeply.” In 2022, Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, wrote on his personal blog in Seattle: “I’ve always been a fan of the idea of smart homes. Technology that connects everything together is a big step toward more sustainable and efficient living.”
In 2022, British author J.K. Rowling told The Guardian in Edinburgh: “Smart homes open new doors to convenience and creativity. When technology is integrated into our daily lives, it gives us more time to create and think.” That same year, actor Robert Downey Jr. told GQ magazine in New York: “A smart home is not just technology, it’s a place where you feel safe. When devices work in harmony, you feel like you’re the king of your own kingdom.”
In 2022, director Steven Spielberg told Variety in Los Angeles: “The smart home is a real-life version of the sci-fi movies I used to make. I think this technology will make everyday life simpler and more fun.” In 2023, singer Taylor Swift told Rolling Stone in Nashville: “I’m a huge fan of smart homes. The technology in my home allows me to focus on music and creativity, without having to think about the little things.”
In 2023, American novelist Stephen King wrote in an article in The New York Times: “A smart home is not just a means of comfort, it is also a means of security. When technology can protect you from dangers, you feel inner peace.” The same year, legendary player Lionel Messi said in an interview with the Parisian newspaper El Pais: “My smart home is the place where I feel comfortable after a long day on the field. This technology allows me to live a comfortable life without complications.”
In 2023, TV personality Ellen DeGeneres said on her Los Angeles show: “Smart homes are the future we live in now. When your home can communicate with you, you feel like you’re part of something bigger.” That same year, director Christopher Nolan said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in London: “The smart home opens up new possibilities for creativity in everyday life. This technology allows us to focus on the art and creativity without worrying about the details.”
In 2024, singer Beyoncé told Houston’s Elle magazine : “I love the convenience of smart homes. When devices work in harmony and understand your needs, you feel like the queen of your own home.” In 2024, writer Neil Gaiman told London’s The Independent : “The smart home opens new doors to convenience and creativity. Technology gives us the freedom to live our lives the way we want.”
The same year, actress Emma Watson told Vogue in Paris: “A smart home is where technology meets simplicity. I love a home that combines intelligence and simplicity.” In 2024, artist Justin Timberlake told Billboard in Los Angeles: “A smart home gives you the feeling that you’re in your own world. Technology that works without you noticing it is what gives you peace of mind.”
Finally, in 2024, director Quentin Tarantino said in an interview with Deadline in New York: “The smart home is the new phase in human life. This technology makes us live in a more advanced and comfortable way than ever before.”
Disadvantages of smart homes in the eyes of celebrities
Smart homes, despite their popularity and admiration, are not necessarily loved by everyone. Some celebrities and authors have strong reservations about this technology. Let's review the opinions of celebrities who have expressed their opposition to smart homes. In 2019, the English writer George Monbiot wrote an article in the Guardian newspaper in London, in which he said: "Smart homes make us hostages of technology. Rather than serving us, technology has become the one that controls us and directs our lives."
The same year, director Woody Allen told The New Yorker in New York: “I don’t like the idea of my house spying on me. I don’t want cameras and voice assistants monitoring my every move in my home.” In 2020, Japanese author Haruki Murakami told the Asahi Shimbun in Tokyo: “I appreciate convenience and simplicity, but the idea of everything being connected and monitored makes me anxious. The smart home erases one’s privacy.”
That same year, singer Bob Dylan told Rolling Stone in Los Angeles: “I don’t feel comfortable with the idea of my house being equipped with artificial intelligence. This technology makes me feel like we’re losing the human touch in our lives.” In 2021, novelist John Grisham wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post: “Smart homes can be a trap. If the technology fails or is hacked, your entire life is at risk.”
In 2021, actress Meryl Streep told New York Vogue: “I don’t like the idea of devices listening to me all the time. I need a quiet, private space without technology intruding.” In 2021, author Stephen King wrote in a New York Times op-ed: “Smart homes can be a nightmare if the technology breaks down. Imagine your home locked inside a failing system!”
In 2022, actor Jack Nicholson told Variety in Los Angeles: “I love old things. New technology makes me feel like we’re losing a part of our heritage and identity.” In 2022, director Sofia Coppola told The Hollywood Reporter in Los Angeles: “Smart homes can make life boring, everything is predictable and known. Where’s the surprise? Where’s the spontaneity?” That same year, singer Bruce Springsteen told Esquire in New Jersey: “I’m not against technology, but I don’t want it to control every detail of my life. I like to live in the moment without having a systematic plan for me.”
In 2023, novelist Margaret Atwood told the Globe and Mail in Toronto: “Smart homes worry me. We’re surrendering our entire lives to devices and software that can disappear or break at any moment.” In 2023, actor Johnny Depp told GQ magazine in Paris: “I like simple living. Too much technology makes me feel like we’re losing touch with nature and reality.” In 2023, writer Elizabeth Gilbert told Oprah Magazine in New York: “The smart home can be a burden. Technology sometimes makes life more complicated than it makes it simple.”
In the same year, musician Eric Clapton said in an interview with the BBC in London: “I’m part of the generation that likes to feel everything at your fingertips. Smart homes turn everything into a button, and that robs us of the real experience.” In 2024, director Annie Leibovitz said in an interview with Vanity Fair in New York: “Art requires spaces that are free of technological interference. Smart homes create a highly controlled and monitored environment.” In 2024, writer Kazuo Ishiguro said in an interview with The Independent in London: “The smart home creates a sense of complete dependence on technology, and that can make people lose their natural skills.”
In the same year, actress Helena Bonham Carter told The Times of London: “Smart homes make us feel disconnected from reality. Technology can take away the beautiful things in our lives.” In 2024, writer Dan Brown told The Telegraph of New York: “Technology has always been a double-edged sword. Smart homes can be wonderful, but they can also be terrifying if we lose control of them.”
In the same year, actress Emma Thompson told The Guardian in London: “I believe in simplicity. Smart homes create unnecessary complexity in a life that could be simpler.” Finally, in 2024, novelist John le Carré told The Times in London: “The smart home makes us lose privacy and control. Everything is monitored and recorded, and we are constantly under a microscope.”
Funny stories about smart homes
In 2018, in San Francisco, a man named Mike Jones was watching a movie and decided to ask Alexa to order him a pizza. The problem was that Alexa misunderstood and ordered him 10 pizzas instead of one. When the delivery came, Mike didn’t know where to put the food!
In 2019, in Los Angeles, a woman named Sarah Wilson had a Nest Thermostat that learned from her habits. One day, Sarah was traveling and forgot the device to “learn.” When she returned, she found her house had been turned into a refrigerator because the device decided it was time to save energy. That same year, in Berlin, a man named Thomas Müller tried to use the voice control feature to lock the doors without moving. But the device misunderstood and locked all the doors while he was away, and he had to wait until his wife got home from work!
In 2020, in New York, a man named James Davis was asking Siri about the weather. The device suddenly decided to sing him a song instead of telling him the weather. The song was “ It’s Raining Men .” James laughed until he stopped asking Siri about the weather again. In 2020, in Tokyo, a woman named Miyoko Tanka was trying to teach her cat to use a smart door lock. But the cat discovered that she could use the door to escape the house every day and come back in time for dinner. Miyoko had to lock the smart door and open it with a regular lock.
That same year, in Paris, a man named Jean-Pierre forgot to remove the smart alarm in the kitchen before he started cooking. Every time he tried to cook something with a little smoke, the device sent a warning to the Civil Protection. Eventually, he decided to go back to traditional cooking. In 2021, in London, the Smith family was celebrating their little daughter Emma’s birthday. But Alexa suddenly decided to play “Happy Birthday” very loudly in the middle of the night, and the neighbor came complaining about the loud noise instead of celebrating with the family.
In 2021, a man in Dubai named Ahmed Al Rashid decided to program Alexa to say “good morning” to him every morning. But strangely, she started saying it in a creepy voice instead of her usual one. Ahmed decided to replace Alexa with a traditional alarm clock. That same year, in Sydney, a woman named Jessica Brown tried using a smart cleaning robot, but her cat saw the robot as an enemy. The cat kept attacking the robot until Jessica had to reprogram it to make the robot move slowly and not bother the cat.
In 2022, in Barcelona, a man named Carlos Rodriguez forgot to turn off his smart camera while changing clothes, and was surprised that the device sent him notifications with the photos he had taken. Carlos later learned to carefully check smart devices before doing anything. In 2022, in Rio de Janeiro, a man named Joao Silva was trying to turn off the lights at home using Google Home , but the device decided to turn on all the lights instead of turning them off. Joao was so surprised that he had to turn them off himself.
That same year, in Chicago, a woman named Lisa Jones tried to surprise her husband with a smart door lock. But the lock refused to open the first time and her husband waited outside in the cold until she could open the door. In 2023, in Houston, a man named Tom Harris was experimenting with a smart lighting system. He decided to turn on all the lights in the house at the same time, but suddenly all the lights turned different colors as if the house had become a nightclub. Tom had to stay home for a whole week to fix the system.
In 2023, in Amsterdam, a woman named Maria van Dijk was experimenting with a voice-controlled feature to play music in her home. But she discovered that Alexa misunderstood the name of the song and played something completely different, one that was completely inappropriate for the situation she was in! That same year, in Mumbai, a man named Rajiv Kumar was using a smart cleaning robot in his home, but the device decided to mop the floor while he was cooking. Rajiv had to start cooking all over again because the robot kept mopping up everything that fell on the floor.
In 2023, in Florence, a woman named Laura Rossi was trying to teach her young daughter to use her voice control device. But the girl kept asking Alexa to do strange things, like play a dog sound or order a pizza every five minutes. Laura had to temporarily disable the feature. In 2024, in New Zealand, a man named Liam Thompson decided to program his Google Home to turn on the TV and play sports channels. But the device decided to play children’s channels instead. Liam spent two hours trying to adjust the settings.
In 2024, in Paris, a woman named Isabelle Dupont was using a smart security system. But one day the system decided to trigger an emergency alarm for no real reason, so she had to call the security company and apologize after receiving a false alarm. That same year, in Melbourne, a man named Andrew Walker was using a smart irrigation system in his garden. But the system decided to turn on the water in the middle of the night and wet everything. Andrew had to wake up in the middle of the night to turn it off himself.
Finally, in 2024, in Las Vegas, a man named David Jones was using voice control to control his air conditioning. But the device decided to turn it on too low, and David woke up in the middle of the night in the cold. David decided to go back to manual air conditioning after this incident.
Top Tips and Recommendations
First and foremost, always keep your smart devices up to date. Not only do these updates add new features, they also address security issues that may arise over time.
Second, use strong, complex passwords for every smart device you have in your home. There's nothing easier for hackers to crack than a weak password that gives them easy access to your network.
Third, disconnect devices you don’t use from the Internet. If you have a device that you don’t use often, disconnect it from the network to reduce the chances of it being attacked.
Fourth, try to consolidate all your smart devices on one platform like Google Home or Amazon Alexa . This will make it easier for you to control everything from one place instead of getting lost between different apps.
Fifth, try to connect your smart home to a separate internet network from the one you use for personal devices like laptops and mobile phones. This will provide an extra layer of protection and reduce the risk of hacking.
Sixth, use an online firewall, as this firewall will protect you from attacks that try to enter your smart devices from outside.
Seventh, be aware of the privacy policy of each device you purchase. Some devices may collect more data than they need, so try to make sure what the device does regarding your privacy.
Eighth, if you are buying a new smart device, read reviews from previous users, as this will give you an idea of the device’s performance and the problems you may encounter.
Ninth, place devices that collect sensitive data in secure locations in your home. For example, surveillance cameras don’t need to be in a place where anyone can see what they’re recording.
Tenth, if you use a voice assistant such as Alexa or Google Assistant , check your voice recording settings, you may find that the device keeps recordings for a long time, and this may not be suitable for you.
Eleventh, if you have children at home, make sure to activate parental control options on smart devices, as this will protect them from accessing things that are not appropriate for their age.
Twelfth, always test new devices before fully relying on them. Try out smart lights or smart locks yourself, and make sure they work properly before using them regularly.
Thirteenth, if you have a problem with a specific device, try restarting it before seeking assistance. In many cases, the device will solve the problem on its own after restarting.
Fourteenth, make sure to charge or replace the batteries of your smart devices regularly, as there is nothing worse than a smart device stopping working due to a dead battery.
Fifteenth, use the security applications that come with smart devices, as some companies provide applications that help you monitor the security of your network and devices.
Sixteenth, if you are using a smart cleaning robot, be sure to check it regularly to ensure that it is not broken or needs maintenance.
Seventeenth, if you have devices connected to the Internet of Things ( IoT ), always try to monitor their electricity consumption, as these devices may consume more energy than expected.
Eighteenth, stay up to date with the latest technologies that have emerged in the world of smart homes, as this technology is developing rapidly, and knowing everything new will help you keep your home in the best condition.
Nineteenth, try to set a schedule for the smart devices in your home. For example, setting the lights to turn on at a certain time and off at a certain time may help you save on your electricity bill.
Finally, enjoy technology, but don’t let your smart home control your life. Always maintain balance and use technology to make your life easier and more comfortable without losing control.
Conclusion
Ultimately, smart homes combine convenience and technology in an integrated manner, but like everything in our lives, they have their advantages and challenges. Despite the great development that has occurred in recent years, which has brought us funny stories and different opinions from celebrities, smart homes are not just a luxury or just innovative gadgets. They are a step towards a more advanced and comfortable future, but at the same time they raise big questions about security, privacy and control over our lives.
When we look at the tips and recommendations we have reviewed, we find that using it requires you not only to be aware of the technology, but also to be aware of the risks and challenges that you may face. Smart homes open new doors to creativity, comfort and even fun, but they also require us to be careful and balance our use of technology with maintaining our simple and human lives.
But this technology has become part of our reality, and it is difficult to give it up, but the secret lies in how to use it intelligently to maintain our comfort and safety without losing control over our lives. Smart homes add a lot to our lives, and make us think about the future in a different way, but the most important thing is that we always prefer to be masters of technology and not the opposite. This journey that is constantly evolving will be full of surprises and challenges, which makes us always rethink our relationship with technology and its impact on our lives.