Hi everyone! I’m really excited about the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday events, especially with my plans to upgrade my smart home setup. I’ve been eyeing the Homey Pro 2023 for a while now, but the price has always been a bit steep for me. I’ve done a lot of research, read through forums, watched YouTube videos, and gone through Q&A sections to make sure it’s the right choice. However, I’m still a bit hesitant due to some reports I’ve come across about integration issues and bugs. I’m curious if anyone has heard about any special Black Friday offers from Athom or if it’s worth waiting for a potential discount. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
Speaking of upgrades, I’ve also been exploring some new smart lighting options. The Philips Hue White Bulbs with Bluetooth caught my attention. They seem like a great way to dip into smart lighting without needing a hub right away. I’ve been using the older Hue bulbs for years, and they’ve been reliable, but the idea of Bluetooth connectivity is intriguing. It would be perfect for testing out smart lighting in different rooms without committing to a full setup. Plus, the ability to integrate with Google Assistant and Alexa later on through the Hue Bridge is a bonus.
Another project I’ve been considering is improving my outdoor security. I’ve heard fantastic things about the Arlo Pro 4 cameras, especially their night vision and two-way audio features. I’m thinking of placing one at the front door and another in the backyard. Pairing these with a Ring Spotlight Cam Wired could add an extra layer of security. The Ring cam’s motion-activated lighting and live view features seem perfect for monitoring the perimeter. I’m also curious if these cameras can seamlessly integrate with my existing SmartThings setup for unified control.
On the home automation front, I’ve been experimenting with Hubitat to control my Zigbee devices. It’s been a learning curve, but the flexibility it offers is amazing. I recently set up a scene where my lights dim automatically when I watch TV, and it’s made evenings much more relaxing. I’d love to hear if others have tips on optimizing scenes or integrating different ecosystems like Alexa and Google Home.
Lastly, I’ve been looking into setting up a more robust security system. After some research, I’m leaning towards getting a Kevo Smart Lock for the front door and a couple of Blink XT Indoor Cameras for monitoring key areas. The idea of being able to check in on my pets or keep an eye on packages from anywhere is incredibly appealing. I’m also considering a Ring Doorbell 3 Plus to complement the lock and cameras, providing another layer of security and convenience.
If anyone has experience with these products or has advice on optimizing a multi-brand smart home setup, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Happy shopping and happy automating everyone!