Apps Away! A New Generation of Travelers Find Freedom In Home Automation

Once a nebulous theory, today the “Internet of Things” – where everyday objects are controlled by Internet applications – is taking shape at an exciting pace. Nowhere is this more evident than in the field of home automation. One of the first apps on the scene was Nest – a beautifully designed application to control a thermostat from the interface of a smartphone. Now nearly every electronic system in the home from audio/video to lighting, to energy, to security is accessible from anywhere in the world right in the palm of your hand.

Not to be outdone, third-party developers and retailers are getting in on the fun with platforms designed to centralize connected device management. Staples Home Connect and Wink are two examples of apps that partner with industry-leading brands like Kwikset to make it easier to access connected devices without having to navigate each individual app interface.

Not Just A Tech-y Novelty

Early on in the game, the people buying and using these devices were predominantly tech hobbyists. The technology was new, often buggy, and frequently held more “wow” factor than functionality. In the last couple years, an influx of players to the home automation industry has resulted in rapid innovation bringing unprecedented utility to homeowners. Bugs have been fixed and digital security has become a priority. In addition to improved security and iterative programming updates, the reporting ability of many home automation applications offers huge benefits for homeowners. Energy usage can be compared to security information that shows who was home when, for example, to identify potential cost savings.

Perhaps the most compelling immediate upside to home automation is the freedom and control it offers to homeowners when they’re not at home. Smart locks, which communicate with authorized smartphones to lock and unlock dead bolted external doors remotely, open a whole new world of possibility to young homeowners who take frequent, short trips and need a mobile, always-on tool to manage their homes when they’re away.

Technology For A Mobile Lifestyle

According to a recent Choice Hotels travel survey, millennial travelers and parents with kids younger than 12 would rather lose their luggage than be without their phone. Frequently checking a smartphone is as natural as breathing and when it comes to travel, smartphone apps can be a lifesaver. Not sure where to eat? Yelp is an excellent resource. Need help planning an itinerary in a new city? Stay.com’s City Guides, Offline Maps app allows you to plan a trip with friends and locate yourself on city maps without using precious cell data. Need to pack for the whole family? Packing Pro can save your sanity with sample packing lists you can check off as you go.

But when it comes to travel, sometimes the biggest sanity savers have to do not with the trip itself, but with managing the home remotely. Preparatory tasks, necessary before leaving a home unoccupied for an extended period of time, can create stress and cause a vacation to start on a harried note. Smart locks like Kwikset’s Kevo allow homeowners to make many of those tiresome arrangements on the fly so travel can be spontaneous and less stressful.

The Kevo app talks to the smart lock to allow homeowners to manage electronic keys (eKeys) and control home security from a smartphone. A free Guest eKey can be quickly sent through the Kevo app to permit a neighbor to take out the trash or check if the oven was left on. The Scheduled eKey option lets homeowners apply day and time constraints to eKey access from the phone for house sitters and dog walkers.

Other apps give homeowners control over lighting, window covers and even audio systems to create the illusion of a lived-in home from afar. Alerts can be easily programmed to send notifications of any irregular activity so homeowners can relax and enjoy time away knowing that their home is secure.

An Evolving Industry

Along with the realization of the Internet of Things, comes increased concern about the security of all those connected “things”. Regulators in several states are championing legislation that would make a “kill switch” mandatory in smartphones to render them useless in the wrong hands. Leaders in various product fields related to home automation are working to ensure the security of their apps independent of industry regulations. For example, Kwikset’s Kevo smart lock is guarded by multiple levels of encryption and is continually reviewed by independent security experts. And in the event of a missing phone, Kevo owners can log into the Kevo web portal from any device with a web browser and disable or delete a lost or stolen connected phone so the phone will no longer allow entry to the connected home.

Ready For Adventure

Automated home technologies are paving the way for easier, more manageable living. Connected devices allow travelers more control over their homes while they’re away – control over who can access the home and when, control over which devices turn on and off and when, and insight into any unusual activity. With the power to manage an entire home remotely from a smartphone, a new generation of homeowners is discovering the freedom to live more spontaneous, carefree lives without sacrificing security.