7 smart plug tricks that instantly made my home feel more automated
Briefly

Smart plugs let users control devices via phone apps, voice commands, or schedules. They convert ordinary devices into remotely controllable and automatable appliances for convenience. Smart plugs can automate lighting while away to simulate occupancy and can schedule outdoor lights for safety. Cutting power to a garage door opener with a smart plug can prevent unauthorized entry via stolen remotes or codes. Integration with motion sensors enables motion-activated lighting without dedicated wall switches. Smart plugs can reduce utility bills, monitor energy use, and improve fire safety by cutting power to risky devices. Smart plugs expand home automation and security options.
Remember ? The plug-in staple may have made for a catchy jingle in the 1980s, but it could also be considered as a primitive ancestor of today's smart plug -- that is, if you can say anything from a few decades ago is primitive. Smart plugs offer greater convenience than The Clapper ever did, letting you control your devices from an app on your phone, your voice, or a schedule.
You can use a smart plug to automate lights when you're out of town so that they switch on each night to make it appear as if someone's home. Many people also use them to control outdoor lights on a schedule, ensuring their home's exterior is well-lit for safety. Enhancing home security is a popular use for smart plugs. However, there are more ways to use them beyond the obvious.
A smart plug can lock down your garage door opener, so you can cut power to it during the night or whenever you're away. This strategy could prevent a thief from using an entry code or a stolen remote to enter your home. If you have a compatible motion sensor, you can set an automation with your smart plug to turn on a light whenever the sensor detects motion.
Read at ZDNET
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