Smartwatch Apps to Make Your Home Smarter

Written by Posted On Tuesday, 25 July 2017 06:56

Smart home devices have become increasingly popular in the last few years, allowing you to automate and control everything from your lighting to your heating system, all from the comfort of a smartphone, tablet, computer or integrated device. But what about when you want to really feel like you're living in the future, and control your connected smart home from your wrist? A modern smartwatch can work beautifully as a central controller for all your smart home devices, whether you own an Apple Watch running iOS or one of the many Android-based devices. 

So let's have a look at some of the best apps currently available to make your smart home that little bit smarter - I've covered two apps for each section, allowing you full control whether you're on Apple or Android: 

Lighting

Apple Watch - Philips Hue. Philips Hue offers an incredibly wide range of smart lights, featuring numerous different bulbs and lighting options so you can illuminate your home in exactly the style and colour you want. The Philips Hue Apple Watch app allows you to control every bulb from the comfort of your wrist, meaning you can go from daytime motivation to evening chill in the flick of a wrist. 

Android - LIFX. Owners of Android devices by the likes of Fossil and Movado watches are out of luck when it comes to an official app for Philips Hue, but LIFX - the main competitor to the Hue - offers a decent range of smart bulbs for you to choose from. Unfortunately the app isn't all that great, as all it really allows you to do is turn your lights on and off from your wrist. Still useful, but the Apple Watch definitely wins this one. 

Security

Apple Watch - Withings Home. The Withings home security camera is absolutely superb, and the companion app allows you to watch live streams from your camera from your wrist, as well as getting motion detection alerts and pictures whenever you want them. It's incredibly easy and intuitive to use, and works brilliantly via the smartwatch. 

Android - tinyCam Monitor. While the Withings app is fantastic, it requires you to have a branded camera. This Android app on the other hand will work with a range of cameras from providers like Nest. Most don't have live feeds, but they will allow you to check in with screenshots and even tilt and pan the camera via your watch. Generally I'd say the Withings app is better, but the tinyCam app is far more versatile. 

Heating

Apple and Android - Nest. Luckily, Nest - the incredibly popular smart thermostat - offers support for both iOS and Android devices, and works really well on both. You can receive notifications, change the temperature, tell your thermostat when you're away from home a lot more. A must have if you have the Nest integrated device. 

Total Control

Apple and Android - Vivint. If installing multiple apps for all your devices just isn't your thing, then you might like the Vivint app, which is available for both Apple Watch and Android devices. It can control pretty much everything from one intuitive app, including your security cameras, garage doors, thermostat and lights. 

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