She's Wired
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Untangling Tech

Untangling Tech

We keep up with technology so we can help explain it to you. We try new devices and share our thoughts on them. We share the cool apps our clients are using. We watch for the latest scams and alert you so you can protect yourself. Have a question? Send it through our Contact Us page and we'll answer you directly as well as blog about the topic and post it in our monthly newsletter.

Is your home Smart?

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Technology is changing the very way we live our lives. Doorbells talk to lights, lights talk to cameras, cameras talk to cellphones. Put it all together and you have a Smart Home that can keep you and your family protected. Set a timer for your lights while you are on vacation, use your doorbell camera to see the kids when they get home from school, and set a timer to dim the lights. When the technology in your home works together, life becomes more convenient.

Your doorbell can do more than you think. New doorbells, like the one from Skybell, can take home security to another level. Perhaps the doorbell rings during the scariest part of “The Shining.” With Skybell, all you have to do is check your phone to see the live video feed from the front porch and you’ll see that you had nothing to worry about. It’s just Sue here to help install your Smart Lights! Here’s the best part: You don’t even have to get off the couch to let her in. With the built-in speaker from Skybell you can talk to whoever is at your doorstep. Tell the delivery man to leave the package around back, or tell those pesky solicitors to scram.

A light bulb can provide security. It seems hard to believe, but in 2016 a light bulb could be what keeps your house safe. If you’re traveling out of the country for a few weeks and want to make sure your house is safe, set a timer. If you’ve installed Phillips Hue light bulbs in your house, you can have your lights turn on and off throughout the day making it appear that someone has been home the entire time. Take it a step further and connect your smart lights and your doorbell. This feature will allow you to have the lights turn on when the doorbell is rung even when you are away, adding extra security in a simple way.

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This is not your Mother’s security camera. Smaller, smarter, high-resolution cameras can be set up almost anywhere, and it’s getting even easier to connect them to your smart phone. With Nest Cam you can adjust your settings to alert you of any movement or noise. When you get an alert you can check it right away on your phone, or have the camera record so you can make sure your house was secure while you were away. Never wonder again if it was Fido that broke your favorite vase, or the kids horsing around. You can also use your camera to make sure the kids got home from school safely — and make sure chores and homework are done before the kids head off to practice.

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This technology can be even easier. Get the Amazon Echo and get to know Alexa. “Alexa” is the word used to activate your Echo. Once you have her attention, you can tell her to turn lights on and off, adjust the thermostat, and even control the TV. The commands are endless, and pretty fun once you get the hang of it.

The tricky part for you might be making the technology work together. That’s where She’s Wired steps in: We’ll create a seamless plan for your home that puts control in the palm of your hand. Now, that’s Smart!

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