Amazon Echo Studio

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We've been lenient with smart speakers regarding their audio capabilities for years, assuming that a speaker couldn't excel in intelligence and sound quality. But then came the revelation: the Amazon Echo Studio.

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Within the Echo Studio, Amazon has truly outdone itself in smart speakers. The Echo Studio is a powerful speaker with smart home features, virtual assistant technology, and advanced audio innovations. Its 3D audio effects breathe new life into your favourite songs. And that's not all – its capacity to link up with your Amazon Fire TV devices elevates your auditory experience to a new immersive level.

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Unveiling another layer of its brilliance, the Echo Studio effortlessly transforms into a ZigBee hub, establishing connections with thousands of smart home products right from the moment it's unboxed. Monitor energy consumption with home monitoring and control access with smart locks.

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Amazon AU: Amazon Echo Studio

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Philips Hue

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Embarking on your smart home journey finds its simplest and most illuminating beginning with the introduction of smart light bulbs, and none shine brighter than the renowned Philips Hue. The process is as effortless as can be – a mere substitution of your existing bulbs with these ingenious Hue counterparts. Alternatively, you can immerse yourself in the diverse collection of LED table and floor lamps, interior and exterior wall lights, elegant ceiling pendants, versatile light strips, and even Hue's sleek light bars. These bulbs respond quickly and have a wide range of colours and effects.

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Philips Bridge is the key to unlocking its full potential. It orchestrates the symphony of illumination. While equipped with built-in Bluetooth for convenient local control, these bulbs truly ascend to greatness when they venture beyond your abode's confines. Integration with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant is seamlessly woven into their capabilities, expanding your command over them even while you're afar.

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Philips Hue's investment is among the loftier ones within the smart bulb domain, but the value they bestow upon your surroundings justifies every cent spent.

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Amazon AU: Philips Hue Gradient Ambiance Lightstrip

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Arlo Pro 4 Smart Security Camera

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Arlo is popular among those who value home security. While the Arlo Pro 4 may lack the 4K resolution of its pricier counterparts, the Arlo Ultra and Arlo Ultra 2, its 2K quality remain remarkably impressive and adequately detailed for most needs.

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Seamless connectivity directly to your Wi-Fi characterises the Arlo Pro camera, eliminating the need for a bundled base station and making it a more budget-friendly choice. Although it proudly boasts integration with Alexa and Google Assistant, HomeKit support necessitates the inclusion of that base station.

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Upon rigorous examination, it becomes evident that the Arlo Pro 4 excels in capturing vivid, well-defined footage, both in daylight and after sunset, thanks partly to its built-in spotlight. The spotlight deters intruders and works with the alarm. The camera zooms in and tracks motion for monitoring.

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Regrettably, while the Arlo Pro 4 offers intelligent features to curtail unwelcome alerts, most of these functionalities demand a monthly subscription for access, albeit with a generous three-month trial period.

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Amazon AU: Arlo Pro 4 Smart Security Camera

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Google Nest Learning Thermostat

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The Nest Thermostat is a heating system for smart homes that adapts to your routine and changes the temperature automatically. Adorned in a selection of stainless steel, white, black, and copper finishes, this device not only exudes a sense of sophistication but also functions precisely. It works with most boilers and can manage your hot water system well.

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The Nest Thermostat's self-learning prowess emerged as a standout feature. It astutely recalibrated our boiler's operational schedule by discerning the optimal duration for the abode to attain the desired temperature, reflecting a fine-tuned mastery of efficiency.

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Amazon: Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation

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Eve Energy Smart Plug 

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Imagine this: every smart home needs a super-smart plug, and that's where the Eve Energy smart plug comes in. It's not just about turning things on and off – this little guy is like a mini energy detective too! It tells you how much power your devices use and how much it might cost. Great news if you're all about saving cash and being green.

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You can hook up the Eve Energy plug using Bluetooth. And if you've got a HomePod Mini or an Apple TV hanging around, it can also use something called Thread – a really solid way for gadgets to talk to each other. That means no more "I'm not working!" tantrums from your smart stuff. But here's the catch: the Eve plug is best buddies with HomeKit, so it won't chat with Alexa or Google Assistant.

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Amazon: Eve Energy Smart Plug 

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Is Smart Home Worth the Investment?

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Are smart homes worth the investment? Even after soaking in all this information, you might still be pondering. Building a smart home requires time, patience, and sometimes a bit of cash, but the payback in convenience and efficiency can be remarkable once everything is up and humming.

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If you're still on the fence, maybe start small and simple. Smart plugs are a fantastic starting point. They're easy to set up (and remove if needed) – just plug them into your regular outlets and watch the magic happen. You can automate lights and appliances, all controlled from your smartphone. Once you've switched off the lights without budging from your comfy spot on the sofa, you'll never want to return to a non-smart setup.

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Thinking about making your Airbnb short term rental smarter? It's a smart move! Smart features like keyless entry and remote thermostat control can attract cool renters. Also, they make managing the place easier from afar. It might cost more upfront, but you could get higher rental yields and happy tenants. So, is a smart home worth it for rentals? Totally!

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Level Up Your Rental Property with Houst

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Looking for a stress-free way to manage your rental property? With Houst, you can kick back while they handle all the nitty-gritty stuff. They've got you covered, from Airbnb hosting to Airbnb revenue. Their team of experts knows the rental game inside out.  So why worry about all the details when you can trust Houst to take care of it all? It's time to enjoy the benefits of seamless property rental management – just Houst it!

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