Other Internet Services

Monitor your home while traveling or from another residence. There are a few options available. Camera systems range in price from $25 to $1,000. Online cloud storage of your video footage can be free or cost up to several hundred dollars a year. Other options include stand-alone systems or ones integrated with other services like alarms and home lighting or other smart devices.

Voice assistants are rapidly becoming popular. These are hands-free speakers you control with your voice, like Amazon Alexa and Google Home. With these devices you can get weather forecasts, check your calendar, ask all sorts of knowledge questions, turn lights on and off, play music, shop and more! Price starts around $50 and up.

Smart Device is a broad term used to describe anything that connects to the internet or your Wi-Fi network, or can be controlled by your computer, phone or another smart device. Smart lightbulbs, as an example, can be controlled using an Amazon Alexa or Google Home, "Turn-on kitchen light," or scheduled using a smartphone. New smart refrigerators will add items to your shopping list, like butter, when you get low run out, or send a photo of the inside to your phone while you shop. Google makes a thermostat that lowers your utility bill by learning how your house heats-up and cools-down, then only turning-on the heating or air conditioner when needed.

New smart devices are arriving in stores all the time.