Yanjie's SmartHome

Future

Imagine coming home from work and unlocking your front door with your smartphone instead of digging around for your keys. Once you’re inside, the lights come on automatically and your latest favorite musical playlist starts playing over your speakers.

Your voice-activated virtual assistant serves as your universal remote, controlling your TV, lights, temperature, blinds, multiple speakers throughout the home, home-security system and so on. There’s no more worrying whether you left the lights or the stove on, or the front door unlocked; you can double- and triple-check remotely via smartphone to your heart’s content.

In the morning, your coffee is ready by the time your feet hit the floor. Once you’ve made it to the kitchen, a morning traffic and weather report automatically plays through your speakers, advising you when to head out to make it to work on time. And, if the mail carrier tries to deliver a package while you’re out, you can use your smart doorbell to tell them where to securely leave it.

This future that pop culture promised us isn’t as far off as it may seem. In fact, all this technology already exists and can be easily purchased online or in stores.