Smart home
Choosing a sensible first smart bulb
Start with one lamp, one useful function and a bulb that fits the way you already use the room.
The Leetek guides
Smart home
Make lights, sensors and routines fit the way your household actually works.
Smart home
Using a smart plug with a table lamp
A plug can give an ordinary lamp scheduled on/off control, but the lamp must behave sensibly when its power returns.
Smart home
Matter and Thread: two different parts of a smart home
Matter describes how compatible devices work together. Thread describes one network they can use. Understanding the distinction makes shopping and setup less confusing.
Smart home
Working out whether a device needs a hub
The word hub covers several jobs. Identify the connection and controller a product actually needs before adding another box.
Smart home
Keeping smart lights usable for everyone at home
A light should be easy to operate without finding the right phone. Design the controls around everyone who uses the room.
Smart home
Building one lighting routine that earns its place
Begin with a predictable evening lamp rather than trying to automate the whole house in one sitting.
Smart home
Where to put a motion sensor for a useful result
Place a sensor for the movement you want to detect, then test its view before committing to a permanent fixing.
Smart home
Checking the connection before fitting a video doorbell
Check the actual door position, power arrangement and live connection before drilling or attaching a doorbell.
Smart home
Planning an indoor camera without filming everything
Choose the smallest useful view, distinguish alert zones from privacy controls, and decide who should have access before recording.
Smart home
Giving a voice assistant a useful, limited job
Start with a small set of commands that are easy to remember and easy to check.
Smart home
What happens when a smart home loses internet access
Internet, local-network and power failures have different effects. Check what each useful action depends on.
Smart home
Sharing smart-device control with a household
Share the controls people need while checking what else an invitation makes visible.
Smart home
Why an automation runs at the wrong time
Find out whether the clock, the trigger or a second rule is responsible before rebuilding an automation.
Smart home
Colour temperature and brightness in smart lighting
Brightness, white tone and colour are separate controls. Judge each one in the lamp and room where it will be used.
Smart home
Smart-home changes that suit a rented home
Portable, reversible changes can improve a rented room without turning it into a permanent installation project.
Smart home
Keeping track of battery-powered sensors
A small battery record makes a silent sensor easier to diagnose and saves buying the wrong replacement.
Smart home
Removing a smart device before passing it on
Unlinking an account, erasing local settings and ending a subscription can be separate tasks. Finish the relevant steps before a handover.
Smart home
Making smart-device updates less disruptive
Keep updates enabled where practical, but choose a time when a restart will not interrupt the household.