Time To Get Smart? Decking Out Your Home Office With Smart Tech

Wherever you turn, the term “smart tech” is ubiquitous with every aspect of modern life. When we are setting up a gaming environment for us to see us through an anti-social weekend, or we’re working in a home office, setting up our home office with various smart tech can feel a little bit like the electronic equivalent of over-egging the pudding. But with numerous mobile tech options nowadays, and the fact is that technological advances have resulted in most of us taking the opportunity to telecommute to our work, smart tech is at its most vital in the home environment. So, in terms of the most essential smart tech, what is it that we need?

“Alexa… do my taxes!”

Yes, the smart speaker is the most common smart device in any home now. Amazon’s Alexa is the most popular, but there are others that are being offered up by Google and Apple. As far as the modern worker is concerned, every home office needs a smart speaker in the corner, not just to play the wrong music when you ask it to! The smart speaker is a one-stop shop to connect to other smart devices. But, as far as the home office is concerned, it’s your own personal assistant.

The smart printer in a paperless age

Not only do we have to work quickly, but we’ve got to work accurately. While there are so many green initiatives being bandied around to cut down on the amount of paper used, the overall increase of smart printing capabilities helps to reduce unnecessary waste, as well as cost. The vast majority of smart printers are compatible with every type of computer now, as well as the most popular of ink cartridges, HP Envy 5540 ink cartridges and similar brands, but the whole idea of a smart printer means that we can protect our work from hackers via secure user authentication. If you are using your own device at home, as there are many home office workers that take part in the whole “bring your own device” policy, it can be very easy to get these items infected. So, with a smart printer, you’ve got double the security. When you need to redo your home office, find a renovation loan that suits you.

Having a smarter firewall than your anti-virus package

Well, this may not be true, but when you are working at home, all you have as far as protection is concerned is your anti-virus package. Installing a security firewall, this can help to protect your data and devices from hackers. While the most basic of firewalls can do this, having this in conjunction with a smart printer, and if you are using a reputable device like the Cujo smart firewall, this is going to give you an added layer of protection.

Smart home comforts

As it’s one of the major advantages of the modern home worker, you should use smart devices to make your environment as comfortable or as uncomfortable as you wish. Now, there are so many different smart home devices to help make your immediate surroundings comfy. One of the items that you may not have considered would be smart lighting. The Philips Hue starter kit is compatible with Apple, Amazon, and Google, meaning you have a comprehensive approach to lighting your home office. The typical starting kit gives you a unit that enables connection to the router and three bulbs. If you find yourself demotivated in the home office, smart lighting can be something to give you an advantage. When you’re struggling to focus late at night, one of the common tricks is to implement as much light as possible, and as brightly as you can make them.

The thermostat

And as the colder weather is approaching, one of the most recommended items for the smart home is the learning thermostat. This model, provided by Nest, is compatible with Google and Amazon and is connectable to your boiler. So if you are stuck in the office, on a conference call, and you are looking hot under the collar, you can use your iPhone or Android app to bring the temperature down. The great thing about the smart tech is that it can learn your habits, but it’s also a great way to save you money on your energy bills.

Smart stationery

The multitude of smart gadgets now be humble pen is confined to the waste paper basket. A smart pen is one of the many different items that you can use to get notes written down digitally. The Livescribe Echo is one that contains not just a microphone, but a small camera, meaning that it can record audio relating to what you are writing. It can also replay audio, and from there, you can connect it to the computer, and organise it as you see fit. That in addition to this handy gadget, you’ve got smart USB hubs, such as the Moko 6 Port USB hub, to make your desk a bit more organised.

Smart… Drinks?

Yes, if your work is getting the better of you, and your cup of tea gets cold as soon as you remember to take a sip, a smart mug is an invaluable addition to any home office. The Ember Ceramic Mug is something that can maintain the preferred temperature of your beverage. Not a flask in sight to be seen!

Let’s face it; the modern home needs a lot of smart tech in order to keep going with the times. While technological advances mean that these will become irrelevant in a matter of years, right now, with the vast increase of telecommuting, as well as the modern homeowner struggling to keep on top of everything, some smart technologies aren’t just a great way to keep yourself organised, it’s actually a great way to keep your bills down. Smart tech, especially smart thermostats, can help you save a lot of money at the end of the year. Yes, the cost at the outset is something that has to be considered, but when it comes to decking out your home office with smart tech, it’s going to make your life a lot easier.