![]() ![]() If you're a traditionalist and prefer cables, you'll also be able to check for and install the update using iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC. You'll be able to download and install it from there over your Wi-Fi network. Read on to discover how to control your home entertainment with your iOS device.Come release, you'll get a notification and it'll show up in Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Some systems, such as Z-Wave, even let you open and close the curtains from your iPhone – and that can also be scheduled, so it appears that someone is in your home when you're on holiday. This doesn't require any further hardware than what we've already described – you can just set this in the app. Most of these systems will also let you set timers for many things, such as the lights, so you can set them to come on and turn off at certain times, perhaps to give the impression that you're in. Just before bed you could make sure all the locks on your doors are set just by grabbing your iPhone and hitting the button in the app. This is at its most direct with Control4's lock system - its smart deadbolt and handles can be installed instead of a regular lock, and can be controlled either by using a good old-fashioned key, by entering a code on the buttons above the lock, or by using your iPhone. You can even use your iPhone to keep your house secure. You can then control the valves with your iPhone as well as the compatible wall-mounted control. Each can be controlled individually, letting you create 'zoned' heating without having to have a full installation with multiple thermostats. ![]() LightwaveRF offers wirelessly controlled radiator valves that just replace the normal valves on your radiators. If you want that kind of granular control without installing separated heating systems, though, there is a simpler option. Control4 also offers a wireless thermostat system, where multiple thermostats can be controlled independently if you have zoned heating. The Nest thermostat is a smart system that learns about how your home is heated and when you tend to feel cold, and adapts automatically, but it can also be controlled remotely from your iPhone (if you have more than one, you can control them independently too). Control freakeryĬontrolling the heating is something else that's really useful to be able to do from your device - especially if you want to turn the heating on before you get home. There's also a safety aspect - LightwaveRF touts the ability to immediately disable all the power sockets in a room if you're worried about a child playing with them, for example. You could control a fan remotely, or turn off your computer or TV at the wall to save power. Of course, these iOS-controlled plugs and plug adapters can be used for more than just lights. The Control4 system includes a Goodnight option, which will turn off all lights in the house in one tap. With most of these controller apps, it's then possible to group sets of lights together, so you can set 'scenes' or 'moods' a 'movie' mood might have your main light off and some side lamps on dimly, for example. In either case, you can then control multiple lamps either independently, or together. They're more expensive than LightwaveRF for each unit, but don't require a base station to function (they connect directly to your iPhone), so might cost less up front. Alternatively, the same company makes plug adapters for wireless control - plug your lamp into the adapter, which then plugs into the wall socket.īelkin's WeMo range also offers this kind of adapter. LightwaveRF makes plug sockets that can be controlled by your iOS device. If you use a lot of lamps in the home, you can use plug-based systems to control them. ![]()
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