Use Your Smart Phone Control Your Blinds
Home automation technology has become so advanced you can now use a smart phone app to enable you to control your blinds from anywhere in the world. You can group blinds, set timers, create scenes all at the press of a button. The App can link to control not only your home, but also your office & your holiday home.
Particularly convenient if you have living areas that contain a number of blinds. Imagine walking into the room and simply saying “Alexa – open the blinds” and watch all your blinds go up. Much easier than going to each individual blind and opening them by hand!
You can also program them to open or close at certain times of the day – handy if you need to close your blinds when the sun hits certain windows or if you are not going to be home until later that night, to ensure privacy and safety simply close the blinds from wherever you are. It’s that easy! Set them up on timers when you go away on holiday to make it look like you are home.
How can you do this? The great news is if you have existing motorised blinds with SOMFY motors then this can be retrofitted! This is not the case for all brands of motors. All you need is to purchase the Somfy Connexoon Window RTS. (We can supply Australia Wide) and download the IFTTT app and you are ready to go!
You can also enjoy the benefits of voice control using digital assistants. They are all suited to different lifestyles and different levels of home automation capabilities. The three most popular systems are: Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple Homekit
Amazon Alexa – is arguably tailored for smart home newbies. It is easy to set up, with the ability to be plugged in and used anywhere, and controlled via Android or Apple devices. Alexa is also the most widely supported hub, with many of compatible smart home apps (like MySmartBlinds).
Google Home – is much smarter than Amazon’s Alexa. It is powered by Google’s search engine technology, so it’s able to respond to a broader array of questions and commands. However, it has far less compatible smart home apps so check it covers everything you want to automate (blinds are compatible).
Apple Homekit – No home assistant is required for this option; it is used directly with your phone via Siri. Not all motors are compatible with this option so speak to us for advice first.
Home automation has big benefits and makes life more convenient. If you’re just getting started, read the Somfy guide on the best ways to add it to your home. https://www.somfy.com.au/Blog/Post/2019-09-19-the-beginner-s-guide-to-home-automation.
Nicholls Interiors provides a range of automated and motorised interiors and exterior options. To organise a free measure and quote contact us today.