Two things to look for when buying a smart switch or outlet

Smart switches and plugs are the building blocks of the connected home. To find out exactly which one you need, you just have to ask the right question. [MUSIC] In wall switches, like these [UNKNOWN] switches are great because toggling them is as natural as hitting a normal light switch. Plus, you get the added smart of remote. Control stenciling and automation, making them ideal for lighting setups. Smart plugs like this iDevices Smart Switch offer many of the same features, but increased flexibility, as you can plug in whatever device you want. Whatever you do plug in, shouldn't be something you constantly turn on and off, though, because you have to Toggle these devices manually or using an app. Thus, they're better for scheduling and automation. You can find smart plugs and switches that are zwave, zigby, bluetooth, or wi-fi connected. Zwave and zigby are both radio protocols that require a hub of some sort to translate the language of the device to a language your phone can understand These plugs are often more affordable if you already use a platform like smart things or link. Bluetooth and WiFi on the other hand both connect directly to your phone. Bluetooth devices like the [UNKNOWN] plugs. Don't have the away from home remote control of WiFi plugs. The bluetooth technology allows for presence reactive automation that say the iDevices switch, for instance, can't replicate. As a general rule of thumb the devices you already use around the house, whether it's an iPad or Android, Nest or Ecobee will work better with some switches and plugs than others. How well your tech cooperates is as important as the tech itself. It can be hard to distinguish between all the smart switches and plugs out there on the market. But you can do it if you just ask the right questions. [SOUND]