Since we've added our fourth addition to our family, managing schedules, priorities, keeping our home clean, and our sanity in check has become quite challenging. With both parents working in our household, four littles all under the age of six, extracurricular activities scheduled on a majority of weeknights, home management definitely takes a little help from modern technology, especially smart technology.
With all of these new "smart" gadgets and devices on the market, it is hard to know which ones are worth it, so I'm sharing my roundup of smart tech products and apps that every busy family needs. Smart technology can make your home life easier and more enjoyable!
The Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8. Not only does this phone allow you connect with family, friends and work, but it also is gorgeous with it's edge to edge infinity screen. Can you imagine having bigger real estate on your phone so you aren't squinting at that viral video?
Not only does it have an amazing screen, but it is super thin as well.
Also, did you notice how I said unlocked? Having an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 means that you can choose your own carrier, data plan, services, features and apps, so you can get your phone exactly how you want it set up!¹
This phone works on multiple U.S. networks, so you have the freedom to pick a carrier that fits what your busy family needs. If you are lucky enough to get the opportunity to travel outside of the country, having an Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 makes it easy to just pop in a compatible SIM card and take your device anywhere!²
Ordering the Samsung Galaxy S8 and even S8+ could not get any easier. Walmart makes it easy to order online and get it delivered straight to your door.
Look at the specifications online, click Add to Cart.
Walmart will send you an email providing you a tracking number and a link to where you can track the status.
The Samsung Galxy S8 is a gateway to managing all of the devices that I'll be talking about next!
Network Attached Storage (NAS). I'm not sure why this hasn't been more mainstream yet. I love my network attached storage device. Here's a hypothetical scenario for you: You need to access a file that you typically keep on your home computer (like your kid's birth certificate or immunization records for school enrollment). But it's on our home computer that you can't access at that very moment you need it. If you had a NAS, you could offload all those files onto a drive that is on the network. You could then use your S8 to access the file via the NAS's app! So all of your files are at your fingertips. You could also store all of your family's photos on the NAS and have it back up to an off-site storage location too. Doesn't that sound dreamy?
Here's the review of the NAS that we have in our home. It allows me to access my photos, videos and files that are stored on my server from my phone, laptop or kid's tablets if I were ever to need something important!
Smart Thermostat. This should sell itself. You can change the temperature while you are in your BED. Sold. Or if you are at work and want to save a little energy while no one is at home, you can easily do that via the app!
Smart Water Leak Detector. Oh how I wish I had this five years ago. I took a day off with one of my kids after a huge rain storm. That morning, I went downstairs to the basement to grab something. Thankfully, I did because I witnessed our basement flooded with water about 3 inches deep. If I would have had a smart water leak detector, I may have caught it sooner and rescued some of my beloved scrapbooks from getting torn up. If you have problems with any type of water in your basement, you need a smart water leak detector. It is basically a device that sits where water could puddle. When the device gets wet, it will send a message to the corresponding app on your S8 to let you know there is a situation you may have to be aware of. It will also detect humidity levels as well. Check out my detailed post here on it.
Electronic Deadbolt Touchpad Keypad. This is for your front door. If you are a parent YOU NEED THIS. I'm not sure how I survived without this before! I no longer have to rummage through my purse to find my key to open the door. I love also being able to give my contractor a code and having it changed after they complete their work. My little kids can also help me open the door when my hands are full too! Complete game changer.
Cleaning Robot. If you have hardwood floors, you must get this cleaning robot. I've talked about this quite in depth before, but this thing was a dream when I had it. If I could do it all over again, I would get a vacuuming robot AND a mopping robot all in one.
Smart Watch. Imagine your S8 is across the hall and you are changing a diaper. It's probably an important call from your spouse. What do you do? Obviously, you finish changing the diaper. If you had a smartwatch, depending on the model, you could answer the call AS YOU ARE CHANGING THE DIAPER without touching your watch or phone. Doesn't that sound amazing? Yes. That is one big reason why you need a smartwatch. I feel like Dick Tracy is making a come back (you remember his smart watch right?).
Air Purifier. I know you probably have thought about the air inside your home. These days with more people spending time at home, it is super important that we get air circulated inside the home! Getting an air purifier that can pair with an app on your S8 will allow you to control dust mites and mold spores in your home by leveling out how fast you want the fan inside the air purifier to run.
Checkout the unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 today online at Walmart.com because you'll need it to unlock some of the smartness inside these gadgets and be sure you are getting your phone the way you want it.
So there you have it, a list of awesome smart tech gadgets for managing a home for busy families! Which one of these smart tech gadgets do you own?
Disclaimers
¹ Wireless voice, data and messaging services on Samsung Unlocked Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge devices are compatible with most major U.S. GSM and CDMA networks. For these devices, wireless services are available on GSM networks such as AT&T and T-Mobile and CDMA networks such as Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular®. Visit www.samsung.com for more information on your device. Support for certain features and services such as VoWiFi and hotspot, vary by wireless service provider. Wireless voice, data and messaging services on Samsung Unlocked Galaxy S6 and Galaxy J3 devices are compatible with most major U.S. GSM networks. For these devices, wireless services are available on GSM networks such as AT&T and T-Mobile. Visit www.samsung.com for more information on your device. Support for certain features and services such as VoWiFi and hotspot, vary by wireless service provider. SIM card must be compatible with area's available networks. International calling, data services and coverage vary by network provider. Contact provider for details.
² This Samsung Unlocked phone will work on any GSM or CDMA compatible network. For these devices, wireless services are available on GSM networks such as AT&T and T-Mobile and CDMA networks such as Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular®. Support for certain rate plans, features, and services such as VoWiFi and hotspot vary by wireless service provider. SIM card must be compatible with area's available networks. International calling, data services and coverage vary by network provider. Contact provider for details.
³ For more information on Samsung standard U.S. limited warranty, go to samsung.com/customersupport/xxx.
Stephanie Caruso
These are all such great suggestions! The smart deadbolt sounds so convenient. I can see how being able to manage all of these things right from your GS8 has streamlined things! #client