Catch up on future home stories in 5 minutes.

An expired or untested alarm is the first problem to solve; app features come after age, battery, placement, and certification.

Low-tech backup is still part of a good smart-lock setup. A spare key may solve more real-world access problems than another automation feature.

The wrong automation feels theoretical until a February cold snap makes one bedroom unlivable and everyone starts overriding the system.

Product category only. Present as sound masking, not a cure for neighbourhood noise or sleep problems.