Setting up new tech in your home can be a topsy-turvy experience. On one hand, you are experiencing the joy of adding a new device to your home. On the other, you have several questions filling your mind from the moment you purchased the device. Would it work as well as the salesperson said it would? It only had a 4.0 rating online … What happened to the remaining 1.0?
With the advent of smart home devices, we have an array of devices to choose from and install in our homes. From smart door locks to smart thermostats, virtual assistants and outdoor cameras, the market is filled with a bunch of useful stuff that can sometimes be hard to install. Therefore, here are some tips to note when setting up new tech in your home decor.
Read the User Manual
This sounds like the most basic advice ever, but a lot of people do not read the user manuals of products they purchase. This usually happens to people who feel they’re “techy” enough to figure it out. Reading the user manual not only gives insight into how the product should be handled and used, but it also gives installation tips and dimension specifications too. After all, no one knows the product better than the company that produced it.
Watch YouTube videos
Sometimes the user manual is not clear, or in some cases, it’s not printed in a language you can understand. In this case, you can watch a video on YouTube. With the amount of content on YouTube, it would be almost impossible to not find a helpful video. With millions of videos, covering oddly specific scenarios, YouTube is a great resource tool for installation and usage guides.
Request Support
Sometimes all you need is an extra hand from a friend or family member. Imagine trying to install a 50-inch or above TV on your own. Sounds dangerous, doesn’t it? Of course. A lot of times all we need is an extra hand, and sometimes an extra pair of eyes, to set up our new device. So don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.
Contact the Manufacturer
Have you requested support from a friend or relative and still can’t figure it out? Request support from the manufacturers of the product themselves. Most companies that manufacture technological devices offer technical support for those devices. It could be over the phone, and in some cases, having a technician come to help. If you can’t be bothered to make a call, try sending a Tweet instead.
Get Fast and Reliable Internet
If you’re interested in smart home solutions and are willing to go the extra mile to make your home a smart one, fast and reliable internet should be on top of your priority list. What internet speed do you need? That depends on the number of devices you plan to connect to it. If you’re connecting just one or two devices, an internet speed of 25mbps is enough to cater to your needs. If you’re connecting three to five devices, an internet speed of 50-100mbps is adequate.
For more than five devices, it is advised that your internet speed should be between 150-500mbps. This is because the more devices connected to your network, the more bandwidth you would need to make sure they all function optimally. Knowing your internet speed is important as it reduces waiting times, prevents lags and helps you manage your smart home more efficiently.