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Smarten Up! It’s Time to Make Your Home Smarter with Best Buy Canada

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

When we recently moved into our new home, there were so many things that made me giddy with excitement. A brand new kitchen! Rooms that need decorating! Walls that need paint! So much potential!

My husband? He had two words for me: Smart Home.

But what is a Smart Home – and why should you want to live in one? Simply put, a smart home is a residence where tasks, normally completed by humans, are automated by computers instead. For some homes, becoming “smart” can begin with the introduction of a connected hub such as Google Home, while for others, being smart includes a combination of automated devices, such as speakers, thermometers, security systems, appliances and more.

Now I know some readers will be thinking to themselves, “Oh, I live in an old home. There’s no way I can incorporate all this new-fangled technology!” (Bonus marks if you actually used the words new-fangled.) But here’s the thing – you can, and you should. And here’s how I know.

Toronto’s oldest home is now a smart home!
John Cox Cottage, built in 1807, was recently outfitted with the latest smart tech from Best Buy Canada. From Hunter Douglas smart blinds and intelligent cleaning via Roomba to a NETGEAR Arlo 1080p HD camera at the front door, it’s a tech enthusiast’s dream. 

Ring the doorbell – which now features a Ring WiFi 720p video doorbell, and the Samsung Family Hub refrigerator in the kitchen will transmit video to the fridge’s front door. With built-in two-way communication, you can chat with your visitors before you answer the door – or ward off nosy salespeople before they can deliver their pitch!
But why did Best Buy Canada decide to integrate all of these smart components into John Cox Cottage? To prove that “any home can be smart,” says Zayn Jaffer, Vice-President of Emerging Businesses.

Hear that, folks? You have ZERO excuse! If Toronto’s oldest home can be smart, yours can too. However, if you’re still not convinced that an upgrade in tech is right for you, consider this:

1) Energy Savings = Cost Savings. Automated heating and air conditioning systems, along with Smart thermostats such as those made by Nest, quickly and precisely automate the heating and cooling of a home, which often leads to savings on your electricity bill.

2) Increased Security. Yes, you can have an eye on your front door virtually everywhere you go. Connected cameras and doorbells can help make a home safer by giving you round-the-clock access to your entry points, as well as warding off would-be thieves by assuring them you’re already watching.

3) Comfort and Entertainment. “Hey Google, play Sam Cook and hit me with some mood lighting.” It’s that easy – especially if you’ve incorporated connected speakers and lighting, too.
I know it’s a lot to digest, but remember, you don’t have to do it all at once! Making your home smarter is an ongoing process. Stay within your comfort level and most importantly, be sure can make the most of your newfound automation.

For us, thanks to Best Buy Canada, we were gifted with a brand new Samsung 49″ 4K UHD HDR QLED Tizen Smart TV!
The very talented Geek Squad came by to mount our tv on the wall and explain all the features of our new television. It was seamless! If you’ve recently purchased new tech, here’s why you should consider Best Buy Canada’s Geek Squad:

Setup. They’ll set up your tech and show you how to use it.
Protect. You can extend your warranty and protect your purchase.
Support. Get questions answered and problems solved 24/7/365.
Repair. They’ll fix it no matter where you bought it.
Membership. Get VIP treatment when you purchase a membership for a low monthly payment.

You can also use their a la carte menu for installations, like television mounting. Our new Smart TV comes with crystal-clear visuals and one billion more colours than standard UHD for incredibly realistic colour, but it also comes with many smart features that, frankly, my kids are more comfortable with than I am! Thankfully our Geek Squad agent took the time to explain exactly how to make the most of our web-connected apps, navigate with the included One Remote, and use our smartphones to control the on-screen content.

Can you guess which show we’ve been Netflix binge watching?
Tell me, friends, is your home smart? Are you open to making your home smarter with automated technologies? And, what is the first smart tech you’ll grab from Best Buy Canada? Enter below to win a $100 Best Buy Canada gift card!

For more information on Smart Home products, visit www.bestbuy.ca.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is sponsored by Best Buy Canada. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marco Bairos

    I’m really wanting to get myself a Ring doorbell so I can see who is at my door if I’m not at home

  3. Keri Dudley

    I would love a Ring doorbell, but I would also like to get a Nest Thermostat. Both would be well worth the investment, so it would all depend on timing.

  7. jan

    Some NETGEAR Arlo Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Security System with 4 720p Cameras would be fantastic to have.

  9. Christel

    There are a few things. I’d love a Google Home, but love the idea of a smart Lock, or the smart doorbell. Too many choices!

  13. kristen visser

    The first thing I would buy would be the Nest x Yale Wi-Fi Smart Lock with Nest Connect – Satin Nickel

  19. Mary

    I think the first thing I’d get is the Honeywell Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat. I love the idea of a smart home!

  24. Suzanne Ally Beck-Smth

    I am more st interested in the Ring WiFi Video 720P doorbell. Gotta keep up with who may be sneaking up on my packages.

  26. susan frampton

    The first thing I would get is the Smart Lighting Plugs I have the google home but nothing to go with it yet

  29. Jennifer P.

    I would get the Nest Wi-Fi Smart Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation – it’s on my husband’s Christmas wish list!

  33. nicolthepickle (Nicole Graham)

    The Nest thermometer. I’d like to be able to make it warm in my house before I get home.

  37. Cassandra S

    I would buy some wifi light switches so I could make sure the outside light is on on case I’m getting home after dark.

  45. Amber Y

    The first smart tech I want to bring home is the ecobee3 lite Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat & Remote Sensors Bundle!! We’ve been drooling over smart tech forever, but never picked any up since we had always rented…until now. So excited to start bringing these fun tech gadgets home.

  59. michelle tremblett

    There would be a toss up, I really want the ring alarm for the house and my husband has been wanting a google home for awhile. we would probably get both and use the gift card to help out :)

  60. NJ (Norma Jane)

    Home : Smart Home : Smart Lighting, Switches & Plugs : Smart Lights : Product Information
    Twinkly Smart LED Tree Light Set – 270 Lights
    Who new?! This was a thing. WE have the Google Home Mini thanks to our kids. Time to get some smart plugs etc. Our kids are way ahead of us on the knowledge of these things but we sure do love using them

  65. Jocelyn Paprocki

    I want to integrate the home with Google Home! We already have the nest, so I’ll love to sync everything together.

  66. travelbuds

    I would love the Ring Wi-Fi Video Doorbell 2. It would be so nice to see who was at the door when I’m at work and the kids are home alone.

  68. Krista M

    A Smart Thermostat is where I would start. My current thermostat toggle is broken so I don’t ever know an exact temperature I’m setting my house at. I just eyeball it.. then wake up at 3am with the house way too hot & have to come downstairs to change it. This would make life so much easier.

  83. Jay M

    Someone broke into our cars a couple of weeks ago (and we think we know who did it) so I would LOVE to get a security camera.
    Another great Smart thing (thing? sure, thing) we got for our home was a Honeywell water leak detector. We had some leaking issues in our new laundry room when renovating our basement, and this leak detector makes us feel SO much better about running our washing machine. We’ll probably end up getting another one for our hot water heater.

  89. Katherine O

    There’s so many things on my husband’s list lol. I’m really interested in the Arlo witless security system.

  102. Viv Sluys

    We’ve been thinking about getting security cameras for our house because theft is up in our area. It’s really something my husband is better figuring out than me but maybe something like the Nest Cam Wi-Fi Outdoor 1080p IP Camera

  109. andrea amy

    I would get a Homedics HDS-2000 Deep Sleep II Relaxation Sound and White Noise Machine to help drown out the traffic sounds (our apartment is on a very busy road just outside of downtown calgary)

  114. Tiffany Rotulo

    I have been eyeing the 24” Insignia Roku Smart TV at Best Buy for my daughter. I am watching for sales though.

  116. Miriam Wilton

    i would start with a smartlock. the number of times someone has been locked out of this house because someone else didn’t realize there was someone out without a key and locked the door LOL

  127. Lori M

    I want di many smart devices but I would start with the smart plugs, then get a nest thermostat or ring door bell.

  136. Michelle Policelli

    The first thing i’d grab is the New! Ring Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Pro, Chime Pro & Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Gen with Alexa – Charcoal

  151. Holly MacRitchie

    I would get the Nest Protect Wi-Fi Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Battery) (S3000BWEF). I keep hearing great things about the Nest alarms.

  152. Jenny B

    Wow, I did not know there were so many new smart tech items… I am particularly intrigued by the ZEEQ Smart Pillow! However, if I won I’d love to pick up a few of the TP-LINK smart plugs.

  159. Lisa

    I would love to upgrade our old school doorbell with the axGear WiFi Door Bell Wireless Video Camera Smart Home Monitor Doorbell Two-Way Talk. I love how it has a built in cam.

  160. HEIDI C.

    My kids love to answer the door so it would be nice to have the Ring Wi-Fi Video Doorbell 2 for safety purposes.

  161. Angela Smith

    oooh tough choice – we love Best Buy! I think I’d like to try the D-Link Wi-Fi Indoor 1080p HD IP Camera as it would make me feel more secure

  163. Heather Howard

    There are many things we could benefit from but I think we would start with the TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini 2 Pack & Google Home Mini

  168. Kait

    I’d love to make my 106 year old apartment smarter! It’s already pretty great but some simple upgrades would make it even better. Thanks for the inspiration!

  173. Trisha Pedros

    I am all for smarter homes! We have our Google Home & Hue lights which love! Google runs my lights, answers my questions, she play dog music for my boxer girl Sophie while we are out! Not sure I could go back! Would love to add more smart to home!! Enjoy your binging on Netflix. You have to watch Haunting Of Hill House with the lights on!! Thank you

  184. Kristy Reid

    I love the Samsung Family Hub refrigerator! How cool! It’s a little out of my price range.
    I’d love to a Roomba. I am not a big fan of vacuuming. I’d love to have that task automated.

  197. Leah Bortolotti

    Smart Thermostat! Because it gives me an old school flavour to a super modern edge! I am the hot flashing parent, I control the furnace! And shut that door, we aren’t heating the whole street…

  199. leana

    The first thing I would buy would be Nest Protect Wi-Fi Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm because safety is always first!

  229. tamara m

    there are so many great smart home options! i would love google home, a ring video doorbell, or even a ZEEQ smart pillow to track sleep quality and patterns! thank you so very much for this chance! :)

  232. Shawn A.

    Since our doorbell hasn’t worked in several years, I think a Ring Smart Doorbell would be my first smart-tech buy.