![]() Smart home manufacturers expanded past the media room to control lighting, shades, security, HVAC and more. It wasn’t long before people started wondering… what else could we control with this thing? Smart Home Meets Smartphone That original mess of remotes got shoved in a drawer, replaced by a simple and intuitive device that only required a single button press to bring everything to life. Simplicity gave way to a plethora of button-filled devices strewn across the coffee table, challenging you to decode the correct sequence of button presses to turn on the nightly news. Each one of those devices generally came with its own remote control. We added cable boxes, VCRs, Ataris, surround receivers, and more. Essentially, they started with creating a universal remote.Īs technology advanced, broadcast television was no longer the only thing to watch on your fancy color TV. They started by making it easier to operate your TV and all the various devices that you had plugged into it. Many of the smart home manufacturers that have been in the game for a while started, at least to some degree, with a more modest aim than automating your home. You and your neighbors probably have a smart device or three in your house right now. Smart lights, thermostats, and cameras are no longer only seen in the homes of the rich and famous. While not yet as popular and as ubiquitous as mobile devices like iPhones and iPads, smart home technology is gaining ground and becoming more mainstream every day. One of those things is the control of smart devices. These days, the phrase “there’s an app” for that - first coined in a 2009 Apple TV commercial - has become true for a myriad of things. ![]() Obviously, he ended up warming to the idea. To stay ahead this school year, here are a few apps that can help your kids study, keep track of their day and take notes.It’s hard to believe, but there was supposedly a time when Steve Jobs was not keen on the idea of allowing third-party apps to run on the iPhone. ![]() You can also use Focus mode to silence any notifications, distractions and create a screen that only shows the apps you choose. If you're worried about your kid becoming distracted by messages, games, alerts and social media, you can use Apple's parental controls to set limits and what they can and can't do on the device. Plus, the new iPad update comes with a Split View so you can take notes and watch a video or use an app, making that old iPad even more useful. You can even pair it up with a keyboard and a mouse to make the iPad feel more like a computer. If your kids are going to start needing the home computer for their schoolwork, turning an iPad into a dedicated educational tool may be the perfect use for your older Apple tablet. You can download learning apps for your kid to use your old tablet as an educational tool.Īn educational tool with learning games and apps And you can even add a PlayStation or Xbox wireless controller to the iPad for your kids to play without hogging the TV or your phone. Plus, the iPad gives your kids a bigger screen to play multiplayer games on. And if you have more kids in the home than gaming devices, converting that old iPad into a gaming device may be just the ticket. But the iPadOS 15 has a few widgets to improve gaming, including a Continue Playing feature to pick up where you left off and a widget that lets you see what games your friends are playing.Īnd for fun and variety, it's hard to beat an iPad paired with Apple Arcade games, such as NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition or The Oregon Trail. Sony's PS5 or the Nintendo Switch might be on your kids' shortlist for holiday gifts. A new gaming console and features with iPadOS 15 ![]() For older kids who are beyond lullabies and dancing sheep, an app like Night Light Lite lets you pick from a variety of sounds, such as beach waves and running water, and night light colors to help them get to sleep. And you can set a timer and create a playlist of peaceful, soothing music or lullabies. With an app like Baby Night Lite, you can set up a night light for the kids' room with a variety of small animals and colors along with a sound machine that comes with a variety of songs and white noise and ambient background sounds. If your kids are starting to sleep on their own and you want to create a serene sleep haven for them, your old iPad is up to the task. Note that if you're looking for a monitor that keeps an eye on your baby's oxygen levels, temperature and sleep quality, an iPad won't do that for you. You can also get motion and noise alerts, just like from popular baby monitors. Turning your old iPad into a baby monitor can be a more affordable way to keep track of your baby.īaby monitor apps like Cloud Baby Monitor can let you check in on your kid. Most baby monitors make it easy to check on your little one from your phone or computer.
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