Incorporate Sleek Technologies That Make Life Simpler Without Being an Eyesore

When someone mentions smart home technology, do you cringe at the thought? Luckily, modern smart devices aren’t overly techy eyesores that scream futuristic science fiction film. Imagine having your Laguna Beach, CA, home respond to your every need with a simple tap of a button or a voice command without being inundated with technologies that mar your ideal aesthetic. It’s possible with a home integration expert like Launch Systems. Scroll below to learn where you can hide smart home devices in plain sight throughout your Orange County property!

SEE ALSO: Hidden Tech – In Plain Sight Whenever You Want It To Be, Gone When You Don’t

Relax In Style

You press play on your multi-room audio system, then slip into the bathtub at the end of a long day to relax. In-wall and in-ceiling speakers emit soft music while the waterproof hidden TV in the wall plays the latest Netflix show you’re trying to catch up on. At first glance, these smart audio/video technologies aren’t visible, but they come to life for your entertainment with a simple tap of a finger on a smartphone app or on-wall keypad.

4K Artwork

If you aren’t a fan of a black rectangle hanging on the wall when you aren’t watching a movie, the Samsung Frame TV is the perfect solution. Enjoy your personal art and photography collection or use the subscription-based Samsung Art Store to access the world’s top museum and gallery pieces. A beautiful frame paired with available matte layout options truly camouflages this ultra-high-definition smart TV in your living space when you’re not catching up on a show.

Outdoor Living

Expand your sound system to your patio and backyard spaces for the ultimate entertainment experience. Rock speakers blend into your pool landscaping while pumping out a fun pop playlist from Spotify. Satellite speakers and in-ground subwoofers pack a powerful punch for the big game or listening to your favorite podcast while gardening. These outdoor speakers are crafted to withstand salty air, water, and everything else Mother Nature wants to throw at them, yet they blend seamlessly into the foliage. For all of these expertly camouflaged technologies and more, chat with Launch Systems at the bottom of your screen to schedule an at-home audio/video consultation. We can’t wait to bring these smart home options to your Orange County living spaces!

Today’s Smart Homes Require Reliable Home Networks

In today’s world of digital devices and smart automation, almost every home in the U.S. has a home network and internet connection. These networks, however, are not all created equal.  Some offer robust connectivity with no downtime; others lead to dropped connections and streaming content that freezes on your smart TV. Low signal strength and diminished audio and video quality are just a few other technical glitches experienced in homes with an inefficient network.  Fortunately, a robust Wi-Fi installation in your Newport Beach, CA home can change all of that. Let’s look at what’s involved in this type of installation and what it can do for your home in Orange County. 

SEE ALSO: Voice Assistants Deliver Ease of Living to Smart Homes

What Is Wi-Fi Installation? 

A home network connects your devices, such as computers, smart home electronics, and game systems, to the internet and each other. Today’s home networks usually consist of wired and wireless solutions. A wired home connects devices to the internet using Ethernet cables. A wireless home network, also called Wi-Fi, uses radio frequency signals to connect your devices to the internet and each other. This type of connection offers homeowners greater flexibility.  When installed correctly, you can access the internet from anywhere in your home, including your outdoor area. You can also download movies and books, stream music, and binge-watch Netflix without experiencing slow speeds and lost connections. 

The Best Wireless Home Network

At Launch Systems, we partner with top industry brands to provide our clients with the best home automation services on the market. One of these brands is Ruckus.  Ruckus smart Wi-Fi technology is changing the face of the wireless infrastructure market. Smart wireless access points offer larger coverage areas and stronger signals than other wireless technologies, increasing reliability, flexibility, and performance.  The company achieves this through its BeamFlex technology that ensures efficient coverage distribution by seeking out the path of least resistance and mitigating interference.  Their indoor and outdoor wireless access points can shift their focus to devices, reinforcing signal paths and keeping track of where each device is in relation to the access point. In addition, their APs and switches include powerful patented technologies that produce blazing-fast Wi-Fi performance and increased coverage despite challenging dense building materials. 

Securing Your Wi-Fi Network

In today’s world of high-tech cybercriminals, it's essential to protect your Wi-Fi network’s access and keep it from unauthorized users. We use the best practices for your home’s cyber security, helping guard against viruses and intrusion.  A few of these best practices include giving routers unusual names, creating unique, complex passwords and multi-factor authentication, and using the highest level of encryption. In addition, for large estates, setting up multiple network segments, such as an office network and smart home network, can add additional security and limit breaches, should one occur. In addition, we install a guest Wi-Fi network to allow your guests access while still protecting your network. We’ll analyze your home network and create a customized approach to ensure a robust solution. At Launch Systems, we create home networks that deliver unsurpassed speed and connectivity. So wherever you are, in your home or yard, you’ll experience full Wi-Fi coverage on a secure network. To learn more about home networks or schedule a complimentary consultation, chat with us at the bottom of the screen. We look forward to hearing from you!

Controlling Your Smart Home With Josh.AI Is as Easy as Talking to a Friend

 If there is one thing most of us have in common in the 21^st century, it’s that we’re multitaskers. Arms loaded with groceries, we talk on our smartphones, write down the task we forgot to do, and attempt to turn on the lights and our favorite playlist. Yet, somehow, we usually succeed in our multiple endeavors.   There is, however, an easier way. Home voice control lets you tell your home what to do, leaving your arms and hands free to make a delectable dinner or help your child with their homework. So let's see what voice control can do for your home in Newport Beach, CA.  

SEE ALSO: Control Your Lighting Without a Second Thought 

Interactive Voice Assistants 

Voice recognition technology first entered the market in the 1960s. However, it wasn't until 2010-2016 that virtual assistants, like Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google Assistant, made their entrance. These voice assistants can find information online, make appointments, access your calendar, and control your smart home.   “Hey Google, turn the lights on in the kitchen,” and “Hey Siri, set the alarm for 7 a.m.” are frequent voice assistant requests. 

Which Voice Assistant Is Right for You?

Josh. ai came on the scene in 2015. He’s different from Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant in that he was built specifically for home automation. Josh.ai connects with all of your internet devices, from motorized shades to door locks, smart TVs, and lighting. In addition, small wall-mounted devices placed throughout your home means you can always send a request Josh’s way.

Comprehensive Understanding

Unlike Alexa and Siri, Josh.ai understands natural language. So, homeowners don't have to speak like robots to be understood. You also don't have to say, "OK Josh," to activate him every time, and he also knows what room he’s in. So, instead of saying, "OK Josh, dim the lights and lower the blinds in the living room." You can state, "Dim the lights and close the shades.” Like you, Josh.ai is also a multitasker and plans ahead. If you’d like your home prepared when you arrive back from work, simply tell him. You might say something like, “At 5 p.m., heat the spa, turn on the welcome home playlist, and set the temperature to 70°F.” As his name implies, Josh.ai is a machine learning device, learning more about you as you make your requests. This enables him to fine-tune your daily preferences as he gets to know you better.

Your Orange County Home Theater Installation, Explained

There are two primary styles of home entertainment spaces that the audio/video specialists at Launch Systems incorporate into homes in Huntington Beach, CA and the greater Orange County area regularly. The home theater is perfect for movie buffs that prefer a low-light, low-distraction environment. The other is the media room, great as a multi-use space for the entire family to enjoy simultaneously, even if you aren’t all watching the big screen. To determine the best fit for your home, it’s important to assess the entertainment space and the needs of your family. Scroll below to learn more about what’s required for media room and home theater installations!

SEE ALSO: 4 Fun Things to Include in Your Home Theater Design

Home Theater

For a home theater space, it’s critical to assess the size and shape of your room. Having a projector and projection screen combination is a common solution for larger, longer rooms. Projection screens can be much larger than TV displays, though at a higher cost, and ultra-high-definition 4K projectors provide crisp, vibrant colors. Tiered seating arrangements are frequently incorporated in home theater designs to ensure every viewer can see the big screen at the front of the room. You can even incorporate your Control4 home automation system to lower the projector from the ceiling and raise it back, effectively hiding away your technology when it’s not in use. Home theater spaces are dark, immersive entertainment areas that the entire family can enjoy; they offer large viewing screens and plush, tiered seating for the most comfortable and immersive viewing experiences.

Media Room

While a home theater installation is more expensive, a media room installation is nicer to your pocketbook. Though not as large as projection screen and projector combinations, TV displays are getting progressively larger each year and cost considerably less. Media rooms serve the entire family simultaneously, so the kids could be playing billiards on the other side of the room while you and your partner lounge on the sectional sofa watching the latest Netflix episode of your favorite show. Sound in a media room can still be immersive, and automated blackout shades can block out any annoying glare or sunlight from outside, but due to the multi-function use of the space, it’s not the best spot for movie watchers that get distracted easily! Most media rooms are also flowing spaces where family members can come and go from the room as they please. They also come in many shapes, whereas a home theater is typically in a rectangular space. You can also utilize the Samsung Frame TV display to serve as a work of art when it’s not being used for movies, sports, or gaming. Then tap your finger on the smart device of your choice to adjust the display, change AV sources and more! To determine the best fit for your Huntington Beach-area home, let the Launch Systems team take a look at your entertainment space. Media rooms and home theater installations are some of our specialties, and we’d love to chat with you at the bottom of your screen!