Smart home technology promises you an easier, more automated life, but it often comes with an intimidating price tag. To fully deck out a home to sense motion, sound, light, and presence, you’re expected to spend a lot of money on a collection of dedicated, single-purpose gadgets.
Whether you’re just starting with home automation or you’re an experienced tinkerer wanting to expand your coverage, relying on expensive, proprietary hardware creates a major barrier. It seems every new automation idea requires another trip to the store for yet another specialized component. However, the answer to this problem might not be buying more things, but instead cleverly repurposing the really sophisticated electronic devices you probably already own.
You likely have devices that are…