The clock strikes noon.
Looking around, I noticed the walls were empty of any light switch. When your subconscious sees them on every wall just about anywhere, it really stands out when they’re gone. Instead, the keypad had engravings that read ‘Entertain,’ ‘Work,’ and ‘Relax.’ After a lifetime of using light switches, I pressed ‘Relax’ brazenly thinking to myself, “What else could this do?”
I looked up and seven towering shades descended in perfect sync to block out the sun and Pittsburgh skyline. The showroom lights dimmed from daylight to a subtle orange glow, transforming the entire room into a lounge made for a Beverly Hills movie star. I witnessed a bright, open floor loft become a quiet, personal paradise in seconds. I was hooked.
The Google Glass slipper.
‘Entertain’ and ‘Work’ made similarly impressive transformations. The first recreated the perfect movie theater ambiance, whereas the second brightened desk areas for better concentration. It was then that I noticed a remote sitting on a table nearby. I was familiar with the premise of universal remote controls–a remote that could control your house and the entire neighborhood with enough battery power–but I never recognized their potential until then.
Every device in the showroom was connected to that remote, and despite sounding complicated at first, it was surprisingly easy to use–so easy that I felt in complete control of the entire loft without having ever been there before. No searching for the right remote to turn on the TV. No scrolling through menus to switch between Netflix and Hulu. No getting up to turn on the record player in the corner of the room. I didn’t even have to walk back to change settings from the keypad earlier–everything was in the palm of my hand.
The surprises didn’t stop there either. TVs hidden behind paintings, HD audio from anywhere, and light settings that made art and color pop in ways I never thought possible.
The sheer amount of possibilities for control, automation, and personalization were near limitless. That level of customization really allows you to dial in exactly what you desire.
From dream to reality.
I’ll never forget my first smart home experience—from the keypad and lighting, to the remote and all its power and simplicity, and everything in between. Now, I get to help other people experience those same feelings when handing them a universal remote of their own. Seeing their eyes fill with pure awe, discovery, and gratitude is the reason why I love what I do.
