Emily Smith
Screens embedded in the wall, such as in this setup by Crestron, mean you can control different parts of your home from one location
Superfast broadband and far-reaching wifi signals mean that the internet is an affordable, reliable and (these days) fundamental addition to nearenough every property. Even older houses that have thicker, signal-blocking walls can now have efficient connections thanks to low-priced networking equipment and the latest wireless boosting technology. This has resulted in more and more things in our homes being connected to the internet – heating, lighting and security can all be controlled by apps on our smartphones, tablets or desktop computers. In fact, there’s a huge range of domestic items that come with smart technology so they can be turned on and off remotely, from kettles and vacuum cleaners to sensors telling you the weather and pet cameras that allow you to chat to your dog when you’re out of the house. Collectively, these are all part of what is known as the Internet of Things (which basically covers any home device that has a web connection).