Plain-English dictionary
Glossary
16 everyday terms explained simply, no jargon.
A
- Automation
- A rule that makes a device act on its own when a set condition is met, such as lights turning on at sunset.
B
- Bandwidth
- The amount of data your network can carry at once, which affects how many devices can run smoothly together.
E
- Ecosystem
- A family of devices and apps designed by one brand or standard to work together easily.
F
- Firmware
- The built-in software that runs a device and can be updated to fix bugs or add features.
G
- Geofencing
- A feature that triggers actions based on your phone's location, such as unlocking a door when you arrive home.
H
- Hub
- A central device that connects and coordinates your smart gadgets so they can talk to each other.
L
- Latency
- The short delay between giving a command and the device responding to it.
- Local vs cloud
- The choice between a device that processes commands on your own network versus one that relies on a company's remote servers.
M
- Matter
- A shared industry standard that lets smart devices from different brands work together.
- Mesh network
- A setup where several units spread a single strong signal across a home instead of relying on one router.
R
- Routine
- A saved sequence of actions triggered together, such as a "good night" command that locks doors and turns off lights.
S
- Sensor
- A small device that detects things like motion, temperature, or an open door and reports them to the system.
- Smart plug
- An adapter that plugs into an outlet and lets you control a regular appliance remotely or on a schedule.
V
- Voice assistant
- A program that listens for spoken commands and controls devices or answers questions.
W
- Wi-Fi
- The wireless technology that connects devices to your home network and the internet.
Z
- Zigbee
- A low-power wireless standard many smart devices use to communicate over short distances through a hub.
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