Smart Home Glossary

A

Alexa

Amazon's voice assistant that powers Echo devices and integrates with thousands of smart home products.

Automation

The ability for smart home devices to perform actions automatically based on triggers, schedules, or conditions.

B

Bluetooth

A short-range wireless protocol commonly used for connecting devices like smart locks and speakers.

Bridge

A device that connects smart home products using one protocol (like Zigbee) to your home network.

C

Cloud

Remote servers that process commands and store data for smart home devices, enabling remote access.

E

Ecosystem

A collection of smart home devices and services that work together under one platform (e.g., Apple HomeKit, Google Home).

G

Geofencing

Using your phone's location to trigger automations when you arrive or leave home.

Google Home

Google's smart home platform that uses Google Assistant for voice control.

H

Home Assistant

Popular open-source home automation platform that runs locally and supports thousands of devices.

HomeKit

Apple's smart home platform that works with Siri and the Home app on iOS devices.

Hub

A central device that connects and controls multiple smart home devices from different manufacturers.

I

IFTTT

If This Then That - a service that creates automations between different smart home platforms and apps.

L

Local Control

The ability to control smart devices without an internet connection, using only your home network.

M

Matter

A new universal smart home standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, and others for cross-platform compatibility.

Mesh Network

A network where devices relay signals to extend range and improve reliability (used by Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread).

Motion Sensor

A device that detects movement and can trigger automations like turning on lights.

P

Protocol

The communication standard devices use to talk to each other (Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, etc.).

R

Router

The device that manages your home network and connects smart devices to the internet.

Routine

A sequence of automated actions triggered by a single command, time, or event.

S

Scene

A preset configuration that controls multiple devices at once (e.g., "Movie Night" dims lights and closes blinds).

Smart Plug

A plug adapter that adds smart control to regular appliances.

SmartThings

Samsung's smart home platform that supports a wide range of protocols and devices.

T

Thread

A low-power mesh networking protocol designed for smart homes, used by Matter-compatible devices.

V

Voice Assistant

AI-powered software like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri that responds to voice commands.

W

Wi-Fi

The most common wireless protocol for smart home devices, using your existing home network.

Z

Z-Wave

A wireless mesh protocol designed specifically for smart home devices with excellent range and reliability.

Zigbee

A low-power mesh networking protocol popular for smart lights, sensors, and switches.