Smart home is not only the concept of practicality is king

Smart home is generally defined as a home-based platform that integrates building decoration, network communication, information appliances, and equipment automation. It aims to create an efficient, safe, convenient, and environmentally friendly living environment by combining systems, structures, services, and management. However, this definition is too broad and doesn’t clearly explain what a smart home actually is. As a result, many companies have tried to redefine the concept in order to promote their products more effectively.

One of the most well-known examples is Xiaomi, which initially introduced the idea of “light intelligence” with its smart router. Unfortunately, the original vision of using the router as a central control hub for smart homes didn’t take off. Recently, Xiaomi launched four new smart home products—smart cameras, smart sockets, smart bulbs, and a smart remote control center—and claimed it had finally created a “true smart home.” While these products are marketed as innovative, they don’t differ much from similar offerings by other companies in the smart home space.

Other brands like Haier, ORVIBO, and Cloud Can also claim to have redefined the smart home. Haier introduced the U+ operating system, aiming to connect smart devices across different industries such as home appliances, lighting, and cars. While this sounds promising, similar IoT integration has already been achieved in the market. ORVIBO uses terms like “micro-intelligence” for its smart switches and sockets, but the features aren’t significantly different from competitors. Meanwhile, Cloud Can’s products rely heavily on branding rather than real innovation, making them hard to stand out in a crowded market.

There’s nothing wrong with redefining smart homes, as concepts often evolve over time. However, true redefinition should be based on clear features and innovations rather than just adding new buzzwords to an already vague idea. To understand how this can be done, we can look at Apple’s approach to smartphones.

When Apple redefined the smartphone, it didn’t just introduce a new product—it created a whole new standard. Even though Apple wasn’t the first to release a smartphone, its design, user experience, and overall vision made it the benchmark for the industry. The iPhone was not only functional but also visually appealing and easy to use. This helped consumers associate the brand with the idea of a “smartphone,” regardless of the technical details.

Xiaomi, known for its “fever-driven” product philosophy, has also drawn inspiration from Apple. Its Mi 4 smartphone closely resembled the iPhone 5S in design, even prompting some users to joke that it was “Apple in disguise.” However, when Apple released the iPhone 6 with a curved design, it once again set itself apart from Xiaomi, showing that real innovation comes from bold decisions rather than imitation.

Similarly, to truly redefine the smart home, companies need to focus on creating products that stand out—not just through marketing, but through meaningful design and functionality. A great example is the Nest Learning Thermostat. It never claimed to be a revolutionary smart home solution, yet it became widely recognized as the “Apple of smart homes.” Its sleek design and advanced learning capabilities made it a standout product in the market. This shows that real redefinition comes from delivering value, not just rebranding.

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