Recent years have seen a revolution in smart device technology around the home.

A smart device is essentially an electronic device that can connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth etc, enabling it to be controlled autonomously and interactively.

Control is usually via a smartphone app or voice operated systems, including Google Home and Amazon's Echo.

And there are just so many things that you can do with this technology around the home.

Perhaps the most critical use is in the area of security. Using smart doorbells with built in high resolution cameras enables you to see, and record, not only who's at your front door, but also what they are up to. Some devices have facial recognition features that can let you know when, for example, a family member has arrived home. Motion detection can alert you to see what's happening live.

You can have complete control over smart closed circuit security camera systems, effectively enabling you to see what's happening in and around your property, wherever you are.

And that's perhaps the most amazing thing about these devices. They can literally be accessed anywhere in the world with a smartphone or Wi-Fi connection. Incredible levels of security and peace of mind.

And here's a list of other things you can control in this way (with the appropriate equipment):

• Ceiling fans.

• Cookers that can cook your meal so it's ready when you arrive home.

• Opening and shutting garage doors.

• Internal and external lighting.

• Controlling lawn sprinklers.

• Window blinds and shades.

• Control of your TV and many other home entertainment systems.

• Switching almost any electronic device on or off, indoors or outdoors, using smart plugs.

• Setting up speakers around the home, enabling you to announce meal times, for example.

• Door locks.

• Washing machines and dryers.

• Heaters and air conditioning via smart thermostats.

• Baby monitoring.

The list of possibilities is growing all the time.

If you've not investigated smart technology yet, we hope the above will inspire you to take a closer look.