This year was one for the record books, and it certainly did not develop as we all thought it would when we sang "Auld Lang Syne" and clinked our glasses to usher in 2020. Luckily, this year's happenings have given us all a chance to reflect on the people and circumstances we are thankful for and allowed us to connect with our loved ones in new ways. We don't know about you, but we certainly see our families and friends more than we did last year, thanks to technology solutions!

Read on below for five smart home solutions that got us through a difficult year and will help us bring in 2021 with an added layer of comfort and convenience in our Austin, TX homes.

The holidays look a bit different this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the festivities while staying at home in Austin, TX. Home automation brings a new layer of excitement to an already fun time of year by making life easier and more enjoyable.

We strive to bring trusted technology trends to our clients’ homes so they can enjoy themselves with multi-room audio, private home theaters, lighting control, and more. Read on below to learn two ways Relative Home Systems can incorporate smart home control and help you add a little more pizazz to your end-of-year celebrations.

Are you ready for an automated home? Maybe you’d like music to flow through every room of the house or a security system that protects every vulnerable corner. From one app on your phone, you can access your speakers, security, lights, thermostats, TVs, and more.

But that’s going to require lots of planning, wiring, and careful installation by a smart home installer. If you’re renovating your property or building a new home, you’d benefit from partnering with a technology advisor like Relative Home Systems, based in Austin, TX. But when should a smart home professional get involved in the process?

Ideally, you’ll bring in help from the very beginning. We’ll share every step of the timeline so you can see how an installer helps at each phase of your new smart home build.

Staying in? Maybe you’ve decided it’s time to upgrade your home entertainment. After all, in-person sports aren’t an option, and concerts have been canceled indefinitely. If you’re looking for the most lifelike TV experience, that would be in 8K resolution.  

While 4K used to reign supreme, 8K TVs now offer what The Verge calls “likely the clearest digital picture the human eye will ever see.” Brands like Sony now offer 8K screens with High Dynamic Range (HDR), dazzling anyone who gazes at it.

But how does 8K work, and do you really need it for your Austin, TX home? Find out below.