Yahoo Life is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. Some of the products written about here are offered in affiliation with Yahoo. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

Quick, look around your living room: How many nearby objects have internet connectivity? Chances are, you have at least a few of these “smart” devices on hand.

Decades ago, many of us imagined one day living in a tricked out futuristic home, one that cleaned itself, greeted us when we came home at the end of the day—and had dinner waiting on the table come six p.m. Sadly, that vision has yet to materialize, but given the wide array of internet-connected devices that can now help our homes run more smoothly, it does seem as though we’re getting closer.

With the benefit of all these smart devices comes the challenging exercise of remembering the passwords necessary to access their convenient capabilities.

Try LastPass Premium, part of Yahoo Plus Secure, for 30 days free* with a money back guarantee, subscriptions.yahoo.com

In combination, these handy internet-connected objects form what’s known as a “smart home,” or a network of either hardwired or wireless appliances, thermostats, alarm systems, cameras, timers, lightbulbs, and other gadgets that can be controlled from afar (usually via your phone, tablet or laptop).

Having the right devices can make running a house infinitely more convenient. You can grocery shop more wisely thanks to your smart refrigerator, which can send a shopping list to your phone. You can set your smart thermostat to start warming up the house shortly before you get home, so it’s nice and toasty by the time you walk in. You can speak to the person at the door via your smart video doorbell—even if you’re not home.

It varies by room. Research shows that in the living room, it’s most common to see a smart speaker, followed by a smart TV, gaming console, hub, remote control, and robot vacuum. In addition, you’ll likely find a variety of smart lightbulbs, thermostats, electrical outlets, air conditioners, ceiling fans, and light switches. Move over to the kitchen and, in addition to that refrigerator-turned-shopping-assistant, you might find a smart blender, dishwasher, oven, microwave, kitchen scale, coffeemaker, meat thermometer or even a smart herb garden. Make your way to the bathroom and you might find a smart toothbrush or bidet. And don’t forget the laundry room’s smart washer and dryer, or the many smart devices you can set up outside, including smart grills, garage door openers, smart locks for your gate, time-controlled lighting systems (including those for holiday light displays) and even a robot lawnmower. (If that doesn’t sound like a home of the future, we’re not sure what would.)

Many people use smart devices to keep their home secure. The video doorbell ranks highest in popularity, but there are also smart indoor and outdoor security cameras, motion detectors, door locks, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, door and window sensors, moisture sensors to warn homeowners about leaks or flooding, baby and child monitors and air quality monitors.

Try LastPass Premium, part of Yahoo Plus Secure, for 30 days free* with a money back guarantee, subscriptions.yahoo.com

While we’re on the subject of security, it’s important that you keep your smart devices password-protected—smart devices can be hacked, and if you have video cameras recording, you’re potentially giving bad actors a window into your home.

If you have ten, twenty, or more smart devices in your home, you’ll want to vary those passwords for extra security—the Federal Trade Commission recommends not using the same password again and again. But how do you keep track of dozens of passwords? A service like LastPass makes it easy to store numerous pieces of important safety info. It generates complex passwords that are harder for hackers to guess, then stores them securely until you need to log in—and then it automatically fills in the username and password for you. LastPass also sends alerts if you’re involved in a data breach, and allows you to store digital copies of important documents, like health insurance cards. Pretty smart.

Try LastPass Premium, part of Yahoo Plus Secure, for 30 days free* with a money back guarantee, subscriptions.yahoo.com

I have been working with telemedicine entities to recruit healthcare providers who want to use our skills to help patients in Ukraine and the countries to which Ukrainians have fled.

Bring a piece of European charm to your kitchen with the Williams Sonoma-exclusive color.

Can't get enough University of Louisville sports coverage? The Courier Journal's Cards HQ app has you covered.

Take full control of your home’s lighting.

A new report is raising concerns about Meta's virtual reality technology and the dangers the company's metaverse may pose to children.

The company retired its old Car View mode last year.

Professionals say you shouldn't pass up picture frames because of bad art or underestimate the cost of a furniture repair when at the secondhand shop.

The penthouse is the top residence in a restored 1857 building that has just seven units.

This group of stellar performers includes great picks for value, capacity, aesthetics, and moreBy Daniel WroclawskiHave sleek French-door refrigerators been catching your eye in the appliance ais...

Over the past two years, due to the pandemic, much of the population has been spending a lot more time in the kitchen. A MorningConsult survey conducted shortly after COVID first struck in early 2020...

Listen, we’re human and we all make mistakes. Case in point? Thinking that buying a white...

This Freeport, Illinois, home is nestled on 2.7 acres of land and offers 3,879 square feet of living space.

Remember these tips to keep your geraniums growing their best.

You know the old adage, \"April showers bring May flowers,\" and depending on where you live, the showers can definitely be a bit too much for your garden ....

We found all of the absolute best garden deals available right now to help you take your flower beds from drab to fab this spring.

At least there will be no trouble from the neighbours.

The top performers in CR's unparalleled field tests come from Cub Cadet, Ego, Greenworks, Honda, Kobalt, Ryobi, Toro, and Troy-BiltMore than 90 walk-behind mowers were put through their paces in ...

"Made very quick work of edging."

The green-thumbed supermodel tells PEOPLE exactly what she's growing, and how she does it all organically