Learn About a Brilliant, Voice-Controlled System and Its Many Benefits

To provide the best services for your Honolulu, HI home, Pacific Audio and Communications constantly looks for cutting-edge products. As soon as we heard of a new smart home tool that uses the most intuitive, AI-learning based software, we had to look closer.

What can this revolutionary product, which won CEDIA 2017’s Best Product and Res Tech Editor’s Choice in 2018, do for you? Josh AI is a new player in the smart home automation game that we can’t wait to introduce to our Hawaii customers. Keep reading to see why we love Josh.ai!



SEE MORE: Our Company Wins Coveted HTA Luxury Distinction
 
What Does Josh Do?
Josh.ai is a full-service home automation tool that you can control with your voice. It can operate lighting, security, A/V systems and anything else you’ve added to your smart home. Just like similar devices, you can remotely access every room in your house from your mobile phone -- and even pan the room to double-check that devices have turned off after your command.

Worried about integrating something shiny and new with your existing systems? Josh.ai collaborates seamlessly with almost any brand used in smart home automation, including Control4, Crestron, Sonos, Savant, Lutron and countless others. Chances are, if we’ve installed something for you, some of this hardware lives in your house, but Josh complements all those functionalities to create one, integrated smart home. Pacific Audio and Communications can add it to both older and newer homes.

Place on Wall and Play
The device mounts to your wall and looks flawless with virtually any decor style. Pacific Audio and Communications can flush-mount your device so that only the screen shows if you prefer. The screen lights up with different colors, depending on the nature of the command.

Josh Micro’s far-flung microphone capabilities mean you can speak from far away, and the device picks up your voice and accurately interprets your request. Because its programmers enabled Josh to understand commands contextually, you’ll hardly ever need to repeat yourself to get the device to comprehend you. Its intuitive technology even grasp phrases like, “It’s too bright in here!” and respond by lowering the shades. Similarly, you can say “Turn it off!” If the last device Josh activated were the lights, he’d know to turn them back off.

How Is Josh Different?
If you have an Alexa or Siri device or are familiar with their capabilities, operating a Josh.ai Micro won’t seem vastly different at first. What you’ll notice as you explore the device, though, is that it becomes more responsive to commands the longer you use it.

According to Josh’s website, “Josh is a home’s best friend. And like a dog, Josh is intelligent, responsive, and learns his owner’s commands. While other smart home control systems only know one trick, Josh combines all aspects of smart homes into one friendly, well-trained responder. Josh is your companion, and always happy to see you come home.”

Josh.ai makes privacy a priority by storing all commands locally. Founders Tim Gill and Alex Capecelatro aimed to make Josh.ai one of the most secure and data-conscious inventions of its time: The devices don’t sell ads or use any of your personal data, like the competitors.

Exclusive, Dealer-Only Device
Josh.ai products are currently only sold to select dealers, such as Pacific Audio and Communications. We can install the device, integrate it with your other smart home automation devices and provide ongoing support. Contact Pacific Audio and Communications to see this exciting new product in your home!

As Your Smart Home Installer, We Provide Unparalleled, Certified Service for Your Maui, HI Home!

Certified for Luxury
The Pacific Audio and Communications team is pleased to announce that the HTA, or Home Technology Association, has distinguished our company within the high-end space by awarding us an HTA Luxury certification. HTA Certification elevates standards of professional excellence for smart home installer smart home installer firms, and we’re proud to have obtained this level of certification. We feel this accomplishment proves our ability to provide a higher standard of service for our Maui, Hawaii customers.

It’s Your Home: Choose Wisely
When you trust a company to enhance your home, the installation firm you choose directly impacts your quality of life. The Home Technology Association, an objective, third-party organization, guides homeowners to the most trustworthy, technically capable, and customer-focused integrators. When you hire a company who has been evaluated and certified to meet the HTA’s stringent standards in luxury living, you are guaranteed to get home technology that you will enjoy for years to come. Keep reading to find out how this certification benefits our customers.



SEE MORE: 3 Elements to Look for in a Smart Home Company
Distinct Advantages
Currently, the HTA standardizes excellence in the industry: they set the bar and only certify companies who meet all requirements. We’re not trying to brag, but only about 10% of smart home installer companies receive an HTA distinction. The three criteria necessary for achieving this honor include 1) Technical Ability, 2) Customer Service and 3) Industry Expertise. We are proud to provide exemplary service in all three of these categories.

More specifically, certified companies have a few competitive edges on other companies of their kind. For example, you’ll find strong business rankings; solid financial history; reputable, enterprise-quality network installations; background-checked technicians; ongoing support plans; and multiple endorsements within other companies of this caliber. Curious about what the “Luxury” part of our certification means for you? Read on!

What Luxury Certification Means
Specifically, meeting HTA’s “Luxury” criteria means that we’ve proven ourselves to homeowners who appreciate the finer things in life. Pacific Audio and Communications customers typically own large, high-value homes that they continue to improve and innovate with home automation systems. They probably have scrupulous design tastes in decor and architecture that they don’t want to compromise with conspicuous wiring. There’s also a good chance our clients have demonstrated their interest in superior audio and video technology by adding a media room or home theater.

Installations with this many details to consider take time. Usually, the updates in the luxury home category are expansive projects that can take several months to complete and involve meticulous, design-oriented requests. We’re prepared for anything and always ready to put our most painstaking effort forward for clients.

The Best for Your Investment
In short, our customers expect and deserve a boutique, bespoke experience when creating their dream homes, and we can’t wait to show you how certifiably excellent business practices, service and expertise can transform your Hawaii home. Ready to explore the possibilities? You can start by contacting us here or send us a chat below.

Gain Peace of Mind with a Smart Home Security System

It’s that time of year for festive parties, holiday lights, and memory making. This season is very special, but it can also put us into a frenzy of stress with the long to-do lists, family visits, and traveling.

For your peace of mind, we’ve put together a list of handy tips that will help you with one item we know is on your to-do list: keeping a safe home. From automated lighting and a smart home security system to a staged home, these tips will help you feel safer whether you’re staying in Honolulu, Hawaii or traveling.



SEE ALSO: Why Invest in a Smart Home Security System?

1. Sync Smart Lighting with Your Surveillance System

If you’re traveling this holiday and leaving an empty home, you’ll feel comforted knowing your house is working to fend off intruders with a smart surveillance system synced with lighting control.

Install motion sensors around your house that automatically turn on lights when movement is detected on your property. The lights will create the sense that someone is home and typically drive unwanted guests away. When movement is detected, your security system sends alerts to your phone to notify you of potential intruders and even sets off an alarm for you. 

2. Monitor Packages with a Smart Intercom

An increase in delivered packages is a guarantee this time of year, and keeping up with each delivery can be a lot to remember. Make the process easier and safer with a web-configurable outdoor intercom that works in tandem with a monitor.

Use two-way audio and video to both hear and see your visitor coming to drop off a delivery. As soon as the delivery is dropped off and you’re not home to receive it, we suggest you contact a neighbor or friend to pick it up for you until you can get home. 

3. Replace Your Doors with Smart Locks

You won’t ever have to worry if you left a door unlocked when you leave for vacation with smart locks. Remote door locks controlled from your smartphone not only keep your home safer but allow you to unlock your home for a guest if you’re not there to let them in. Integrate your smart locks with smart video surveillance to remotely see who you’re letting into your home for even more peace of mind.

4. Keep a Clear Path to Your Entryways

Even with a smart home security system where you can monitor every inch of your property in real time from a remote location, intruders may sneak behind large bushes or bulky holiday decorations to stay out of view from your cameras.

Keep a clear path to possible entryways of your home, including windows and doors, avoiding large objects that could be used to hide intruders. We also suggest you test your surveillance cameras to make sure you can zoom, pan, and tilt in order to see every nook and cranny of your property.

5. Stage an Occupied Home

To keep your home looking occupied even if your entire family is away, schedule light scenes to turn on at desired times and mimic your family’s daily routines. With a smart security system coupled with your scheduled lighting, you can remotely monitor your home to make sure your outdoor holiday lights and indoor lamps are on when they’re supposed to be.

Feel more at peace this holiday season knowing your Honolulu home is safe and secure! We can help you get started with a smart home security system today. Just contact us here or send a chat below to start talking with a professional security system installer today.

 

Get faster, more reliable performance for your devices

 As more devices in your home come equipped with the ability to connect to the Internet, the strain on your home network is ever-increasing. You may have already noticed some issues already; slow browser speeds, spotty wireless coverage, and issues with streaming content are all signs of an overworked home network. If you’ve noticed any of these problems, it’s time for a home networking upgrade. Here’s a list of ways a stronger home network can improve the lives of homeowners in Maui.



 SEE ALSO: Solutions to 3 of the Most Common Home Networking Problems
 

THE NEED FOR SPEED

When you fire up your internet browser, you want an instantaneous response. But if you’re relying on a single wireless router to cover every area of your home and you don’t have a reliable connection, you’re going to be frustrated by long load times and even the occasional crash.

This is even more true of streaming content. To get the most from your home theater, you want to be able to stream your favorite movie or show in 4K UHD. Without a sufficiently powerful network, you’ll be dealing with pixelated images, buffering issues and lengthy load times.

The solution? Beef up your home network. A professional network installation will ensure you get the maximum bandwidth possible in every area of your house, allowing you to browse and stream without fear of any hiccups or glitches.

 

DO MORE WITH YOUR DEVICES

Getting the most from smart home automation involves more than simply installing the individual systems. To really unlock the value of these devices, you need them to work together, and that can’t happen if your network isn’t up to the task.

For example, smart security systems and lighting control both do a lot by themselves, but they can do more together. If your lighting control talks to your security system, you can lock all the doors in your house and turn off all the lights from your phone, all with one push of a button. If you’re going on vacation, program your lights to turn on and off at different points throughout the day to make it look like someone’s home, all the while knowing you’ll receive an alert on your phone if anything should happen.

The greater number of interconnected systems in your home, the more valuable they are to you. But without a sufficiently powerful network as the backbone, your options are much more limited.

 

KEEP YOUR DATA AND DEVICES SECURE

A strong network is important not only for the physical security of your home, but also your digital security. Hackers, malware and other forms of cyber attack have only been increasing in recent years, making network security more vital than ever.

To best protect the data on your devices, you’ll want to make sure your network is properly protected and encrypted. Your software or other components may be out of date if you haven’t taken a look at your network’s security in a while, leaving you at greater risk of attack and intrusion.

 

BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER

If you’re interested in learning more about Pacific Audio and Communications’ networking services for your Maui home, give us a call at 808-870-1619 or visit us online.