Posts

Meet the Sensor Chef: Cooking Up Smart Home Awareness

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Imagine your smart home as a kitchen — and your sensors as the ingredients. The chef? That’s your automation engine. Together, they cook up a living space that’s not just reactive, but deliciously intelligent. The Sensor Chef’s Pantry Every sensor adds a flavour to your smart home recipe: CO₂ monitors = freshness check — is the air stale or sweet? PM, VOC and NOx sensors = spice level — too much particulate heat? Temperature & humidity = texture — is the room dry, damp, or just right? Motion & light sensors = timing — is someone in the room, and how bright is it? The more sensors you have, the more nuanced your “dish” becomes. A basic setup might just boil water. A modular system lets you prepare a full tasting menu. Cooking with Automations The Sensor Chef doesn’t just measure — they act. Automations are the recipes that turn raw data into responsive behaviour: “If CO₂ > 1000 ppm and someone’s in the room, turn on the purifier.” “If humid...

BoxMate by Worqbox: Smart Storage Indexing with PowerApps—No Premium Needed

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turn your storage chaos into QR-coded calm BoxMate is a lightweight PowerApps app from Worqbox that turns your Microsoft 365 environment into a smart, searchable storage system. Whether you're managing office supplies, creative gear, or deep storage, BoxMate helps you track what’s in your boxes, where they are, and who owns them—with QR codes, camera scanning, and zero premium licensing. What BoxMate Does Create box records with names, descriptions, and locations Generate QR codes for each box (we have label templates too) Scan to view contents Add items with photos and descriptions Track ownership (if you want to) Search by item or box name—or scan to jump straight in Manage everything from your mobile device using PowerApps Watch this demo video to see BoxMate in action—from scanning QR codes to viewing box contents and editing locations. Built with PowerApps (No Premium Required) Uses SharePoint lists or Excel in OneDrive for Business ...

Plug‑and‑Play vs Modular: Fast Food Smart or Home‑Cooked Smart?

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You’ve probably seen the adverts: a sleek little box that promises to make your air conditioner “smart” in minutes. Plug it in, download the app, and suddenly you’re saving money, breathing cleaner air, and living in the future. The Catch: AC Doesn’t Clean the Air Here’s the thing: air conditioners don’t actually clean the air. They cool, they dehumidify, they circulate — but they don’t remove CO₂, VOCs, or fine particles. If you want genuinely healthier air, you’ll need to bring an air purifier into the mix. And that’s where the choice between plug‑and‑play and modular systems really shows. To be honest, CO₂ is the real bad actor in many high‑density spaces — meeting rooms, classrooms, even open‑plan offices to some extent. That heavy, sleepy feeling after an hour in a packed room? Often it’s elevated CO₂. Thankfully, most commercial spaces have fresh air delivery systems that swap old air for new, keeping things fresh and sweet (hopefully...

Smart Home Starter Guide for Hong Kong

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Smart 'WiFi' bulbs are the easiest way to step into the smart home world. They’re affordable, simple to set up, and instantly give you that “wow” factor when you control your lights with your voice or phone. Starter Kit: Three Great Options 1. Global Safe Bet – TP‑Link Kasa Smart Bulbs (KL125 / L530E) Wi‑Fi, no hub required Works with Google Home, Alexa, and Home Assistant Affordable (~HKD 120–150 each) Reliable app (Kasa) with strong international support 2. Local Value Choice – Sunshine Smart Bulbs Designed for Hong Kong homes (220–240V, E27 bases) Wide range of products (bulbs, downlights, strips, panels) Works with Google Assistant and Alexa Often cheaper than TP‑Link, with local warranty and support Note: Home Assistant compatibility is less clear—best for users sticking to Google or Alexa 3. Power User’s Choice – Shelly Duo Smart Bulbs (E27 / GU10) Wi‑Fi, no hub required Works with Google Assistant and Alexa Excellent ...

Why is my smart LED bulb rated G (Bad!)?

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If you’ve ever picked up a smart LED bulb and noticed the “G” energy rating , you might think it’s wasteful. But the truth is very different: the rating reflects a stricter modern scale, not a power-hungry bulb. Why the “G” Rating Looks Worse Than It Is Label reset: The EU rescaled energy labels in 2021. What used to be A+/A++ is now often F/G. Higher bar: Few current consumer LEDs reach the new top categories. Still efficient: A “G” smart LED is vastly more efficient than old incandescent bulbs. EU vs. Hong Kong Energy Labels Not all energy labels are created equal. The same smart LED bulb can look very different depending on where you buy it: Feature EU Label Hong Kong MEELS Scale A → G (7 steps) Grade 1 → Grade 5 (5 steps) Coverage Many appliances + lighting Selected appliances + CFL/LE...

Smart Homes in Hong Kong: More Than Just Gadgets

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When people hear “smart home,” they often think of expensive gadgets or futuristic houses that feel out of reach. But the truth is, smart living is already here — and it’s not just about technology. It’s about making everyday life in Hong Kong more comfortable, more convenient, and yes, even more affordable. Comfort in a City That Never Sleeps Hong Kong summers are hot and humid, and energy bills can climb quickly. Smart cooling systems — from automated blinds to air conditioners that adjust themselves — help keep your flat comfortable without wasting power. Imagine coming home to a cool apartment after work, without leaving the AC running all day. Convenience That Fits Busy Lives Life here moves fast. Between long commutes, late nights, and family commitments, convenience matters. Smart lighting, voice assistants, and automated routines mean less time fiddling with switches and more time focusing on what matters. A single tap on your phone can dim the light...

Smart Security: Locking Down Facebook, Instagram & X

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We’ve explored why IoT security matters , the human factor , the role of automation and AI , and how to build resilience into connected spaces. Now we turn our attention to the digital spaces we use every day — social media platforms — and how to secure them. Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) are essential tools for connection and expression — but they’re also prime targets for cyber threats. This post explores how each platform works, who uses them, and how to lock down your privacy and security settings. Facebook: The Community Hub What It Is: A platform for connecting with friends, family, and communities. Used for events, groups, and marketplace listings. Audience: Broad, especially adults 30+. Common Traps: Oversharing, third-party app access, fake profiles. 🔐 Facebook Security Tips Privacy Checkup: Go to Settings > Privacy Checkup...