Home control gadgets are gaining in popularity with Amazon's Alexa probably the best-known right now. What are these gadgets and what can they do for you?

Most of these gadgets can be controlled from smartphones as well as having their own controls. It's also worth linking them to a central control system that binds them together, usually voice controlled.

All things to everyone

Amazon's central control devices are called Echo speakers (there's a range of about five) which you talk to and they will talk back - they can play music and radio too. Alexa is actually the name for the assistant you speak to, who can also be used via an app on an Amazon Fire tablet.

Similarly Apple's Siri is the assistant that exists on Apple smartphones, tablets and other devices, including a specialist HomePod speaker. Use Apple's Home app, or voice commands through the HomePod, to control a variety of devices.

Google also has a range of voice-controlled speakers, called Google Home, which connect with Google Assistant, an app for Android devices and iPhones.

Now all you have to do is get the systems to control the bits and pieces.

Philips Hue

Philips was one of the first companies to get involved with smart lighting. The Hue system is a box that plugs into your router (if you have an Amazon Echo you don't need this) and bulbs that you control from your smartphone.

Turn them off and on or change colour and intensity, either with timed schedules or directly from your phone.

Google Nest

Google bought Nest a few years ago as soon as the company's smart Thermostat started to take off in the US. Now a smoke/CO detector (Nest Protect) and a video doorbell (Nest Hello) have been added to the portfolio. They work well together too - e.g. if Protect detects something wrong, Thermostat will turn the heating off.

One minor feature makes Nest Protect worthwhile - when the batteries start to run out it alerts you through your phone. No more incessant bleeping in the middle of the night!

Ring doorbell

The Ring button replaces your doorbell press and links to a Ring Chime in the house. You can talk to people at the door wherever you are, as long as you have your phone with you.

Eve Aqua

To end on, this one is a bit different but very useful for gardeners - it's an automatic, programmable and customisation switch for your garden tap. Link it to a network of pipes and sprinklers and you can water the garden wherever you are.

It will also report on water usage so that if you're on a water meter you can tune your watering sessions to get the best value for money. Note that, like all Eve products, it only works with Apple systems.

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