When is Smart too Smart?

This article by Marc Henson, Head of Marketing and Technology at Kubu Smart Security 🔒 was first published in Total Installer Magazine November 2024 Edition.

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I went to the pub last week to catch up with an old friend of mine from school, Gaz. When I describe Gaz, you’ll know him. We’ve all got a Gaz. That one kid that was just smarter than everyone else and breezed through his exams with seemingly no effort. 

Well, Gaz went off to Uni (Oxbridge of course…), to study Biochemistry (naturally…), and promptly finished off with a first class degree, and the rest is history. Problem is, Gaz is an absolute danger to himself, as he’s got so little common sense that he even struggles to cross the road safely!  

It got me thinking: When is smart too smart?

There are so many “Smart” products flooding the market these days, and some really seem to have missed the mark with their “Smart” features. 

Take the fabled smart toaster as an example: it has Wi-Fi, app control, and customisable toasting levels. 

Clever idea, maybe. Well executed technology, definitely. But how many people really want to control their toaster from their phone? Really? A lot of these “smart” features go unused, are too complex to bother with daily, or (which is mostly the case) solve a problem that just doesn’t exist. 

It’s one thing to make a device more functional, but it’s quite another to add tech that doesn’t deliver much beyond novelty value.

That’s smart for smart’s sake. Technology that over-promises and under-delivers. 

When “smart” additions complicate rather than simplify, they risk becoming a hassle instead of a convenience. For Smart products to work, they need to address a real-life need in a useful way.

Finding the Balance in Smart Home Security

In home security, smart tech has to strike a fine balance between convenience and safety. If a feature compromises security, then it’s not adding value. 

Recently, I had a phone call with a consumer that perfectly illustrated this point. 

He was inquiring about our recent integration with Bold Smart Locks – specifically asking if it would support voice control with Alexa or Siri.

He mentioned other brands he’d looked at offer voice unlocking as a “unique” feature, and I had to think (quickly!) about why we don’t. After a moment, an image popped into my head—someone shouting an unlock command through the letterbox! 

Frightening thought, isn’t it?

The potential security risk of enabling voice-activation on a door lock seemed far more concerning than the convenience it might add. “No,” I confidently told him, “the Bold lock doesn’t unlock with Alexa or Siri. That’s intentional.” 

Now, I don’t know all the specifics of this specific tech, so maybe there’s some voice recognition in play (although my Alexa still doesn’t understand when I ask it not to let my daughter change the music!). But it’s definitely something worth thinking about.  

We actually hear a similar question about Kubu: “Does it physically lock and unlock the door?” No, it doesn’t—and that’s by design too.

The choice to keep things “just smart enough” adds functionality and value to the homeowner, while reinforcing our commitment to security as the top priority.

The Kubu Way: Smart Technology that Makes Sense

At Kubu, our approach to smart security is to build meaningful features that integrate seamlessly into people’s lives without unnecessary complexity. 

Kubu’s smart sensors, for example, give users real-time status on their windows and doors without altering the look and feel of the door or window itself. By focusing on practical functions like security alerts and geofence reminders, Kubu offers convenience and up-to-the-minute info (and with knowledge comes great power!) without the need for elaborate add-ons or automation that may pose security risks.

For the home security industry, it’s crucial that smart products genuinely support users’ needs without overwhelming them with features that feel gimmicky or require endless configuration or constant battery recharges. 

Kubu’s commitment to being “just smart enough” means we focus on features that provide value and peace of mind. After all, smart home technology should make life easier, not introduce new worries by being too smart.

Just like Gaz!

Be Smart. Work with Kubu.