Your old iPad or Android tablet can be your new smart home dashboard – here’s how

The intelligent home automation system which you choose will act as the brain that controls your devices. It will also be the platform you use on your tablet-turned-dashboard to manage your smart home.

You probably already have a favorite smart home automation system, especially if you already have a smart home set up, but here’s a comparison of the most popular options:

• House helper: This open source option offers maximum control over your dashboard, devices and automations. It’s the best choice for advanced users and smart home enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering to make the system work the way they want. It works locally and is super fast, so your devices respond reliably to Home Assistant. This is also one of the most compatible smart home systems available, so you can combine devices from different brands under one controller, even if not all of them are compatible with Matter.
• Amazon Alexa: Alexa is one of the most reliable and responsive voice assistants, a top choice for beginners and smart home users who enjoy voice control. Works with the Alexa app, Echo devicesand, more recently, online at Alexa.com. With the recent release of Alexa+, it’s also a generative voice assistant with artificial intelligence, so you can give it more complex commands, like turning off multiple types of devices in a single request.
• Apple Home: This is the platform of choice for many iPhone users. If you’re big on the Apple ecosystem, it’s a great choice. It is also the best choice for people who value privacy. Apple Home is known for its clean user interface, but its strong focus on privacy also makes it a walled garden. However, you can use Matter devices with Apple Home, which opens up compatibility that was previously very limited.
• Google Home: A great choice for Android ecosystems, it offers simple controls that are easy to find and use, and a clean interface. Google Home also has Gemini for Home, its generative voice assistant with artificial intelligence. However, you need a subscription to use all the best features. Google Home is a great option if you use a lot of Nest devices, but it’s also compatible with Matter, so you don’t have to limit yourself to “Works with Google” devices.

You can set your tablet’s screen to never turn off or as long as possible before going to sleep. Android Developer Options allow you to set the tablet to stay awake while charging.

Note that if this device is permanently in one place, you will need to leave it plugged in.

If you want to keep your tablet locked to a single app, like Google Home or Apple Home, you can turn on Guided Access on your iPad or use an Android app like Fully kiosk browser or WallPanel. Using these prevents other users from leaving the home automation application or browser of your choice. They also automatically launch the smart home app so you can see your dashboard when the tablet wakes up.

After resetting your device and adding the Smart Home Entertainment Systems app, it’s time to set up your home view. Note that if you’re using an iPad, Apple Home is already installed, and if you’re using an Android tablet, you probably already have Google Home installed after formatting your tablet.

Also: The latest Google Home update brings Gemini fixes that I’m excited to try again

Open your smart home app and set up your landing page or dashboard. This is what you will see when you approach the tablet. Add your favorite devices to the landing page so you can easily control them as you approach. For example, this can include smart lights, a smart thermostat, security cameras and smart locks. You can also add shortcuts to scenes and routines.

If you plan to wall mount your tablet, you can choose from wall mount options, magnetic mounts, or any compatible option for your specific tablet. For an even more perfect look, you can put a hidden charging cable in the wall.

You can also put it on a simple stand on your kitchen counter, for example, or on an entryway table, so you can grab it as needed.