The future of American homes?

Question

Today our Wardley Real Estate sales office in Las Vegas was visited by Lennar Homes, and their spokesperson had interesting news. In the year to come Lennar homes plans to build and sell what they call "The Connected Home." By partnering with Amazon, Lennar plans to build in the Las Vegas Valley fully integrated internet homes wherein all features of the house can be utilized by using Alexa (the sound of your voice). The shades, doorbell, temperature and more can be controlled by voice or device. Not to mention being able to order something from Amazon from anywhere in the house just by asking it aloud. Further, Amazon team members come out to the home to set the Connected Home system up for each homebuyer. What does the BP community think? Is this a fad, or the future of housing?

Natalie Kolodij · Answer

There is literally no way I'm living in a house where my every word and action is recorded.

Did y'all not read George Orwell's 1984 in high school?

That's a super big pass for me .

Thomas S. · Answer

Sounds like a major PITA to me. When you lose your link I guess you simply sit in the dark in your closet and pray to your chosen deity that a miracle will soon happen.

Seriously sounds like a major advancement, like the car industry, where no one can repair their own home and repairs will be extremely expensive.

Jennifer T. · Answer

Another big concern I would have with this kind of technology is hacking.  And...no...not the good kind of house hacking that we talk about on here, lol.

The bad kind where someone holds all the functionality in your house hostage until you pay $X.  Or a vengeful ex who keeps...remotely...shutting the lights off and blaring the tv/stereo.

Chris Armstrong · Answer

This pretty much sums up Alexa. You will never see that crap in my house.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

@Kale Brock unfortunately the way technology changes, half those connected features won't work in five years. Heck, half the stuff isn't even operable today between Apple, Google and Amazon. And don't get me started on Amazon, which is approaching monopoly. They want to control everything we purchase. That is trouble brewing.

David Faulkner · Answer

The first thing they need to do is figure out wireless power, and finally get rid of all of those pesky outlets.

Account Closed · Answer

This technology is still very new and still pretty expensive in many ways. As with all technology it takes time for adoption and price reduction. This is coming though. Get ready for it.  The battle for the home is being fought between Amazon, Google and of course Apple. If you care about your privacy and not being marketed to Apple is the way to go.

Jessie Nunley · Answer

There are an estimated 125.82 million homes in the US as of 2016. It would take a very long time for this technology to be put in that many homes. It would take even longer for new homes with this technology to catch up to that number.

Sean Cole · Answer

@Thomas S. I'm not a millenial (hitting 40 in March), but... I've been on a big "efficiency" kick over the last few years.  I wear slip on shoes so that I don't have to take the time to tie them.  The shoes that I do own that have laces have been replaced with Xpand Laces so that I don't even have to tie my running shoes.  I buy cars with push button ignitions so I don't have to take a key out and turn it.  I had a gate opener installed at my house so that I didn't have to go open the gate.  All of my real estate systems are automated.I'm probably just taking whatever laziness I have and calling it efficiency.  A "connected home" intrigues me, but like @Natalie Kolodij said, I'm a bit leery of my house listening to me 24/7.

The future of American homes?

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