If you could easily control most of the smart devices in your home — that would be Brilliant

Actually, it is with Brilliant Home Control

Taking your automated home to the next level is what every gadget geek wants. Unfortunately, some automation systems are just so complex, there’s no way a mere mortal can do it themselves. Others are proprietary and require all systems to be purchased from one vendor. Bucking the trend is Brilliant Home Control, bringing some of the most popular brands together into one helpful home and mobile product.

Installation

Installation was pretty straightforward. Removing the old switch was step one. Matching the wiring to the installation guide was easy enough for a single pole switch, but if yours is a three-way, make sure it matches one of the approved installation illustrations. Brilliant has units for single, double, triple or quadruple switchplates.

I was pretty impressed with the ease of installation for their control panels and setup. One tip: install and completely set up your in-wall units before you install your mobile app. When the mobile app asked if the unit is already installed and set up…it means completely set up and all systems working.

The kit comes with all the parts you should need including the mounting plate, jumper wires and (not shown in this photo) yellow wire nuts for fastening everything together.

Once everything is connected, press the test buttons to see if all your connections are good, and if so, slide on the coverplate with screen to complete the install.

Press each test button to make sure your lights turn on and off before connecting the coverplate.

Operation

Similar to a new laptop, it’ll boot up and go through a very complete setup — walking you through each step with simple questions that anyone should be able to answer without difficulty. (assuming you know your home network name, password, etc.) You never even need to touch your router.

Each time you set up Brilliant to talk to one of your devices like the Nest thermostat or your Amazon Alexa account, it will require you to connect with that vendor for authorization to connect, but the installation program walks you through each step. You’ll need your email setup handy, because for each application it sendsv a separate authorization code you’ll need to enter. Simpler than it sounds.

No additional hubs, wiring or batteries are needed.

Once you’re done, you’ll have a convenient place to turn on lights, adjust your home’s temperature, let people in with your Ring doorbell and smart locking system as well as all the features offered through Alexa.

Lights can be adjusted and dimmed with simple touch and slide swipes or a simple tap to turn on 100%. When not controlling one of your devices, the screen can display your favorite photos, or an assortment of scenic photos already included — up to fifty photos altogether. Photos need to be loaded through the mobile app.

Separate scenes can be programmed to adjust lighting, music and temperature all at once. With motion sensor, you can set lights to go off if no one is in the room.

With more than one switch installed, you’ll also have an internal intercom setup with video and audio. You can make announcements all through the house or to any specific unit. Want one in your bedroom or bathroom — but don’t want those awkward moments? Simply slide the shutter over the camera lens.

Control while away

With the mobile app, you’ll gain control over many of your apps in one convenient location — at home or away.

Be sure to check out all the options at http://Brilliant.tech. They presently offer five different plates colors to match your décor. Units start at $299 MSRP for single pole switches and go up to $478 MSRP for decorator plates and four switches in one unit. And, best of all, new integrations are being added all the time.

Originally published at https://dougbardwell.com on June 27, 2019.