How AI is making our home lives easier

From the earliest stone tools to today's super computers, technology has always promised to make our lives easier. Even as it adds complexity to our world, it offers new, simpler ways of accomplishing our daily activities. Now, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) look to take things one step further by using machine learning to drive innovation.

With AI dominating much of the news cycle coming out of the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, these are the best AI-powered devices available today that are already making our daily lives easier and opening up new possibilities in the quest to make life good.

Higher quality photos

Whether you're snapping a selfie to share with friends or capturing one of life's big moments, photo quality is crucial. It used to be the only way to make photos better was to use a better lens. But now AI can also play a role in producing amazing photos.

The LG V40 ThinQ features five individual cameras, allowing you to capture more unique images of the moments that matter most. But what sets the V40 ThinQ further apart is the AI-powered camera that recognizes what you're shooting and suggests the best filter. For content creators and anyone else who loves high-quality images, AI is poised to reshape the way we see the world.

Better voice recognition

It seems like voice recognition is everywhere these days. From your smartphone to your coffee pot, you can take control of many of these devices you use every day with just one word. Up to this point, voice recognition has been limited to simple commands with little room for variation. But AI is now making voice recognition technology more intuitive to bring better functionality to our favorite devices.

For example, LG's OLED 4K TVs are now equipped with powerful voice recognition features that allow you to speak naturally when controlling your smart TV for the ultimate viewing experience. With built-in Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa capabilities and LG's ThinQ deep learning AI technology, the voice agent is more intelligent, simpler and easier to use. Whether you're ordering food, searching YouTube or checking the weather, AI is making it easier to access the tools and media we love.

Advanced AI customer service

Nobody likes calling customer support. But if you have to, you want answers and you want them quickly. Unfortunately, many of us are all too familiar with those robotic messaging services that never seem to understand what you're saying. It can feel like you're talking to a brick wall. But what choice do you have when the only other option is waiting indefinitely for a live representative?

Thankfully, those days are now a thing of the past. LG's ProActive Customer Care uses AI technology to immediately alert LG smart appliance owners to potential problems before they even occur, expedite repairs when needed and offer useful maintenance tips to keep appliances performing their best. The first-of-its-kind customer support initiative is designed to improve product performance, extend product longevity, solve issues faster and ultimately save LG product owners time and money.

In addition to the convenience of immediately receiving product alerts about performance issues, or reminders to order more of your favorite detergent, you can remotely control LG smart appliances via the LG SmartThinQ(R) mobile app or voice commands, using Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant. Remote access makes it easier and more efficient to handle tasks like starting and stopping LG washers and dryers and telling LG refrigerators to make more ice when you're on the go.

We are only at the cusp of harnessing the true power of AI technology. But if current home development are any indication, AI looks to be a revolutionary force making our lives easier for years to come.

For more information on LG's future-made lineup of AI-powered smart devices, please visit LG.com.

One of the key worries about smart home innovation is security. Many researchers and data analysts have stated that hackers can gather sensitive information from your smart devices that can be used to steal your information. 

How to protect your homes data from cyberattacks

Crime used to mean things like break-ins and thieves swiping packages from your doorstep. But now there's an increasing number of cybersecurity threats that are also crimes of opportunity. With more and more people using unfamiliar networks and doing lots of online shopping, bad actors have plenty of targets to choose from. By following these simple steps for data protection, you can keep your digital information secure.

1. Be careful when using insecure Wi-Fi networks

If you're traveling or out shopping, you may find yourself on an unfamiliar Wi-Fi network. Many stores, airports and rest stops offer free Wi-Fi as a convenience, but often those networks aren't secured. That makes it especially risky to make online purchases because the traffic from your device can be easily monitored and stolen. If you are using public Wi-Fi networks, then browsing to any website, make sure your connection is encrypted and secure by looking for the lock icon in the top left of the address bar. Also, always double check that the address you are navigating to is what you expected. Many modern devices, like the ASUS NovaGo, now feature built-in LTE, which offers a more secure experience for your online shopping.

2. Don't rely on passwords alone

Passwords and user IDs are a staple of cybersecurity, but they can only get you so far. To further ensure your data stays protected, consider using password management and verification apps. They let you use your face, fingerprint, eyes or other methods to access your data across devices. For example, the Microsoft Authenticator app adds an extra level of security with two-step verification that allows you to access your Microsoft account and apps quickly and securely without having to remember a password.

3. Avoid phishing scams

With so many companies emailing promotions, it can feel like your inbox is under assault. In fact, it very well could be. Some of those emails may be phishing scams designed to steal your private information. To protect your data, don't click on any unfamiliar links and carefully review all notifications from your bank to catch any potentially fraudulent activity.

Remember, scammers can be sophisticated. They may use personalized emails to gain your confidence or replicate the style of a well-known financial services company. If an email or link looks the slightest bit suspicious, don't click it. Go directly to your bank or other online account to confirm the information independently.

4. Back up your data

If all your data is stored in one place, it's vulnerable. Bad actors can lock up your device and demand payment to release your files. That's why backing your data up to the cloud is critical for protecting your files against ransomware attacks. The cloud allows you to safeguard your data and access it from multiple devices. Cloud storage services are secure and can also let you easily transfer your data if you're upgrading to a new device.

5. Utilize privacy screens

Preventing people from looking over your shoulder and stealing your information is the simplest and easiest way to protect your personal data. When online shopping in public, use privacy screens to hide your information. Some devices, like the HP EliteBook x360 and HP Spectre x360, have integrated privacy screens that instantly shield your screen with the push of a button. If your device doesn't come with one built in, you can purchase a privacy screen.

6. Keep software current

Using a modern operating system with the latest security updates and built-in anti-virus protection is the best way to ward off unwanted intrusions. Major tech companies continually upgrade software to account for the latest cybersecurity threats so you can be confident your data is protected. By keeping your software current, you can avoid many cyberattacks before they cause problems.

In conclusion protect your home and your data by taking the necessary security precautions to ensure you and your family are protected. As innovation continues, being aware of which areas you are vulnerable will become increasingly important, as our new technological age unfolds.