Head in the cloud – fun ways to make use of high speeds

Cloud-based home security

Picture this: you get an alert on your phone of suspicious activity at home. You open your home security app, and – gasp! The fridge has become self-aware and is starting a mutiny in the kitchen!

Ok so we’re pretty sure the robots aren’t about to revolt just yet, but that scenario isn’t complete science fiction!

Home security setups are becoming more and more popular, and you can snag some great starter kits on sale. Cloud-based storage levels up your setup, allowing you to view footage of your house wherever you are. It’s a great out-of-the-box security solution because you don’t need large amounts of local storage or a Network Attached Storage (NAS).

On top of this, many cameras are transitioning to 4K, meaning you could get huge improvements in image quality. But, more pixels isn’t always better. It’s important to consider the bitrate, or the speed at which those pixels are processed. This can greatly affect the image quality – the higher the bitrate, the higher the bandwidth you need to upload your camera footage.

That’s when having a high-speed, high-bandwidth plan comes in handy, particularly for a multi-camera setup in your home or business.

Running a home server

Home servers are versatile tools for tech enthusiasts as they can be used to back up and manage large amounts of data remotely.

One of the most common uses is as a media hub for movies, music, TV, and even games. But don’t stop there - you can back up all kinds of files, including your whole computer if you feel like it.

If you’re worried about losing important files, but don’t trust putting everything in a third-party cloud service, backing them up on a home server is a great idea.

While home servers don’t always require an internet connection, if you want to be able to access your media files from anywhere or quickly share files between different locations or households, you’ll need an internet connection with a high upload speed to transfer your files quickly.

Smart home

We’re not saying you need to drop everything get yourself a smart toaster, but adopting some smart devices in your home can bring real benefits.

If you’re prone to forgetfulness or have mobility problems, there are real advantages to being able to remotely view and control appliances in your home.

Here are some of the most popular options:

• Smart TVs can be your media player, sound system, gaming monitor, even picture frame all in one.

• Smart lights allow you to alter the colour and intensity of your lighting in any room of the house, from anywhere.

• Smart kitchen appliances have a range of benefits like:
  o   Controlling your oven and see your food cook in real time, or letting you know when your oven or stove is on while you’re away.
  o   Let you check what’s in your fridge while you’re at the shops.

• Smart split systems let you heat or cool your home while out, so it’s at the perfect temperature when you get home.

All these gadgets and gizmos might revolutionise your everyday, but don’t forget that every new device you connect to your local network uses a little bit more bandwidth. Before bringing your home fully into the digital age, it’s important to make sure your connection can handle the extra load or risk bringing everything to a screeching halt.

Streaming games

Letting your 14-year-old cousin destroy you in Fortnite is one thing, but if you want to show off as you crush Elden Ring bosses with a controller made out of bananas – streaming might be the hobby for you. Just make sure your connection is also up to the task!

Thanks to growing internet speeds in Australia, there’s never been a better time to experiment with what internet-based technology is right for you. How much you incorporate the internet into your life and home is up to you, but the more you bring in, the more powerful the connection you’ll need.