A perfect home theater is about more than the screen. Learn how color schemes, furniture placement, and sound design impact your viewing experience. 

When it comes to the ultimate home theater, the magic doesn&rsquo;t just happen on screen&mdash;it&rsquo;s all about what&rsquo;s off-screen too. From the colors on your walls to where you place your recliners, every little detail sets the stage for how you experience the action. The perfect movie night isn&rsquo;t just about the popcorn (although that helps)&mdash;it&rsquo;s about creating an environment so immersive that you forget you&rsquo;re still at home!
So, grab your director&rsquo;s chair because we&rsquo;re diving into how the right design transforms an average home theater into one that&rsquo;s pure blockbuster-worthy.
<h2>1. Color Psychology: Set the Mood</h2>
Bright or light-colored walls reflect light, which distracts from the screen and breaks immersion. Instead, opt for dark, matte colors like charcoal, navy, or black. These shades absorb light, creating that cozy, cinematic vibe.

<figure class="dsg-bg-box">
 <blockquote>
Pro Tip:
 
Add subtle wall textures or patterns for a sophisticated look without distracting from the movie. 
 </blockquote>
</figure>
 
<img alt="home theater seating in dark room" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_home-theater-design-psychology_/CI_home-theater-design-psychology_1.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
<h2>2. Sound Design: Hear Every Detail</h2>
Sound isn&rsquo;t just part of the experience&mdash;it is the experience. Poor acoustics can make dialogue hard to follow and explosions underwhelming.
How to fix it?
<ul>
<li>Install acoustic panels to reduce echoes.</li>
<li>Add carpeted floors and soft furnishings to prevent sound from bouncing.</li>
<li>Position speakers properly: front speakers align with the screen, while surround speakers sit slightly behind you for an immersive soundstage.</li>
</ul>
With these tweaks, you&rsquo;ll feel every whisper, every explosion, and every crescendo.
<img alt="luxury home theater with speakers" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_home-theater-design-psychology_/CI_home-theater-design-psychology_2.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
<h2>3. Lighting: Set the Tone</h2>
Lighting is all about balance. Too bright, and it pulls you out of the scene. Too dark, and you&rsquo;re fumbling for your snacks or&mdash;worse&mdash;tripping over the dog.
Here&rsquo;s the winning setup:
<ul>
<li>Install dimmable LED lights with warm tones to set a cozy mood.</li>
<li>Consider LED strip lighting under seats or along walls for a soft, ambient glow.</li>
<li>Use blackout shades or motorized drapes to keep natural light from intruding.</li>
</ul>
Want to impress? Integrate smart lighting controls so you can dim the room with a single tap or voice command as soon as the opening credits start rolling. It&rsquo;s convenience and ambiance all in one!
<h2>4. Seating: Comfort Meets Perfect Placement</h2>
Seating isn&rsquo;t just about kicking back&mdash;it&rsquo;s about creating the best seat in the house for everyone.
The Rule of Thumb:
<ul>
<li>Position your seats at a distance that&rsquo;s 1.5 to 2.5 times the size of the screen. For a 100-inch screen, that&rsquo;s roughly 12 to 18 feet.</li>
<li>Arrange seats in a tiered setup if space allows. It&rsquo;s how you ensure unobstructed views for everyone (and no neck craning).</li>
</ul>
And don&rsquo;t forget comfort! Reclining chairs with armrests, cup holders, and just the right amount of plush make it easy to settle in for the long haul&mdash;whether it&rsquo;s a movie marathon or a two-hour epic.
<img alt="home theater with seating tilted and tiered" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_home-theater-design-psychology_/CI_home-theater-design-psychology_3.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
<h2>5. Screen Placement: Find the Sweet Spot</h2>
Your screen is the hero, so give it the spotlight it deserves! Place it at eye level so your gaze naturally lands at the center when seated. In larger rooms, projectors deliver cinematic flair, while high-quality TVs excel in cozier spaces.

<figure class="dsg-bg-box">
 <blockquote>
Pro Tip:
 
Keep reflective surfaces and direct light away from the screen to avoid glare—your eyes (and your patience) will thank you. 
 </blockquote>
</figure>
 
<img alt="home theater projector in movie room" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_home-theater-design-psychology_/CI_home-theater-design-psychology_4.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
<h2>6. The Final Touches: Bring It All Together</h2>
The magic is in the details. Consider these finishing touches to complete your home theater:
<ul>
<li>Blackout shades for a true cinema feel.</li>
<li>Smart controls to unify lighting, sound, and screen settings seamlessly.</li>
<li>Personal touches like movie posters, themed d&eacute;cor, or even a popcorn machine to make the space uniquely yours.</li>
</ul>
<img alt="group of friends eating popcorn while watching movie" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_home-theater-design-psychology_/CI_home-theater-design-psychology_5.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
<h2>Let&rsquo;s Create Movie Magic</h2>
Your home theater isn&rsquo;t just a place to watch movies&mdash;it&rsquo;s where stories come alive, memories are made, and Sunday binge sessions turn into events. By carefully designing your space with the right colors, sound, lighting, and layout, you&rsquo;re not just creating a room. You&rsquo;re building an experience.
Ready to design the home theater of your dreams? Global Custom Integrations is here to help you bring Hollywood right into your home. <a href="https://www.gcintegrations.com/contacts" target="_blank">Let's make your perfect setup a reality!</a>
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The Psychology of Home Theater Design for Better Viewing

Struggling with weak Wi-Fi signals? Discover practical tips like mesh networks, access points, and smart router placement to eliminate dead zones and enjoy seamless connectivity throughout your home.

There&rsquo;s nothing more frustrating than a Wi-Fi signal that gives up halfway to your favorite chair or outdoor space. Whether you&rsquo;re trying to stream a movie, jump on a video call, or simply check the weather, a weak or dropped connection can drive anyone crazy.
The good news? You don&rsquo;t have to settle for dead zones! With the right setup&mdash;like smarter router placement, mesh systems, or professional help&mdash;you can get strong, seamless Wi-Fi coverage in every corner of your home. Here&rsquo;s our experts at Global Custom Integrations make weak signals a thing of the past!
<img alt="woman frustrated with wifi connection" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_banish-wifi-dead-zones_/CI_banish-wifi-dead-zones_1.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
<h2>1. Place Your Router Like a Pro</h2>
Your router isn&rsquo;t a decoration&mdash;treat it like the MVP it is. Place it in a central, open area for the best coverage. Tucking it away in a cabinet or hiding it behind furniture might look tidy, but it&rsquo;s a surefire way to weaken your signal.

<figure class="dsg-bg-box">
 <blockquote>
Pro Tip:
 
Elevate it off the ground if possible&mdash;Wi-Fi waves travel downward, so give it some height! 
 </blockquote>
</figure>
 
<h2>2. Upgrade to a Mesh Wi-Fi System</h2>
If you have a larger home or thick walls, a single router may not cut it. A mesh Wi-Fi system uses multiple access points to blanket your entire home in strong, seamless connectivity. Think of it like having a team of routers working together&mdash;no more signal drops when you move from the kitchen to the office.
<img alt="wifi connection and router" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_banish-wifi-dead-zones_/CI_banish-wifi-dead-zones_2.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW232734430 BCX0">
<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW232734430 BCX0">3. Use Wireless Access Points (APs)&nbsp;<span class="EOP SCXW232734430 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</h2>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW232734430 BCX0">
Access points go a step further than basic extenders. By connecting them directly to your home&rsquo;s network, they provide consistent, powerful Wi-Fi to areas where routers struggle&mdash;like basements, outdoor patios, or detached spaces. It&rsquo;s like adding extra Wi-Fi muscles exactly where you need them.<span class="EOP SCXW232734430 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}">&nbsp;
</div>
<h2>4. Don&rsquo;t Underestimate Wi-Fi Extenders</h2>
Wi-Fi extenders are a simple and budget-friendly option if you&rsquo;re tackling just one dead zone. However, they&rsquo;re not ideal for homes with multiple trouble spots, as they only amplify the existing signal. In those cases, it&rsquo;s best to explore more reliable solutions like mesh systems or access points&mdash; or contact experts like us to take the guesswork out of the equation!
<img alt="software update screen " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_banish-wifi-dead-zones_/CI_banish-wifi-dead-zones_3.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
<h2>5. Optimize Your Router&rsquo;s Settings</h2>
Sometimes your Wi-Fi just needs a little fine-tuning:
<ul>
<li>Update the firmware regularly to improve performance.</li>
<li>Adjust the channel to avoid interference from your neighbors&rsquo; networks.</li>
<li>Split devices across bands&mdash;2.4 GHz for longer range and 5 GHz for faster speeds.</li>
</ul>
These tweaks can often make a big difference in reducing slowdowns.
<h2>6. Eliminate Interference</h2>
Your Wi-Fi signal has more obstacles than you think&mdash;microwaves, cordless phones, even thick walls can cause interference. Keep your router away from electronics, and don&rsquo;t expect it to push signals through solid concrete. If that&rsquo;s the challenge, a custom network solution is often the best answer.
<h2>7. Bring in a Pro to Design Your Network</h2>
If dead zones, slow speeds, or dropped signals are getting in the way of your connected lifestyle, it&rsquo;s time to call in the professionals. At Global Custom Integrations, we can help ensure seamless coverage in every room&mdash;and beyond.
Unlike plug-and-play devices that try to &ldquo;guess&rdquo; where you need signal, we analyze your home&rsquo;s unique layout, materials, and technology needs. From mesh networks to strategically placed access points, we create a tailored Wi-Fi experience so you can stream, work, and enjoy uninterrupted connections anywhere on your property.
<img alt="wifi technician in home" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_banish-wifi-dead-zones_/CI_banish-wifi-dead-zones_4.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
<h2>Take Control of Your Wi-Fi Experience</h2>
Don&rsquo;t let dead zones and dropped connections slow you down. Whether it&rsquo;s optimizing your router placement or creating a professionally designed network, our team of experts at Global Custom Integrations can help you stay seamlessly connected, inside and out.
Ready to enjoy strong, reliable Wi-Fi everywhere? <a href="https://www.gcintegrations.com/contacts" target="_blank">Contact us</a> today to get started!<style>
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Maximize Your Wi-Fi: 7 Simple Ways to Banish Dead Zones 

Transform your retail space with lighting that wows. Discover how strategic lighting enhances shopper behavior, highlights key products, and boosts sales. 

Lighting is the unsung hero of retail design. It does more than show customers where to walk&mdash;it creates an experience. The right glow can highlight your star products, set the perfect mood, and keep shoppers coming back for more. In a world where first impressions matter, your lighting should do more than illuminate; it should captivate.
Whether it&rsquo;s drawing attention to your star displays or creating an inviting ambiance that aligns with your brand, we specialize in transforming lighting into a strategic asset that enhances the shopping experience and boosts sales. Here&rsquo;s how the experts at Global Custom Integrations can make your lighting outshine the competition:
<h2>Mood Lighting That Sells</h2>
Lighting isn&rsquo;t just functional&mdash;it&rsquo;s emotional. A well-lit store does more than help people see; it shapes how they feel. Bright, welcoming spaces put shoppers in a positive mindset, while dim or harsh lighting can leave them looking for the exit.
Color temperature is another powerful tool:
<ul>
<li>Warm lighting creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere that encourages customers to relax and linger&mdash;a win for boutique shops and lifestyle stores.</li>
<li>Cool lighting adds a sleek, modern vibe, making it perfect for high-tech or luxury brands that want to exude sophistication.</li>
</ul>

<figure class="dsg-bg-box">
 <blockquote>
Pro Tip:
 
Align your lighting choices with your brand’s personality to make your store feel authentic. When shoppers feel at home, they’re more likely to stay—and shop. 
 </blockquote>
</figure>
 
<img alt="coffee shop with luxury lighting" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_retail-space-lighting-tips/CI_retail-space-lighting-tips_1.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
<h2>Let Your Products Shine</h2>
What&rsquo;s the first thing customers notice when they step inside? It should be your standout products. This is where accent lighting works its magic. By focusing attention on key items, you can guide shoppers&rsquo; eyes exactly where you want them&mdash;whether that&rsquo;s toward a fresh collection or a special offer.
To really make your merchandise shine, layering is key:
<ul>
<li>Overhead lighting sets the general mood of the space.</li>
<li>Spotlights create focal points on displays or shelves.</li>
<li>Decorative lighting adds a sense of drama or luxury, making your store feel extra special.</li>
</ul>
Think of it like staging a play: the products are the stars, and your lighting is the director, ensuring every detail gets its moment in the spotlight.
<img alt="well lit retail space with shoes and purses" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_retail-space-lighting-tips/CI_retail-space-lighting-tips_2.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
<h2>Light Up the Welcome Mat</h2>
Your storefront lighting is your first impression&mdash;a 24/7 invitation to potential customers. A dark, uninspiring entrance can drive them away, while a well-lit, welcoming storefront says, &ldquo;Come on in!&rdquo;
Once they&rsquo;re inside, you can elevate the experience even further. Automated and dimmable lighting lets you adjust the atmosphere effortlessly.
<ul>
<li>Use brighter, cooler tones during peak shopping hours to energize the space.</li>
<li>Transition to warmer, softer lighting in the evening for a more relaxed vibe.</li>
</ul>
Whether you&rsquo;re hosting an event, launching a sale, or just creating a seasonal ambiance, lighting can set the tone. It&rsquo;s like rolling out a red carpet for every customer who walks through your door.
<img alt="woman smiling outside retail space with lighting " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2025/CI_retail-space-lighting-tips/CI_retail-space-lighting-tips_3.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle;" />
Lighting isn&rsquo;t just an accessory; it&rsquo;s a strategy. When done right, it elevates your brand, enhances the customer experience, and boosts sales. Ready to create a space that wows shoppers and makes your products pop? Global Custom Integrations can help design a custom lighting solution that brings your vision to life. Let&rsquo;s make your space shine&mdash;<a href="https://www.gcintegrations.com/contacts" target="_blank">contact us</a> today!<style>
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How To Master the Art of Retail Lighting 

Smart homes are only getting smarter.
It started with phones ... and then cars, and then next thing we knew our whole home was going smart! As the smart home market continues to expand, the capabilities of said homes is only going to expand with it, and like any technology, it can be hard to keep track of all the advances as they happen in real time. So, we put together this list of some smart home possibilities you might not know about, that are outside the normal smart TV/appliances/security systems you hear about all the time. Enjoy!
&nbsp;
1. Smart Toilets
Let&rsquo;s start this list at the bottom &ndash; literally. Smart toilets come just as decked out as you would expect them to be, with everything from motion-activated covers, heated seats, bidets, air dryers, foot warmers, lights, and even Bluetooth speakers. Oh, and yes, you can also get ones with remote flushing. You&rsquo;re welcome.
&nbsp;
2. Smart Food...For Pets 
Remembering to feed the cats or dogs every day can be such a chore, especially if you aren&rsquo;t freely feeding them and need to limit how much food they get at any given time. If only there was a smarter and better way to feed the pets...
Yup. There is! With a smart pet food dispenser, you can fill the bowl from anywhere via your smart phone, or set it up to dispense meals over the course of the day.
&nbsp;
3. Smart Sleep 
There are a bunch of different ways you could go about using technology to help get a better sleep. There&rsquo;s smart beds &ndash; which can make adjustments automatically &ndash; but there&rsquo;s also a whole world of sleep apps that will measure your sleep and give you the data you need to try to get the best rest every night.
&nbsp;
4. Smart Photos &nbsp;
While it isn&rsquo;t quite &ldquo;Harry Potter&rdquo; level magic, smart photo frames are the closest thing so far. App powered smart frames display photos of your family throughout the house, and rotate through galleries of selected photos you want to show. No more printing off photos and changing them in and out of the frame &ndash; a smart frame becomes a portal to all of your digital memories. Or at least the ones you want to share and have up on the wall where family and friends can see them.
&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/blog/2020/2_8.jpg" />
5. Smart Gardening 
It won&rsquo;t be long before your smart home can do all of your chores for you, and with smart gardening it gets one step closer to that ideal. Whether you want to automate your sprinkler or have app-controlled sensors that monitor temperature and soil moisture, smart garden tech can help you turn that texting thumb into a green thumb in no time.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
6. Smart Eggs
Sure, this may be bringing a whole new level of micromanaging to your grocery shopping, but it does fill a need and help streamline your shopping habits. With a smart egg tray, you can tell how many eggs you have at home, even if you aren&rsquo;t at home. No longer worry about getting to the grocery store and forgetting if you need eggs or not &ndash; now you&rsquo;ll always know. A smart egg tray can also tell you if some of your eggs are getting close to expiration, adding yet another convenience to your egg-cellent day.
&nbsp;
7. Smart Spas/Pools 
Last but certainly not least, are you ready to take your spa and pool game to the next level? We&rsquo;re talking automating all the pool features you don&rsquo;t want to have to remember &ndash; like cleaning and chemical balancing &ndash; while also giving you the ability to remote start and heat your hot tub, no matter where you. Never again be stuck waiting for the tub to warm up &ndash; simply turn on those jets and heaters with your cell phone and you&rsquo;ll always be ready for a dip.
&nbsp;
Just like the (now old) &ldquo;there&rsquo;s an app for that&rdquo; saying, if there&rsquo;s a part of your daily life that is troublesome or a bother, there&rsquo;s probably a smart home solution for it. Give us a call today and we can help you find the best smart home solutions for you and your family!

7 Things You Didn’t Know Smart Homes Could Do 

Gardening is about to get a lot smarter. 

Gardening is about to get a lot smarter.
No matter what your plans are for the world outside the walls of your house, smart tech can help you put them into action. Whether you want to set up some outdoor lights, or you are looking to fully automate your garden and lawn sprinkling system, there&rsquo;s a smart solution that&rsquo;s perfect for the job.
If you&rsquo;re ready to really go green this spring, let&rsquo;s take a look at a few of the ways smart technology can help the outdoor areas of your home.
&nbsp;
Water Just Got Smart(er) 
Let&rsquo;s be honest: How often do you forget to water the plants? Or how often do you think about starting a garden, but the fear of forgetting to water your plants takes root and you can&rsquo;t shake it and end up not having an awesome garden?
Much like smart homes have reinvented how people live and work with other areas of their home, smart sprinkling solutions can make gardening easy for everybody &ndash; and much less of a chore than it usually is!
With a smart sprinkler, not only will you be able to use voice control &ndash; like Alexa &ndash; to control your system when you are home, but you&rsquo;ll also be able to control it with an app or have the system set to adjust itself based on the current weather. It&rsquo;s the perfect garden assistant and can help even the most forgetful of people start their own gardens.
&nbsp;
Outdoor Lighting &ndash; It&rsquo;s a Bright Idea
If you spend a lot of time on your garden &ndash; or maybe your various topiaries and shrubberies and other outdoor decor &ndash; you don&rsquo;t want it to only be viewable half the day. What do you do once the sun sets?
The same thing you would do if you were trying to illuminate a room indoors: Smart lighting! With smart outdoor lighting, you can easily automate your outdoor lights, such as setting them to turn on every night at dusk. Smart lighting can also be used to light pathways, highlight art or floral features, and as a safety mechanism when you add in motion sensing capabilities.
&nbsp;
Mowing Made Easy &nbsp;
Is there anybody out there who actually likes mowing the lawn?
It&rsquo;s time to take the time-honored tradition of lawn mowing and automate it. With a robot lawn mower, you don&rsquo;t have to worry about mowing the lawn yourself, or worry about which of the kids you can bribe to do it for you. Your little robot lawnmower will take care of it all by itself, freeing up your time to do...well, anything else that isn&rsquo;t mowing the lawn.
&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/blog/2020/2_6.jpg" />
Outdoor TVs 
Maybe you want to spend more time outside...but you don&rsquo;t want to miss the game. Maybe you want your kids to spend more time outside, but know that tearing them away from the TV is going to be an uphill battle.
Whatever the reason, outdoor TVs can add huge value to your home, and really liven up any outdoor living space you are looking to spend more time in. They are also perfect for gatherings and parties &ndash; your next cookout/BBQ will never be the same once you add a brand-new outdoor TV to the mix.
There&rsquo;s one important thing to remember, though: Indoor TVs and the outdoors don&rsquo;t mix. Indoor TVs aren&rsquo;t made to hold up to outdoor elements, so you want to make sure you go with a TV that&rsquo;s specifically rated for the outdoors. If you aren&rsquo;t sure what to get, give us a call! We&rsquo;ll help you find a great looking outdoor TV that can stand up to anything Mother Nature throws at it.
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Outdoor Audio
TVs aren&rsquo;t the only piece of technology that can provide outdoor ambiance &ndash; outdoor speakers can add background music to any outdoor event &ndash; even if it&rsquo;s just doing chores or raking up after the robotic lawn mower. Whether you decide to go with speakers that look like rocks &ndash; which add music to your yard without having to add anything that looks out of place &ndash; or decide to go with inground speakers, outdoor audio will change how you approach your outdoor space for the better.
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No matter how you decide to integrate smart technology with your outdoors, we&rsquo;re here to help you make sure everything is up and working the way it should! Give us a call today and we&rsquo;ll be glad to talk all about your outdoor integration project, and together we can come up with a plan that will have you enjoying music, automatic sprinklers, and outdoor Netflix marathons before you know it!
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Technology for your Own Great Outdoors 

Robots can’t do your homework -- but here’s how they can help ...

Robots can&rsquo;t do your homework -- but here&rsquo;s how they can help!

<h2>Watch Smart </h2>
<img src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/1 _11_.jpg?w=700" />
Notifications where you need them, when you need them. Health and sleep tracking. Reminders to get up and move around in the middle of study sessions. You are going to be pretty brain dead at certain points of your college career, so having a second little brain tied to your wrist is a great idea. Scratch that -- it&rsquo;s a smart idea. 

<h2>Book Smart </h2>
<img src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/2 _12_.jpg?w=700" />
No matter if you like taking traditional, hand-written notes, or if you would rather have digital copies of everything you are pretending to learn in Orgo, a smart notebook has you covered. Welcome to 2019-level technology, kids.

<h2>It&rsquo;s Wake Up O&rsquo;Clock </h2>
<img src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/3 _8_.jpg?w=700" />
There&rsquo;s nothing worse than the fear of missing your alarm going off when you&rsquo;ve been up into the twilight hours studying. You need what little sleep you are able to get, and anything that can help with that will go a long way for your college experience.&nbsp;
Both Google Home and Amazon Alexa are great smart alarms -- and can easily be set up to a specific routine or to remind you to bring your book bag when you wake up every morning. 
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<h2>Something Streaming</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/4 _6_.jpg?w=700" />
No matter how badly you want to, you probably won&rsquo;t have room to take all your Disney VHS tapes to college with you -- and you won&rsquo;t have anything to play them on even if you do. College isn&rsquo;t all hitting the books, so make sure you have some type of smart streaming device for much needed Netflix breaks. 

<h2>Smart Speakers </h2>
<img src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/5 _6_.jpg?w=700" />
Whether you are living in a dorm or off-campus, you probably won&rsquo;t have enough room to really set up a proper stereo system -- and if you do, you won&rsquo;t be able to play it too loud without keeping the whole hall up anyways. Silly RAs &hellip;&nbsp;
Enter a portable, Bluetooth, smart speaker. Bose or Sonos are both great choices and give you plenty of opportunities to play music in your room or out on the quad.&nbsp; 
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No matter what you are majoring in this fall, take a smart approach to studying and hitting the books! And if you are looking for more advanced smart tech, or really need help with integrating smart tech into your apartment, give us a call!

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