One of the challenges with owning a smart home is the endless apps needed to control then, for example a simple task like turning down the lights, turning up the heating and putting music on required 3 different apps.

Meet Yeti the app that wants to solve the headache!

What does the Yeti Smart Home app do?

It is one app for every Smart Home Tech.  Meaning you can control everything, create rooms and set favourites for settings, for example a lights colour or brightness – they call these charms. As well as routines, for example wake up so turn on heating and lights.

How does it work and What is the tech?

It connects into each apps API / connectivity allowing it to control them. It does however also control Sonos, as usual we assume via reverse engineering. Due to this its Sonos connectivity is very limited, its simply on or off with no volume or music selection.

**Update**
We were wrong – you CAN control songs and volume the developer got in touch, just press the Sonos Speaker Icon and you can change songs/volume etc – very nice!

How easy is it to set up?

Very easy – we had it working in a few minutes and we have a lot of tech:

When within your home network and on the same Wi-fi you scan and it adds your tech. As usual with Hue you need to annoyingly press the hub button but that’s a Hue restriction. Nest also made you login via their secure prompt.

You also have to go through 3 slightly odd prompts that tell you to install the app for each bit of tech. This could easily be removed or a ‘Do show me this again’ prompt added.

How much does it cost?

The basic version is free from the App store (Google and IOS) but has limitations on number of rooms and routines.  Premium costs 0.99 for 3 months, it’s not very clear after this how much premium costs.

What’s it like living with it?

We have only just set it up so far too early to say, however we love the concept!

What are our final thoughts?

An impressive little app with a big future! It does need a little design and usability love. for example sometimes buttons overlapped, but nothing that can’t be overcame it later versions. One to watch.

See the overlap of button and text when testing on iPhone 6 Plus

If you have read our Sonos review you will know we are big fans of Sonos, so anything that adds functionality to it we want to see! Meet Sonos Voice by People Tech.

What does the Unofficial Sonos Voice App do?

This turns your Sonos system into a multi-room intercom. Using your phone you can talk over any Sonos in your house – you can even group them and talk across them all.

How does it work and What is the tech?

We are not exactly sure – all we do know is this is not an official solution so they must have reverse engineered their solution.

How easy is it to set up?

Very – open the app and it detects your Sonos Speakers and groups.

How much does it cost?

£1.99 from the App store.

What’s it like living with it?

ok, better if it worked ALL the time its very buggy.

What are our final thoughts?

As we said, its a great idea but we are guessing because its reverse engineered it doesn’t always work. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. When it does its great – especially for making people jump, however for £1.99 we are not so sure.