Smart lighting troubles show why the connected home of the future is still a myth

Nanoleaf makes light panels, at the moment in the shape of triangles, but later this year in the shape of squares and, early next year, hexagons,which home and office owners can join together to create huge lighting displays, with colours that swirl around in time with music (the panels have microphones) or that match a theme. Place the 12-sided remote on side number "1", your lights come on. Side "12", the lights go off. Other sides change the colour themes. But it's more than just a remote, it's a tacit acknowledgement that apps are rarely the best way to control smart-home devices – "who wants to reach for their phone, wait for the app to load and then use it to turn on their lights?" asks Yan.