Brilliant Plugin Smart Home Control

Brilliant's latest HomeKit-enabled accessory is a panel with a special display that you can easily plug into a wall.

There are several ways to provide smart features in a home or apartment, such as adding a HomePod to the mix. But that doesn't have a display yet and is mostly devoted to Apple's own smart home efforts.

Brilliant has just launched the so-called plug-in Smart Home Control, which features a 5-inch LCD touch screen. It works as the name suggests, providing simple smart home control with a device that you just plug into a standard electrical outlet.

The advantage of just using the standard plug-in is that owners don't have to rely on new wiring or an electrical installation to get the unit up and running. The display is mounted flush with the wall.

When the Smart Home Control plug-in is set up, it can control smart lights, adjust a thermostat, play music on Sonos speakers, lock or unlock doors, and even has an intercom for communication between rooms.

It offers Amazon's Alexa right out of the box, but it also works with HomeKit and Siri, as well as Google Assistant. The Smart Home Control works with Ecobee, Philips Hue, Kwikset, Schlage, Ring, Google Nest, and many other brands of smart home accessories.

And when you leave the house, you can also use the Brilliant mobile app to control smart home functions. Music control works through a connected Sonos system. Brilliant offers no native Apple Music controls or AirPlay capabilities.

It features DHCP IP addressing and supports WiFi 801.11 b/g/n @ 2.4GHz.

The plug-in Smart Home Control from Brilliant is now available in different colors. The white option costs $399 at Brilliant, while ivory, light almond, silver, gray, and black are all $23 more, or $422.00. It is also available on Amazon for $399.