Hunter’s connected fans will change the way you stay cool this summer

By Brie Barbee Published January 10, 2018

The Hunter Fan company has been around for as long as fans have existed — literally. When founders John and James Hunter invented the ceiling fan back in 1886, they revolutionized home décor and comfort. Since then, Hunter Fans has made it its mission to find new ways to improve on the original model.

Enter the Simpleonnect ceiling fan. This line of smart fans is pushing the definition of what it means to own a ceiling fan. Wi-Fi enabled and compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Hunter’s in-house app, Simpleconnect fans save you energy by working with your thermostat to optimize the temperature in your home and by using fan power only when you need it.

Recommended Videos

You can also program your ceiling fan to trigger lights when you enter a room or connect with other smart home products, such as locks, lights, and window shades. There is also an added security feature that allows you to cycle lights on and off when you’re away from home and set a sleep timer.

The Simpleconnect line of fans is not available in stores just yet — but you can buy them pretty much anywhere online, including the Hunter Fan website, Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. The fans range in cost from $250 to $400, depending on the style and finish.

What if you like the fan you already have but want to give it an upgrade? Hunter also has a line of Simpleconnect accessories, such as the add-on receiver, that lets you add smart features to your existing fans. These Simpleconnect fans will change the way you think about fans.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Brie is a writer from Portland, Oregon. She received a bachelor's degree from Portland State University in 2016, where she…

Smart Home

Hue gives users eight new free spring-focused themes

A TV with ambient backlighting from Philips Hue.

The latest Philip Hue app update, version 5.39, is now available from download from both the iOS and Android stores. This update introduces brand-new scenes, each of which has a distinctive springtime-theme. All of the themes are available now in the Hue scene gallery, and you should be able to find them after you update your app.

The eight scenes are Nature's colors, Precious, Narcissa, Baby's breath, Crocus, Blossom, Spring lake, and Spring blossom. Various shades of pink, yellow, and green dominate the scenes, but the most impressive of all is the Nature's colors option.

Deals

This Arlo security camera is 50% off today — down to $50

The Arlo Essential 2nd Gen security camera, installed outdoors.

Protect your entire home with the Arlo Essential 2nd Gen security camera -- you'll be able to afford multiples of this smart home device while Arlo's 50% discount is active. From the 2K model's original price of $100, you'll only have to pay $50, so covering every corner of your house will be easier on the wallet. You'll have to complete your purchases as soon as possible though, as we're not sure how much time is remaining for you to pocket the savings of $50 each for every unit of this security camera.

Why you should buy the Arlo Essential 2nd Gen security camera

Smart Home

Apple’s rumored smart home hub has another set back

An Apple HomePod and HomePod Mini in front iPad on a wooden bookshelf.

There have been a number of rumors suggesting Apple is working on a smart home display to rival that of Google's Nest Hub and Amazon's Echo Show. The speculation suggested the device would be controlled by Siri and could look similar to a HomePod with an iPad as its screen.

This device was initially expected to be revealed this year, with some of the first reports claiming it would arrive in the first half, though it was then said to be delayed towards the end of the year, possibly arriving around the same time as the iPhone 17 series.