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66 saves them the effort of having to search for the information themselves, but it also saves time for your staff when they don't need to spend as much of it taking calls and responding to emails to answer simple questions. Voice assis- tants streamline the entire experience, making it easier for residents to find the information they need while ensuring you and your staff can spend your time on more pressing matters. Or what about if you are using smart home technology to provide unattended showings to prospective residents? A simple voice as- sistant app could point out key features of the community and the neighborhood while also showing the prospective resident how easy and useful it is to control the lights and temperature and lock home automation devices with simply their voice while they are within the home. Prospective residents will surely be impressed by the in-home demo of the property's smart features, making them all the more likely to want to call your property home. Smart home technology can also make homes safer and more comfortable for residents by controlling door locks and thermostats. While controlling all this from an app is rela- tively convenient, voice is a more natural user interface that encourages residents to interact with their smart home even more, driving stickiness to the amenity and the home. All of these great features tend to elicit a common response at this point: "at's great, but as quickly as technology changes, I'll have to buy a new one every year to keep up." However, one of the advantages of con- nected devices like digital personal assistants is their relatively long shelf life. e exterior of a device might change, but the core technol- ogy—the software brain—evolves via simple software updates, allowing the device to remain viable for longer. Rather than needing to be replaced every year or two like electronics of the past, these devices are more similar to appliances in that they can last for many years as long as they're receiving regular software updates. Of course, every type of new and innova- tive technology has its critics, and one of the biggest concerns around digital voice assistants is regarding the invasion of privacy. While any type of technology can be vulnerable to security risks and privacy concerns, smart speakers are no different than smartphones, tablets, or laptops in that regard. Some people might worry that smart speakers are constantly listening in on our conversations, "Big Brother" style. However, is that any different than having companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook keeping tabs on browsing history and internet use? e reality is that companies have to find a way to pay for these technological advances and that generally means they will charge you (e.g., Apple in-device costs and/or subscrip- tion models) or monetize information on who you are (e.g., Google and Amazon collecting your data). While there is no right answer for everyone, the good news is that there are op- tions out there that should fit any user's desired privacy profile. THREE WAYS TO CONNECT THE DOTS ere are more people embracing the con- nected home revolution than criticizing it. In fact, a survey by Schlage revealed that more than 60 percent of renters expect this type of technology to become standard in rental prop- erties in the next decade. So what does that mean for those who rent out their properties? By installing digital assistants now, you're positioning yourself to be a big step ahead of the competition. To get started, consider these tips: 1. Make convenience the main focus: Voice assistants are most often used to provide answers to common questions: What's the temperature today? How long will it take me to get to the office? Where is the closest supermarket? is function alone provides a certain level of convenience, but when the devices are paired with a smart home, they can meet a much broader array of needs. From locking the doors to setting the thermostat, smart speakers and digital as- sistants can provide tenants and guests with a seamless experience that generates repeat visitors and positive reviews. Even if your properties aren't outfitted with all the latest smart home technologies, voice assistants can still make renters' lives more convenient. By doing everything from reading the weather report each morning to giving traffic updates to ordering groceries and household items online, smart speakers can simplify renters' lives and make them happier at home—which will be good for your bottom line. 2. Voice assistants need Wi-Fi: If your residents don't have access to broadband, skip this amenity. While Wi-Fi is generally reliable, it certainly isn't perfect. Accord- ing to Cisco, 43 percent of people have experienced an internet outage at least once a month, and 17 percent experience one at least once a week. Wi-Fi's speed also tends to counteract security. In fact, a researcher at KU Leuven in Belgium uncovered a weakness in the common wireless secu- rity protocol WPA2 that affected a huge number of operating systems and devices, including Apple, Android, and Windows. Because of the possibility of reliability and vulnerability issues, you'll want to en- sure voice assistants aren't the only way for your residents to perform certain important functions—like getting in touch with staff on the phone or unlocking the front door via a code or cellphone. 3. Consider offering digital assistants as a move-in amenity: If your rental properties are equipped with home automation sys- tems that the residents can access, consider giving away a voice assistant—it costs less than $50, but it gives your residents a fun and exciting gift that keeps them happy and engaged as they settle into their new rental home. You can also use digital assistants as a way to encourage residents to sign or renew a lease, or you can offer them as incentives for tenants who refer their friends and fam- ily to your properties. e rental industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, and in major cities including New York and Los Angeles, 60% of residents rent, according to research from NYU Furman Center and Capital One. In- stalling digital assistants won't magically make your properties skyrocket to the top of every prospective renter's list, but they are an important tool that can make your property more appealing and efficient and differentiate them from your competition. e technology can automatically let in only the right person at the right time, so renters don't need to give a key to the babysitter, the dog walker, the housekeeper, and the neighbor who waters the plants when the resident is out of town.

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