· personal  · 3 min read

Why I Care More About Scenes and Routines Than Gadgets

DRAFT

Outline

Hook: Smart home companies sell gadgets: smart bulbs, smart plugs, smart switches. I don’t buy gadgets anymore. I buy scenes and routines. The difference? One is stuff, the other is life design.

Core Argument: The unit of value in a smart home isn’t devices—it’s routines. A perfect morning routine beats having the “best” smart bulb. Design for experiences and workflows, then fill in the technology. Start with life, add tech to serve it.

Key Sections:

  1. Gadgets vs. Routines

    • Gadget thinking: “I need a smart thermostat”
    • Routine thinking: “I want perfect temperature when I wake up”
    • Difference: One is product-first, other is outcome-first
    • Result: Buy what serves routine, not what’s cool

  2. My Core Routines (Automated Experiences)

    • Morning wake-up: Gradual lighting, coffee, temperature, news brief
    • Work mode: Focus lighting, notifications off, door locked
    • Evening wind-down: Dim lights, lock doors, lower temp
    • Movie time: All lights off, TV on, sound mode
    • Away mode: Energy saving, security active
    • Each is: Multi-device choreography for single experience

  3. How Routines Replace Devices

    • Don’t think: “What smart devices do I need?”
    • Think: “What routines would improve my life?”
    • Then: Figure out minimal devices to enable routine
    • Example: “Perfect morning” needs lights + coffee + speakers, not 20 gadgets

  4. Building a Routine (Process)

    • Step 1: Define desired experience (morning routine)
    • Step 2: List component actions (lights on, coffee, etc.)
    • Step 3: Identify tech needed (smart lights, smart plug)
    • Step 4: Implement and test
    • Step 5: Refine based on actual use
    • Step 6: Forget about it (it just works)

  5. The Trigger Strategy

    • Time-based: Morning at 6:30am
    • Location-based: Everyone left house
    • Sensor-based: Motion detected in kitchen
    • Manual: Single button for movie scene
    • Adaptive: Learn patterns, auto-adjust
    • Mix: Multiple triggers for same routine

  6. Scenes vs. Routines (The Difference)

    • Scene: Instant state change (one button → lights/music/temp)
    • Routine: Time-sequenced actions (gradual wake-up over 20 min)
    • Both useful: Scenes for instant, routines for workflows
    • Example scene: “Movie time” button
    • Example routine: Gradual morning wake-up

  7. The Anti-Pattern: Device Hoarding

    • Mistake: Buy every smart device
    • Reality: Most gather dust, add complexity
    • Better: Start with 1-2 routines, add devices as needed
    • My path: Started with 5 devices, now 20 (all used)
    • Rule: Every device must serve a routine

  8. Family-Friendly Routines

    • Wife doesn’t care about devices, loves routines
    • Kids don’t understand tech, experience perfect bedtime lighting
    • Guests triggered routines without knowing
    • Success: Everyone benefits, nobody has to think

  9. Iteration and Refinement

    • V1: Routines too aggressive (lights too bright too fast)
    • V2: Gentler transitions, longer timelines
    • V3: Adaptive to weekends vs. weekdays
    • Ongoing: Seasonal adjustments, life changes
    • The process: Try, refine, improve

  10. The Minimalist Outcome

    • Started thinking: “I need smart everything”
    • Ended with: 6 core routines, 20 devices
    • Everything serves a routine
    • No unused devices
    • Result: Simplicity, not complexity

Examples/Stories:

  • Personal: Morning routine transformed wake-up experience
  • Wife story: “I love not thinking about lights/coffee”
  • Mistake: Bought smart device, never used it (no routine for it)
  • Success: Movie scene perfected over 10 iterations
  • Comparison: Friend has 50 devices, 0 routines (unhappy)

Takeaways:

  • Design routines, then buy devices to enable them
  • Routine = Multi-device choreography for single experience
  • Start with desired experience, work backward to tech
  • Triggers: Time, location, sensors, manual
  • Scenes = Instant, Routines = Sequences
  • Success = Family doesn’t think about it
  • Avoid device hoarding: Every device serves routine

Cross-Links:

  • ← “The Invisible Assistant” (Series 5-38)
  • → “Building a Future My Kids Can Use” (Series 5-40)
  • ← “Designing a Smart Home That Doesn’t Feel Like a Tech Demo” (Series 5-35)
  • ← “Why ‘Discipline’ Wasn’t My Problem” (Series 3-24)
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