Ideas

Smart Homes Are Terrible

You shouldn’t need a tech tour and app to turn the lights on.

First published in The Atlantic on February 7, 2026.

by Jason Fried, The Atlantic
February 12, 2026 | reading time: 5 Min.

My folks are visiting me in Southern California for a couple of months, so I rented them a house down the street. The place is new construction, modern and sleek. Rentals tend to be shabby and worn-out, so choosing a home with the latest and greatest felt like a way to make the experience hassle-free.

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