New Smart Apartment!

Hey guys, I realise that this probably gets asked lots but I promise I’ve done my research and still haven’t reached a conclusion! So I am instead turning to strangers on the internet.

In a few weeks time I am finally moving into my own place with my partner a few nights a week and I really want to turn it into a smart home. Now it is only a small apartment (moderate size kitchen/living area, bedroom and then a bathroom ensuite) but it’s great for me.

Now I understand the basics of a smart home and that you need to choose an economy to invest into and some products only work with certain ‘economies’ but it’s still all a bit confusing.

This is essentially what I want out of my home and things to consider:

WANT: • ability to do things like ‘enter gaming mode’ and my tv and Xbox turn on, blinds shut and lights turn off. •cleaning mode where a robot vacuum turns on, music I like starts playing, lights turn on in a bright colour. •ability to lock and unlock my door and stuff with my phone, potentially also like a ring camera on the door bell. •ability to control things with my voice when at home or my phone when not at home. Things like that.

Things to consider: •what economy is cheapest. I already own an iPhone for the Apple side of things, but I also own a google mini home thing so I’m really not over invested into either economy but don’t want to spend heaps of unnecessary money. •what side has the most compatibility with more items? •what side has the best security? •what is easiest to install?

Thanks all so much and I really appreciate your help.