To keep things simple, let's define a "smart device" as supporting at least one of these behaviours:

Receives commands digitally

The device receives instructions from a remote user or system, communicated over a digital network. Smart blinds can be opened and closed remotely, but may not know how "open" the blinds are.

Transmits state digitally

The device communicates its internal state (eg. activity, sensors, battery level) over a digital network, in real-time. A contact sensor is a good example (as seen in Door lock)

Acts independently

The device can be configured to execute tasks, triggered by built-in timers and sensors. A garden watering system may support preconfigured, timed activation.

Off-the-shelf smart devices are designed and built to support these behaviours, but we can augment basic devices to support these behaviours too, often without making any changes to the devices themselves.

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