[alancalverd (OP)]

I just received this email from a company I deal with. They supply excellent space heating systems but I wonder if they have lost the plot?

It's time to make your Heating Smarter.

Here at XXXX we love to make things simple, and our partnership with YYYY means you can benefit from a host of automated, energy saving and cool ways to control your heating & appliances.

YYYY allows you to trigger your heating based on Weather Conditions, turn your lights on when you arrive home or even send a notification directly to your phone should the temperature in your home drop too low.

Connecting your XXXXStat to YYYY is simple and a great way to enhance the control of your heating.

Now every thermostat they (or anyone else) has ever sold me, includes a "frost protection" setting that just kicks in and overrides the timer if the temperature drops below, say, 5 deg C. No need for a phone call or any action on my part. That's what I call making life simpler. 

As for switching the lights on when I get home, have they not heard of PIR detectors? I've been using them for about 30 years to switch on the lights when anyone approaches the house or walks into an office, toilet or stairway. Amazingly reliable, and again what could be simpler?

[Semaphore]

I've had this conversation with people regarding 'smart' fridges, lights, coffee makers etc etc. I think it's a case of a solution looking for a problem, and a waste of time and effort. And suppose someone hacks into your freezer and switches it off? And you can rely on it that someone will....