In the tangled web of smart home devices, there lies a neglected feature: scenes. These are pre-set commands designed to trigger multiple devices at once — turn off the lights, lock the doors, adjust the thermostat — all with a single tap or voice command. Yet, most scenes are created in a burst of enthusiasm and then vanish into oblivion.

Why do these digital routines fade into irrelevance? Often, scenes are too rigid, failing to adapt to the unpredictable rhythms of daily life. A “Good Morning” scene might turn on the coffee maker and open blinds, but if you decide to sleep in or work late, it becomes useless or even annoying.

Moreover, the interfaces to manage these scenes tend to be buried in complex menus or apps nobody revisits. Without regular interaction, these automated routines become digital dust bunnies, silently cluttering the system. It’s a paradox: automation meant to simplify life ends up creating unused complexity.

The quiet neglect of smart home scenes hints at a larger truth: convenience doesn’t just come from technology, but from how well it fits the messiness of human behavior. Until smart homes can learn and adapt more fluidly, many scenes will remain forgotten, untouched by their owners.