Smart speakers - like Google Nest Mini or Amazon’s Echo Dot (both $69) - also pack plenty of Halloween tricks. And no, you don’t need to say “Bloody Mary” three times in front of it to see the pants-wetting effect. If you have more cash at your disposal, give your guests some chills and thrills with Night Frights’ Scary Mary Mirror ($1,999 U.S.), an ornate mirror that transforms the person’s reflection into one of many ghoulish surprises including a zombified woman, killer clown and screaming ghost. The Terra Radio Control Tarantula ($29) is a radio-controlled creepy crawler that scurries over any flat surface, and can spin 360 degrees. Planning to have friends over for beverages at your house party? They might not want to reach for that drink if they see a giant spider (with LED eyes) crawl across the coffee table. Or perhaps you’d prefer an “electrifying” prison scene with the Death Row Animated Decoration ($249), an intricately painted and assembled animatronic in a bloody prisoner jumpsuit, to match his excruciating facial expression! Once motion is detected, the five-inch-tall inmate begins to violently flail around and scream, and his eyes light up red. You can also use inexpensive smart plugs ($39 for set of four), such as those from TP-Link, to plug any “dumb” light into to use an app or smart speaker to turn it on and off, and set timers and schedules. HUE GO STARTER KIT ANDROIDSpeaking of Philips Hue, also consider a third-party app called hueDynamic ($6.99) for iOS (iPhone, iPad), Android and Windows, that includes animated sequences that can emulate stormy lightning or flickering candlelight, as well as a dedicated Halloween section for pulsating and ghostly effects. In fact, if you have coloured Philips Hue smart LED lights (four-bulb starter kit costs about $250), the app’s Hue Labs section has seasonal options, including a Halloween scene that turns your lights orange, purple and green with one tap (there’s also a Blood Moon option that works, too). To create even more mystery and intrigue, smart lights can be easily dimmed via the app (or using your voice with a smart speaker) and can display different colours to match your vibe. The right lighting inside or outside your home can create ambience, which can be as simple as placing a bulb at the base of your favourite decoration to splash some light on it, or as elaborate as stringing a hundred feet of orangey LEDs around your home. Spooktacular ideas include animatronic spiders and programmable lights, hi-tech mirrors and leveraging smart speakers for scary stories - there’s a lot you can do to set the mood. You might not think of technology when it comes to Halloween decor but choosing the right gadgets can add fright to your night.
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