I've been spending a lot of time working with SmartThings and Z-Wave devices, and my Amazon Echo lately. Getting them all talking to each other. Mostly everything "just works" with minimal configuration, which is nice, and I've been experimenting with responding to sensor input. 

I've got my gecko tank set up to switch lights at sunrise and sunset, and that was easy enough. The dining room light is programmed to come on at sunset, if nobody is detected as "home" so we don't have to come into an dark house. I've bought a few smart bulbs, and smart switches, so I can schedule those (and so I can turn off the lights if I forget, without getting out of bed. ;) 

I've already tagged all the kids (like a pack of wildebeests) so I know whenever they leave and arrive at the house on school days. I've been eyeballing the Nest Thermostats, but haven't tried installing one yet. Not sure how involved they are.  

When we built the house, we wired everything for Cat6, and I'm setting up PoE cameras.