Smart home technology is rapidly on the rise. From remote-controlled security cameras to the humble solar garden light – many users are starting to wake up to the benefits of smart.
New technologies are, without a doubt, making lives more convenient, comfortable, and safer while also helping users save time, energy, and effort.
Smart gadgets
On the interior front, smart gadgets can add modern flourishes to the home décor replacing old-fashioned models with sleeker, more compact designs.
Equally, with some careful consideration of the many styles available – color, finish, mini versions, etc - the gizmo can often blend seamlessly into traditional surroundings. Following are 10 smart gadgets that will add immeasurably to the day-to-day activities, while avoiding any clash with the home decoration.
Google Home
Google Home can control other smart devices around the home such as the Nest thermostat
Google Home is part of a line of speakers that includes Google Home Hub and Google Home Mini – which are all marketed under the Google Nest brand.
With Google Assistant built-in, Google Home will check the news and weather, make speakerphone calls, play music, answer search engine queries, and manage the calendar. Most importantly, the Google Home can control other smart devices around the home such as the Nest thermostat, lights, cameras, or speakers.
Google Nest Thermostat
Google Nest Thermostat is smart indeed – within a few days of moving in with the user, it will learn the eating habits and preferences and quickly fall into line. It will pick up the pattern and control the system, including the hot water, like a seasoned pro.
This thermostat has sensors so it can sense if the user leaves the house (through the mobile phone location), lowering the temperature accordingly – and thus the energy costs. If the user wants to up the temperature while the user is away, the user can just tap the app to make the necessary adjustments. The Nest has an easy-to-read display and comes in a variety of shades to fit with the color scheme in the room.
Hue smart light bulbs
Hue lights are energy-efficient and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, so users can choose
Check out the range of Philip Hue smart light bulbs and add a little ambiance or even a vintage vibe to the home. This is a fantastic little addition to any scenario. It can help create mood lighting while earning users some energy brownie points at the same time.
The LED bulb communicates wirelessly with the Hue Bridge, which is a small device the user plugs into the router. The bulb is controlled through the Hue Bluetooth app for iOS or Android and can respond to voice commands through Alexa or another virtual assistant. Hue lights are energy-efficient and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, so users can choose to suit the style of the room or home.
Smart plug
The smart plug is genius. All users have to do is pop the plug into a socket, link it to the Wi-Fi, and download the app. Then plug an appliance into the smart plug and the user’ll be able to control that appliance on the phone from wherever the user is.
The smart plug can also connect to the smart home hub, such as an Amazon Echo or Google Home, and operate off voice commands. Smart plugs are great for saving energy as they can monitor appliance energy use. There’s a lot to be said for this flexible little multitasker.
Smart garden
Not only does this unit bring a little greenery to the countertop, but it is also an easy-to-use growing device
Tired of buying potted herbs from the supermarket that wilt in the window before the user has time to slice the tomatoes? The smart garden might be for users. Not only does this unit bring a little greenery to the countertop, but it is also an easy-to-use growing device that leaves no mess. It provides nutrients to the plants, manages the LED lighting, and is self-watering too.
Download the smart garden app to the iOS or Android phone and have fresh basil to hand whenever the user wishes. Watch the food waste diminish and the garden blossom with herby favorites and baby vegetables all year round.
Smart doorbell
The smart (video) doorbell is a safety feature a lot like a security camera. The user connects it to the internet and it can give the user real-time video directly from the doorstep.
When a visitor rings the bell, the user gets a notification on the phone – whether the user’s at home or not. If the user’s there user can either choose to open the door or to talk to the caller through the phone. They won’t know if users are there or not. The live video can also be linked up to smart home devices that have a screen, such as Google’s Nest Hello.
Smart mug
Users can control the temperature of the mug through an app on an iOS or Android phone
Make the mug of lukewarm tea a thing of the past by keeping the drink warm in a smart mug. Users can control the temperature of the mug through an app on an iOS or Android phone, and – in true energy-saving style – users will never have to boil the kettle again!
The mug charges easily through a USB cable and the charging coaster keeps the drink hot all day. Perfect for the home office.
Smart cooker
Short of having the own in-house chef, the smart cooker is the next best thing. This modern cooking pot will have the meal ready for the user when the user gets home. It will cook very precisely to time and alert the user if anything is overcooking.
All users need to do is connect the all-singing cauldron to the WiFi and download an app. Smart cookers are usually multi-cookers, so they can cook a wide range of food from casseroles to cakes, puddings to potatoes. Use the smart cooker once, and there’s no going back. Users can link it up to Alexa, change the settings remotely, and control the steamed vegetables from anywhere in the world. What’s not to like?
Home security camera
The best smart security cameras are easy to install, have a long battery life, and give users great peace of mind
Marry the traditional security camera concept with a smart one and the user has a super-duper surveillance device. Connect the WiFi and view the footage in real-time. Users can control the security camera remotely from the phone and upload footage to the Cloud.
When choosing a security camera, look for high resolution, fast motion detection, a wide field of view, night vision, and two-way audio. The best smart security cameras are easy to install, have a long battery life, and give users great peace of mind – especially when user’re away from home.
Solar garden lights
There’s no real downside to using solar lights in the garden. They are a wonderful way to accentuate the best garden features, in an environmentally friendly way.
Taking power solely from the sun, they waste no energy at all. They come in a wide variety of shapes and designs, are cheap to buy, have a long service life, make the garden and driveway safer, have no cables, no need for an electrician…and oh, the list goes on.
