With the Internet of Things promising a superior level of connectedness and ease of lifestyle, the market is flooded with smart appliances and gadgets. In a quest to make homes ‘smarter,’ consumers are ending up confused by the plethora of myriad offerings—what to buy and what to dismiss? Here is a list of IoT innovations worth the investment, in service as well as budget.
- Google Nest Learning Thermostat/ Ecobee: Priced at a comfortable $249, the Google Nest is a smart thermostat not only regulates your home temperature effectively, but also helps cut down on electricity bills, thanks to its energy efficient functioning. It can be easily controlled either directly from the device, or via a mobile app i.e. Google app in iOS or Google Now in Android. Convenience- based features include the ability to turn on before you get home, by tracking your location. The Ecobee is also priced at $249 and allows for separate room sensors and controls, an even smarter energy efficient model, by heating up only parts of the house.
- Google Nest Protect: Another product by Google, it highlights likely hazards such as a dwindling battery or a possible fire or a CO2 release. Moreover, it can segregate the source of the problem according to the room it may occur in, making troubleshooting all the more easier. It uses 802.16 wireless interconnect, a much safer option than the popular wired interconnect. Priced at $199, it seamlessly communicates with you through your smartphone. It can thus, prove to be your lifesaver!
- RainMachine Mini-8: Used for auto-watering purposes, it gathers and analyzes federal weather forecast data and automatically adjusts watering levels for your plants. You can also program it to shut off during high moisture months, when watering is not needed. It comes with a two-touch HD model, for complete control on the device.
- Abode Connected Home Security: The base kit is priced at $359 and comes with the hub, two door/window sensors, one motion detector with camera, and one key fob. All the functionalities are effectively packed in the single hub, which operates the intelligence, battery backup, radio controller, internet connection, and communication siren. Communication is enhanced, since it supports Adobes radio protocol as well as Zigbee’s radio protocol. Also, geo-fencing is enabled and sense when your smartphone leaves or approaches the house.
- LiftMaster MyQ Internet Gateway: You can now check your garage door status or open and close it from your smartphone, using this MyQ Wi-Fi device. It does not use Wi-Fi technology, but uses the original revolving-key radio controller technology that already existed. The MyQ Internet Gateway 828LM device is priced at $60.
- Standalone analogue telephony adapter: Replace your overpriced landline line, with an independent VoIP device. An ATA works by connecting to your routing voice phone service on your traditional phone. Some of the options to choose from are the Telo brand from Ooma and the Grandstream ATA by Pioneer Telephone.
The past year has seen almost every other home appliance turning into a “smarter” version of itself. Marketers are pushing these in the faces of customers, like they would miss out on the next best appliance of the future. The truth remains, that many of these appliances, lose out on delivering value, or are riddled with security hazards. Amazon Echo and Google Home have been known to spy on their very owners, while home alarms and Bluetooth-enabled door locks have been the laughing stock of thieves, who could easily break through the homes. With such stories abounding, taking a pick from the myriad offerings can seem an impossible task.
