Smart home technology is everywhere these days. In some cases, this is a great thing. However, it’s not so great in others. If it can be automated in some way, chances are good that someone, somewhere, is combining it with Bluetooth and an “I” in the name, hoping to pitch it to tech addicts. And that tactic is working quite well. Below, we’ll look at some of the best and worst smart home products on the market or being considered.
Smart Climate Control – Good
There are few things as great as smart climate control. It saves you time and money. It benefits the environment. It keeps you cool and comfortable 24 hours a day without you having to do much beyond pressing a button or two on your phone’s screen. It’s also just Star Trek-enough to be future-cool and present-possible.
Smart Frying Pan – Not So Good
Smart frying pans are perhaps the most ridiculous example of IoT technology out there. Seriously, if you’re cooking and can’t tell if your pan is hot enough yet, you probably shouldn’t be in the kitchen in the first place.
Smart Lighting – Good
When it comes to smart home products, it doesn’t get much better than smart lighting. You can control light function from your app or from a central control panel, you can change lighting intensity, and even colour if you like, all at the touch of a virtual button.
Smart Children’s Dolls – Not So Good
This one has already been proven. IoT technology within children’s toys is NOT a great idea, particularly when there’s no way to secure access to the cameras within the dolls. It’s already led to at least one case of hacker-turned-peeping-tom in Canada, which is just plain disturbing.
Smart Diffusers – Good
This one ties in with the smart climate system, but should be noted on its own. This technology allows you to create a true smart zoning system with diffusers that open and close (or partially open) based on your specific usage needs and your climate control plan.
Smart Shower Heads – Not So Good
Really, the jury is still out on this one. There are pros and cons to smart shower head technology, and there are probably some real use cases here, but seriously. If you can’t figure out how many gallons of water you’re wasting per minute in your luxury shower on your own, the problem is probably not a lack of technology.
Smart Salt Dispenser – Not So Good
This one falls under the heading of “why bother at all?”. If you can’t control your own salt shaker, you probably don’t need to have a smartphone, either. This is one gimmick that we hope quickly fades away.
There you have them – some of the more interesting smart home products, both good and not so good. If you’d like to learn more about how smart technology can make a positive impact on your life, check out iZone.
