If you are at home doing the chores or sitting watching TV, you may not think that your home needs any more gadgets. Most homes now have some gadgets, especially in the kitchen, and more might feel like too many.
However, there are a few pieces of tech that can be a great help to you in your home. The rise of so-called ‘smart tech’ has led to an increase in sales of these gadgets. Let us look at some of the most popular.
Amazon Echo
Probably one of the original smart techs, the Echo has become a popular addition to many people’s homes. It comes in two variations, a small hockey puck sized version that has buttons located on the top, and a larger cylinder type with a built-in speaker.
Both have the same functionality, and they have a number of cool features. With the Echo, you can play music, watch movies and control lights and heating. All this, just from voice commands. It might sound like a gimmick, but it can be a great help if you have your hands full.
Google Home
The Google Home is a direct competitor to the Amazon Echo, which is no surprise as people are using them more often for controlling their thermostat and lighting. Although the Google Home does much of what the Echo does, it does have one different feature.
With the Echo, it can recognise anyone’s voice, but it isn’t able to distinguish between people. With the Home, however, it can be programmed to recognise up to four different voices. Something like that is handy if you want to add something to your personal calendar.
Smart Thermostats
Thermostats such as the Ecobee4, have become hugely popular for the past year or so. With the rolling out of smart energy meters to homes all over the country, there have been many people who have taken the next step and got a smart thermostat as well.
They can be controlled by your smart assistants such as the Amazon Echo or Google Home, and you can even control them from your mobile phone if you are out. The Ecobee4 goes beyond the need for a separate Echo or Home because it has Amazons Alexa built-in.
Smart Lights
Philips has been at the forefront of the smart light innovation that has taken place. They have launched a number of light bulbs and control units that can effectively control all the lights in the house. Using the control box, Alexa or Google Home, you can ask for the lights to be turned on in the loft so you can find that Jackpot in your attic without having to find the switch.
With these and other smart devices, you need never have to walk into a dark room or go without listening to your favorite tracks ever again. And with this type of tech evolving all the time, who knows what you will be able to do next.
