We live in a smart world. Smartphones, smart watches, smart TVs. But is your home smart? Like something straight from an episode of The Jetsons, the smart home is going to revolutionize, well, life. Just about every room in your home is about to get smarter. How? Read on.
When you think about brands like Samsung, your mind might immediately jump to your HDTV. Maybe you have one of their smartphones in your pocket, or a Samsung tablet nearby. You probably don’t think about Samsung in the kitchen—but maybe you should! Samsung is just one of the manufacturers showing off the possibilities provided by a smarter kitchen on the CES 2015 show floor, and the electronics giant is joined by companies like Panasonic and LG in making kitchens more high-tech.
For example, how often are you stumped by the question “What’s for dinner?” Well, what if your refrigerator could answer that question for you, using ingredients you already have? Panasonic’s futuristic smart fridge can do just that—a camera inside even lets you know what’s about to expire and suggest recipes accordingly. Once you’ve decided what’s on the menu, a timeline lets you know exactly how long it will take and what appliances you’ll need. Samsung was also touting its kitchen lineup, and despite the gorgeous HDTVs on display, the Chef Collection “inspired by chefs’ insights” was the star of the manufacturer’s booth. Just imagine an oven that can be used as one unit or two with a removable divider, like Samsung’s Flex Duo. That means you can cook two things at two different temperatures (within 75 degrees) at the same time! Who says appliances can’t be efficient, aesthetically pleasing, AND high-tech?
But why should kitchens have all the fun? On the show floor, we discovered smart appliances and gadgets for practically every room in the home. Want to turn on your washing machine while you're picking up groceries? We got a close look at Wi-Fi-enabled washers and dryers from companies like LG and Samsung that let you do just that--all through an app on your smartphone or tablet.
But you're not limited to controlling one appliance at a time. Back at the Samsung booth, we learned how you can use an app to send a list of commands to Samsung's Wi-Fi-enabled devices or other devices connected to their smart sensors or smart outlets. What could this look like in real life? Imagine heading home from work and, by simply selecting the "I'm Back" option on your app, turning on the lights in your living room and switching on your air conditioning unit? Besides adding convenience to your routine, these types of smart appliances give you an easy way to conserve energy.
Other devices on the show floor took smart technology outdoors, like the Parrot Pot. Featuring a built-in reservoir and sensors, this smart pot automatically waters your plant when it's thirsty and works with an app to provide detailed guidance on the care of your specific plant. Another garden-focused product, the Edyn Garden Sensor and Water Valve, was a 2015 CES Best of Innovation Award winner in the Tech For a Better World category. With smart outdoor products like these, even those unlucky in plant care can see their garden thrive!
What kinds of products would you want to see in the smart home of your dreams?