Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the last few decades knows that technology is developing at lightning speed. This is particularly true for residential life, where the futuristic dreams of robot-controlled homes are quickly becoming our reality. At Home Improvement Leads, we think that making use of the Internet of Things in everyday situations is essential for a technologically-savvy home. Here are just a few of the latest trends in smart home appliances to help bring you up to speed with technology and make your home smarter than ever.
Refrigerator
One of the coolest, if priciest, smart home appliances on the market today is the Samsung Family Hub, a smart refrigerator with a mind of its own. On the outside, the refrigerator’s high-tech touchscreen acts as your home’s control center and allows you to send messages, make and order a list of groceries, check temperatures and settings, and even listen to music or watch TV. Inside, the refrigerator’s three cameras monitor your food and email you updated pictures every time you shut the door. If you have $6,000 or so to spare in your appliance budget, you can order one today.
Robotic vacuum
We all know about the Roomba, but tech has come a long way in a short time. At the Consumer Technology Association’s CES 2016 tradeshow, the HOM-BOT Turbo + stood out from the rest of the robotic vacuums with its linkability, pinpointing function, and inbuilt camera. The camera function is particularly intriguing for tech-friendly homeowners who want to keep an eye on their home while away. This clever vacuum isn’t on the market just yet, but once it is, we imagine it will cost between $800 to $900 to own.
Ultrasonic Cleaner
Sonic Soak is the newest evolution in washing technology that utilizes ultrasonic technology to result in a deeper clean, saved time, water and energy, all in a compact package that can be taken anywhere. Sonic Soak generates modulated ultrasonic waves that travel through water to disintegrate dirt and bacteria at the microscopic level while being significantly more gentle than the conventional washing machine and even traditional hand washing.
Washing machine/dryer
While smart washing machines and dryers equipped with WiFi and smart tech like WeMo or Smart ThinQ are already staples on the smart appliances list, one brand is currently ahead of the others, for reasons other than technology. Whirlpool has partnered with Habitat for Humanity and gives users the option to donate to the charity whenever they use their Smart Top Load washer and dryer. Giving money to those in need never sounded so simple!
Dishwasher
Ordinary Home Appliances Are About to Get Really Sexy
Technology and energy efficiency go hand in hand and make a useful combination in the home. The LG LDT8786ST dishwasher also stood out at CES 2016, as it comes equipped with the latest smart technology and can actually help you eliminate water waste and increase your machine’s efficiency with every load you wash. We particularly appreciate the three tiered, configurable element to this dishwasher, since everyone knows how hard it can be to load the machine correctly.
Cooking accessories
8 Smart Kitchen Gadgets Of The Future
While large white goods and appliances are at the forefront of smart home technology, there are more than a handful of other gadgets and gizmos that utilize this tech in order to help make your life in the kitchen even easier.
The CrockPot Smart Slow Cooker is an old standby by now, but there are plenty of other smart kitchen helpers available, such as Pantelligent, a smart pan that links to an app and tracks temperature and time as you cook, and the Gourmia robotic kitchen assistant, which basically does all your cooking for you with the push of a button.
As far as drinks are concerned, smarter technology means better drinks all around. Whether you prefer coffee or tea, there is a smart appliance that simplifies the brewing process. The Firebox Smarter Coffee machine links to a smartphone app and allows you to set timers and modes using geo-location tech and reminders (you can also select your brew strength!), while the iKettle electric kettle boils water for you on demand.
If you’re after something harder, the iSommelier Smart Decanter, which identifies, aerates, and decants your wine to perfection with the touch of a button, and the Somabar, a cocktail making machine with a recipe-filled app, could be the perfect addition to your kitchen.