There
has been a lot of talk lately about 5G technology as this latest generation of
mobile telephony gets rolled out across the world. Hence, some people are just getting to learn
about the new standard in network protocol called the Internet of Things (IOT).
The
term simply means the ability of devices, gadgets or appliances to interact
directly with each other or be remotely controlled. They are also called smart
devices or smart things. Since it is a
new term, a lot of people have only been linking the concept with 5G. However,
there have been IOT gadgets in the market for more than 5 years and more are
still been churned out by tech companies all around the world every day. Here
are some smart gadgets currently making waves.
SMART
SPEAKERS
In 2016, both Google and Amazon introduced the first-ever
smart speakers called Google Home and Amazon Echo into the market. Today in
countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, the majority of homes
own smart speakers. Apart from answering simple and complex questions by the
virtual assistant through voice prompt, small speakers integrate and control
other smart home devices in the house and remotely. Since, the first smart
speakers, Apple have also introduced Home Pod. The other smart speakers in the
market are Google Home-based or Amazon Echo based.
SMART
LIGHTS
There has been introduction of so many brands of Smart lights
in the last few years. However, Philips is leading the market with its Phillips
Hue lights. A smart light can be operated wirelessly by a smartphone app. The
app can make it change colours, luminosity, and temperature. It can be
controlled directly or remotely from 10, 000 Km away. Smart speakers can be used to control them
by voice. There are others like Lifx and Yeelight.
SMART
KETTLE
This is a kettle that can be controlled by an app on an
android phone or iPhone. It can be switched on and off with the app. It can
also boil to a set temperature and turn off by itself. It has several other
features. It can also be controlled with voice if integrated with smart
speakers like Amazon Alexa or Google Home. There are the Smarter iKettle, Aimox
and Xiaomi smart kettles.
SMART AIR
CONDITIONER
This is an air conditioner that can be controlled by voice
through smart speakers. They can also be controlled through apps on my phone.
All the features of the air conditioner can either be activated or deactivated
with the app. It can also be set to turn on or turn off at particulars times.
It has a feature called geofencing which enables the user to turn it on when he
gets closer to the home or turns itself off when they are leaving home. The
good thing is that you don’t need to buy a new air conditioner. You can only
buy a small device which you program your remote control into. Examples are
Tado, Sensibo and Hive.
SMART
SWITCHES
These are switches that can be switched on or off with phone
apps. These switches can also be programmed to be switched on or switched off
at any particular time. The switches can be controlled by voice when configured
with smart speakers. There are Samsung smart switches, xiaomi and webo smart
witches.
SMART
REFRIGERATOR
There are smart refrigerators that send you reminders when
some items in the fridge are depleting. It also contains a camera which you can
use through your phone to view all the groceries. You can set temperatures and
control it with the app. Samsung boasts
of one of the best smart refrigerators. However, you can buy small devices to
make your refrigerator smart
SMART
DOORS
Smart Doors can also be controlled with mobile phones. This
can be controlled by voice through smart speakers or directly. Smart doors can
be set to lock itself at any particular time of the day. This ensures that even
if you forget to lock your doors, the smart door locks itself. They also
contain integrated security cameras. Examples are Lockibly and Nuki
SMARTWATCHES
AND CLOCKS
There are already a lot of smartwatches in Nigeria. It is one
of the groups of the most common smart gadgets. Apple has been churning out
smartwatches after Sonny released its brand of smartwatches a few years ago.
There are a lot of android smartwatches in the market today. These watches make
and receive calls and do social media and send text messages
SMART
BOOKS
These are writing books with special pens. The can be used
multiple times as the ink can be cleaned from the pages with water. Some
smartbooks can also be totally wiped clean by microwaving them. Texts or images
in the book can be transferred to a mobile phone with an app, hence can be
easily printed that way. One of the best in the market is Everlast.
SMART
SCALES
These are weighing scales which send all information to a
remote server or a mobile phone app. They can be used to monitor the health of
users. The scales can maintain the health history of its registered users. They
are controlled by wifi or Bluetooth. All the body mass information are sent to
the phone. Yumai has a beautiful smart scale
–KELECHI OKORIE
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