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
