As a child of the 60s I can safely say that I never ever imagined how much technology would rule our lives.
I mean, even when we did fantasize about the future, it was nothing like this. Sure I thought of magic carpets (which by the way is now reality, so there!), teleportation (not sure yet...let's ask Jeff Goldblum in The Fly shall we?), a washing machine that not only dries 100% but also folds and puts away the clothes.
Yes, a girl can dream, can't she? I know I can.Well, dreams do come true - as I would be the first to admit.
Who would have thought that we could stay connected 24 x 7 with something called the internet and smartphones? I didn't - because I lived in an era that involved heading out, warmly wrapped, at 11 pm at night to the STD phone booth down the road to get a token number and wait if I wanted to call someone in another city.
Why, we got a refrigerator when I was 22-ish; I ate noodles for the first time when I was 21. Fast forward across all other first-time joys-I only started using the internet when I was 33, and got my first computer when I was 35.
But I am sure glad that I've enjoyed life on both sides - before and after technology evolved. I enjoy trying gadgets and while I think people will always rule over technology, I would not even be the last person to resist a smart product that makes my life better. And sure I'd love a Smart Home.
In fact, I am not at all surprised that smart products have revolutionized our world.
You're probably wondering why we need smart devices in our lives. Let me share some of my favorites - I'd love to hear yours too!
Smart wearable
There was a time when I'd scoff the idea of using apps on my smartphone. I'd think - why do I need all that? Over the years, though, I've succumbed to several and I have to say life is definitely more efficient. While I use an app to monitor my fitness and diet and scold me when I don't reach my walking target or eat enough fiber or overshoot my calorie allowance with two samosas, I do hope to get one of those cool smart watches I see people sporting on their wrists.
Talk about living life on-the-go! I'd love to track my steps and calories burned, have my sleep monitored, unlock my phone, get calls/messages/notifications alerts since am always scrambling for my phone. As someone who works from home, I'd definitely like that kick in the pants called the idle alert to nudge me to go for a short walk or get a water break when I've been sitting for too long.
Of course I had my Mom to do that - but now that she's not around, a smart wearable would be wonderful! Also - as a diabetic, following a fitness regime is a non-negotiable, along with a healthy diet. Maintaining a food journal is recommended to follow blood sugar spikes and lows. This is so much easier with a smart wearable that syncs with an app on my phone! Did you know these smart watches store and play music, check your heart rate, auto detect your activity and ahem, have wireless charging? Best part? Affordable. How nice to swap the cost of two pizzas for tracking your health, eh?
Get fit don't sit
Also a fitness band would be a perfect gift for my son to keep track of his exercise goals and health. You know how life on campus can be. Late nights, missing meals, dragging oneself out of bed in the morning only to just manage to reach class and probably doze off there. It isn't that they don't know the value of healthy habits. Of course there's the constant advice from parents and guardians. Still. Life happens. It is one thing to randomly do things and another to set goals, monitor and see the results. A fitness band would help him manage his exercise routine and keep him motivated. Buddy up with a friend and the benefits are multiplied. After all, health is the only real wealth we can truly enjoy.
Better safe than sorry
As we get older and live in our empty nests, a smart camera would be a valuable addition to our home. These work day and night, detecting movement and sound with email alerts and also saves pictures and videos.The 2-way streaming audio lets you interact with your family whenever you want. I am thinking: this would be such a godsend to young moms who have to return to work, leaving their little ones at home under someone's care; for caregivers who have to go out yet keep an eye on their patients; for adult kids who have to leave their parents at home when they travel-imagine staying in touch and enjoying peace of mind! And when you go on holiday, you can relax knowing that your home is safe and monitored. These security cameras work with all devices running Bluetooth.
I came across these fascinating Bluetooth keyless padlocks that take home-safety up a notch. And a smart home definitely deserves a smart lock, right? These keyless padlocks make it super easy to unlock your baggage with your smartphone - without hunting for your keys! You can actually lock/unlock with an app, give others access-and use it for both indoor and outdoor use. No more hiding your keys under the doormat (really?!?) only to come home and find it is missing and getting locked out!
How about a universal remote?
Imagine a universal remote that connects with your thermostat, lighting, locks, blinds, speakers, sensors, home entertainment systems, cable boxes, TVs, game consoles and more! Wait let me catch my breath-yes you can dim the lights, blast that volume, close the blinds and do all those things with one touch. Use the app via your smartphone and tablet. Is that not cool? Especially for someone who is not as mobile as they would like to be? I am thinking of my apartment complex that has many elderly people living independently!
So maybe my smart home won't be like Bill Gates' house, Xanadu 2.0 - with a pool with underwater music system, digital walls with changing artwork etc. But I can surely #GetFitWithFlipkart and join the #SmartHomeRevolution with these smart products!
Smart Personal Assistant
If you want to lie back and enjoy a hands free life while a smart personal assistant and your voice can manage it, there is the powerful little Google Home Mini. You get answers from Google, control your home entertainment, check your day's schedule, tell it to do things, get the weather report, sports news, play music and so on. Yes, I've seen people babysit their kids with this device because it can tell a story. Kids also get smarter- you know how they enjoy rapid fire questioning-except now that can be directed at this smart assistant. And-you can tell your family when dinner is ready.
Then there are energy saving Wi-Fi bulbs and smart lights that reduce energy use up to 83% while creating the right ambiance for whatever task you are on - that can be a great addition for a smart home. Environment-friendly? Yes. Smaller carbon footprint!
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By the way, Business Insider carried an article about how the smart home of the future may have more robots than family members. They envisage that twenty years from now, we'll have mirrors that will give us style tips and robot butlers that will help us with dinner, dishwashers that can automatically order detergent, refrigerators that track the food we eat and suggest healthy options, kitchen appliances that will shop on our behalf ... Who am I to say no?
I believe a smart home will mean more freedom... ...freedom to spend more time doing what we love... meeting friends, traveling, reading, walking, cooking, taking pictures...
...more being...less doing! ♥
What do you think? Are you ready for a smart home?
