4 IoT Gadgets that should be on your radar
The Internet of Things has helped take gadgets and accessories to the metaphorical next level. No longer is a gadget just a gadget, but instead a wealth of information and usefulness that can give insights to your electricity bill, your driving habits, sleep patterns, and many other things. While many industries and locations can benefit from the IoT, your own house can start seeing benefits almost immediately. We've compiled four of the best IoT gadgets for your home currently on the market, check them out below!
- Sense: Sense, from San Francisco startup Hello, is the smart ball that monitors your sleeping habits and gives you insights into your sleeping conditions. A night of good sleep can be the difference between having a good day and hating your life, so anything that can help you stay well rested is a gift. Sense monitors things like temperature, sound levels, and humidity to let you know what needs to be changed in order to get a great night of sleep. The main unit which monitors room conditions is used in combination with the Sleep Pill, a small sensor that clips to your pillow to monitor your movement throughout the night. Upon waking, Sense sends all of your sleeping data that it has been compiling throughout the night to an app on your phone, and gives you insights into your night. You can look at all the data individually to see what needs to change or you can look at your overall sleep number which takes into account all of the different factors.
- Nest Indoor Cam: One of four products in the Nest stable, the Nest Indoor Cam acts as a monitor and security system for your home. It includes a night vision mode and a speaker, as well. Using the Nest app, users can set it up to alert them of movement or sound. The camera can also be used as a livestreaming monitor, allowing users to periodically check in on their home, an especially nice feature if you have kids or animals at the house while you're away. The unit does not allow playback, however, for that you'll need to invest in the Sense Aware monthly subscription.
- Tado: Tado is the smart system that monitors the temperature in your house or apartment, saves you money, and makes sure it feels perfect for when you get back home. Requiring two different units, one for air and one for heat, Tado works with many existing products so there's a good chance you will not even need to update anything in order to use these. The "smart" part of Tado comes in how it uses your phone and location to turn off and on. In a rush leaving for work? No worries, Tado will turn down your heating and air when you're leaving the house, saving you money. It will even monitor your location and speed when returning home in order to turn on at the perfect time.
- Philips Hue system: The Philips Hue lights are nice on their own, but really excel once connected to a Philips Hue bridge and app. Using the bridge and app you can connect your whole house with the Hue system to match your mood, turn on and off at specific times, and even allows for 3rd party apps to connect with your entertainment center to give you relevant, ambient light while watching movies or gaming. And the best part? The Philips Hue system doesn't require any complicated wiring, just simply replace your current bulbs with Hue.
If you're looking to take your house to the next level, these four products are a great place to start. While initial costs may seem high, they have the potential to pay for themselves in the form of lower utility bills. Sense, on the other hand, might not save you money, but a good night's sleep is invaluable.