Smart-home devices can make your space comfortable and convenient — or frustrate you, compromise privacy and turn you into a sloth or paranoiac. A smart home skeptic and maximalist square off on whether internet-connected home gadgets are useful or not.
Columnist Geoffrey A. Fowler and I are colleagues and buddies, but we live in technologically opposite homes.In Geoff’s house in San Francisco, the thermostat, light switches, smoke alarms, doorbell, speakers, baby monitor, garage door, air pollution monitor, sprinkler controllers, meat thermometer, clock, TV and an electric bicycle are connected and can be controlled with an app or his voice.
I think Geoff lives in a nerd paradise with pointless garbage gadgets. He thinks I’m a crusty old lady muttering about why anyone needs luxuries like iceboxes.I hope that our friendly disagreement gives you a glimpse at the promise and the pitfalls of how technology could change your home life. I also love the Weber iGrill thermometer for my smoker. The Bluetooth thermometer pings my phone when the meat reaches my target temperature so I don’t need to keep peeking.I admit, that sounds handy. But is this stuff worth the complexity and the complications? Are you locked out of your house when your internet conks out? And what’s wrong with low-tech automation? I have a light with a simple sensor that flips on when it gets dark.The best of my home products make life simpler.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Smart watering tech is coming for your lawnSick of watering your garden? Just automate it instead.
Read more »
Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon Says “Smart & Sensible” UK Government Took Lead On In-House ProposalChannel 4 CEO Alex Mahon has praised the “smart and sensible” UK Culture Secretary for leading the charge against privatization and revealed plans to allow the network to produce shows …
Read more »
TP-Link expands its smart home line with a video door lock, new robovacs, and moreTP-Link’s smart home lineup just got bigger.
Read more »
CES 2023: Lenovo's Smart Paper could be a Kindle Scribe killer | Digital TrendsHoping to compete with the likes of the Kindle Scribe and reMarkable 2, Lenovo used CES2023 to unveil the Smart Paper. Here's what makes it tick.
Read more »
Rachio debuts affordable smart hose timer at CES 2023 | Digital TrendsThe Rachio smart hose timer will cost less than $100, fits existing hose spigots, and can track your local weather to optimize your watering schedule.
Read more »
Sweat-Proof 'Smart Skin' Measures Vitals Without DeteriorationThe MIT researchers believe their new sweat-proof skin can be used to track daily vitals in the long run.
Read more »