There’s no doubting that technology has changed the way we live. Let’s face it – when was the last time you got through the day without checking your smartphone at least twenty times? Although technology has its downsides (like how self-service supermarket checkouts are making older people lonelier, and how children are being exposed to inappropriate content on sites like YouTube), it has a wide range of benefits, too. Below, we’ve rounded up five of the biggest ways technology can transform your home for the year ahead.
Home hubs will make you organised
Turn on the television this festive Christmas, and you’ll probably see one or two adverts promoting the latest smart home hubs. Amazon brought the technology to the mainstream with its powerful Echo speaker, and now search giant Google is catching up with Google Home. Apple, too, will enter the smart-speaker market in 2018, although its HomePod product was delayed until 2018 citing development delays. Installing a home hub could not be simpler – just plug it in, pair up your compatible devices and say ‘Hello, Google’.
Meters will make you richer
Smart energy meters are being rolled out in countries around the world, including in the United Kingdom. Such meters are designed to visualise your gas and energy usage, helping you better manage your money and understand how much you’re spending on a typical day. As this technology becomes even more mainstream in the future, there’s no doubting that homeowners will become more energy-savvy and make sensible decisions – like switching off their television sets and appliances when they’re not in use.
Solar panels will make you greener
Installing a solar panel to your roof can save you hundreds of pounds over the year, as you’ll be producing electricity. The cost of installing a solar panel can be high, but some companies offer to install them for free in exchange for a percentage of the energy. Remember that, before you can take advantage of such technology, you need a reliable roof, so get in touch with roofers in Middlesbrough like Findley Roofing & Building for a free, no obligation roof check. After all, there’s no point in installing expensive solar panels to your roof if it needs to be repaired or replaced within a year or two!
Robots will make you lazy
Dyson has always been an innovative company, and its latest product line-up is no exception. Amongst its new vacuum cleaners is the Dyson 360 Eyeᵀᴹ Robot Vacuum Cleaner, which takes up minimal space in your home and cleans your home whenever you tell it to. All you need to do is take it out from its cupboard and charging dock and press the on button, and its clever sensors and methodical path-like approach. The app also allows you to schedule you’d like your home to be cleaned – it even works when you’re out of the house!
Pet-tech will make you Doctor Dolittle
If you’ve ever wondered what your furry friend gets up to when you’re at the office, then this could be the product for you. Furbo is an industry-first dog camera that allows you to snoop on your dog and see how they’re doing. Thanks to its speaker and microphone, you can even talk to your dog and get alerted whenever it barks. But that’s not all – the clever design allows you to dispense food and treats for your dog, which you can control through a smartphone app. It’s one of those products you don’t know you need until you get it…
Some people will feel uncomfortable with sharing their home with so many Internet-connected devices, but the truth is that they’re the future. These items will make your day-to-day life just that little bit easier, help you save money and get things done, and they’ll prepare you for a future of home automation that increases your safety and comfort. Whether you’re a tech buff or you are internet-phobic, we hope that you have fun exploring these new technologies!
