GADGET GIZMO SPECIAL.....6 gadgets for the connected home

GADGET GIZMO SPECIAL 6 gadgets for the connected home





These new smart home devices can simplify your tasks and transform the way you live

In the tech world's rush to make everything internet-connected, the home seems to be the area with the most potential for change and lasting effect. There are certainly no shortage of startups and tech majors trying to make it work. Here are six of the best smart home devices available today. These gadgets are powerful, yet easy to use and connect to your phone or computer.

Sonos

Sonos probably needs no introduction. It's long dominated the world of multiroom music streaming. It enables you to wirelessly control your music with an app and send it to anywhere and everywhere in your house.

It's pricey, but as is so often the case you get what you pay for, with easy set-up and a range of high-quality speakers suitable for different-sized rooms. So you can pump out big sounds in the living room with a Sonos Play: 5, and background music in the kitchen with a Sonos Play:1. Price: $199

LIFX

Smart lights are many people's first foray into the world of the connected home. While Philips Hue is the biggest name in this space, LIFX is a worthy rival with some advantages. For one thing it doesn't need a bridge, so you can start with a bulb and build the system from there.

With the ability to light a ro om up i n m i l l ion s of di f ferent colours, an ever-improving app and compatibility with a range of third-party apps and services, including Nest and SmartThings, LIFX is a strong smart lighting option.Price: $39.99

Ambient Weather WS100i-WiFi Observer

With the ability to track temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, UV, solar r a d i at io n , b a r o m e t r ic pressure, dew point and rainfall rate, there's not much the Ambient Weather WS -10 01-WiFi Obser ver can't tell you. There's a built-in screen, or you can pair it with the Weather Underground app and view all its readings there.Price: $289.95

Piper Classic smart home security camera

There's a lot more to home security than alarms and `Beware of the dog' signs.You can now get a fairly high-tech setup without spending a great deal. And the Piper Classic Camera is a good start. A 180-degree HD camera gives you access to live video at any time from an app.It can also send you alerts when rooms are entered or doors are opened, offers two-way audio and can be linked to other home automation products, such as smart lights and alarms.Price: $195.70

Kohler Moxie Showerhead + wireless speakers

This Bluetooth shower head con nects to you r smartphone or tablet to st rea m music. It g ives a rou nd seven hou rs of music, news and more by pairing wirelessly with your device enabled with Bluetooth. The speaker snaps into the shower head using a magnet, so it's easy to install and remove for charging. You can also remove the speaker to use it in other rooms. Price: $88.61

Nest learning thermostat

Bui lding a smar t home can be expensive, but in the long run it can save you money. Take the Nest learning thermostat for example. Sure, it's pricey, but it turns the heating down when there's no one at home and pushes you towards maintaining energysaving temperatures. It's convenient and it's largely automated, learning what temperatures you like and programming itself Price: $247.99

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ET22JAN16