Gadgets have come a long way since their inception, but they still have one flaw that keeps them from being perfect: you’re still responsible for interacting with them and doing things they can’t do on their own.
To listen to music in your car, for example, you must plug in your phone, connect it to the radio, select an app, and then begin listening.
Thanks to artificial intelligence-enabled gadgets, technology now allows this process to be dramatically simplified.
1) Amazon Echo
The Amazon Echo is a hands-free voice-activated speaker that provides convenience and entertainment.
Simply ask Alexa to play music, get information, weather reports, news updates, and more.
For example, you can say, Alexa, ask Allrecipes for a recipe to access food recipes from a global community of professional chefs, or you can use it as a daily assistant: Add bread to my grocery list, Alexa, or remind me to call Mom at 5:00 p.m.
You don’t even need to raise your voice because Echo has seven microphones and beam-forming technology that allows it to hear you from across the room—even while music is playing.
2) Wireless Charger
It’s so nice not to have to worry about plugging in your phone or running out of battery halfway through a long day.
Wireless chargers are also ideal for traveling—just place your device on top of your dresser and go to sleep.
They are slightly more expensive than standard chargers, but they make a significant difference in terms of convenience.
The one drawback is that wireless charging is still slower than regular charging; if you want your device fully charged by dinnertime, charge it wirelessly overnight or while you work.
3) Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Get your hands on an intelligent washing machine. Everything from pre-soak settings to spin speed can be monitored and controlled via a smartphone app.
You can even pause your cycle if an emergency arises and resume it once you return home.
A smart washing machine is ideal for apartments because you don’t have to worry about walking through puddles of water or leaving clothes in a wet laundry basket.
4) Smart washing machine
The advancement of smart technology does not end with your smartphone. Technology is increasingly being integrated into everyday objects, such as clothes washers and dryers.
If you want to keep track of your clothes and keep them clean, look for a washer or dryer that supports hands-free voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant integration.
This way, instead of reaching for an app on your phone, you can simply tell your washing machine to start a load of laundry, reducing the number of dirty dishes.
This is especially useful if you have children; instead of sorting and folding laundry, you can spend more time playing outside with them or spending quality time together as a family.
5) Smart mirror
Mirrors have been around for centuries, serving as a useful and frequently required tool in assisting us in getting ready quickly.
But what if mirrors were capable of doing more than just reflecting your image? Mirrors can now be equipped with sensors that track body movements and measure vital biometrics, thanks to recent advancements.
If you’re looking for some fun new ways to make your life easier, consider including a smart mirror in your home decorating strategy.
A cool new technology idea like this is one way to inject some excitement into your daily routine.
6) Smart kettle
Who doesn’t enjoy a steaming cup of tea or coffee in the morning? The problem is that it can be very inconvenient to burn your hand on a too-hot cup and then have to wait for it to cool.
Thankfully, new kettles with a variety of AI features are hitting the market. These allow you to set a target temperature for your drinks, allowing you to brew them safely and conveniently—much better than scrambling around for ice cubes to cool down!
If you drink hot beverages on a daily basis, a smart kettle should be at the top of your Christmas wish list.
7) Smart refrigerator
The refrigerator serves more than one purpose. People are increasingly using them to control their homes and be more efficient.
Smart refrigerators can tell you what’s inside, order groceries online, sync with your smartwatch, and even serve as an alarm clock!
Do you want to know how much milk is left? Simply check your watch (if it has a screen) or ask Alexa (if you have an Amazon Echo).
It’s not difficult to imagine that most of us will own one of these within the next ten years. Some might consider them extravagant, but why not make life easier?
All of this can be accomplished with a smart refrigerator for less than $700. Why accept anything less?
8) Self-operating Drones
Drones are becoming increasingly intelligent. DJI’s drones now include collision avoidance and geo-fencing.
These features allow a drone to fly safely away from objects that it is about to collide with or to avoid areas where it is not supposed to be.
Other manufacturers, such as Parrot and 3DR, provide collision avoidance technology for their drones, as well as autonomous flight modes, which allow you to instruct your drone to take a photo or video of an object without having to manually control it.
If you can afford it, these are excellent ways to avoid spending time on such mundane tasks—but they are not without cost.
9) KODA AI Robot Dog
The KODA AI Robot Dog understands commands, takes pictures, supports music playlists, is safe for children and pets, and can guard your home while you are away.
It has a built-in HD camera with onboard storage that can record video and provide night vision. The device includes WIFI connectivity for simple setup and control.
Customers can use Amazon Alexa integration to ask their KODA dog to take pictures or play their favorite songs by voice command.
It also has a Bluetooth speaker in its head, allowing owners to stream music from any smart device or computer.
10) Nobi Smart Lamp
Use voice commands to easily turn your bedroom lamp on, off, or dim. The NoBi smart lamp communicates via Bluetooth, allowing it to serve as a remote control for all of your devices.
Using light colors (such as blue) in the morning will help you feel more alert and energized, whereas yellow shades are known to have a calming effect at night.
Change the mode to soft white if you prefer a brighter light at night. Each bulb costs $79.95 and comes with a microphone and speaker that can be used independently of your primary phone or tablet device.
