Internet of things devices showed up in some unusual designs at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. This trendy term means essentially that an ordinary object now can communicate via the internet with a smartphone or other user. And while some seem downright silly, the creators behind them say they serve a purpose. I’ll let you decide:
Smart fridge on the cheap: A few years ago, I saw the first refrigerator with a built-in camera that snapped a photo of the interior every time the door closed. That way, owners could check an app to see their fridge’s contents while at the store and presumably replenish their salad fixings or buy milk for the kids. Many of the major manufacturers offer such a fridge. But the cost? It’s beyond my budget. That’s probably why Britain’s Smarter came out connected camera that does the same thing. Stick it in your fridge and it’ll snap a picture every time the door closes. FridgeCam could make it to the U.S. this year, . +
Smart tea: 42Tea wants to help people truly appreciate the taste of good tea with its smart-tea cube. Add tea leaves to the cube and plop it into a cup of hot water. Check your smartphone for a notice that your brew is perfect. An app guides you along the way, offering tips such as how much tea to add and the ideal water temperature. +
Smart shower: This new smart shower system by Moen doesn’t spy on you but it does talk to a smartphone to tell you when your shower is just the right temperature. The U by Moen even has a nifty feature that will pause the shower once the temperature is perfect. Interestingly, Moen mentions that and it added a “unique encrypted key” so remote users can’t turn the shower on from outside the home. +
Note: I’ll have more gadget news to come as time permits!
