The oft-discussed Internet of Things (IoT) includes everything from smart grills to light bulbs and slow cookers. Here are some of the coolest things that make up the IoT.
The aforementioned smart grill is seen above. The Lynx Concept Grill is voice-activated and it automatically cooks foods based on user commands. The perfect medium-rare steak is now an option.
Operation of the \r\nconcept grill is driven\r\nby a fly-by-wire system that connects to the ignition and burners via an automated system that makes recipes that \r\nhave \r\nbeen pre-programmed by Lynx’s grillers. It’s supposed to hit the market sometime in 2015.
LG’s new OLED table lamp debuted late last month at the Light+Building trade show in Frankfurt. Its light source is organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology that can be formed into a sheet. It has an LG app for iOS and Android that allows you to control the bulb via Bluetooth, according to CNET.
With AirBulb Color, you can stream stereo music from your smartphone to\r\n two AirBulbs at once and change the bulb’s color. There’s even a \r\nmood-lighting mode and disco-lighting mode for special evenings at home.\r\n This new AirBulb is part of a current Kickstarter campaign and has raised $70,000.
The Philips Hue Tap is a little switch to use in conjunction with the Philips Hue bulbs and controlling hue light scenes. You can use your smart device to turn the lights on, or tap on this kinetic-powered device. CNET reported it will show up in stores in the latter half of 2014.
Belkin’s Maker Kit is part of the WeMo\r\nlineup and is for more advanced DIYers. The module can be used to power any\r\ndevice you can control with a DC switch remotely, such as motors, sprinkler\r\nsystems and antennas. It also allows you to monitor 5V DC sensors using your\r\nmobile device. It goes on sale later this spring.
Fashion comes first with JUNE, but Netatmo,the manufacturer, said it’s also the first bracelet that measures sun \r\nexposure. The jewel sensor works with an iOS app that sends an alert when you’ve been in the sun too long. It will arrive in stores in June 2014.
Later this year, according to CNET, Philips will debut the Hue Lux. This is the\r\n first smart white light LED bulb with dimming controlled from \r\nthe app on your mobile or from the new Philips Hue Tap.
Now you can tinker with dinner from anywhere. Belkin’s WeMo app is now tied into a Crock-Pot slow cooker so that it can be turned on or off remotely. This WeMo option will be available later this spring.
CNET gave the Yale Real Living Touchscreen Z-Wave Deadbolt a top review, saying it “features a sophisticated design, speaks three languages, and boasts \r\neasy-to-use controls. For basic lock automation, it does the job nicely,\r\n and works with a wide number of systems.” This lock is one of the latest entries into the smart home market.
Teena Maddox is a VP at Brodeur Partners. She is a former Associate Managing Editor at TechRepublic. Teena's lifelong journalism career has included writing on staff for publications including People magazine, W magazine and Women's Wear Daily.
