The CES 2021 saw a range of products that were specifically targeted to eliminate the virus and promote a healthy environment. Here are a few glimpses into CES 2021. First comes the OptiBP smartphone app which is on beta version and available to Android users. The app can measure your pulse and blood pressure using your smartphone. Targus revealed their UV-C LED Desktop Disinfection Light that will position itself between the monitor and the keyboard and automatically turns on every hour, blasting UV light for five minutes to kill any germs on either surface. The company also showcased the antimicrobial keyboards and backpack in its accessory range.
Going one step ahead of the portable air filters, there were plenty of gadgets that showcased the ability to kill coronavirus in surfaces such as cars. The gadget can also purify the air inside a car.
The iSyncWave helmet was showcased at the event. On its parent website, iMediSync, the company says the brain-mapping device can detect early signs of Alzheimer’s and provide LED-light therapy for dementia, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, ADHD, depression and other neurological issues.
Nobi, a smart lamp, can detect falls and call for help. They are embedded with multiple smart motion sensors and infrared detection that work with AI to detect trouble like falls or inactivity, and can send out alerts to get help quickly. This will be of much use in nursing homes. Smart toothbrushes were also showcased where they could assist users with deeper cleaning when required. The brush can automatically adjust its own intensity.
Source: https://www.usatoday.com
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Working from home has become the new normal for many professionals across the globe. Due to the pandemic, most parts of the world spent a lot of time indoors. During this time, users were more inclined to invest in smart home products that can enhance the way they communicate with multiple products at home. Homes are being digitalized. There is no doubt that smart home products are assisting users and making lives more comfortable.
Modern apartments are filled with smart devices and systems, from cloud-connected refrigerators that self-diagnose to voice-controlled audio-visual systems that serve up a tailored menu of online entertainment content.
Many apartments have also tested the smart elevator concept that knows intuitively which floor you need to go without having to do anything. The traditional door key has been eliminated in such homes, where they are replaced by smart locks which can be unlocked using fingerprints or smartphones. New homebuyers are expecting homes to come with smart home features that are digitally connected. Current homeowners can expect homes to sell quickly if the right tech eco-space has been created.
Source: https://www.pcworld.idg.com.au
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The pandemic has changed the way how the world works in just one year. Focus shifted to new innovations where there is reduced contact between people. A few of the smart home devices nailed this in CES 2021. A few manufacturers released touchless doorbells and touchless faucets and toilets. Air purifiers and deodorizers were a hit at CES 2021. Though they claim that they filter out all the contaminations in the air, no one is yet sure of this claim. Big players such as Google and Amazon stayed quiet throughout the event which was quite surprising.
Samsung announced its new SmartThings cooking platform on a smart fridge which will help the users to plan their meals more effectively. LG expanded its InstaView line of large appliances. The newest InstaView refrigerator comes with a few new features, as well. A UV sanitizer activates every hour to kill 99.99% of bacteria found in the water dispenser and refrigerator doors that can open via voice command. ColdSnap, a kitchen countertop device which can serve desserts in 60 to 90 seconds, was fun to watch. Multiple robots were showcased as part of CES. Samsung’s Bot Handy, a robot which was almost human-sized, helps in loading the dishwasher, putting toys away, and pouring out drinks.
The Wi-Fi Alliance began certifying Wi-Fi 6E devices last week, paving the way for all sorts of new gadgets at CES that can transmit in the much wider 6GHz band.
There were only a few products in home security such as Nobi, a ceiling-mounted smart light packed with sensors. This AI-powered light uses sensors to detect motion and know if a person is lying in bed or has fallen onto the floor. It also features a speaker and a microphone for two-way communication.
Source: https://www.cnet.com
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Google revealed that Huawei’s smartphones will no longer be allowed to install Android OS. After the news broke to the public, Huawei announced their own OS called HarmonyOS. According to the latest update, 300 to 400 million devices are scheduled for a replacement of the OS by the end of 2021. Huawei has clearly mentioned that their OS is not going to be a replica of Android or iOS. The HarmonyOS is not a mobile-specific OS like Android or iOS, but it is a seamless, cross-platform OS.
All of this was an after-effect of the U.S. government blocked Huawei from expanding in the U.S. Post this decision, the sales for the Huawei’s smartphones declined drastically. They were also added to the blacklist in multiple organizations across the globe.
With the change of administration in the U.S., there are chances that Google and Huawei might reunite. However, the possibility looks bleak.
Huawei is too far down the road now to reverse direction and return fully to the Android fold.
They might allow Google apps to be installed on HarmonyOS, but the phones might have the stock HarmonyOS installed on their devices.
Source: https://www.forbes.com
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Internet of Things (IoT) has changed the perspective of the way the world looks at gadgets. IoT is nothing but a network of connected devices that can communicate with the user for ease of use. Mobile apps play an important role in this lifecycle. They are the ones that are used to communicate with the devices that are connected to the network. With the pace at which the smart home devices are growing, users will need a one-stop solution where they can control all their devices on a single page or app. Edge computing has played an important role in IoT devices. The importance of data has been understood and the processing data has never been so easier and fast.
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is also helping transform multiple businesses to the digital space. When migrating to the digital world, security must be taken seriously.
Since IoT related mobile apps can effectively track user data and movement in real-time, their utility in providing exact user data is priceless for businesses to understand and analyze their intended users and to conduct an effective market research for business evolution and growth.
Customer demands are ever-increasing but the innovations are not able to keep up with the user demand. With smart home devices booming across the industry, there is definitely space for app developers to incorporate IoT into mobile apps.
Source: https://www.iotforall.com
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Tech manufacturers around the world have been racing to invent new smart home devices. Samsung’s latest smart home refrigerator has caught our eyes. The smart refrigerator has an in-built software using which it can recommend cooking recipes. The refrigerator also gives the users different nutritional plans to choose from. It was showcased in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2021 event. The refrigerator includes a huge screen where the users will be able to access the ‘SmartThings Cooking’ application. The application can also suggest personalized recipes based on the taste and preference of the user.
Using the Whisk network of artificial intelligence, the software can also make your purchases directly on store platforms such as Walmart and Amazon Fresh.
The app can also analyze the products stored inside the fridge and accordingly add the missing ingredients to your shopping cart and even order them at home! The fridge is expected to make life easier for consumers across the globe. It is expected to hit the markets for purchase soon.
Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com
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Amazon recently amazed its users by adding new features that can be quite helpful in day-to-day life. Alexa can now monitor the energy used by connected smart home devices, alerting users to where energy is consumed. All this information is collated on an Alexa energy dashboard. Based on this dashboard, the AI-enabled voice assistant can proactively turn off devices which are not required at specific times to save energy and money. The Alexa energy dashboard first started appearing in the Alexa app in September 2020. Smart home device makers will be able to make use of the new API that can collect all the required data.
The device makers can allow Alexa to use the Hunches feature to turn off unnecessary lights and devices without the user having to do so themselves.
Hunches is a feature in Amazon Alexa which examines the common behaviors of users and suggests scheduling activities like turning on or off lights. Users will be able to gain more advantage if the full control of the devices is granted to Alexa.
Source: https://voicebot.ai
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Alexa can now help reduce energy usage of smart devices. Samsung smart refrigerator will help you plan your eating habits, do grocery shopping, and even suggest new recipes! And… Smart health no longer fiction: Health tech showcased at CES 2021. Check out these stories and more in this week’s top smart home news for January 25, 2021.
Alexa can now monitor the energy used by connected smart home devices, alerting users to where energy is consumed. The information is collated on the new Alexa energy dashboard, which the voice assistant can also use as a data source to proactively turn off devices that aren’t in use to save energy and money.
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Huawei is about to begin a critical period that will define its future. The last two years of battles and blacklists have taken it to the brink. Its strategy to lead the market for 5G networks is in tatters, while Google-less smartphone sales are plummeting. But, as bad as it seems, could everything now be about to change?
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Have you ever faced issues while communicating with your Google Home speaker? If yes, then give one of the following options a try to see if they resolve the communication issues. Check the sensitivity settings that can be found in the Google Home app. Higher the sensitivity, the better the speaker can pick up the voices. If your Google Home responds with “Sorry, I don’t understand”, then it is always recommended to repeat your command.
Google Home can sometimes get confused with its own speaker names when you have multiple speakers. Try renaming all the speakers in the app only using lower-case letters and you might see an improvement in the way Google Home handles each of the speakers.
Try cleaning off your speakers so your commands aren’t muffled on their way to the device’s microphone.
Another thing to keep in mind is to ensure that all your device names sound different and unique. Use creative names for all your smart home devices that are easy to remember. It should make sure that your digital assistant cannot mess up the naming of smart home devices.
Source: https://www.cnet.com
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The recently concluded CES 2021 had many manufacturers boasting about their latest products. BenjiLock By Hampton caught the fans’ attention by showcasing its non-connectivity fingerprint door lock. There are no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC components put inside the lock. There is no software attached to the lock and hence, no software updates. There is only one fingerprint sensor on device and the company believes that the fingerprints are the only thing that is required to open a lock.
There are a few drawbacks of using this lock as well. In case you need to give access to a guest, then it makes it quite difficult to add a fingerprint to the lock as there is no app connectivity for the lock. The lock also does not communicate with other smart home devices.
For devices like the padlock and the bike lock, both of which will probably be far away from connectivity when they’re in use, a lack of app connectivity makes perfect sense.
Though this device is not connected with the internet, this still qualifies under the smart category as it does the job it is supposed to do perfectly.
Source: https://www.digitaltrends.com
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