||Some smart gadgets for smart home||Amazon magazine

A few years back if someone had told us we could connect everyday things like the fan, doorbell, clocks and appliances to the internet and operate it by simply commanding them to do so, we’d have probably let out a guffaw and dismissed it with zero thought. Not anymore. It’s the age of The Internet of Things (IoT) and we’ve all lived long enough to see the era of Smart Homes, where you can walk in and command your devices to play music, heat water or your door to lock itself behind you through a simple push of a button or through voice command. It’s all possible now.

The simplest way to start on the road to ‘Smart Home’ is by trying a smart device like the Amazon Echo. Launched only a few months earlier, Echo devices connect to Alexa-a cloud-based voice service to play music, set alarms and timers, provide information, check your calendar, weather, sports scores, manage to-do and shopping lists, control smart home devices, and more – instantly. All it takes is for you to call out Alexa and the smart virtual assistant will manage your day with smooth precision.

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If you already have an echo device then the next recommended investment would be a smart plug. Pick a smart plug that is compatible with Alexa like the TP-Link HS100 Wi-Fi Smart Plug. What this nifty device does is convert your everyday appliances and devices like the AC, fan or lights into a smart one. Once connected to the smart plug each of these devices can be controlled via the Echo. Each device has to be connected to the plug for it to work so you’ll most likely have more than one plug. Assign a different name to each plug and use the name while giving the command depending on which one you want to operate.

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It’s the thing you need to get anywhere especially at night and the last thing you need to take care of before going to bed. Lights! This is 3rd on our list of smart home must-buys. The TP-Link LB110 Smart LED Bulb is a great choice. It is compatible with Alexa, can also be controlled remotely via the Kasa app once connected with wifi. With adjustable brightness, you can easily set the LB110 to suit your mood. Energize the room with bright, clean light or create a more relaxed environment by dimming the smart bulb.

You can pair with your Alexa or connect it to your wifi and operate it with your smartphone. This bulb enables you to not just change colours but also its white temperature - from bright daylight to soft, relaxing white via the Syska Smart Home app. Given that most of us either live with our family or roommates, it also allows you to create a group and allow everyone in the group to operate the light.  If you have more than one bulb, assign a name to it use it so they understand who you are speaking to. 

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Smart TV’s is the other big trend we’ve seen this year. You either have one at home or you have a friend who has one and cannot help gushing about it. For binge watchers its content heaven full to the brim with video-on-demand and music apps. Connect your to the wifi, get yourself a bag full of snacks and stream your favourite shows non-stop. Sports enthusiasts will love the clarity as Smart TV’s deliver. Smart TV’s can easily be paired with your smartphone allowing you to browse through all the images and videos you’ve saved on your phone on the large screen.

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