Have you ever thought about the true meaning of the word “smart”? Most basically, it refers to someone who is smart, resourceful, or highly intelligent. But what about smart devices? The dictionary (Alexa, to be honest) says that a smart device is a device that is programmed to do some kind of independent action. . The key word here is “some kind”. That's the problem with smart devices, gadgets, and home appliances. “Smart” is not a feature that is widely understood or regulated.
Manufacturers often add the word “smart” in front of older devices to try to sell more gadgets. Today's smart consumers ask what exactly that means. Is it a smart feature? Wi-Fi connection? Companion app? all of the above? Or can something as simple as adding an LED touchscreen to your appliances make them smarter?
What is “smart”?
“Smart” devices can mean different things depending on the manufacturer. Things like a TV with Wi-Fi and a smart speaker that can listen and respond to questions. It can also be used as a gadget with a companion app. But what kind of cleverness is actually achieved, and is the technology useful and effective?
Smart ovens are a relatively new concept in the smart kitchen space, but even within this small area of technology, the options vary widely. Some stores use select food deliveries and QR codes that the oven (or a companion app) scans. Once the code is scanned, the smart oven will adjust the temperature, cook time, and notify you when your meal is ready. Some recommend recipes and cooking programs that promise to use store-bought food in conjunction with apps to cook food to perfection, but you still have to use your head.
smart but not smart
Especially when it comes to smart kitchen gadgets? Let's take the example of a smart toaster. In recent years, the so-called smart toaster has been launched as his two important products. Revolution Instaglo and most recently Tineco Toasty One.
These toasters are marvels of design and beauty, boasting bright touch screens and toasting technology that promises crispy, perfect carbs. In fact, these are regular toasters with the addition of an LED touchscreen display. that's it. There's no Wi-Fi, no voice saying “Hey Google, toast me,” and no little robotic arm to pick up a slice of bread, toast it to perfection, and slather it with butter. So while the addition of a light-up screen is nice and might give you some more options than dialing numbers 1-6, in my opinion this doesn't constitute true smarts. there is no.
They are also much more expensive than “non-smart” products. It looks fancy, but it's still just a toaster. In other words, most smart toasters are not worth your time or money.
Smart kitchen appliances aren't really smart like an Amazon Echo smart speaker with a screen. Echo is connected to the web and listens on your behalf and responds appropriately. You can manage your schedule, turn on the lights, adjust the thermostat, and even order supplies from Amazon for delivery.
However, having an internet connection does not guarantee a better gadget. For example, is a smart TV that enables streaming really worth more than just plugging in an external streaming TV dongle?
Some gadgets may even have “smart” in their name without actually adding any intelligence, automation, or connectivity. One example is the Click and Grow Smart Garden. This is an indoor winter garden perfect for growing herbs and lettuce, but it doesn't have Wi-Fi, connectivity, or automatic watering. However, there are apps that send push notifications to remind you to refill your water every month. So, which of these is “smart”?
NutriBullet created Balance Blender with Bluetooth connectivity to a companion app. This app provides recipes and works with the built-in scale to help you accurately measure ingredients in your recipes. Pretty smart. There are smart toothbrushes that use your phone's camera to monitor your brushing progress and give you a complete report. Alexa-enabled coffee makers already exist, allowing you to drink your morning coffee from the comfort of a cover.
But there are other considerations with these smart appliances. Does it really need that much help with basic tasks?
Brush your teeth in 2 minutes without connecting to an app or Wi-Fi. Camera-based brushing assessments may be nice for checking in once in a while, but it's not the kind of technology you prefer. We recommend using it twice daily as it takes more time and steps. The same goes for Bluetooth blenders. It might be nice to have a built-in scale on your phone that shows you the weight the first time you make a recipe, but do you really need it after that?A digital touch screen is fun to look at while you wait for your toast But is it worth spending literally hundreds of dollars more?
Currently, most smart kitchen appliances are not “smart” enough to recommend them. Touchscreens and smartphone apps are great, but do they really make your life that much easier?
Using a robot vacuum can save you hours of time each week. Video doorbell helps keep your home safe. Smart locks provide flexibility for large families. These smart gadgets bring great improvements to your life and are worth their price. But is a $300 toaster with a touchscreen really better than a $30 toaster from five years ago?
More and more kitchen gadgets are being given smart names. Don't buy the hype blindly. It's up to us, the consumers, to understand exactly what we're actually getting and decide if it's really worth it. And until kitchen appliances start introducing “smart” features that actually make life easier, there's not much to get excited about.
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