Everything at your fingertips

With technology changing the way we live, how cool would it be if our homes matched our pace and extended that extra hand to make life simpler? Swati Kapur takes a look at some of the gadgets that help you do just that.

Today, the thought of a world where there is no technology is perhaps our worst nightmare. What would we do without it? Not only has technology made our daily activities easier to perform, it has also taken our urban lifestyle to a different level altogether. We’re not just talking about the television, mobiles or our beloved refrigerators that adorn our homes.

Modern homes are, in fact, adorned with quite a few state-of-the-art gadgets that allow homeowners to control different parts of their home — particular daily use items at just a click of a button. These new inventions have, indeed, made our lives a lot better and easier.

Smart solutions

Our fascination with what technology can do knows no bounds. So, can kitchen innovations be far behind? Many of them have made our kitchens so much simpler. They have made using the kitchen seamless and easy, especially for today’s busy working professionals.

Most busy professionals find it convenient to buy food in bulk and store them in the fridge. But often, this comes at the price of reducing their freshness over the days. To help solve this problem, refrigerators now come with a smart feature called 'hydro fresh’ that helps keep the food fresh for up to 30 days. Another interesting feature that enables this is the humidity control drawer, which helps increase the shelf life of all fruits and vegetables, keeping them fresh for long.

If you have ever worried about how much water or energy your washing machine uses, you need not do so any longer. Because many of the washing machines today come with ‘smart’ features. “My washing machine comes with an intelligent load and flow sensor which detects the laundry load volume and controls the amount of water in accordance to the load. It’s a must in our area where water supply is scarce,” states Shalini Dang. Given the global water crisis, the growing demand for such ‘smart’ features is understandable.

What’s cooking?

And for those who have little time for cooking, the innovative steam oven may be an answer. It uses the combination of steam and hot air to cook. Not only does it keep the flavours, vitamins and minerals intact, it also helps the foods retain their natural appearance. “It’s very practical, if you don’t have much time but still want to eat right. The oven can make it easy to warm re-prepared foods,” avers Namita Chandra, who relies on the oven for healthy, quick bites.

To make the whole cooking experience more attractive, install a touch display cooking system. This also acts as a perfect location if you are looking to host a ‘cook and serve’ party. Seema Sharda recently threw a housewarming party after she had renovated her house. “It was actually to inaugurate my newly installed kitchen appliances. It was a very different kind of ‘cook and eat’ experience and we ended up discussing a lot of technology too,” adds Seema.

Most of us like to have certain things in a particular way. Say, our coffee. Instead of running to the neighbourhood cafe for that perfect cuppa, why not invest in a ‘smart’ coffee machine? Nowadays they come with unique features such as a constant brewing temperature and an intelligent grinding system, that adapts to each bean variety and always grinds the perfect quantity. Plus, with an option to blast steam your coffee machine, you can now keep it clean effortlessly.

For those who have a soft corner for wines and like storing them at the right temperature, there are wine racks available today that promise to cool different kinds of wines at different temperatures. Now, how cool is that? Serve your reds and whites at the temperatures they deserve!

‘Smart’ gadgets are naturally seeing an increase in demand across all cities. “A definite trend that we’ve noticed is that not just urban cities but tier 1 and 2 cities too are investing in high-end gadgets, especially in the kitchen and laundry range,” says Gunjan Srivastava, MD and CEO, BSH Household Appliances Manufacturing Pvt Ltd.

When it comes to devices that are catching the attention of homeowners, the list is ever growing. New mothers are lapping up new technologies that help make motherhood a less stressful experience, especially for the first-timers. “Devices such as a baby bed-wetting sensor are of great help as they help you to know when to change the baby’s nappy. All you need to do is keep it close to the bed where baby is sleeping,” says Deeksha Anand, a new mother.

Do the new

In case you are tempted to convert your abode into a truly smart home, here are a few devices that are worth your money:

Midnight munch: A four-door refrigerator with a Wifi-enabled LCD touchscreen is just what you need when you’re so craving for something that is lost somewhere in the corner behind the bowl. Use your phone to find what’s in stock and where exactly it is!
l Stronger coffee: There are coffee machines that can respond to your smartphone. In other words, your coffee is ready when you want it.

Programme the coffee machine to brew stronger cups on mornings when you haven’t got enough shut-eye.

Print your fancy: While one has heard of printing jewellery and organ parts using 3D printers, did you know that you can now print your food too? Well, it is possible! And, when you have a sudden craving for a particular food, like ice cream, for instance, you can indulge in a smart way. And, if you’re looking to cook for a large gathering, this printer has made it all the more simpler for you.

Watch your eggs: Is that egg still good? An egg minder can help you keep apprised of how old they are. It also tracks how many are left in the fridge! It also has an app that can tell you when it’s time to buy new ones.

What to eat: If you are looking to go on a diet and want to keep track of what you eat and how much, having a prep pad takes the digital food scale to a new level. Part smart scale, part nutritional guide, part dietician, the device allows not only to measure food, but it also helps people control their eating habits by visualising their food’s nutritional content.

Smart trash: Yes, there is a gorgeous garbage can. With a handy sensor built in, a simple wave of your hand opens the can and this eliminates the need for any foot pedals or latches. It’s also fingerprint-proof, but you won’t be touching it anyway!

Look & cook: We’ve all turned pages or followed YouTube recipes on the phone, placed reluctantly upon the microwave or kitchen slab. A cooktop allows you to access recipes, share them on social media and email, and cook at the same time, without the mess of having to turn any pages or waiting for the buffering.

With so many ‘smart’ innovations coming out everyday, it looks like managing your home got a whole lot simpler and more efficient as well. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to do some shopping, we think!