With NFTs and the Metaverse being introduced to the world last year, who knows what's going to come this year? One thing's for sure, technology will keep advancing and so will we. Here are a few cool gadgets we believe we should all have in or homes this new year to kick start our journey to the future!
Sobro Smart Side Table.
Ever woke up in the morning feeling unnervingly dehydrated? Well, you can now reach for a chilled bottle of water out of the thermoelectric cooler drawer from the comfort of your own bed. The Sobro table also comes with a wireless charging pad which you could pretty much leave your phone on the table itself without wires all over the place and wake up to a mess-free table and a fully charged phone. The table also features a bluetooth speaker and LED night lights which seriously allows users to maximize table space and feel really cool when you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed. Check it out here.
The Apple HomePod/ HomePod Mini.
If you're not an apple user, a great alternative would be the Google Home family of devices you can have all over your home. If you are an apple user, however, wouldn't it be nice to stay within the Apple ecosystem? We personally have been using HomePods for over a year and it has been one of our best tech purchases. The HomePod seamlessly connects to your devices through an easy setup via your Apple device and away we go! The HomePod will detect where it's being placed in a room or even outdoors to provide the best sound distribution possible when you play some tunes. You don't have to scream at it from across the room too. With an enhanced microphone built in, you can ask Siri where you left your phone or wallet (with an AirTag in it) like you're talking to someone right next to you. I would literally wake up every morning to a soothing bass-balanced alarm, my smart lights and heater already turned on, my smart cup ready to go, and it would read me the latest news for the day and even the weather update sometimes so I know what to wear. It's like my personal assistant around the house that can't see me naked.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat
If you don't already have one of these, it's about time to save on your power bill. With one of these, you can control the temperature in your home via your smartphone anytime, anywhere. With HomeKit compatibility, you can even ask Siri to do it for you with the power of your own voice. Its smart technology optimizes room temperature and ensures your A/C unit runs efficiently so you could save up to 26% annually on your energy bill according to Energy Star. It's really easy to install one too! Just switch your traditional thermostat out for this with some simple rewiring and a screwdriver. Your friend who come over and see one on your wall would probably think you're the coolest person in town. A very good investment, indeed!
Yale Smart Delivery Box.
One of our biggest worries has to be the risk of our packages being stolen by one of those sneaky thieves that prey on lone packages on the front porch. Unfortunately, not many of us have a safe place for packages to be dropped off like a separate home entrance or the front desk of an apartment. Now, delivery drivers can safely drop your packages off in the Yale Smart Delivery Box when you're not at home to receive them. Simply share the pin pad access code with the delivery driver and stay notified on packages you received via the Yale Access app. You can even ask Siri, Alexa, or your Google Assistant to unlock it for you so you can walk towards the box and pick up all your valuable packages the moment you can. It looks rather nice too as seen in the picture below.
Ember 10 oz./ 14 oz. Temperature Control Mug.
I know it might sound crazy at first but it's surprisingly functional in ones day to day life at home or at the office. Imagine making a cup of hot beverage to enjoy while you watch some Netflix shows and as time passes or while you're working through spreadsheets at an office desk, it gradually becomes cold and the nice warm beverage now feels weird to drink. Here's where the Ember Mug does its magic. Through the Ember app on your smartphone, you can control the temperature your wish to maintain your drink in and it stays warm as long as 1.5 hours out of the coaster and all day lone on it. The mug charges on a charging coaster that seamlessly fits with the overall design of the mug and it still looks pretty good on your desk or on your kitchen counter. Now, you can enjoy your warm beverage as long as you like (within 1.5 hours) the same way you took your first sip. Also, my own cup turns on automatically because I have the coaster plugged into a smart plug that turns on an hour before I wake up so the cup is ready to go on a full charge the moment I make my morning coffee.
DISCLAIMER: None of these products are a paid promotion. We added these products into this list based on our own experiences with the devices.