Our pick of the best (and worst) smart home tech at CES 2015
We've barely started CES 2015 and we've already seen lots of smart tech and smart home gadgets aiming to convince people to part with their cash.
We'll be updating this page with the best and worst examples throughout the show, as clearly the 'Internet of Things' is a bandwagon many a tech firm wants to jump aboard, albeit with mixed results.
Brio Smart Power Outlet
What is it?
An Internet-connected wall socket that gives you control using an app, but its party trick is a clever safety system. It can detect when a genuine socket needing power is attached, which means anyone who inserts a foreign metal object won't get zapped. It's billed as the perfect solution for protecting kids, and the firm plans a range of complementary devices.
How smart is it?
Pretty smart, we'd say, though that doesn't mean we'd go out and buy one straight away. Each socket costs $49.99, so fitting out your home with them would prove costly, and the safety aspect is the smartest element here. Still, it's done something neat and innovative, and the idea of controlling wall sockets remotely could add some benefits.
How much is it?
$49.99 for a single socket. It's only available in the US at the moment.
When can I buy it?
It's already available in the US after a successful Kickstarter campaign
Verdict
We're not 100% sold yet, but it's not a total waste of time.
Netatmo Welcome
What is it?
The Netatmo Welcome is a IP security camera with a few extra tricks and a rather neat, eye-catching design. Its main talent is face recognition. Leave it by the front door and it'll recognise the people coming in and out, sending you notifications when they do.
This means you can use it to let you know when your kids arrive home, for example. Better still, it supports IFTTT (If This, Then That), which means you can set up actions that occur when it sees someone it recognises. Netatmo will also provide door sensors that communicate with the camera to tell it when doors have been left open.
How smart is it?
Support for IFTTT certainly helps here, as there are some potentially helpful uses for the creatively minded. We like the door sensor idea, too, though it's one we've seen other companies use before. A great deal rides on how reliable the face recognition element is.
How much is it?
Pricing to be confirmed, but we were told £200 (~$300) is a decent estimate.
When can I buy it? We're told Q2, which means in the April to June period.
Verdict
It has potential.
LilyPad Smart Pool Thermometer and UV Sensor
What is it?
A plastic disc that floats in your swimming pool and measures the temperature and the outdoor UV light. The 'smart' bit comes from an app that recommends what type of sun cream you should use based on your skin type and the current UV light intensity.
How much is it?
It's priced at £78, €99 and $99 respectively
How smart is it?
Ugh, not very. Measuring UV light and making recommendations sounds smart, but it's also totally unnecessary. It's an expensive way to complicate something very simple. We really don't need tech like this as a substitute for common sense and vigilance.
When can I buy it?
It's already on sale in the UK and Europe and available for pre-order in the US right now.
Verdict
A solution in search of a problem.
Stay tuned for more updates, including a temperature-tracking patch for infants and a smart coffee machine
