North Olmsted, Ohio... Do you remember the first time you met that "out of this world" family, the Jetsons? Perhaps you sat glued to the television wondering, "Is this what life will look like in 2062?" Fast forward to today, and it suddenly isn't all that far-fetched. Apple Watch uncannily resembles George Jetson's talking timepiece; while FaceTime makes us feel like we're Jane Jetson making video calls. And while we may not have flying cars or robot maids just yet, the idea of a "Smart Home" is very real. But don't be overwhelmed by the concept -- here are five thoughtful additions that can go a long way in boosting the intelligence of your home.
High-Tech Hub
The kitchen is the hub of the home and it sees a lot more than just meal prep and dinner time. From homework, to paying bills and a spot for casual conversation, your family is doing -- and expecting -- more from this already hard-working space. According to a recent research study by Moen, the kitchen is the number one room in the house where homeowners would like to incorporate technology.
1. Tablets and smart phones likely end up on the kitchen counter, with the Moen study finding that one-third of homeowners charge their devices in the kitchen. Why not make this task simple and cord-free? The new Corian countertops from DuPont feature wireless chargers that are seamlessly embedded into the surface, allowing you to easily charge your devices by setting them on the counter. Not in the market for new countertops? A simple docking and charging station will create a home for your devices; look for one with a built-in USB powerstrip to maximize the number you can charge at once. A central spot for electronics will keep them out of the way but easily accessible, too.
2. At the top of consumers' tech wish list for the kitchen is a hands-free faucet...and for good reason. Imagine the convenience of having a faucet that can sense what you're trying to accomplish, and with a simple wave of your hand, immediately responds to your needs. The slim and sleek new STō® pulldown kitchen faucet from Moen with MotionSense™ does just that, offering you three ways to operate the faucet. In addition to the traditional handle, you can activate the faucet by using the Wave Sensor -- by waving your hand over the faucet to turn on and off -- or the Ready Sensor -- by placing your hands or an object under the spout. Now your faucet can intuitively respond to your every need, while adding superior style to the sink.
Tech-Savvy Details
3. Worried about what your appliances are up to when you're away from home? Whirlpool Smart Appliances with 6th Sense Live™ technology allow consumers to access appliances remotely from a smartphone. Now you can have control over essential appliances in the palm of your hand. Homeowners can manage the refrigerator temperature, lock the dishwasher control console and see when the washer cycle is complete, all from a connected application on a smart device.
4. Do you love jamming out to your favorite playlist while working around the house? Or prefer the perfect background music during family get-togethers or backyard BBQs? Long gone are the days of shuttling your stereo system from room to room. Instead, let the Sonos smart system of HiFi wireless speakers and audio components unite your digital music collection. You can control what's streaming from any device, and the music can be heard in any room with a Sonos speaker.
5. Think being able to switch up the lighting is a big deal? Think again. New smart LED (light-emitting diode) lightbulbs can become any color or brightness level at any time you like. And best of all, they can be controlled by your smart phone. The ability to customize color can radically improve a room's appearance and your state of mind. Studies also show that light can affect mood, productivity and eyestrain. By optimizing your lighting for your activities in the room -- reading, working, relaxing, entertaining and more -- you can actually live better and enjoy your home more, all at the touch of a smart phone button.
Be the first to embrace these simple, smart technologies in your home and it's sure to be the smartest in the neighborhood. For more information about the STĹŤ kitchen faucet with MotionSense, visit moen.com/motionsense.