Smart home devices take over CES 2014 show

The Internet of Things is taking another step forward with home appliances communicating with Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones. From refrigerators to door locks, spectators witnessed the new technological advances at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

LG HomeChat

LG Electronics, one of the consumer electronics giants, unveiled its HomeChat service that has smart appliances react to voice command and text messages. Through simple statements, a consumer can turn a vacuum on or off, change cycles in the washer and dryer, download recipes from the oven, and get real-time information on what’s in the fridge.

Samsung Smart Home

Samsung has also found a way to connect the smartphone to smart home appliances and smart TVs. With a smart device, especially a Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch and Android smartphone, Samsung Smart Home controls appliances like refrigerators and washer machines to turn on and off with voice command. Like LG’s HomeChat, simple phrases like ‘good night’ puts electronics into automatic or slow off mode.

Goji Smart Lock

Imagine unlocking and locking a door with a smartphone. It’s a possibility now with Goji Smart Lock, which connects to the home’s Wi-Fi network and goes on top of the lock to activate communications with the mobile app. It creates key codes for people with a set time option for access and sends pictures of people knocking on the door to the phone. Backup keys come with the system.

Belkin

The new WeMo Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker can also be controlled through an app with turning the pot on and off and adjusting temperature and time settings. The app sends reminders and calculates the cooking process, but consumers have the choice to use the crock-pot manually. It will be the first crock-pot on the market that can be controlled by a smartphone.

With the crock-pot, foods can be cooked at a safe temperature within a set time, so the pot is not left on longer than necessary and can be put in sleep and off mode through the WeMo system, ultimately using less energy in the process. The WeMo Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker will retail at $99.99.

All these products will go on sale in the next few months.