Will our appetite for gadgetry ever cool down? It seems unlikely. Every year, we have new and improved tech. Some of it really is ground-breaking. Some not so much. That’s not to mention the constant pressure to remain with the times (at least as far as tech is concerned). 2021 is no different in terms of new devices promising to change our lives. But which are the best ones?
However, the pandemic has added a new dimension. Especially how people perceive the devices that actually do add value today. After all, people are already carefully budgeting for Optimum internet plans and other household utilities. As such, consumers like you are more focused than ever on the value you get for spending your hard-earned cash.
That is exactly why instead of purchasing gadgetry on impulse, a little more consideration becomes necessary. Unless you’re not worried about spending money, you need a device that actively adds convenience or value to your life. Otherwise, you might be better of doing things as is. In that context, here are the 7 most useful gadgets to own in 2021:
Most of the world is isolating indoors these days. Both workers and students are doing their best to work and learn remotely. However, there is only so much time you can spend on work or on studying during an average day, even during a pandemic. Sooner or later, you will be done for the day. And being unable to go out, you will naturally turn to either TV or the internet for entertainment.
But should you park yourself in a drafty living room simply because that’s where your main TV screen is? Not if you can cast video from your smartphone or tablet onto a larger screen. People these days use services like Amazon, Netflix, and Disney+ for on-demand entertainment. And all of these apps support casting to hardware like Google Chromecast, Amazon Firestick, Roku, and even Mi streaming hardware.
You may have noticed your electricity bills are going up since you started to study or work remotely. That’s not really a surprise. You used to spend several hours a day at school or at the office. Now you spend those hours at home. And since natural light from the sun isn’t around 24/7, you will need to switch on lights in your home.
Each light source adds to your bills, even though modern bulbs are far more efficient than older models. But there is still a lot to be said about energy wastage and inefficient lighting. Of course, a smart slight bulb can change that. A product of IoT tech, a smart light bulb can switch itself on or off when you enter or leave a room. Moreover, smart bulbs are also able to learn your habits as well as the weather conditions outside. This lets them dim or increase brightness as needed. The result is a far more efficient use of power.
Bored with in-ear music? You’re not the only one. Modern wireless earbuds are great, but they have a limited battery. And unless you have a really good one, you don’t get enough sound quality for the money you spend. But a great Bluetooth speaker can add a merrier tune to your isolation. Invest in a stereo speaker with Bluetooth capability. The speaker should be able to function on a battery as well as when plugged in. You could even invest in a soundbar to go with your entertainment area, without taking up additional space.
A smart thermostat is another IoT marvel that will make your life a whole lot easier. Like a conventional thermostat, the smart version also controls your in-home temperature. But it can also do a lot more. The thermostat can make more efficient use of the heating system in your home. It can switch it on and off automatically. It can also monitor temperature changes inside (and outside the home) to maintain the optimum temperature inside. You should see an appropriate decrease in your heating bills.
With remote working or learning, you need stable and reliable internet access. However, if you live in a larger home, the wireless signal quality can often degrade. The further you are from your router, the more likely the service will degrade. Steel or concrete obstacles can further compound the problem. You could get rid of your existing router and buy a more powerful model. However, those are frequently expensive.
But Wi-Fi extenders are a great alternative. Especially when you’re not willing to spend on a newer router simply to get access to a part of your home. A Wi-Fi extender can plug into your existing Wi-Fi network, and amplify the signal. Place it as near the edge of your network as possible without the signal being unstable. The extender should be able to pick up the signal from your router downstairs and amplify it to reach your room on the upper floor.
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