Five smart devices for your home

Xiaomi Ants Xiaoyi Smart Camera Night Vision

Among the products of the Chinese company Xiaomi, there is a special caste of devices that is part of the concept of "smart home". These include a smart camera with the long model name Ants Xiaoyi Smart Camera Night Vision.

The camera records videos in HD format (1280x720 pixels) at 20 fps. More to squeeze out of a small 1-megapixel matrix will not work. Nevertheless, the overall quality and detail of the video sequence turn out to be very good, incl. and in the dark. And even if the picture is switched to black and white when the infrared illumination is turned on, it still remains possible to make out the details on it.

A prerequisite for the functioning of a smart camera is the presence of a Wi-Fi network. When connecting to a wireless network for the first time, many users experience a number of difficulties in pairing the device and setting it up. If they are successfully resolved, access to remote viewing of the footage (in recording or online), as well as to the main settings, is opened. To record videos, you need to get a microSD memory card (up to 32 GB).

The model is designed for both tabletop and wall mounting. Some craftsmen have adapted it into a place for a peephole, so the scenarios for using the camera are limited only by your imagination and the need for power supply. In extreme cases, a power bank can be used as a battery.

The built-in motion detector allows you to automatically start and stop video recording. But its functionality is somewhat underdeveloped, because. when motion is detected in the frame, the camera does not send any notifications to its owner. In parallel with the video sequence, the device records or plays sound thanks to the presence of a built-in microphone and speaker. All this makes it possible to use the gadget as a video babysitter in order to monitor the smallest members of the family.

Media set-top box from the domestic brand Aura is focused on TVs without built-in support for SmartTV. In addition, it performs the functions of a DVB-T / DVB-T2 tuner, providing reception and broadcasting of up to 32 channels of digital terrestrial television.

Among the entire family of Aura media centers , the model with the HD Plus T2 Wi-Fi index is the most advanced representative. It supports playback of video files in resolutions up to FullHD (1920x1080 pixels). The source of content can be both network storages (ex.ua, fs.to, etc.), which are accessed through the appropriate applications, and a USB drive with photos, music or movies.

The menu interface of the smart set-top box is designed in a simple and concise style. It focuses on online video and IP-TV. The device is connected to the Internet either via an Ethernet cable or using an external Wi-Fi module(with a maximum data transfer rate of up to 150 Mb/s). Pairing with the TV takes place via an HDMI or RCA cable.

Users note the smooth operation of the interface and the absence of any slowdowns. The convenient remote control with five color programmable keys deserves special praise. Of the shortcomings of the model, only a long “cold start” time is typical - when the plug is pulled out of the socket, it will subsequently boot for more than 1 minute. After turning off the power with the remote control, the device reacts to the start almost immediately.

Withings WS-50

The smart features of Withings scales lie in the transfer of all measurement results to a paired smartphone or tablet, as well as in determining the level of carbon dioxide in the room - when the CO2 concentration is exceeded, the scale will recommend ventilating the room.

As expected, the main function of the scales is to determine the weight (in the range from 5 to 180 kg in increments of 100 g). Additional diagnostic functions include the analysis of body composition indicators (percentage of fat and muscle mass) by sending a weak electrical impulse through it, as well as measuring the pulse. The received data is displayed on a monochrome display or immediately transferred to the Withings Health Mate proprietary application via a Wi-Fi wireless network. It is also possible to transfer the results to a smartphone or tablet via a Bluetooth connection.

The device harmoniously fits into any interior, which is facilitated by its stylish design and two color schemes: black or white. For better stability on carpets, special feet are included in the delivery. For hard floor coverings scales cling very well and without their participation.

A "smart" device is able to remember up to 8 different users. When weighing, the person's preset name will be displayed in the upper left corner of the screen. Due to the backlight, there are no problems with reading data from the display even in the dark.

The device is powered by four “little finger” batteries (AAA type), the charge of which is enough for an average of 1 year of operation. For those to whom additional functionality may seem superfluous, the Withings lineup includes a simplified version of the scales - Withings WS-30 .

iRobot Roomba 886

Automated cleaner from the American company iRobot is equipped with a high-capacity rechargeable battery (3000 mAh), which allows it to effectively clean the floor in a room of more than 100 square meters. m without returning to the base for recharging.

The more powerful AeroForce cleaning system compares favorably with the younger series of iRobot Roomba 886 vacuum cleaners. She copes without problems not only with dust and small debris, but also with pet hair. Moreover, it does this both on hard floor coverings and on carpets with a 2-centimeter pile. From the corners and around the legs of the furniture, debris is swept out with a single side brush.

In the process of positioning the robot, a whole arsenal of all kinds of sensors is involved, some of which are responsible for the movement of the device, and the other part prevents the appearance of possible troubles (for example, falling down stairs or tangling in wires). There is also a special Dirt Direct sensor on the belly of the vacuum cleaner - it recognizes especially dirty places, after which the vacuum cleaner makes multiple passes over them in order to clean more efficiently.

The key parameters of the vacuum cleaner are set by the keys located directly on its body: the large central “Clean” button forcibly activates the cleaning process, and 4 smaller keys are designed to schedule cleaning, set the clock, activate the local cleaning function and send the device to the base. In addition, these functions can be controlled using the remote control.

The functionality of the model includes support for virtual walls (limiting the area of the vacuum cleaner). True, radio beacons for these purposes will have to be purchased separately. For example, they will help keep the robot out of a room with a sleeping child or protect bowls of pet food from it. But the vacuum cleaner was deprived of the ability to control parameters from a smartphone. This prerogative is given to the top model iRobot Roomba 980 Price from 10 384 up to 28 463 ₴.

Samsung WW90K6414QW white

In the arsenal of Samsung WW90K6414QW, there are 14 programme washing modes, switching between them occurs using a mechanical regulator located directly above the opening for loading things.

Despite the possibility of controlling the washing machine via a smartphone (starting and forcibly stopping washing, diagnosing all components and assemblies), the key feature of the machine is completely different: the Add Wash function - adding laundry during the washing process. Especially for these purposes, the design of the door provides a hinged opening of a smaller diameter for reloading things or adding rinse aid. You can use it at any time, after pausing the machine and removing the protection of the lock from children.

Another distinguishing feature of the washing machine is the presence of a steam generator, which turns the detergent into foam with the help of air bubbles. Subsequently, the foam penetrates the fabric more deeply and evenly. In Samsung's vocabulary, this feature is called Eco Bubble.

The drum of the washing machine has a specific relief shape to protect things from damage. It holds up to 9 kg of laundry. The rotation of the drum is controlled by an almost silent inverter motor, for which the manufacturer gives a 10-year warranty. In addition, the machine stands out for its low water consumption and will save energy - it belongs to the class of devices with A +++ energy consumption.

Advanced features combined with a modern design and user-friendly controls put the Samsung WW90K6414QW in the best possible light. Even a high cost is not destined to spoil the impressions about the typewriter. it is fully justified by the applied technologies.