New Trends - Smart Technology
Smart Technology
We all know that the best ideas are the simple ones, while the best gadgets are those simple ideas which combine at least two functions in one.
If you have a real fire and a widescreen television in the same room, you may soon be able to combine them, using the latest fireplace technology.
Do you like watching television on a big screen, but hate the way your plasma screen dominates the living room? Read on. Or perhaps you hate having wires and plugs trailing round the room? If this sounds familiar, and you love a cosy, blazing fire, then the following news may change your life.
The Smart technology fireplace combines a plasma television screen with a fully working fire. It works by cleverly concealing the plasma screen in the fireplace, until you want to watch TV. Then you simply press the remote and the screen automatically lifts out of the fireplace to viewing height. When the programme has finished, press the remote again and the TV disappears inside the fireplace.
Great news for those who like watching a big screen but do not want the room to be dominated by a plasma television. With patent currently pending, this gadget may be set to revolutionise the modern home.
Smart home technology is designed to improve the convenience or quality of life for homeowners. Most people now use elements of Smart technology even if they do not realise it, including cordless phones, digital televisions, PCs, broadband internet access, security alarms and SkyPlus.
Smart technology can make life easier, increase your home security and even make things that little bit more fun.
Here are some of the latest intelligent home technologies that discerning Smart Home owners might be adopting in 2006...
- Finger print recognition security: never be locked out again!
- Zoned heating and ventilation controls to keep every room at ideal temperature
- Access control and security featuring CCTV, breakage detection, presence detection, occupation simulation, central locking and remote control and monitoring
- Multi-room audio visual entertainment systems which enable different music or movies to be played in different rooms simultaneously, so that everyone in the house can listen to, or watch, whatever they like, where and whenever they choose
- Automated operation of curtains and blinds to let maximum light in, keep heat in and increase security by making it look like you’re home
- Automated lighting control to create the perfect lighting for any situation, including when you’re not there - but you want people to think you are
- Safety monitoring systems that trigger alarms in case of fire, smoke, gas, water leakage, flood, voltage drop or a medical emergency
- Devices to help the elderly and disabled
- Electricity, gas and water consumption monitoring and feedback to help conservation and keep your bills down
- Remote monitoring and control of the electrical appliances in your home, using either the control pads at home, or remotely via your mobile. By the time you arrive home you could – in theory - have already run a bath and made the dinner.