INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Smart home devices are a diverse category
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the key component of home automation
manufacturer is looking towards India and its huge consumer base
The issue is, especially with digital assistants, that they're not tailored for the Indian users.Some of the products in the market may make
Issues range from accessibility to awareness
These products can also be expensive so users prefer to go for cheaper alternatives that are easily available in the market
below do make viable sense to employ
everyone's mind, especially since Delhi has been labeled one of the most polluted cities in the world
long periods of time can lead to cardiovascular problems, which is why a lot of people believe that investing in a smart air purifier isn't
a bad idea.Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier 2Cleaning method: Mechanical filtration and adsorption | Filter types: PET primary filter, HEPA filter,
Dimensions: 240 x 240 x 520 mm | Weight: Approx 4.8kgs with filterSleek designQuiet functioningReplacement fliters expensiveOne of the most
affordable and smart air purifiers in India right now, the Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier 2 covers an area of 400 square feet and comes with a
real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) monitor
This will, approximately, cover the size of a master bedroom or a large hall.Its triple layer filter can block upto PM2.5 (particulate
PM2.5 are about thirty times smaller than the size of a human hair
2Honeywell Air Touch S8Cleaning method: Mechanical filtration and adsorption | Filter types: Pre-filter, HEPA, HiSiv | Recommended effective
feet | Noise level: 23-53bB | Weight: Approx 9.5kgs with filterFast and effectiveEasily accessible filterTop display too brightInconvenient
to moveThe Honeywell Air Touch S8 covers 450 square feet and comes equipped with a bunch of smart features and a high-end air filtering
mechanism.There are seven speeds that the user can shift between depending on what noise level is ideal and the intensity of the air quality
The High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter claims to remove all pollutants and allergens above 0.3 microns, which includes PM2.5 and
users prefer to stream their shows and movies online
The issue is that you either have to connect your laptop to the TV with an HDMI cord if you want to watch your shows on big screen, else
These powerful, ultra-cheap but pint-sized gadgets can stream and deliver content from Netflix, Amazon Prime, and a bunch of other
MP4 | Storage: 8 GB internal | Memory: 1GB | Cloud storage: Free cloud storage for all Amazon content | Wi-Fi connectivity: Dual-band,
dual-antenna Wi-Fi supports 2x2 MIMO 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.1 | Ports: HDMI output, Micro-USB for power onlyEasy to
navigateAlexa is well integratedSpeedy interfaceNo 4KContent search has blind spotsNo remote appIt looks like an over-sized thumb drive but
has a lot more power than it lets on
review: Amazon Fire TV StickChromecast 2Dimensions: 51.9mm x 13.49mm | Weight: 39.1g | Processor: Marvell Armada 1500 Mini Plus 88DE3006
SoC, 1.2GHz dual ARM Cortex-A7 | GPU: Mali450 MP4 | Storage: 256MB flash | Memory: 512MB | Connectivity: 802.11 ac (2.4GHz/5GHz) |
Bluetooth: N/A | Ports: HDMI output, Micro-USB for power onlyGood designSmooth streaming experienceEasy setupMirroring the display can be
buggy for games and certain appsThe successor to the original Chromecast, it enables users to stream content directly from their smartphones
connect to streaming services and run entertainment apps, such as Hotstar, Amazon Prime and Netflix
A smart TV can either use Ethernet or built-in Wi-Fi capabilities to connect to the home network to access the internet
Most models, nowadays, rely on Wi-Fi.Operating systems and interfaces differ from smart TV to smart TV
Every manufacturer uses a different software and distinct graphical presentation
| Resolution: 4K | Processor: 64-bit quad-core, up to 1.8GHz | GPU: Mali-T830 MP2, up to 750MHz | Memory: 2GB RAM | Storage: 8GB internal
memory | Audio: Dolby Audio/DTS-HD | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 3 HDMI ports (one with Audio Return Channel), 2 USB
ports, AVout | Interface: PatchWall UI (based on Android Open Source Platform)Slim, attractive designValue for moneyAmple port supportPlays
4K at 60Hz nativelyLacks screen uniformityContrast ratio could be betterReflective screenHaving won the Red Dot award, the Xiaomi Mi LED TV
4 is the slimmest TV in the market right now
review: Xiaomi Mi TV 4Sony Bravia KDL 50 W950DDisplay: 50-inch | Resolution: 1080p Full HD 3D | Audio: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus,
Dolby Pulse | Connectivity: Wifi and Internet, 2 USB Ports, 4 HDMI PortsGreat picture qualityRich sound outputCapable voice recognitionToo
many tangle wires behind the screenThe Sony Bravia is a thin television, though not as slim at the Mi TV 4, with super narrow bezels at the
It has a minimalist look due to its matte finish
bundled remotesEasy to set upVisible backlight leaksUnderwhelming image qualityVisible over sharpeningAverage audioThe TCL L55P2MUS is
another TV that offers value for money
that make the device worth while
comes equipped with a bunch of connectivity options.Smart speakersIf speaker does anything more than play your music, then it can be
Smart speakers are now wireless speakers that come with voice control
Using the artificial intelligence on these devices you can ask them to do anything from playing a song to setting a timer for your cake or
even dim the lights if your house already equipped with smart bulbs.Echo DotDimensions: 32 x 84 x 84 mm: | Weight: 163g | Speaker size:
0.6" tweeter | Smart home compatible: YES | Alexa calling: YESSmaller design than the EchoGood voice recognitionLimited voice control of
audio outputNeeds more skillsNo digital audio outputThe Echo Dot, the successor to the original Amazon Echo, has carried forward most of the
features while also reducing the price
The audio output of this device might actually be a tad bit better
The Echo Dot runs of Alexa, the Amazon artificial intelligence (AI)
boon of the Echo Dot is that it can be connected to an external speaker without compromising on its ability to get songs to play quickly or
to just let the FM play.Harman Kardon Allure with AlexaHarman Kardon Allure with AlexaDimensions: 21.5 x 21.5 x 27.4 cm: | Weight: 3.15 Kg
| Speaker size: N/A | Smart home compatible: YES | Alexa calling: YESEquipped with Amazon AlexaBuilt-in lightPowerful soundNot everyone
From far away, they may look more like a funky humidifier or mini blender rather than an actual speaker
The only hint of it being a speaker is in the bottom half, where the body is metal and lots of notches are carved out to aid sound
Harman Kardon AllureGoogle HomeIf there isn't enough Google in your life alreadyDimensions: 96.4 x 142.8 mm: | Weight: 477 g | Speaker
size: N/A | Smart home compatible: YES | Digital assistant: Google AssistantBetter audio quality than the EchoGoogle Cast supportAppealing
AestheticsFails to catch your voice at timesNeeds more functionality in IndiaThe Google Home might not match up to the Echo in India but
that doesn't mean that it doesn't have potential
At the end of the day, the foundation of the device is better
for whichever ecosystem you want to be a part of in the long run
Google HomeSmart bulbsSmart bulbs can connect to your phone wirelessly and have capabilities that open up a whole range of options for the
Most people prefer smart bulbs because they have the ability to dim, change colors, and can be controlled from anywhere
Bluetooth as well as Wi-FiWon't work with AlexaMost smart bulbs can change colors but what makes the Syska Smartlight special is that the
user can pick a photo off their photos and the bulb will project colors as per the visual perception of the image
interface on the smartphone
You can control the bulbs individually or if you have more than one, the Syska app with allow you program entire rooms/zones with a custom
That is, you can set your bulbs to turn on and off according to your requirement
The option to set your bulbs to an alarm is also possible, in which your bulbs will be able to simulate the sun rising and circadian rhythm
Philips HueEasy to set upStreamlined app experienceIntegration with other servicesPriceyThe Philips Hue may be a little expensive but it can
seamless integrate itself with Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Home Kit, and the Google Assistant
Third party synthesis is a real boon if you're using this smart bulb.If you're working towards a complete smart home, then the Philips Hue
plugs are the simplest of smart devices
Ordinarily they're only capable of being turned on and off, but integrate smart technology, and they're capable of so much more
Depending on which device you've plugged in, you can schedule those gadgets to turn on and off.Oakter Smart PlugsPortableCan control using
AlexaLimited utilityNot on IoTSlightly larger than conventional plugs, they're a good way to ease yourself in to smart home ecosystem
Each plug has its own built-in power supply, electronic switch and circuit
basically be fitted into any ordinary power socket
PlugTP-Link HS100 Wi-Fi Smart PlugInterchangeable pinsCan sync with AlexaDoesn't support 5GHz Wi-Fi bandThis plug works off of the Kasa
application and can be synchronised with Amazon Echo's Alexa so that you can control it using your voice alone.It's one of the more
affordable options in the market
You can even carry it around when you're travelling
smart plug works especially well in India because it has tolerance for extreme temperatures as well as humidity.Even Cortana is trying to
integrate itself in to the smart home ecosystem with IFTTT integration.Here's what's need to make a smart home even smarter if adoption is
