Who says smart-home controllers have to be bulky and unattractive? LoveLinkU is proof that gadgets can come in adorable, modern-looking pods that would look right at home on the set of a Katy Perry video.
Despite its candy-colored exterior, its creators call LoveLinkU the ultimate voice-controlled robot, complete with a motherboard chip, an infrared controller, a speaker, and a microphone. All that gear supposedly lets you control all your smart-home devices with your voice. Your iPhone or Android device acts as the remote control for the device, complementing your voice commands.
The list of what LoveLinkU can do is long and ambitious, perhaps overly so (“With the ability to turn on home appliances, you can get dinner ready before you even arrive home!” promises the Kickstarter): turn on the television, adjust your room temperature, etc. The creators didn’t have a specific list of brands that work with the LoveLinkU, however, though they say it sends IR codes to appliances with that capability. Otherwise, it uses an outlet accessory to control non-connected appliances.
Other features include the ability to preprogram the device to execute multiple commands with one word and the option to queue up media from local storage. LoveLinkU also acts as a push-content receiver, meaning you can receive items such as audiobooks from online resources automatically from the device.
If you need to keep an eye on certain members of the family, such as infants or elderly adults, LoveLinkU can collect health data and share it with you in real-time. You can also charge your smartphones wirelessly through the device, and all of these features can be activated with a secret password.
If you pledge $113 or more on the Kickstarter campaign page, you’ll get one of the devices shipped to you by September 2015. The retail price for the product will be $199.
Few things ruin a quiet evening faster than a robot vacuum roaring through the living room. Most of us end up pausing the cleaning run, which defeats the whole purpose of owning one. Matic thinks it has the answer with its new Serene robot vacuum, and the big selling point is how little noise it makes.
The Matic Serene runs at 52 decibels even when cleaning at full power. To put that in perspective, Matic compares it to the hum of your refrigerator. It is available now for $1,695, which is $200 more than the original Matic’s current price.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.