Next-gen smart home gadgets you need in the new year

By Mark Myerson on Dec 30, 2018, 8:00 am EST under Daily Digest

Smart home technology has come a long way in the past year. But we expect even bigger changes in 2019. Here are some next-gen smart home gadgets that will change our lives in the new year.

Next-gen smart home gadgets you need in the new year

What were the most popular smart home gadgets in 2018? Smart speakers and smart home security devices were the most popular.
Do smart home gadgets replace your current devices? Sometimes, yes. However, many smart devices also work alongside your older tech.
What are the best new smart home gadgets in 2019? Keep reading to see our preview picks, and see the latest arrivals in our smart home collection.

In 2018, many new devices showed the true value of smart home technology. But the biggest, most exciting improvements are yet to come. Here’s a look at the next-gen smart home gadgets that are likely to take off in the new year.

EcoGarden Smart Interactive Ecosystem

EcoGarden brings nature into your apartment

As apartment living becomes the norm, products such as the EcoGarden will provide some much-needed nature. This product lets you grow greens above and nurture fish below.

Price: $250 USD, pre-order

June Oven Intelligent Countertop Oven

June can recognize and cook food automatically

Smart home technology is arriving in the kitchen, too. June is an intelligent oven that can recognize and cook 65 types of food without any human input. It also preheats three times faster than regular ovens.

Price: $599 USD, pre-order

[tweet_box]These next-gen smart home gadgets will change our lives in 2019[/tweet_box]

SiB Programmable Smart Button

SiB lets you control your smart home

Voice control is great when you’re in range of your smart speaker. But with the SiB button, you can trigger a variety of smart devices with a quick tap.

Price: $5 USD

Sunflower Drone Security System

Sunflower provides aerial security

The next generation of security systems will take a more active role in protecting your property. Sunflower picks up movement with static sensors and launches an intelligent drone to investigate.

Price: TBA

Arlo Pro 2 Smart HD Security Camera by NETGEAR

Arlo Pro 2 is one smart camera

If your home security budget doesn’t stretch to drones, NETGEAR offers a great alternative. Arlo Pro 2 captures crisp HD footage in any weather and even after dark, with built-in Wi-Fi for wireless streaming.

Price: $169.90 USD

Smarter 3rd Gen iKettle Smart Electric Kettle

iKettle works around your schedule

The iKettle boils automatically to coincide with your schedule. You can schedule it with the companion app, control it with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, or automate it with IFTTT.

Price: $149.99 USD

Wink Lookout Smart Home Security Suite

Wink Lookout keeps your home safe

Another really smart option is Wink Lookout. This security suite includes a motion sensor and two door sensors to detect threats, and it can send alerts to your phone.

Price: $199 USD

VARRAM Pet Fitness Robot

Exercise your pet with VARRAM

Petcare is going to be a big trend in 2019. VARRAM is an early example — this smart robot encourages your pet to run around and play chase by doling out occasional treats.

Price: $99 USD

Bose Home Speaker 500 Alexa-Powered Smart Speaker

Access Alexa with the Bose Home Speaker 500

So far, most smart speakers have offered underwhelming sound. But that changes with the entry of Bose. This Alexa-powered beast delivers epic stereo sound on demand.

Price: $399.95 USD

FROLIC Studio Smartians Cloud-Connected Smart Actuators

Smartians can trigger “dumb” appliances

Another key trend in 2019 will be the automation of “dumb” devices. The Smartians are small actuators that can flick physical switches when they are triggered via the companion app or by IFTTT.

Price: TBA

Next-gen smart home gadgets for the New Year

With CES 2019 just days away, we’re really excited to see what smart home technology arrives in the New Year.

What kind of smart home tech would you like to see? Tell us in the comments!

Mark Myerson

Mark is best known for writing about apps, but he also loves the tactile, hardware side of technology. Being a professional photographer, he's pretty handy with a camera, and he's a self-confessed tweetaholic.

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