5 clever gadgets that will change your life
For many of us, when it comes to smart gadgets and home technology, we can sometimes feel they are things the younger generation are much more adept at. Why is it they have no fear of never pressing the wrong button on a smartphone or computer and losing photos or important files? Or they never accidentally record a program on TV that they had no intention of watching, simply because they chose the wrong channel? If you can relate to these scenarios, you may not be immediately convinced that today’s smart technology can in fact make your life easier.
If you are planning to move into a new home when you retire or are just looking for ways to improve your everyday lifestyle, here are some clever gadgets that will make a difference and can actually make your life better – without breaking the bank or needing one of your children or grandchildren on standby to help you operate them!
1. Watch TV the smart way
These days the vast majority of modern TVs now have 'smart' capability, and soon it will become harder to buy a non-smart model. Although you don’t have to connect your smart TV to the internet, doing so can bring added benefits, including streaming, which allows you to watch what you want when you want, and being able to surf the internet or connect with your family via Facebook from the comfort of your sofa.
2. Help at home
Chances are that one of your kids has already bought you a 'home hub'. If not, make sure you ask for a Google Home or similar device for your next birthday, Mother's Day or Father's Day! Not only are these gadgets great at jogging your memory – just ask it questions like “What is the date today?” or “How many grams in a cup of flour?” – but they will also play your favourite music and add items to your shopping list, plus remind you of any upcoming appointments. If your house is smart-wired, you can even dim the lights and switch on the television without getting up from the sofa.
3. Made to measure
As we get older, many of us experience high blood pressure. But quite often, going to the clinic or medical practice to have a blood pressure reading can result in a higher reading just because of the anxiety of having the reading – the well-known “white coat syndrome”. Monitoring your blood pressure using a home blood pressure monitor can be a useful way of seeing what your blood pressure is like in your day-to-day life. It can also allow you to check if medication or lifestyle changes are having the desired effect, without having to regularly traipse to the doctor’s surgery.
4. Turn down the volume
Have you found these days that you (or your partner) need to turn the TV or radio up more to make sure you catch every word? Or would you like to listen to your favourite music at a volume that makes you worry that the neighbours will complain? Or maybe it is the exact opposite – you long for some peace and quiet from the bustle and noise going on around you? Then noise cancelling headphones are something you should certainly consider. Originally developed for airline pilots, these clever gadgets can stop you annoying those around you – or being annoyed by them!
5. Get connected
If there is one gadget that no-one should be without today, regardless of age, it is a tablet or PC. The simple fact is that you will miss out on a lot of things without a tablet or PC in your home. From seeing your grandchildren’s faces on FaceTime, WhatsApp or Skype, to getting your shopping delivered or booking your next holiday, these are all things that are so much easier to do with today’s devices and computers. If you’re worried about things going wrong with your technology, you can even give the kids remote access, so they can fix things from a distance – what could be better?
Make your life easier – not harder – by picking the best technological inventions and making them work for you. For a fantastic range of home technology at great prices, check out JB HI-FI and start compiling your gadget wish-list today!