Christmas is coming in just 8 days and for those who are still looking for what to offer their geeky friends and relatives, we’ve compiled six Internet-of-Things (IoT) gadgets and smart devices they’re probably yearning for this year. All of them cost less than a hundred bucks so you won’t have to break the bank.
Wyze Cam Pan
Price: US$29.99
Wyze Cam Pan is an affordable indoor security camera that comes with an array of features including mechanical pan and tilt, motion tracking, as well as local and free cloud storage.
With its 110°/sec rotation speed, 360° horizontal range, and 93° vertical range, Wyze Cam Pan delivers 360° coverage in under 3 seconds so users can see exactly what they want to see, when they want to see it.
Wyze Cam Pan automatically detects, tags, and tracks motion within its field of view, and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, understanding commands such as “Alexa, show me the living room” or “Ok Google, show the kids’ room” that allow users to view Wyze Cam’s live stream on any Alexa or Google Assistant device with a screen.
Yamay Smartwatch IP68
Price: US$45.99
Yamay Smartwatch IP68 is an inexpensive smartwatch that comes with an array of features and long battery life (between seven and ten day).
The watch is waterproof and automatically track users’ steps, calories, heart rate, and sleep stages. It features a high sensitive large HD color screen that makes it easy to operate and gives users clear insights. Users can use any of the 14 exercise modes like running or bicycling to record workouts and can also connect the watch to their smartphone’s GPS for more precise real-time pace and distance.
Users also get to receive alerts from calls, SMS messages, emails, calendar, as well as social media platforms, on their watch.
Google Nest Mini (2nd generation)
Price: US$35
The Nest Mini (2nd generation) is Google’s newest mini speaker. Released on October 22, 2019, the Nest Mini promises better sound, faster processing and other improvements. It includes a larger speaker, an additional microphone, a machine learning chip that can catch voice recognition data for commonly-used commands locally, and “ultrasonic sensing.”
Like other Google Home smart speakers, the Nest Mini enables users to speak voice commands to interact with services through Google Assistant, the company’s virtual assistant.
The device comes in four color choices: chalk, charcoal, coral, and a new sky color.
Philips Hue White LED
Price: US$35.02
Philips Hue is a line of color changing LED lamps and white bulbs which can be controlled wirelessly.
With the Philips Hue smart lights, users can control their lights using the Hue Bluetooth app or with their voice with Alexa or Google Assistant. The smart bulbs work with all Echo smart speakers/displays and Google Nest devices
To experience the full set of Philips Hue features, users can add a Hue Hub, which allows them to control up to 50 smart lights, create timers and routines, as well as sync their Hue smart lighting with other smart home devices like the Apple HomeKit or SmartThings systems.
Echo Dot (3rd generation)
Price: US$49.99
The Echo Dot (3rd generation) is the third generation of Amazon’s most affordable and compact Alexa device which comes with several improvements including a new speaker and design.
The Echo Dot is a voice-controlled smart speaker with Alexa. Users can ask for music, news, information, and more. They can also call almost anyone and control compatible smart home devices with their voice.
Amazon claims its smart speakers are designed with privacy in mind and are built with multiple layers of privacy protections and controls, including a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the microphones.
Echo Show 5
Price: US$89.99
The Echo Show 5 is another smart speaker by Amazon that connects to the company’s voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant service Alexa.
The Echo Show 5 features a 5.5″ smart display, and allows users to watch TV shows, movies, and trailers, manage calendar, make to-do lists, get weather and traffic updates, cook along with recipes, make video calls, and more.
The Echo Show 5 also connects to other supported devices, allowing users to manage their smart home devices on the simple interactive display.