For a while, it seemed like the only “smart” thing we owned was a phone. But, as CES 2025 just proved, pretty much everything is “smart” now — windows, toys, washing machines, guitars, you name it.
But what does it mean to be “smart,” and is it necessary?
A smart device…
… is one that connects to the internet, allowing it to communicate with other devices and perform tasks autonomously. For example, you can adjust a smart thermostat with a mobile app, and it’ll maintain that temperature.
In many cases, smart devices have improved our quality of life. They make us more productive, give us more control over our environment, aid those with disabilities, and help us care for pets, kids, and ourselves.
I (this is Juliet, BTW — hello) enjoy those Govee lightbulbs that change color, and I have an automatic pet feeder and cycling litter box.
But there are some concerns
Privacy experts worry that some devices allow too much surveillance into our homes or offer an in for hackers. Baby-monitor hacking horror stories have spread across the internet, but, as CNET notes, this doesn’t happen as often as urban legends would have you believe.
A larger concern may be that they’re overly expensive thanks to features no one needs.
Samsung’s Bespoke AI washing machine won a panel of experts’ “Worst in Show” award at CES 2025 because, well, who needs their washing machine to make a phone call? Similarly, an LG smart fridge won an award as all its bells and whistles simply make it harder to repair.
At CES’s media-only showcase, I encountered LiberLive C1, a $799 “smart” stringless guitar. Users press buttons on the neck to create chords, then “strum” by twiddling a button. It sounds OK and there’s nothing wrong with what feels like guitar karaoke, but… you’re not learning an instrument or even music theory.
We appreciate the innovation and can’t wait for the next big thing, but when the power goes out, we’re gonna wish we had a nice acoustic guitar.
This is fun: Is a $25 robot cat that cools your hot drinks down necessary? No, but please enjoy anyhow.
