GO GIZMO CRAZY

THE LOCKDOWN SHOULD BE NO EXCUSE TO NOT INDULGE IN YOUR FAVOURITE GADGETS THAT HAVE JUST HIT THE MARKET, AS ZAHID H JAVALI EXPLAINS…

- ZAHID H JAVALI

1 SMART DISPLAYS Echo Show 5

IMAGINE a 5.5-inch monitor that sits on your tabletop or kitchen counter, and takes orders. That’s the Echo Show 5 for you, weighing all of 410grams. The magic word is ‘Alexa’, and the rest of your words will be heard and immediately actioned. You can ask the device to play your favourite songs or movies from a streaming service, or ask to see the feed from the Wi-Fi cameras monitoring your kids’ room. It’s a smart display with a camera that allows you to make video calls to people who also have the Alexa app or Skype installed on their devices. If your home is host to other smart devices, you can also control the geysers, AC or bulbs in your house through the Echo Show 5. This voice-enabled device makes your entire day ultra-convenient. You can wake up and ask Alexa to read the day’s top headlines or play your favourite song, or remind you of your day’s ‘to-do’ list. It will be the Jeeves you were looking for but didn’t know where to find. Fret no more. Now you can dim the lights, pay your utility bills through Amazon Pay, check in on your aged parents or young kids (through smart cameras), or switch on the geyser or AC with just your voice. Don’t worry about privacy either. You can disable the camera (1MP) and microphone when you are not using it; the camera shutter can physically cover the lens too. If you prefer a larger screen real estate, you can go for an 8-inch (₹9,999) or a 10.1-inch Echo Show (₹16,999). The future is now, where are you?