5 Smart Devices To Watch Out For In 2013

1) Google Glass
"Wearable Computing" is the next wave of technology that will come to the fore in 2013, and Google's Project Glass will lead the way. It is basically a pair of spectacles that will have a "head-mounted display", which can display information like a smartphone hands-free. The Glass will have a 5MP camera that will be capable of taking 720P HD video.

According to the tech specs, the display will be the equivalent of a " 25 inch high definition screen from eight feet away." The glass will be able to utilize existing Google services such as Maps, Google Now, Google+ and Gmail to display notifications and information in the user's peripheral vision. If it is widely used, it may even make mounted GPS systems obsolete as drivers can just say "Ok, Glass, Give Directions to " and will be able to follow directions through the wearable glasses itself! Google has picked 8,000 contestants from a contest to purchase the glasses at a price of $1500. Since it will be in the hands of end users by May, it will be interesting to observe the practical applications it has.

2) Smart Watches
Just one device cannot be pinpointed, as news is coming thick and fast that Microsoft, Google and Apple are planning to release some kind of smartwatch device. The latest rumor mill says that Microsoft has been in touch with manufacturers in Asia to order tiny "watch-sized" displays.
Apple supposedly has more than 75 patents in "wearable computing" technology, and could make a device with tight blue-tooth integration with the iPhone/iPad. However, a smartwatch is not necessarily revolutionary, as Sony has already released a SmartWatch that can provide discreet
notifications of incoming calls, messages, emails and social networking information. The Sony product can be tied with any Android device, but
does not work with iOS.

Moreover, it needs to be charged on a daily basis. It is highly likely that Apple's version would have many of these same capabilities, perhaps even with a touch of "Siri" to add smart AI to the device.

3) Samsung's T9000
This smart refrigerator brings Android to the most commonly-used kitchen appliance, which has a 10 inch Wi-Fi enabled touchscreen with in-built apps such as Evernote (to capture notes such as items needed) and Epicurious (to search for recipes). While you could do the same on your smartphone, many consumers are craving the pervasive connectivity in their own
home. Things like checking the weather, tweeting and facebooking can be done through the interface on the fridge itself.

4) Whirlpool's Novel Fireplace
Imagine you and your friends sitting around a dining table which can heat and cool your food, as well as provide cool ambient lighting for a unique experience. Whirlpool's concept fireplace has a hot plate in the center, a chilling surface, a hood that changes color and ambient lighting that provides a novel dining experience with friends and family. The "fireplace" actually detects the kind of food or liquid placed upon it and heats it (or cools it) automatically. This unique concept was shown off at CES 2013, but there is no confirmation if it will ever come to market. If it does, it would definitely sell as a novelty product.

5) NFC-Compatible LG Appliances
At CES 2013, LG displayed its whole range of home appliances which are NFC-enabled, and can be controlled from your smartphone. For example, the washing machine will have an NFC tag that can be scanned from your phone, which will then launch an appropriate app that will send updates about the washing cycle to your phone. Another useful application would be to pair the phone with the LG refrigerator, so that the refrigerator's  inventory can be accessed while a user is out grocery shopping. One disadvantage is that the smartphone will require NFC support to work with the LG devices, and hence iOS devices are out of the question to be used at the moment.