Three Smart Product Strategies for 2022
Smart Home devices are growing in popularity every year, and 2022 will be no different.
You only need to look at the latest retail sales sheets for evidence that the hottest Christmas gifts are smart home electronics, from appliances to voice assistants. With more and more connected products emerging each year, here are three strategies to consider for setting your product apart from the competition.
Alternate power sources
Smart home products have to be convenient and reliable, and the chosen power supply can be a point of friction. Sometimes an AC power source isn’t readily available, and battery-powered devices and sensors not only are at risk of going dead, but they can also introduce inconvenience and extra cost.
Soliom Outdoor Security Camera
Solar power is one alternative power supply that can improve the customer experience. The Soliom Outdoor Security Camera is powered by solar panels, allowing it to be installed anywhere there is sunlight. The companion mobile app provides information on battery charge, as well as live streaming and camera angle rotation.
Ampere Show Power hydropower Bluetooth shower speaker
Ampere has come up with a creative way to supply power to its Bluetooth shower speaker: hydropower. By mounting the speaker directly to the showerhead and utilizing the flow of water to generate electricity, this waterproof speaker provides 360° sound in the shower without the need for batteries.
Hands-free convenience
Google Nest
Smart Home products that provide hands-free control make life easier in multiple ways. The Google Nest Protect smoke alarm, for example, has a companion app that automatically checks the battery life for you and provides direct control over the alarm. Anyone who has dragged a ladder or a chair around their house to reach a smoke alarm on the ceiling can appreciate this convenience.
Autoslide
Autoslide has a solution for people who know the pain of going in and out of a patio door with a tray full of food or drinks. The Autoslide Sliding Door system can be attached to any sliding door and allows for remote or voice control. It is also a great solution for those with physical disabilities.
Delta Voice IQ
For anyone who has operated a faucet with their elbow while their hands were covered in cookie dough, Delta has developed voice-controlled “VoiceIQ” faucet technology. The VoiceIQ system attaches to any touch-controlled faucet and integrates with the user’s voice assistant, allowing them to turn on or off their faucet hands-free. It also allows for intelligently setting the volume for specific containers on command (like a coffee pot), so they can be filled automatically without oversight.
Platform integrations
The easiest way to enhance the value of a connected smart home product is to integrate it with the other platforms that customers use. Integrating with Google Home or Amazon Alexa is a no-brainer, as it enables hands-free voice control, but connecting to other devices and apps on the home network unlocks rich opportunities for customer value.
Samsung Family Hub
The Samsung Family Hub refrigerator is a great example of this strategy. Samsung built some compelling connected features specific to a refrigerator (interior cameras to see what’s inside while grocery shopping, temperature control) and then went above and beyond, turning the refrigerator into a smart home hub.
Through a digital screen interface on the refrigerator door, users can control other smart devices (such as Google Nest or Ring), stream music (Spotify, Pandora) or video (Samsung TV), or order food online (Amazon Dash, Fresh Direct). In addition, it has features that facilitate communication with family members, such as a whiteboard, online calendar, and chore lists.
As you think about your connected product concepts in 2022, think about how these three value propositions (alternate power, hands-free operation, and integrations) can make your customer’s experience with your product reliable, easy and rich.
