The, Soon To Be, Smartest Room in Your Home- Part One

When it comes to technology in the home, most of the focus has centered on whatever room you keep your television in. I have to admit that I have been impressed with the improvements to this traditional technology. I have been even more impressed by how quickly the technology has made it into consumers’ homes.  The technology is going to get even better with more web interaction and 3D capabilities without the glasses.  The problem is that no matter how many improvements they make the television is primarily for entertainment and will stay that way.  

The bathroom in contrast currently has had very little technological improvements, but has the potential to be the smartest room in your home. A few years ago I read an article about the bathroom of the future, and it really got me thinking about how beneficial the john can be beyond its current purposes (Popular Science).  Ever since then, I have paid a lot more attention to articles that cover the water closet. These are just some of the things that I think will one day be in my lavatory.

Toilet

Until recently, making toilets use less water was the most significant breakthrough.  That has already started to change with multifunction toilet seats, dual flush, grey water, and even no water options.  

A function that has yet to reach the average consumer is the urine/fecal analysis feature. No more going to the doctor and having to pee in a cup. You use the restroom like normal, in the privacy of your own home, and the toilet will know if you are sick, or if you have a dietary deficiency.

Smart mirror

The mirror will look like any other mirror until you set up to it. Built-in cameras will have facial recognition, and personalized information will appear along side of your reflection. You will be able to interact with all the components in your bathroom, the rest of your house, as well as the internet. Once your wardrobe is entered into your home network, you can virtually try on clothes.  You then could use an online service like Facebook to know if any of your friends or coworkers are wearing the same outfit. If you need to see how you look from behind your mirror can show you by using a camera behind you. Your mirror will even let you know if what you are wearing is right based on the weather report.

3 Predictions for 2011

Every new year, many people like to make predictions about what will happen.
I tend to do this year round, but here are a few anyway.


1. A Decrease in Cable and Satellite Subscriptions
There are a slew of new or improved devices that bring online content to your television set. Things like Apple TV, Nintendo Wii, and Xbox 360 are in a good price range, easy to set up, and can access a lot of content.
I have not had a cable bill for over five years. I still watch TV, and I am really not that cheap.
What I have been doing is simple. I watch broadcast television for live shows and events, and use the internet and Netflix to watch the shows I don't get. When I first started, I really did miss out on some of the things I would have liked to watch, but the content that is now being offered on the internet and Netflix has really improved over the last few years. I think that more people are realizing this and will start to drop their paid services.


2.  Continued Debate about Net Neutrality 
The FCC recently pasted an internet fairness policy. Some of the issues of net neutrality where addressed, but  many still remain, and so does the fighting.







3. An Increase in Part-Time, Results Only, and Telecommuting Workers
Most of the headlines about employment is about how many people don't have jobs, but I think that misses the bigger picture. Many major companies have had the funds to hire workers, but they have invested in productivity instead. They are starting to understand that if they give a reliable worker the tools he needs to do his job, you don't need as many workers. The problem is that this keeps the unemployment rate, and a fear of a second recession high. Companies that continue to make huge profits will have a personal relations problem if they don't begin to hire. The result will be more alternative working options.

Part-Time employment could get people working, but in many industries part-time employment isn't beneficial to productivity.

Results-only-employment is great for jobs that are based on tasks. There is not a fixed schedule, so long as you are completing your tasks. In many cases, you can even work from home.

Telecommuting is a great solution for jobs where the employee needs to have a fixed schedule. Companies get the benefit of a full time worker, but don't have to pay for the office space to house them.