Connected household objects took centre stage at Europe's largest consumer technology show, taking place in Berlin this week.
The IFA annual show was started in the 1920s and was originally set up to exhibit the latest in radio technology. It has since shifted focus and now showcases the latest consumer tech products and home appliances.
The smart home and Internet of things (IOT) section at the show is growing every year as interest increases.
Last week, Google said it would use IFA to announce the integration of its virtual personal assistant (VPA) into several household products and smart speakers. Amazon's Alexa and Microsoft's Cortana were also integrated into various machines.
This means users are able to ask their washing machine to wash their clothes, or their kettle to start boiling, or check on their dryer's progress, from anywhere in the world, through a VPA on their smartphone or smart speaker.
Most sound companies released a smart speaker this year, including Harman Kardon and Panasonic. There was also a showing by smaller companies, like the TicHome Mini by Mobvoi, which created a smart home speaker that is wireless, portable and water- and dust-resistant. The speakers will act as a control centre for the smart home.
Samsung has introduced advanced voice capabilities to its Family Hub service, which allows users to talk to smart refrigerators, as they would to smart speakers. This functionality makes it possible to carry out a range of tasks, from looking inside the fridge to playing music, by speaking to the fridge.
Samsung says it is also actively working to evolve Family Hub into an IOT control centre, which will let users control all of their home's connected appliances through voice recognition.
Hisense released two new washing machines, the Triple Washer and Smart Washer, which feature the company's HiSmart control centre. This allows users to manage their Hisense appliance through a smartphone app, scheduling washes and having real-time control of washing cycles.
Other objects, to which the benefit of an Internet connection would not be immediately obvious, were showcased by smaller companies.
Even windows are getting smarter and connecting to home networks. Velux, in partnership with Netatmo, showcased smart roof window automation, which it says creates the perfect indoor climate.
It does this through a WiFi gateway, sensor switch, departure switch and control app. The sensors monitor air quality (CO2 levels), humidity, temperature and daylight levels. This data, combined with external weather forecasting data and user preferences, is used to automate when the roof window opens to let in fresh air, or when the blinds are pulled to keep out heat from the sun.
The company says: "Roof windows are the best way to air out a house quickly and naturally, because warm, stale air rises and is quickly expelled through the roof."
Companies are also working on making the looking glass smarter. HiMirror had the HiMirror Plus on display. The smart mirror analyses the condition of a person's skin and provides them with ways to improve it.
The mirror can be controlled via gesture control, voice commands, or remote control, to reduce smudges and fingerprints on the surface.
The company says the user's data is protected by a network security system with third-party certification so that outsiders cannot activate the camera. An individual security key and camera lens cover are also pre-installed to further prevent invasions of privacy.
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