“Techorating” is a term created to describe the integration of technology with interior design. I think designers everywhere sighed with relief when the first flat screen tv made it’s way onto the market! Gone are the days of working around a massive box in your client’s family room. But, technology has come a long way since even then! It’s sleeker and cooler than ever, especially with the integration of Bluetooth 4.0. You may not realize it, but the major products produced by Apple in the past year have supported Bluetooth 4.0 technology. In fact, the latest iPad is the only tablet on the market with Bluetooth 4.0!
So, what does Bluetooth 4.0 mean for interior design? Total integration and efficiency! Everything will have the capability of working wirelessly. Homes will begin to work for us, and run smoother than ever before. Technology will be integrated into the design seamlessly and no longer be a visual distraction! Check out some of the information below to get a better idea of what it will look like…
The photo above is from an article from Houzz on Bluetooth 4.0. They are using the latest iPad to show a movie on the TV.
The article lists 4 key changes associated with this new technology…
1 – It will replace proprietary technologies so that remote controls, thermostats, and even doorbells will be controlled from your phone or tablet.
2 – It will become cheaper and easier for companies to make their products with wireless connectivity so that washing machines, coffee makers, etc. will be wireless.
3 – You will be capable of automating everything in your home! Look for tons of home control apps to hit the market over the next few years.
4 – Appliances will talk to each other. For example, your alarm clark will turn on the coffee maker or your TV will pause when you receive a phone call.
The watches above from Kickstarter.com will be able to act as a remote control to your entire home! They are still working on making them available to the public. Just recently, they raised $10,000,000 for the product design! Pretty crazy for a watch I would say.
Above is a still of a video demonstrating a prototype of a Smart House by Openarch. This technology uses the walls and floors to project video, information, etc. throughout your entire house in an app style format. There isn’t a need for even a TV! Take a look at the video here. It’s pretty interesting. It’s a little all consuming to me. I think I would need to take a vacation from my home after a while, or at least turn it off and give it a rest! But a revolutionary idea. Especially since it actually works and not just conceptual! It will even tell you how much to water your plants. A problem I see with it is if your walls are darker though. In the video everything’s white but they don’t speak about this being an issue.
Above is a photo of an interactive mirror at The New York Times’ R & D Lab. It’s the ultimate mirror! I speak for all the girls when I say we already spend way too much time in the bathroom. Like we need another reason to never leave!! You can surf the web, look at your email, see the weather, look at your health, and even flip through your wardrobe! The shelf is interactive as well. If you see an article you want to read on the go, just put your phone on the shelf for a second and it downloads. Check out the video here.
This is still a conceptual design, but I couldn’t resist throwing it in here. This is a washer over a toilet! The idea is that it provides “sustainable water consumption by storing the wasted water in toilette-flush tank & reuse it with flushing.” I’m not sure I want to have my laundry around the toilet but it’s pretty original idea. It’s also great for small spaces. Again, totally conceptual.
And, for something completely off the wall….
The iPoo Toilet by Milos Paripovic
This is actually a fictional product, so don’t rush out there to purchase your own! ;-)
And, this is a great video by Microsoft of what can be in the not so far future…
In all seriousness though, I am really looking forward to what we can really do with Bluetooth 4.0 and if it will be all it’s cracked up to be. To me, it’s a little scary that your house can talk to itself and do things on its own. Kind of reminds me of those old TV shows where the home security system/robot traps everyone in the house and takes all control, on a path of destruction. But, I’m thinking that’s a little far fetched. Seriously though, we are getting pretty lazy when we need our house to take care of itself and all we have to do is sit there with our phone or tablet orchestrating a technology symphony. To me, it’s more important now than ever to hire a professional designer that knows how to integrate technology into a space and works with people that specialize in wireless design. What are your thoughts??
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