As the world continues to turn to technology more and more, this summer we may be able control our favorite summer technology, the air conditioner, through our favorite smartphones.
Internet connected air conditioners are on their way this summer for the same price as an app-enabled toothbrush. These ACs can now be preordered. The ACs will be more economic and may actually save you money.
Called Aros, which is available now for preorder on Amazon, will be shipped out in May to all those who preorder it beforehand.
This is the latest product to come out of a partnership between GE and Quirky. Quirky is a crowdfunding site that uses ideas submitted by users for new products. The best ideas are chosen depending on the amount of votes they receive, and then are developed from start to finish by Quirky's design team and contributing users. Since 2013, GE and Quirky have been working to develop "smart" products.
The air conditioner however, is the first big ticketed product they have developed together. Starting at $300, it is comparable in price to other window units of the same strength, and it's probably more attractive too.
What's the point of connecting the thing to the Internet though? The Aros air conditioner will be able to track how much electricity costs in your area and help you budget accordingly. It can even predict when you will go over your budget depending on weather.
The 8000 BTU unit also has a set of slick LED-illuminated buttons that are touch-sensitive and it will come in all white everything, including the plastic, the stainless steel and the aluminum. Its multispeed fan will have three different cooling modes.
Because it is connected to the Internet, you will be able to access its controls from your smartphone from anywhere.
Imagine this cool scenario. It's sweltering hot out and you're on your way home. So you take out your smartphone and cool your room before you even get there. Once you get there---well you know the deal.
