October 21, 2013 at 08:04About competitors to our WiFi teapot. iKettle
A few days ago there was news that we can no longer claim the title of "first kettle with WiFi."
The British (as I understand it) company has released a teapot that can be turned on via WiFi using an application for iOS and Andoid.
Below are some photos, videos and my thoughts on why this is not quite what we are doing.
Control
To begin with - iKettle has only 4 unchanged temperature presets - 65, 80, 95, 100 degrees, and the current temperature maintenance mode: The
application simply duplicates these buttons on the screen, allowing the user to press them remotely. Judging by the screenshots - the rest of the settings are missing. Applications are only for iOS and Android.
Our kettle can be adjusted to any temperature, from room temperature to 100 degrees, by creating an unlimited number of presets (bottom edge of the screen):
Indicators and water level
IKettle has neither an indicator of the current temperature, nor the water level. It is proposed to determine the water level by looking through the transparent cover (!) :)
"Design features: The kettle has a soft-touch handle and transparent lid so you can see how much water is in the jug"
And there is no need to show the current temperature - press desired button and wait until it heats up to the set temperature. The opportunity to find out that there is absolutely no water left.
Our kettle even in the form of a prototype can show the water temperature in it with an accuracy of a degree, and the water level with an accuracy of 100 ml. And when it appears on sale, the accuracy will be about 20 ml due to the use of a strain gauge (as in the scales).
WiFi network
So, as I did not find detailed specifications, it will come from the video clip and pictures. Two facts - in the screenshots of the program the interface of the program is not shown in terms of entering the name and password of the WiFi network, but nevertheless, a notification function is announced that the phone appears next to the kettle. From this, I make the assumption that the kettle itself creates a WiFi network to which the phone should connect. Two conclusions follow from this - you cannot simultaneously use the kettle and your home Wi-Fi network with the Internet, and the inability to remotely control the kettle via the Internet.
Our kettle is able to connect to the user's network, provides integration into any system, and is controlled via the Internet. Of course, the mode of creating a local network will also be.
Alarm clock
The only thing (except for the release date) that we lose to the i-boiler is the alarm clock - we have not thought about it yet. If this function is needed, we will have to do it. We again hope for your help - voting on this issue is available from the bottom of the topic.
Cost
iKettle costs $ 160, ours - from about $ 100 to $ 150. Such a price fork is due to a not yet entirely understandable production price, but of course, we will try to make it cheaper :)
Ecosystem
And finally, the main difference is that they make a teapot with Wi-Fi, and we are doing the eco-system of a smart home. Contrary to popular belief, a smart home is not just an opportunity to turn on electronics from a tablet or phone. A smart home is a technology that will allow you to take on part of a person’s worries. And you can only do this if all the devices are connected to the same network. And, it seems to me - to focus on the fact that all devices will be of the same manufacturer is terrible. Only a lot of devices and competition among manufacturers will allow us to make a really good system. Therefore, it is especially important that the protocols should be open and accessible to everyone - this is a condition for the easy integration of any solutions.
And they just made a teapot with wifi.
News Links
iphones.ru: iKettle. Electric kettle for iPhone
3dnews.ru: iKettle - a “smart” kettle with built-in Wi-Fi is available for pre-order
Gizmodo: A Wi-Fi Kettle That Messages Instead of Whistling When It Boils
Dailmail: EXCLUSIVE: World's first wifi kettle lets you boil water for your tea remotely ... then keeps it warm until you get out of bed
Firebox: IKETTLE - THE WORLD'S FIRST WIFI KETTLE
Engadget: iKettle brings high-tech to tea for a mere $ 160
The British (as I understand it) company has released a teapot that can be turned on via WiFi using an application for iOS and Andoid.
Below are some photos, videos and my thoughts on why this is not quite what we are doing.
Control
To begin with - iKettle has only 4 unchanged temperature presets - 65, 80, 95, 100 degrees, and the current temperature maintenance mode: The application simply duplicates these buttons on the screen, allowing the user to press them remotely. Judging by the screenshots - the rest of the settings are missing. Applications are only for iOS and Android.
Our kettle can be adjusted to any temperature, from room temperature to 100 degrees, by creating an unlimited number of presets (bottom edge of the screen):
Indicators and water level
IKettle has neither an indicator of the current temperature, nor the water level. It is proposed to determine the water level by looking through the transparent cover (!) :) "Design features: The kettle has a soft-touch handle and transparent lid so you can see how much water is in the jug"
And there is no need to show the current temperature - press desired button and wait until it heats up to the set temperature. The opportunity to find out that there is absolutely no water left.
Our kettle even in the form of a prototype can show the water temperature in it with an accuracy of a degree, and the water level with an accuracy of 100 ml. And when it appears on sale, the accuracy will be about 20 ml due to the use of a strain gauge (as in the scales).
WiFi network
So, as I did not find detailed specifications, it will come from the video clip and pictures. Two facts - in the screenshots of the program the interface of the program is not shown in terms of entering the name and password of the WiFi network, but nevertheless, a notification function is announced that the phone appears next to the kettle. From this, I make the assumption that the kettle itself creates a WiFi network to which the phone should connect. Two conclusions follow from this - you cannot simultaneously use the kettle and your home Wi-Fi network with the Internet, and the inability to remotely control the kettle via the Internet. Our kettle is able to connect to the user's network, provides integration into any system, and is controlled via the Internet. Of course, the mode of creating a local network will also be.
Alarm clock
The only thing (except for the release date) that we lose to the i-boiler is the alarm clock - we have not thought about it yet. If this function is needed, we will have to do it. We again hope for your help - voting on this issue is available from the bottom of the topic.Cost
iKettle costs $ 160, ours - from about $ 100 to $ 150. Such a price fork is due to a not yet entirely understandable production price, but of course, we will try to make it cheaper :)Ecosystem
And finally, the main difference is that they make a teapot with Wi-Fi, and we are doing the eco-system of a smart home. Contrary to popular belief, a smart home is not just an opportunity to turn on electronics from a tablet or phone. A smart home is a technology that will allow you to take on part of a person’s worries. And you can only do this if all the devices are connected to the same network. And, it seems to me - to focus on the fact that all devices will be of the same manufacturer is terrible. Only a lot of devices and competition among manufacturers will allow us to make a really good system. Therefore, it is especially important that the protocols should be open and accessible to everyone - this is a condition for the easy integration of any solutions. And they just made a teapot with wifi.
Video
News Links
iphones.ru: iKettle. Electric kettle for iPhone
3dnews.ru: iKettle - a “smart” kettle with built-in Wi-Fi is available for pre-order
Gizmodo: A Wi-Fi Kettle That Messages Instead of Whistling When It Boils
Dailmail: EXCLUSIVE: World's first wifi kettle lets you boil water for your tea remotely ... then keeps it warm until you get out of bed
Firebox: IKETTLE - THE WORLD'S FIRST WIFI KETTLE
Engadget: iKettle brings high-tech to tea for a mere $ 160
Only registered users can participate in the survey. Please come in.
Do I need an alarm clock?
- 45.2% is needed, but it should start 10 minutes before the appointed time and begin to warm the water. A user wake up with the message "The kettle has boiled" 514
- 18.2% needed, it should wake the user and offer to boil water 207
- 14% not needed 160
- 8.8% I am a UFO, I do not drink tea 100
- 13.6% I am tea, I do not drink UFO 155
