Living life the smart way today #GetFitWithFlipkart #SmartHomeRevolution

The first introduction to smart technology

I have always been a little old-fashioned when it comes to embracing technological advancements. In my family, I was the last one to own a smartphone. Seven years back, my senior citizen father chose to welcome his new Samsung smartphone as a treasured possession while I still preferred my qwerty keypad mobile. Strangely, today I can’t even think of surviving without my smartphone since it has become such an integral part of my existence. In the present scenario, innovation in science and technology is essential for survival in a rapidly evolving environment. With the changing times, products which were earlier considered as luxury goods eventually decided to rebrand or reposition themselves as essential commodities.

Smart Security Camera – touching many lives

One of the first smart products (other than the aforementioned smartphone) that made its foray into my house was a smart camera. A couple of years back, our rented apartment in Bangalore had been burgled. Despite the fact that our complex had CCTVs installed within the premises, the images weren’t clear enough for the police to nab the criminals. After moving back to Kolkata for good, my husband’s remote posting required him to travel a lot. Since I had ventured out to start my home office as a blogger while also taking care of my newborn baby, I had to ensure that the security and safety factors of my flat were well taken care of.  We purchased a Godrej camera which gave 360 degrees horizontal and 90-degree vertical view. The picture was of HD quality which meant that the images were clear even if the lighting was poor. Over the years, I have been thankful for taking the decision of purchasing this wi-fi enabled camera at home. Because of my writing assignments related to travel, we take a lot of trips throughout the year as a family. It is such a relief to be able to check for the security arrangements on the go without having to lose my peace of mind.

One of our close friends had been in a job-related dilemma after her maternity leave got over. With both she and her husband working full-time, they were left with no option but to hire help for her infant. The smart security camera came to her rescue when she knew that she had the facility of tracking her baby through live videos every moment irrespective of her location. It wouldn’t be unfair to say that in her case, the smart revolution actually saved a mother her career.

Smart Wearables – Smartwatches and Fitness Bands

The second smart product was more of a token of love for my husband. I had gifted him a Samsung smartwatch which helped him to stay updated with his emails, messages, and phone calls while also monitoring his heart rate. But with time, I realized that he needed a better version of this smart wearable. I had been toying with the idea of giving him a fitness band but he was reluctant to let go of his smartwatch. But a few months back, after my father-in-law fell unconscious and had to hospitalized immediately, I realized that I had to get him a device to help him check on his fitness parameters on a consistent basis. As a Medical professional, my husband has one of the most stressful jobs in our country. If there’s one exercise that really helps him unwind while also taking care of his fitness, it is swimming.  This new year, I gifted him a new water-resistant smartwatch which also helped him track the calories he burnt throughout the day, his exercise hours and his heart rate. Today, it helps him manage both his work and fitness schedules while also letting him relax by listening to some soothing music.

My job as a writer demands long working hours sitting at my desk. While my mind is always active churning out creative content, of late my body seems to slip into a lethargic state making me feel unfit overall. Instead of brushing this aside as a temporary phase, I have decided to take control of the situation and get back on track. So this birthday, I am getting myself a Fitness Band and joining the Fit India Movement.

The way forward

At times, I wonder if we really had a latent need for such products or was it more of corporate propaganda to create a demand for them! However, if we analyze minutely, it is not difficult to figure out that our present lifestyle is mostly occupied through hectic work schedules as we struggle to juggle various roles and responsibilities. So, if there is a process through which the mundane tasks can be taken care of leading to a certain amount of comfort and convenience, it is indeed quite relieving. The idea is not to encourage a sedentary lifestyle or make the usage of smart products an excuse to be lazy. Instead, smart technology should be looked upon as a tool of assistance for making life a little easier and simpler, leaving us with the time and option to focus on our priorities.

In my opinion, the smart revolution is here to stay as we continue aligning our lives with it.

Usage of smart products has changed the way the world works. In India, Up to 40% of Smart Watches and Assistants are sold through Flipkart. With the Fit India Movement, Flipkart dreams of a day that every Indian track their fitness through Smart Watches, and with #SmartHomeRevolution, Flipkart envisions a day when every home uses Smart Home solutions to simplify mundane tasks with a click.

Author’s note – I have written about those smart products that I have used and recommended because I found them beneficial. However, the smart revolution is not just limited to the mentioned two to three products. There are smart homes which operate on the concept of Artificial Intelligence. Google assistants can help schedule tasks while also taking care of basic needs like providing information or carrying out routine tasks as switching on or switching off gadgets like TV, AC, and fans.  There are other products like smart speakers that generate clear and noise-free sound, fitness bands that help in tracking fitness goals and Smart Lights which create illumination beyond the ordinary lighting. 

Author: Sonia Chatterjee

Who am I? An erstwhile banker turned blogger/writer/author. Any qualifications? A Post-Graduate degree in Chemistry followed by a second Post-Graduate Diploma in Management. I completed a one-year MFA in creative writing course from the Writer's Village University, U.S. in Dec 2020. Though I must admit that I am still trying to figure out how and when I can connect all these dots. Have I done any real work? If two years in market research, six years in banking as a branch head, three-plus years of blogging, writing, and publishing a book can be considered as real work, then yes! Where do I live? After spending life like a nomad for sixteen years in Delhi, Bangalore & Mysore, I am back to where it all started from - Kolkata. My favorite things - Books, coffee, travel, food, and my five-year-old son. What is this blog about? Through Sonia's musings, I intend to explore writing in various genres, create social awareness, spread laughter, and give words to emotions. Anything for readers? You can check out my book 'Deal of Death' on Amazon Kindle. If you like fast-paced thrillers, this Detective fiction introducing the woman sleuth, Raya Ray could turn out to be your perfect weekend read. View all posts by Sonia Chatterjee