DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Better
Homes and Gardens (BHG), the leading lifestyle magazine
reaching 40 million readers a month, announced its first ever
Editors' Choice Innovation product list in conjunction with the
2015 International CES® taking place in Las Vegas from January
6-9, 2015. Chosen by Better Homes and Gardens editors
along with trusted technology and digital media expert Shelly Palmer, the Editors' Choice list
highlights the best of new and existing technology proven to make
the homes and lives of consumers smarter, safer and more
efficient.
According to results of a nationwide survey conducted by BHG,
smart appliance technology, home security and safety, money savings
and energy efficiency all rank as top priorities for consumers when
it comes to home innovation.
"We constantly hear feedback from our readers who are looking
for easy-to-use products that eliminate everyday inconveniences and
enhance their lives," says Better Homes and Gardens brand Executive
Editor Jill Waage. "The products on
our list meet those demands in that they provide solutions to
common problems while also saving energy, consumer dollars, and
they are simple to incorporate into reader homes and daily
routines."
Told through BHG's trusted brand perspective combined with
Palmer's expertise, the 2015 list and trend report aim to educate
consumers on the true benefits and usability of home technology.
"In a world that's overly complex, sometimes people just want to
understand what's in the store and what features are valuable to
them," says Palmer.
Selections from the 2015 Better Homes and Gardens
Editors' Choice product list include:
- SAMSUNG CHEF COLLECTION
DISHWASHER
Dishwasher features can leave you spinning, but this one won't.
Samsung's WaterWall system uses a bar of vertical jets to sweep
water back and forth rather than spinning in a circle, meaning
dishes in every corner get clean. A Zone Booster also lets you
target areas for a higher pressure, higher temperature wash.
"Finally, a solution for loads that mix sticky pans and delicate
glassware," Waage says. "Plus, a flexible silicone top tray holds
hard-to-fit items like microplanes and spatulas."
It takes a lot of energy to do laundry, but this dryer uses heat
pump technology to capture and recycle it, saving up to 50% more
than conventional electric dryers. "Another drain is the cost of
dry cleaning. EcoHybrid's TrueSteam feature reduces wrinkles and
odors so you can freshen clothes right at home," Palmer says.
Something on the fritz? Smart Diagnosis lets you troubleshoot the
appliance without scheduling a service call. Savings all
around.
- PELLA
INSYNCTIVE WINDOWS AND DOORS
Home security doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes we just
need simpler peace of mind. Pella's Insynctive platform, which debuts in
January, has sensors that assure your windows, doors, and the
garage door are closed, the deadbolt is locked, and window shades
are down. Forget to lower blinds on a hot day? Insynctive's bridge
is compatible with several home automation systems, so you can tap
an app to lower them and save energy while away. "This is a simple
entry into home monitoring. Plus, the sensors are affordable and
can be retrofit to almost any window and door," says Waage.
- SAMSUNG LED H6350 SERIES SMART TV
If you're ready to let go of your last big black box and
befuddling remotes, the Samsung H6350 series is a good place to dip
a toe into HD and Smart TV. It offers a quality picture and comes
complete with the most commonly used features. It's thin profile
looks high-end and a super simple Smart Hub makes sense of apps and
content, so you can easily search the web, stream movies, check
social media, watch TV, and play video games. "Overwhelmed by more
complicated features and prices? Then don't go there yet; start
here," Palmer says.
A new healthy habit can take weeks to adopt. And sometimes
getting fit doesn't look pretty. Misfit Shine can help. It monitors
daily physical activity, lets you set and check fitness goals, and
easily shares results. Plus, its disc shape looks cool - not clunky
- worn in a watch, pendant or pin. "Syncing couldn't be easier,"
adds Palmer, "and...it's waterproof!"
No more digging for keys? Yes, please! The Kevo turns any
Bluetooth 4.0-enabled device into a key that senses you're in the
proximity and unlocks its deadbolt at a touch of your finger. Send
temporary or permanent eKeys to guests or neighbors, too. "How
reassuring is it to let a kindly neighbor tuck a package inside the
door for you?" says Waage.
Check engine lights can be serious or nothing at all. Learn
without a trip to the shop using the Dash app. Hailed as the
"Fitbit for Cars," the app helps drivers know what's going on under
the hood. Available in the Google Play Store, and only requiring an
inexpensive OBD port adapter, Dash offers vehicle diagnostics plus
real-time feedback on your driving style. "It's also helpful even
when nothing's wrong with your vehicle, as it offers fuel
efficiency suggestions, trip logs, and directions to local gas
stations," Palmer notes.
The Galaxy Note 4's massive 5.7-inch screen puts it in true
"phablet" territory. A great choice for entertainment junkies by
its size alone, the Note 4 also has the S Pen, a stylus with higher
sensitivity levels that offer an elegant way to take notes, sign
documents, or navigate the screen without leaving messy
fingerprints. "While the screen is bigger than an iPhone 6 Plus,
because of the smaller bezel, you can one-hand a Note 4, it's a
fantastic device."
Light quality meets LED energy efficiency with Hue web-enabled light bulbs. For each bulb,
which screw into regular sockets, you can set warm colors for
relaxation or cool, clear light for a project. "The ability to
adjust each bulb's light quality and brightness to a task makes
every room more livable and every lamp more functional," Waage
says.
In today's world, most people don't stick to a schedule. Neither
does the Nest Learning Thermostat. It's smart enough to know when
you're away and lowers the temperature after you leave. It can
nudge you to make seasonal changes for additional energy
savings—all while offering monitoring and control via your smart
device. "It's a great product that is only going to get more
interesting as Nest develops," says Palmer.
- MAKERBOT REPLICATOR MINI COMPACT 3D
PRINTER
The possibilities of in-home 3D printing excite us. And
Makerbot's Replicator Mini is starting to put it in the attainable
range. "Our consumers are so creative and hands on. Replacement
parts, action figures, home crafts and jewelry–and even food–could
just be the beginning as this technology becomes even more
affordable," Waage says.
More winners from the Editors' Choice list include the Samsung
Galaxy Camera 2, Withings' Smart Body Analyzer, the LG G3 phone,
Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung's Galaxy Note 4, the
Apple TV, the Roku 3, and the Wink Home Automation system. Full
descriptions of the winning products can be found online at
BHG.com/CESChoice.
In addition to the products on this list, Waage and Palmer will
be identifying items that meet BHG reader's needs in real-time on
the floor of the Consumer Electronic Show. As Better Homes and
Gardens continues to expand its coverage of home innovation and
technology, including the brand's first-ever Innovation Home to be
unveiled in BHG's October 2015 issue,
editorial staff will continue pinpointing the latest advances in
appliances and furnishings within the household and personal
technology category.
ABOUT BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
Better Homes and
Gardens serves, connects and inspires readers who infuse color and
creativity into each aspect of their lives. Reaching 40 million
readers a month via the most trusted print magazine, the brand also
extends across a robust website, multiple social platforms, tablet
editions, mobile apps, broadcast programs and licensed products.
Better Homes and Gardens fuels our reader's passions to live a more
colorful life through stunning visuals, a balance of substance
and surface, and a blend of expert and reader ideas. Better Homes
and Gardens is published 12 times a year by Meredith Corporation,
with a rate base of 7.6 million.
ABOUT MEREDITH CORPORATION
Meredith Corporation (NYSE:
MDP; www.meredith.com) has been committed to service
journalism for more than 110 years. Today, Meredith uses
multiple distribution platforms – including broadcast television,
print, digital, mobile, tablets and video – to provide consumers
with content they desire and to deliver the messages of its
advertising and marketing partners.
Meredith's National Media Group reaches an audience of over 200
million monthly, including 100 million unduplicated women and 60
percent of American millennial women. Meredith is the leader
in creating content across media platforms in key consumer interest
areas such as food, home, parenthood and health through well-known
brands such as Better Homes and Gardens, Parents and
Allrecipes. The National Media Group features robust brand
licensing activities, including over 3,000 SKUs of branded products
at 4,000 Walmart stores across the U.S. Meredith Xcelerated
Marketing is a leading content-powered consumer engagement agency
that provides integrated marketing solutions for many of the
world's top brands, including Kraft, Lowe's, Chrysler and NBC
Universal.
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SOURCE Better Homes and Gardens