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Time For An Upgrade: Gadgets That Will Dramatically Change Your Everyday Life

Time For An Upgrade: Gadgets That Will Dramatically Change Your Everyday Life
A Fitbit One fitness tracker and Apple iPhone 4S smartphone photographed during a studio shoot for Tap Magazine, November 28, 2012. (Photo by Simon Lees/Tap Magazine via Getty Images)
Tap Magazine via Getty Images
A Fitbit One fitness tracker and Apple iPhone 4S smartphone photographed during a studio shoot for Tap Magazine, November 28, 2012. (Photo by Simon Lees/Tap Magazine via Getty Images)

You've got plenty of smart technology in your house, but are you using it all to its full potential? With the speed of innovation these days, there's so much you can do that you don't even know about. Sure, technology can be daunting, but the right inventions can make your life so much easier. We're listing some simple-to-use gadgets that will make everyday life a snap - so much so that you'll wonder how you ever lived without them!

Cleaning your house is a snap

Vacuuming doesn't need to top the list of long-neglected chores around the house — robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba will take care of all dust and dirt on your floor, and you don't even need to be home when it's running. Clean freaks are often skeptical but they're surprisingly powerful and efficient. You can even get a robotic vacuum for your gutters! Now if you could just find one to clean your toilets and do your laundry…

Stay healthy with a handy monitor

Whether you're on a diet or just trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, wearable health monitors like Fitbit can be a godsend. They can track the amount of exercise you get, monitor your heart rate throughout the day and even track your sleep habits. You can also automatically share this info with family members or on social media if you like. Other wearable devices can target specific health goals - for instance, June tracks your sun exposure and reminds you to put on sunscreen.

Avoiding the dreaded dead battery

Our smartphones connect us with so many aspects of our daily lives, so it's no wonder we're on a perpetual hunt for a power outlet to re-charge our batteries when the dreaded 'low battery' notification pops up. Luckily, you can easily avoid this fate nowadays by investing in a portable battery pack. These come in a few varieties, like small USB ports that you can easily fit in your handbag. You can also purchase a smartphone case that has a built-in battery pack for wireless charging.

Music for the masses

Whether you're jonesing for tunes to wow guests a dinner party or looking to play some soft jazz to help you concentrate on a big project, portable Bluetooth speakers like the Bose Soundlink Mini will fit the cause perfectly. They run on a rechargeable battery so there's no need to plug them into the wall. What's more, they're small enough to take almost anywhere.

Control your house from anywhere

You don't have to be frugal to know that watching the heat and electricity usage in your home when you're not around can save you massive amounts of money in the long run. And doing so is easier than ever with a variety of devices that can connect your home's thermostat to your smartphone, allowing you to turn down the temperature when nobody's home and warm it up to a cozy temperature just before you get back from work. App-controlled gadgets can also work with your lights, your TV, your air conditioning and so much more.

Keep track of your belongings

Tired of dealing with the hassles of lost luggage — and, more frustratingly, airline employees who can't be bothered to help you find it? Keep track of your belongings on your own with devices like TrackDot and the Calypso Luggage Tag. Both are tiny tags that you can easily stow in your bag and then track on your smartphone. Other devices like Tile are small enough to fit on your keychain or in your wallet, meaning no more frantic panic attacks when you fear you've misplaced either of these important items.

One card for all

It's a familiar scene: One guy holding everyone up at a busy store because they can't find the right card to pay with at the cash register. Don't be that guy! A Coin Card, once launched to the public, will allow you store all your card info on a single card. Goodbye bulging wallet! It also hooks up to your smartphone, allowing you to track it if you lose it.

<strong>Cleaning your house is a snap</strong>

Time For An Upgrade: Gadgets That Will Dramatically Change Your Everyday Life

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