Gadgets: Appy days

Don't miss Samsung's Home Smart Home.

As much of Auckland went without power Chris Schulz luxuriated in the city's most wired abode.

I'm relaxing on the couch with a cold beer watching the football when I hear something beep.

It might be my Crystal Blue washing machine, which I threw some dirty clothes into earlier. That's all I did - the machine's technology decided how dirty those clothes were and what kind of spin cycle they needed. It even put its own powder in. All I did was shut the door.

Or it could be the twin convection oven, which, thanks to its dual levels, is slow roasting my rolled pork dinner at 150C in its lower level, and baking chocolate chip cookies in its upper level at 180C. Once they're done, the oven will spend a few hours cleaning itself.

Or maybe it's coming from my sparkling water fridge, which can deliver up to 4kg of ice at any one time through its drink dispenser, and chill so many beers and snacks my friends may never leave.

Perhaps its my curved TV on which I'm streaming live first division football through its Premier League Pass app. Later on, I'll use it to catch up on several TVNZ shows through its exclusive Ondemand app.

It could be my Powerbot Robot Vacuum, which is grazing on dust and chip crumbs on the floor.

Whatever it is, the beeping is likely coming from a Samsung product on display in the electronic giant's new showhome on display at Auckland's Wynyard Quarter.

The Home Smart Home setup looks like the best bach ever. It consists of three rooms packed with the latest Samsung gadgetry designed to make your life easier - and make you the envy of all your friends.

Much of the home's future-tech can be run off a smartphone or tablet via Samsung's Smart Home app.

Want to turn on the heat pump and lights before you get home? Use the app. Keen to switch on the dryer from work so you have fresh clothes when you get home? Use the app.

Trying to pipe soothing music into the bedroom, but keep the party happening out on the deck? Use the app.

My favourite function is that if the footy is on and you're cooking on the barbecue outside, you can pick up your tablet and stream all the action from your curved telly on to it, keeping up with the play while you're turning the sausages. Let's face it: no one wants burned bangers for dinner.

The price you'll pay for all this tech? Samsung estimates a full kitout of their homeware range - that's a curved TV, sound system, oven, washing machine, dryer, fridge, dishwasher, heat pump, cook top and yes, that robot vacuum cleaner - at about $20,000. But that feels like a small price to pay to never have to clean a dirty oven again.

What: Samsung's Home Smart Home
Where and when: Eastern Wharf, Viaduct Events Centre, Wynyard Quarter, until October 20.
More info: Visit samsung.com.

- TimeOut