What Can A Smart Mirror Do In Your Bathroom And Is It Worth The Cost?
Magic mirror on the wall, can you play some music that enthralls? Do you think the mirror would have obliged had the Evil Queen posed this question instead of asking if her reflection was the fairest? While this may remain one of life's greatest mysteries, we do know that you can install a smart mirror in your bathroom and request it to play a song while you go about showering, applying makeup, or using the toilet. That's not all. A smart mirror in the bathroom will also display weather updates, upcoming engagements, the date and time, and updated news.
Though the mirror isn't magical in the literal sense of the word, its intelligent features might make you believe so. Imagine not having to use toothpaste to defog shower steam from mirrors, as the device has an in-built feature that takes care of such pesky issues. Additionally, such mirrors are equipped with motion sensors to detect movement within their periphery and turn on the surrounding LED lights automatically. The facial recognition technology helps the looking glass tailor content specific to the person present in the bathroom. Despite its many amazing features, is a smart mirror worth the cost?
What is a smart mirror?
A smart mirror bathroom is similar to a regular bathroom mirror in every respect, except it's not just a gorgeous piece of looking glass. The two-way mirror reflects light from one end (like a conventional mirror) but lets it move through at the back of the glass. This property allows it to view the display. Moreover, it has a smart display (or monitor) and an internal computer.
The smart display is positioned behind the glass and can be a monitor, TV, or tablet. This component is essential to exhibit information like traffic or weather. It's also a key element that differentiates a smart mirror from a looking glass. Here, it's important to note that the display size isn't the same as the size of the mirror. While the display could match the mirror's size, it can be smaller, too.
So what connects the mirror to the internet and allows it to showcase information in real-time? A tiny internal computer system, like Raspberry Pi, powers and runs the mirror. Simply put, this system allows the mirror to connect to a home's Wi-Fi through Bluetooth. Put together, the three elements bring alive a smart mirror that can connect to a smartphone and understand voice commands or hand gestures. The magic stems from the fact that the monitor and computer system aren't visible at all. The screen turns into a regular mirror when not in use.
Are smart mirrors worth the cost?
There's no denying that smart mirrors are incredibly convenient and functional. After all, having access to your calendar and email while brushing your teeth or getting ready for the day will help you plan your day in advance. Or checking the traffic route before you hop in your car will allow you to avoid the congestion zones and program another route on the map. But the added convenience and awe-worthy technology comes at a steep price and will demand a couple hundred dollar bills from your wallet.
To illustrate, a smart mirror bathroom will cost you anywhere between $100 to $2,800 (or higher), depending on the size of the glass and the features you opt for (stereo speakers and microphone, anyone?). You might also have to bear monthly (or annual) subscription fees if you use the mirror to stream premium video content, like workout classes. Regarding the justification of cost, only you can decide that. If you can spare the money, want to multitask while using the bathroom, and integrate the device with your other smart home appliances (hello, Alexa!), then a smart mirror might be a worthwhile investment. But if you mostly use the mirror as a looking glass, you might want to stick to the one you have.