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16 of the coolest smart home devices from 2014

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This year almost seems like a watershed moment for smart home devices. A deluge of new appliances, hubs, and apps aimed at making our houses more connected came into the marketplace, and even more popped up on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Some were designed to keep us safe, like smart smoke alarms and outlets, while others were just fun, like the smart photo frame. In fact, there was so much neat stuff this year, we had a hard time narrowing down what give as gifts this holiday season; it seriously helped that not all the devices on this list are actually available yet. It just means 2015 is going to be even more smart-device-laden than 2014.

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Jenny McGrath
Jenny McGrath
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
Ninja’s Woodfire outdoor grill and smoker is 19% off for Memorial Day
Ninja grill and smoker on a picnic table.

If your Memorial Day cooking plans aren't really panning out, you can act really quickly and save the day with a cool, new, conversation-worthy pickup. What we're talking about is the Ninja Outdoor Grill & Smoker, a multi-purpose weather-resistant outdoor cooker that can do everything from BBQ smoking to competing with the best air fryers, all in one device. And, as a bonus, it is now on sale. Usually $370, you can get yours for $71 off, bringing the price down to $299. It's a part of the Best Buy's Memorial Day sale, which ends today. The good news is that you can buy online now and pick it up later in the day at your local store, saving your dinner plans from disaster. The bad news is that you'll need to do so quickly as this 4.8-star rated item is flowing off the shelves quickly (my local store only has two left).

Why you should buy the Ninja Outdoor Grill & Smoker
There's a lot to love about this cooker. For starters, it has 141 square inches of cooking space that fit in a compound area on your picnic table of less than 2 x 2 feet. And, unlike big iron grills, it only weighs 30 pounds. Chances are, you can probably lift it. But what really makes this one great is its versatility. As a grill, you can make up to 6 steaks for your family or 30 hot dogs for the whole neighborhood. Get your air fryer game on and make three pounds of chicken in the same batch. Or, barbeque up a nine pound brisket to take advantage of the Ninja Woodfire tech — just a half pound of Ninja wood pellets will get you the smoked flavor you crave. Generally speaking, customers praise the cooker for its ease-of-use and quality of smoking for the size.

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Save $500 on this NordicTrack treadmill in the Memorial Day sales
A woman using the NordicTrack T Series 8.5 S Treadmill in her living room.

For great treadmill deals this Memorial Day, check out what Best Buy has to offer. Currently, you can buy the NordicTrack T Series 8.5 S Treadmill for $1,099, thereby saving $500 off the regular price of $1,599. If you’re keen to work out more from home, this could be a fantastic investment to add to your home gym. Here’s what you can expect from it before you hit the buy button.

Why you should buy the NordicTrack T Series 8.5 S Treadmill
The NordicTrack T Series 8.5 S Treadmill is exactly what you would expect from the maker of some of the best treadmills. It offers digital QuickSpeed controls of between 0-12 MPH with iFIT support meaning it can auto-adjust your speed to match the workout recommendation. It’ll also auto-adjust the inclines so you get to follow a global terrain in a way that makes sense, but you can also adjust everything for yourself.

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Google’s Nest Learning Smart Thermostat is $70 off for Memorial Day
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat in stainless steel.

Best Buy has some fantastic Nest thermostat deals this Memorial Day with $70 off the Google Nest Learning Smart Thermostat. Normally priced at $250, it’s down to $180 for a limited time making now the perfect time to upgrade your smart home for less. If you’re keen to know more, keep reading and we’ll tell you all about the wonders of the Google Nest Learning Smart Thermostat.

Why you should buy the Google Nest Learning Smart Thermostat
One of the best smart thermostats around, the Google Nest Learning Smart Thermostat is a great way to keep on top of your energy needs and even save you money along the way. It learns your habits before adjusting automatically so there’s no need for you to change things for yourself. By learning your schedule, the Google Nest Learning Smart Thermostat adjusts the temperature as needed, programming itself to keep you comfortable while also saving you energy and money.

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