by Joyce Slaton posted in Products

Here it is, that time of year when everyone is putting new things on their Amazon wish lists so early-gift-buying relatives don't waste their money on something you won't like or won't need. If making your home function more smoothly and easily is something you're planning for this year, these 7 cool futuristic devices can help.

1. Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation
You've been considering one of these for years, right" Maybe now's the time. After about a week, the Nest learns your schedule and turns down air conditioning or heat when you're not at home to save you money. This version has a brighter display and a technology called Farsight -- if the thermostat sees you walking towards it, it lights up to display the time or temperature. If you have Alexa, the Nest's functionality is even cooler: "Alexa: turn the temperature up two degrees!" Buy it: $247

2. Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch
Seize control of your lights -- you're no longer a slave to the little plastic flicky thing on the wall, and you don't have to go into a dark and creepy house with a bunch of scared kids, either. The Caseta Wireless kit comes with everything you need to control your lights with your smart phone, with Lutron's Pico remote (which comes with the Caseta), or by voice -- you can use Alexa or Siri to dim the lights for your just-about-to-fall-asleep toddler, or turn the lights off at bedtime to let your dawdling tween k...