We at Digit aren’t new to checking out smart IoT gadgets, but this one is certainly the first of its kind. The Godrej Aer Smart Matic is a smart air freshener. So you’re getting an air freshener that you can control via your phone. This is pretty neat, especially if you are the type that wants to be connected to every single gadget in your house. The device is priced at about Rs 800, and the refills are priced at around Rs 275.
The Godrej Aer Smart Matic looks pretty much the same as the company’s own standard Aer Matic. The device is about a foot tall, and can be placed on any flat surface or can be hung up on a nail on the wall. The build is quite plasticky and does not evoke confidence. So make sure you don’t drop from a height.
Setting it up is quite simple, there is a latch on the side that you can flip open to access the inside. Here, you can place the Aer refill and two AA batteries needed for the device to run. On the right side is a little button that lets you toggle the rate at which the device will spray the air. You can choose intervals of 10 minutes, 20 minutes or 40 minutes. You can also choose to turn the device off completely.
Till now, the device’s design and functionality are pretty much the same as the standard Godrej Aer Matic. What sets it apart is the smart functionally offered by the Aer Smart Matic.
The air freshener is controlled by the Godrej Aer Smart Matic app. Setting up the device is fairly simple and once done, it gives users access to all functionalities of the device as well as its status. Via the app, users can control the spray intervals, turn the device on/off and even spray the device manually. Additionally, users will also be able to see the battery and perfume levels and prepare replacements when it runs out. Users can also connect with different Aer Smart Matic systems and access them all through the app.
The most useful feature here is possibly the schedule feature. This lets users plan the time, days and spray intervals. Users can create multiple schedules, and choose one that best suits a situation. This can be useful in saving perfume as the device can be scheduled to turn off when it is not required.
While the app itself is pretty simple, it seems to require a lot in terms of information and details. Logging in to the app requires the user to provide their phone number for an OTP. After this, users will then have to provide their name, sex, email address and location Pincode. It also requires ‘Location’ and ‘Phone’ permissions. Why would an app that controls an air freshener need such information?
Overall, the Godrej Aer Smart Matic seems like a good choice for anyone who is really into IoT and wants to control every little facet of their house. The Schedule feature in the app should also help users save perfume by limiting the air freshener’s use when not required. However, the intrusive nature of the app is something that needs to be kept in mind. Especially for those worried about their privacy.