By the end of 2015, 20 million US households will have a smart home device. But while brands keep releasing tech, many people remain underwhelmed. Philips now hopes to make smart home lighting simple with its wireless dimming kit, but can it spark interest in the modern, connected home?

Californian start-up Roost is harnessing the power of the smart battery to help people easily buy into the smart home market. Instead of purchasing costly new devices, Roost offers an easy and inexpensive way for people to upgrade products people already own, starting with smoke detectors.

Running a car is hard work – especially if it’s a bit of a banger. Let alone the little inconveniences – where did you park? Are you low on fuel? Xee is a French app that transforms standard cars into smart vehicles, contributing to a connected car market set to be worth $2.2 trillion by 2020.

Smart TVs may accommodate a growing preference for on-demand viewing, but not everyone can splash out on a high-tech telly. Google’s Chromecast offers a simple and affordable way for people to upgrade their basic box, letting them stream content from their devices to their living room screen.