Turning Your Old Appliances Smart: A Review of the Polycab Hohm Mirai Smart IR Blaster
While Polycab is renowned for its industrial-grade electrical cables and wires, they’ve recently branched out into the realm of home appliances, offering fans, lighting, and switches. Their latest venture? Smart home and home automation solutions with their Hohm range of IoT products. One such product, the Polycab Hohm Mirai Smart Infrared Blaster, is a compact device promising to transform your traditional IR-based appliances into smart ones, controllable via smartphone apps or voice commands. Priced at roughly Rs. 1,200 in India, this unassuming little box could be the answer to your remote-control frustrations. But does it deliver on its promise of seamless smart integration? Let’s dive into the review.
Introducing the Polycab Hohm Mirai Smart IR Blaster: A Closer Look
The Polycab Hohm Mirai Smart IR Blaster is a simple, minimalist device. It’s a small black box with the "Hohm" logo on top, a front-facing indicator light above the IR emitter, and two Micro-USB ports – one on the back, one on the bottom – for powering the device. There’s also a hook on the underside for wall mounting if needed. The package includes a USB Type-A to Micro-USB cable and a power adapter for wall socket connection.
Once powered up, the device needs to be positioned with its IR emitter facing the receiver of the appliance you want to control. There’s no power switch, but a pinhole hard-reset button and a 3.5mm socket on the back (presumably for an optional IR emitter accessory for extended range and angle, not included).
The Hohm app (available on iOS and Android) is your control center for the device. My initial setup was swift and uncomplicated, easily connecting the Mirai to my Wi-Fi router by following on-screen instructions. However, it’s important to note that the device only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Throughout my review, the connection remained stable.
How the Polycab Hohm Mirai Smart IR Blaster Works: Bridging the Gap
After setup, the app displayed "Smart IR" as a device. If you have other Hohm-compatible devices, they’ll appear here too. The Mirai can control multiple IR devices, which are configured within its device listing. The supported device list is impressive, encompassing televisions, set-top boxes, air conditioners, fans, lights, projectors, audio and DVD players, heaters, and purifiers, across a wide range of global brands.
For those rare appliances not on the list, the Hohm Mirai allows you to "teach" it the specific IR signals using the DIY or "Learn Match" methods in the app. I tested the Mirai with an Atomberg remote-controlled ceiling fan and a Carrier air conditioner, both included in the supported device list and easily set up using preloaded profiles.
Setting up the Atomberg fan required manually configuring additional buttons on the remote using the "training" feature. This involved aiming the fan’s remote at the Hohm device and pressing buttons to "instruct" it how to interact with the ceiling fan.
The resulting fan button interface in the app was a little cluttered and had unnecessary buttons, but all desired functions could be controlled as needed. The air conditioner’s button interface was much cleaner, with all key functions accessible without further intervention. The impressive infrared range allowed me to conveniently control both devices from a single angle between them, suggesting a powerful IR beam.
Adding Voice Control and Automation: Extending Functionality
The Polycab Hohm Mirai Smart IR Blaster can be linked to Alexa or Google Assistant, enabling you to operate the device and any configured appliances with voice commands through smartphone or smart speakers. While basic functions like turning on/off appliances worked well on both assistants, more complex commands like adjusting fan speed were not supported via voice and required the app.
The Hohm app also offers the ability to create automation routines based on factors like weather conditions, location (e.g., leaving home), and timed schedules. While some routines required a bit of effort to configure, they worked as intended once set up. Some routines even supported voice control through Alexa and Google Assistant.
Verdict: A Smart Home Essential?
The Polycab Hohm Mirai Smart IR Blaster is a godsend for anyone tired of searching for lost remotes. It’s easy to set up, supports a wide array of IR-controlled devices, integrates with popular virtual assistants, and works reliably. While the app user interface isn’t perfect, workarounds are easy to find. The Hohm Mirai delivers on its primary function – making non-smart appliances smart.
At around Rs. 1,200, it’s a budget-friendly option offering versatility by controlling multiple devices within a room and allowing voice control or automation routines. Most importantly, its reliable performance earns it my recommendation.
Pros:
- Easy to set up and use
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Supports a wide range of IR-based appliances
- Can control multiple devices in the same room
- Reliable, performs as expected
Cons:
- Slightly awkward UI with some appliances
In conclusion, the Polycab Hohm Mirai Smart IR Blaster bridges the gap between traditional and smart home technology. This device is a valuable addition to anyone’s smart home arsenal, making their appliances more accessible, controllable, and efficient. It’s a small step towards a more connected and convenient living experience.
