在科技并不发达的过去，人们可能会为如何在严寒天气里更好地保暖而倍感困扰。现如今，每值严冬时节，虽然温度骤降、天气恶劣，但随着各类智能保暖产品的问世，冬天也能变得舒适宜人。人们凭借科学技术发明了各式各样的防寒方法。比如，用智能电子设备调节屋内和衣物的温度；使用无线科技制造会自动发热的服饰。

 

In my memory, winters always used to be really unpleasant. You had to bundle up just to keep warm when you went outside. You were often cold, wet and never more than a sodden¹ misstep away from a patch of black ice. If you didn't have a nasty slide, you'd arrive home to an ice-cold house. And that would mean turning on the heating and waiting. It's a miracle you didn't get chilled to the bone.

 

Fortunately, things don't have to be so challenging any more. Technology, engineering and design have advanced giving us new solutions to old problems. It means dealing² with winter needn't be like skating on thin ice.

 

With a smart thermostat³, our homes can be toasty when we need them to be. Many models feature smartphone apps that allow you to regulate temperature remotely, so we can warm up the house before we arrive home. According to techradar.com, the largest UK-based consumer technology news and reviews website, Tado's model features voice control, while the Nest 'learns' your habits and automatically heats the home for you.

 

Clothes have been given an upgrade, too. Electronic thermal⁴ jackets, hoodies and parkas heat up when you turn them on. What better way to keep snug⁵ in the dead of winter? At the touch of a button, or through an app on our phones, the clothing generates heat from elements placed inside. Many models offer three levels of heating which stay warm for over 12 hours.

 

Finally, there is the headgear - Beanies and earmuffs that feature speakers included in the fabric⁶ using Bluetooth technology so we can listen to our favourite music or, in some cases, have a phone call using the in-built microphone. All while keeping the head warm and avoiding a chill.

 

For many, the thought of winter used to be enough to make their blood run cold. But using technology, life needn't freeze up. With the right solutions, there's no reason why winter can't be really, really cool.

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