Things have definitely changed from the days when a state-of-the-art home meant having a stereo system and a microwave. But household technology is advancing so quickly. If you think your house has the latest conveniences, think again. Some surprising home technology standards are fast becoming old news. Check out these brand new updates to some outdated devices.

Standard smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. You probably don’t think much about your safety alarms until one starts chirping in the middle of the night, desperately seeking a new battery. And who hasn’t yelled at the one in the kitchen when it goes crazy after you’ve simply burned some toast? We all know it’s dangerous to mess with your alarm, but the usual ones aren’t very user-friendly. Luckily, there’s a newcomer in this space that’ll help with both your safety and sanity.

The $99 Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm uses a human voice to warn you about rising carbon monoxide levels or the location of smoke. If the smoke is from cooking, you can easily silence the Nest Protect. It even monitors its batteries, and when they’re low, it sends a message to your phone or tablet rather than loudly beeping at the worst possible time. And you’ll also get a message if danger is detected when you’re away. However, even the Nest Protect can’t save your stuff when you’re out, so be sure you also have homeowners insurance for when danger or disaster strikes.

Early robotic vacuum cleaners. Robot vacuums have come a long way from the days of bumping around aimlessly. The Neato robot vacuum uses laser technology to create a map of your home, so it knows what has already been cleaned and where it needs to go next. After the entire floor is clean, this smart little vacuum uses GPS to return to its home base. Neato offers a number of models, with prices starting at $379.

Dead bolt door locks. Looking for your house keys can be an unfortunate pastime. And while a combination entry system can be a good alternative, there’s still a risk that you’ll forget the code. Now, there’s a new security option: the Anviz L100 fingerprint door lock.

Fingerprint locks offer the most secure and foolproof way to keep your home safe and never lock yourself out. Your fingerprint becomes the “key” that you can’t forget. The L100 is resistant to break-ins and the elements, and it stores up to 200 fingerprints to accommodate extended families or for use at a small business. It’s also got a battery back-up system, a card swipe option and a hidden traditional key lock for emergency access.

With the newest tech advances, you don’t have to worry about your keys, thermostat or safety at home. If only someone will come up with a device that remembers to take the trash out every week.

By Alexandra Rice, NerdWallet.

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