Used to be grilling was a dark art. The coals had to be just so, the sauce made from a recipe handed down through the generations. It made for good eats, but it was time-consuming and, frankly, a little intimidating. Like most everything else, however, tech is making it easier. 鈥淣owadays,鈥 says Max Good, owner of , which produces a line of premium sauces, 鈥測ou can throw some meat on the grill and check the temp with your phone.鈥 Indeed, a host of new devices鈥攏ot to mention Bluetooth everything鈥攁llow you to orchestrate an entire Fourth of July cookout from your deck chair: set the lighting, mix the tunes, light up a cozy firepit, even operate the 鈥檆ue. Here鈥檚 a look at what鈥檚 outfitting this summer鈥檚 high-tech patio parties.
Coolest Cooler ($450)

A 55-quart, with a wireless speaker, a USB charger, internal lighting, a bottle opener, a cutting board, and鈥攏o joke鈥攁 full-size blender? Damn right. Because Lord knows you鈥檙e not going back inside for any of those things.
Celluon PicoBit Projector ($429)

Screen movies on any surface. The syncs with your phone and has enough battery power to accommodate indulgent summer CGI fests.
BioLite SiteLight Mini String Lights ($20)聽

You want enough illumination to see without achieving a floodlight effect. You can control the intensity of the SiteLight Mini from your phone when it's paired with the .听
Bose SoundLink Revolve Speaker ($200)聽

radiates your tunes 360 degrees. It鈥檚 also a good listener: a built-in mic lets you talk to Siri and other voice-activated software on your phone.
GrowlerWerks UKeg 128 ($257)

This bit of steampunk ingenuity is a handheld version of the commercial keg at your favorite bar. Vacuum sealed and pressurized, the keeps your IPA carbonated and fresh for weeks.
Primus Kamoto OpenFire Pit ($164)聽

This folds flat and lets you set up a campfire anywhere. Wind guards and air vents make getting the fire roaring quick and easy.
Lynx SmartGrill Barbecue ($10,359)

. With enough real estate to satiate a block party and an honest-to-God rotisserie, this propane-fueled wonder can be run from your smartphone or via voice commands.