Home Automation
How Smart Homes Take Over The World
Smart homes are the next big thing. You may not realize it yet, but somewhere your day will be easier because of it. Smart home technology is not only impacting the houses its installed into. Its reach stretches to other industries like business, science and even health care. Here is an infographic detailing the numbers and change caused by smart homes. The rapid rate of growth in the smart home industry has an effect on all kinds of industries.
Wireless Communication Standards for the Internet of Things
This white paper provides an overview of the most important contenders around the IoT Wireless Communication Standards. We are looking at wireless networking technologies.
GreenPeak Launches Next Generation ZigBee Radio Chip and Modules for Internet of Things and Smart Home Networks
GreenPeak Technologies, the industry leading Smart Home semi-conductor/system company, launched the new GP691 ZigBee communication controller chip and GPM6000 integrated ZigBee Modules for Smart Home and IoT networks and devices. The new GP691 ZigBee communications controller provides robust IEEE Standard 802.15.4-compliant spread spectrum data communication in the worldwide 2.4 GHz band and is capable of running the full stack and application for ZigBee applications, including ZHA and ZLL profiles.
Belkin WeMo Home Automation Line Expands With Family of New Sensors
Belkin’s iOS-friendly WeMo home automation line took another big step forward today with the announcement at CES in Las Vegas of a new line of sensors. For those who want to create a subscription-free security system, the new devices are just what the doctor ordered. The sensors are battery-powered with a one-year battery life, perfect for easy installation by anyone.
What to Expect at CES 2015: 4K Video, Broadwell Chips, and Smart Homes
For years, consumer technology has resided in two rooms: the office, and the living room. At CES 2015, expect it to colonize the rest of the home. That’s not to say that you won’t find traditional PCs and televisions this week in Las Vegas. But consumer firms have moved beyond those mature, traditional markets into mobile technology, wearables, and cars – and they keep moving. This year, the theme of the show may very well be the connected home, as smartphones and tablets take on a new role as control devices for the Internet of Things.
D-Link’s Latest Smart Home Hub Lets You Add Devices With a Scan
How cheap is too cheap? D-Link has found the sweet spot between low-priced, but low-quality smart home systems and pricey security systems. It’s now planning on opening up its system to many more accessories, judging by the DCH-G020 connected home hub that just passed through the FCC.
US Cellular Introduces OnLook Digital Home Automation System
Regional wireless carrier US Cellular recently launched OnLook, a new home automation and security system. The OnLook digital home automation system was developed by US Cellular with the help of Alarm.com, a firm that specializes in providing solutions for managing homes over cellular networks, including house security, environmental monitoring, and home control. US Cellular’s OnLook service offers many tiers according to the customer’s home management and security needs.
Select Security Expands Into Kentucky
Select Security is proud to announce that it has expanded into Kentucky with the acquisition of three local companies. Over the past several months, Select Security has welcomed the employees and several thousand customers from Comstar Systems in Bowling Green, AAA Systems in Elizabethtown and Bardstown Alarm in Bardstown, KY.
IC Real Tech to Unveil World’s First 720-Degree Immersive Video Camera at 2015 CES
IC Real Tech, a global innovator of Internet of Things enabled video technology solutions, is tapping the 2015 ICES to show the world ALLIE – its 720-degree video monitoring camera. So revolutionary in its functionality, ALLIE (formerly called IC720) has already been named an honoree of the 2015 CES Innovations Awards in both the Digital Imaging and SmartHome categories. The camera can be experienced live at IC Real Tech’s ICES exhibit, located in the Sands Expo @ Tech West, booth #70223 from January 6 – 9, as well as the CES Unveiled press preview event taking place January 4th at Mandalay Bay.
The Smart Home: A Tale of Two Standards
Smart home technology is here and is increasing penetration into consumer’s homes day-by-day but, as with any technology, standards and protocols matter.
For the past 15 years or so, technology companies have sought to develop software solutions that enable the use of Internet protocol (IP) for wireless sensor networks and other connected devices that leverage Internet connectivity. As a result several means of connectivity and networking have emerged that are making their way into smart home solutions including ZigBee and 6LoWPAN.
Only One in 10 Consumers Claim to Be Familiar With Smart Home Devices
A smart thermostat is the most popular potential smart home purchase. – The Internet of Things may be a hot topic in tech circles but it appears that it’s not a popular topic of discussion in the average US household, yet. A new white paper, Smart Home Ecosystem: IoT and Consumers created and published jointly by the Consumer Electronics Association and Parks Associates shows that when it comes to smart thermostats, smartphone-operated security systems, and app-controlled lighting systems US consumers are still very much in the dark.
Swann Bets Home Security Trumps Automation in the Internet of Things
he Swann security system supports its own hardware, but also third-party products such as the Philips Hue Lighting system and the Nest thermostat (as well as its own). When the chief executive of Swann Security popped into see the chief technology officer a year or two ago, the resulting conversation changed the strategic direction of the company.
Swann sold security cameras and other sensors through retailers such as Harvey Norman and Dick Smith. It was a good business that was enjoying a period of sustained growth.
Deck the Halls With Smart Home Technology
2014 will go down in history as the year smart home technology went mainstream. Rapidly evolving security, entertainment, cleaning, and mobile technology have made home automation more affordable and easier to integrate than ever before. And this holiday season is the perfect time to give yourself and others the gift of smart home convenience.
Smart Devices, Smart Homes and the Problem With Multiple Automation Systems…
I am still enjoying the recent Gartner publication on the future of smart devices in the home. The article says there will be 500 smart devices in the home by 2022. This makes the reality of home automation that much more critical. The number of interesting home automation projects has gone up on the two sites I monitor (Indiegogo and Kickstarter) roughly 10 fold.
Couple Sues Comcast After Xfinity Security System Fails
While most large incumbent ISPs have rushed head-first into the home security and home automation market, few of those companies have been willing to specify how many users have signed up for such services – suggesting they’re not yet seeing quite the uptake they’d like. One other threat has now arisen for ISPs looking to be home security experts: lawsuits.
AT&T Licenses Its “Digital Life” Home Automation Service to Telefonica
AT&T is announcing that European carrier Telefonica has agreed to start selling AT&T’s home automation and security service outside the United States. Even before it launched the so-called Digital Life service last year, AT&T had said it would look for opportunities to license the technology to others. Getting that first customer is a big deal, AT&T Mobility CEO Glenn Lurie said in an interview.
Residential Security – Something for Everyone
The residential security market will never be the same. In 2012, several MSOs (multiple-system operators) in the USA began offering home automation in conjunction with security which has altered the perception and demand from end-users. Prior to this paradigm shift, the use of a residential burglar alarm system was often a purchase to protect a property and in many cases, an ‘after the fact’ purchase as a result of a break in.
Google Considers Acquisition Of Home Security Firm Dropcam
Google seems to have a keen interest in home automation systems, something that perhaps fits in with its Internet-of-Things vision. Now, the company is reportedly considering acquiring Dropcam, a home security firm that creates affordable and connected security cameras. The last major foray that Google made into home automation was the acquisition of Nest. Google […]
Tri-Ed Announces Distribution Agreement With Nest
Tri-Ed, North America’s largest independent security distributor, is pleased to announce its distribution agreement with Nest® and welcome them as a new vendor partner supplier in the U.S. Nest reinvents unloved but important home products, like the thermostat and smoke alarm. The Nest Learning Thermostat™ remembers what temperatures customers like, creates a custom schedule for […]
Home security and automation in a smart little package
Piper keeps your place secure, gives you a panoramic view of your home and makes it smarter. It’s the first home security and automation device that combines panoramic video, Z-Wave home automation, and environmental sensors into a single elegant product that you interact with on your smartphone or tablet. Blacksumac, however, believes it can seamlessly […]