Devolo is well known for its range of dLan powerline networking products which I rate highly, so I was very interested to see that Devolo was creating a new product range for the smart home. Called Home Control, this is a Z-Wave based system with a comprehensive set of accessories, from the usual motion sensor all the way through to radiator thermostats and smoke detectors. One of the key differentiators from similar products on the market is that the control unit is a dLan powerline device too, making it much easier to centrally position it away from the router.
I’ll be doing a full review of the components in a follow up article, but first here are two unboxing videos. The first is the Home Control Starter Pack which includes the control unit, a door/window contact and a smart metering plug. It has an RRP of £179.99. This is all UK spec gear.
Next up is the full range of the Home Control accessories, including remote control key fob, wall switch, motion detector, room thermostat, radiator thermostat and smoke detector. Prices range from £34.99 up to £79.99.
The next article on Home Control will look at the gear in more detail and how to make your house smarter. In the mean time, first impressions are good – accessories are well made and easy to use.
Is home automation, or the Internet of Things as it’s also known, the wave of the future? It sure seems that way these days, though there have been some bumps in the road. It’s getting better though as things begin to integrate with one another more and security, a major concern, is being improved.
When Apple announced the launch of HomeKit, its platform for the connected home, hopes began running high that HomeKit would become the one platform to “rule them all” in the Internet of Things space. And while the rollout of HomeKit has progressed somewhat slowly, more companies have begun releasing products specifically made for HomeKit. One such company is First Alert, who recently announced the release of its Onelink line of products, kicking off with a connected smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector.
Humans have done much over the centuries to try and control the flow of water around us. And in many parts of the developed world, we’ve created intricate water distribution systems that have helped to create a baseline quality of life unparalleled by anything in history. And while most modern indoor plumbing is generally reliable, sometimes it breaks down, potentially causing all kinds of damage. When plumbing leaks start, a quick response is crucial to avoid excessive water damage. But what do you do when those leaks occur in the middle of the night, while you’re asleep? Or when you’re not at home? D-Link has provided a solution with its new Wi-Fi Water Sensor.
Atmel
Smart key-and-lock company OKIDOKEYS has released a new open API to easily allow third-party developers to integrate with its products. Developers that build apps and devices that work with the OKIDOKEYS system will be allowed to display a “Works with OKIDOKEYS” label on their products so consumers can immediately tell if those products will play nicely with their smart keys and locks.