I’m not a fan of unnecessary Cloud dependencies in home automation tech. So when I started chatting with Hubitat about their home automation controller (HAC), and we started getting into the details I was thrilled to find out that their model is almost entirely Cloud free. Naturally there is a bit to handle connection brokering from locations outside the LAN […]
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LifeDoor was one of my top picks from CES 2018, so it’s is fantastic to see that this innovative – potentially life saving device – has made it to Kickstarter. The concept is simple: if there’s a fire, it closes the door for you. Blocking smoke and heat from the room. Like many people, I hate sleeping with the door […]
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It’s a great idea to add water/flood monitoring into your home automation system. It can make a huge difference between a bad thing, and a catastrophe. This $60 Z-Wave sensor from Aeotec looks pretty nice, and includes vibration and temperature sensors as well as watching for H20. Water Sensor 6. Flood sensor. Leak sensor. Safety sensor. Z-Wave sensor. Monitor a […]
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Adding keyless entry to your home is a great way to enable access without requiring anyone to carry around a physical key. Whether that is a dog walker, your kids, or when you step out for a run. Having the option to provide a PIN code also makes it much easier to manage distribution and removes the risk of a […]
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HomeSeer announced a couple new switches at CES 2018 with integrated RGB lights which can be used to indicated status for other elements in the control system. There is a $55 dimmer and a $50 toggle switch available, both support Z-Wave Plus, multi-tap, and S2 security. This isn’t a new concept in the home automation device market, but it is […]
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I wasn’t familiar with abode’s iota security system, home automation controller (HAC), and camera system before meeting them at CES. Overall the system looks quite approachable, and is obviously more intended for users who prioritize ease of installation and user experience (UX) over flexibility. I don’t mean that as a negative, per se. Just something that would need to be […]
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Installation cost is one of the major barriers to home automation. In addition to the cost of your switches, bulbs, etc. you also need to purchase a home automation controller (HAC) in most cases. The other major issue is complexity, which is where the development budget of large companies like Amazon and Google help immensely. They have the $ to […]
Read moreNear the end of the last day of CES, we stumbled into the Guardian kiosk in the Z-Wave pavilion. Having seen quite a few leak detection/water control devices over the previous week I wasn’t holding out much hope. As it turns out, what they have to offer is a really neat approach to solving this problem. Unlike the other […]
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In every conversation I’ve had since returning from CES ’18, LifeDoor has come up near the top of my list of interesting products that we saw at the show. And, the response has been universally positive as well. After all, what’s not to like about a simple, easy to install, device that listens for a smoke alarm, illuminates the room, […]
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The first time I went crazy with Z-Wave at my house, I had to build my own garage door controller. It was not hard, involving a Z-Wave switch, some components from Radio Shack and a door sensor – all tied together with a couple scenes. As I am sure you all know, time has been very kind to the home […]
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