Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
CES 2015: iDevices Announces HomeKit-Enabled 'Switch' Smart Plug
iDevices today announced its upcoming Switch smart plug, a HomeKit-enabled device that allows users to remotely control a variety of devices around the home. The system takes advantage of the existing iDevices Connected app to give users control over the plug, which plugs into a standard electrical outlet and connects to the home's Wi-Fi network to provide control over a device plugged into Switch.
With HomeKit integration for Switch, users will be able to take advantage of a number of iOS features in the system, including the ability to use Siri to control their devices. Switch requires no dedicated hub device or subscription services, making it simple to set up.
Switch also includes several personalization options including the ability to upload photos from around the home to personalize the control app and make it easier to identify devices, as well as a built-in highlight on the Switch itself with customizable color choices.
Switch launches later in the first half of 2015, and The Verge says the device will cost $49.99.
iHome is also announcing a similar iSP5 SmartPlug smart plug that will launch later this year, but details remain scant at this time. Like iDevices' Switch, iHome's SmartPlug supports HomeKit and is a Wi-Fi enabled plug that allows users to control individual devices without the need for a hub. iHome does tout that multiple SmartPlugs can be grouped together into "scenes" to control various devices together. Pricing and an exact launch timeframe for SmartPlug have yet to be announced.
With HomeKit integration for Switch, users will be able to take advantage of a number of iOS features in the system, including the ability to use Siri to control their devices. Switch requires no dedicated hub device or subscription services, making it simple to set up.
- Siri – Switch’s HomeKit integration provides an easy, secure way to control Switch using Siri on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. You can even create your own commands to control multiple home settings. For example, you can automatically turn off lamps connected to your iDevices Switch, lock your doors, close the garage door and set the thermostat to the desired temperature, all with one command.
- Remote Access – iDevices designed a custom IoT cloud for Switch so that users can access their home from wherever they are with no additional hub required.
- Create Custom Events and Schedules – Through the iDevices Connected app, users are able to design custom events (or schedules) that fit their lifestyle. The iDevices Switch has the unique ability to remember events and make sure they happen even when the user is away.
Switch also includes several personalization options including the ability to upload photos from around the home to personalize the control app and make it easier to identify devices, as well as a built-in highlight on the Switch itself with customizable color choices.
Switch launches later in the first half of 2015, and The Verge says the device will cost $49.99.
iHome is also announcing a similar iSP5 SmartPlug smart plug that will launch later this year, but details remain scant at this time. Like iDevices' Switch, iHome's SmartPlug supports HomeKit and is a Wi-Fi enabled plug that allows users to control individual devices without the need for a hub. iHome does tout that multiple SmartPlugs can be grouped together into "scenes" to control various devices together. Pricing and an exact launch timeframe for SmartPlug have yet to be announced.
[ 77 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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59 months ago
Yup, better than:
Get your iPhone out of your pocket.
Unlock iPhone.
Look for HomeKit app.
Open Homekit.
Search for the switch.
Switch on/off.
:eek:
"Hey Siri, turn of the lights in my room." :cool:
59 months ago
$50 to automate my reading light? I'll manually flip the switch, thanks.
Yup, better than:
Get your iPhone out of your pocket.
Unlock iPhone.
Look for HomeKit app.
Open Homekit.
Search for the switch.
Switch on/off.
:eek:
59 months ago
I want the dishes and floors and bathroom cleaned. I'll deal with the lights.
59 months ago
What's all this talk about unlocking your phone opening an app and all that?
Swipe down from the lock screen, press the button on the (hopefully existing) widget that corresponds to the switch. Done.
Swipe down from the lock screen, press the button on the (hopefully existing) widget that corresponds to the switch. Done.
59 months ago
$50 to automate my reading light? I'll manually flip the switch, thanks.
If that's the only use you can think of, manually flipping the switch is the best option for you.
59 months ago
"Hey Siri, turn of the lights in my room." :cool:
Siri: Sorry, I do not know how to burn oven lights go vroom. Would you like me to search the internet for that? :D
59 months ago
I can see some practical uses for this automation (door unlocking when hands are full of groceries; Christmas lights; etc), but some of those examples are just laziness!!! lol
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While the concept of home automation has been around for many years, along with open standards, it's only been the past couple of years when the "big boy" tech companies have gotten into the foray that things are really moving forward. Now we'll need to see who wins out or if a standard protocol will emerge. Of course, each big company will try to make their protocol the standard, and as far as Apple is concerned, they don't have a very good track record of making their stuff open to others unless it's under some type of fee-based certification program. Apple promised to open-source the FaceTime protocol, for example, and that never happened, so I don't hold much hope that the same will happen with HomeKit.
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While home-kit is a nice standard, I still hate the fact there isn't one app that can control everything from thermostat, to cameras, to switches, to garage door opener, to alarms.
While the concept of home automation has been around for many years, along with open standards, it's only been the past couple of years when the "big boy" tech companies have gotten into the foray that things are really moving forward. Now we'll need to see who wins out or if a standard protocol will emerge. Of course, each big company will try to make their protocol the standard, and as far as Apple is concerned, they don't have a very good track record of making their stuff open to others unless it's under some type of fee-based certification program. Apple promised to open-source the FaceTime protocol, for example, and that never happened, so I don't hold much hope that the same will happen with HomeKit.
59 months ago
While home-kit is a nice standard, I still hate the fact there isn't one app that can control everything from thermostat, to cameras, to switches, to garage door opener, to alarms.
Until Apple or someone makes a device that sits in my kitchen, living room, bedroom, and sun room, that can take 'Siri' commands, I will not buy into this. Something like a cheaper Amazon Echo or possibly an Apple TV with built-in microphone.
If I have to keep my phone on me, unlock it, open an app, just to do something - it does not make it easy, or quicker. All I'm doing is making someone more wealthy.
Until Apple or someone makes a device that sits in my kitchen, living room, bedroom, and sun room, that can take 'Siri' commands, I will not buy into this. Something like a cheaper Amazon Echo or possibly an Apple TV with built-in microphone.
If I have to keep my phone on me, unlock it, open an app, just to do something - it does not make it easy, or quicker. All I'm doing is making someone more wealthy.
59 months ago
it seems like sometimes it would be faster just to turn the light on and off by yourself. opening up the app and then picking which switch you want to turn on seems like it would take more time.
How many people are going to make this comment without noticing the part of the article that says you can create custom commands/recipes for Siri?
Example: "Siri, turn on the bedroom lights and shut down the family room." Or, "Siri, turn on the coffee."
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You got it. Siri is so overrated. Often doesn't get it right.
Almost always gets it right. And when she doesn't it's usually because I mumbled.
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...Why the heck would you want to start your car from far away?...
Had a remote starter on my truck and my wife's car back in the late 90s and early 2000s when we didn't have a garage. Instead of going outside on a 15 degree day when there was 2 inches of snow on the windshield I would push two buttons from within the warm house, wait ten minutes and go outside to a warm vehicle with a defrosted and clean windshield.
Have you ever gotten into a car that's been sitting in a parking lot in Texas on an August afternoon?
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