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Thursday, August 31, 2017
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Top Smart Home Security Concern: Did I Lock the Door?
A recent survey from Wakefield Research and Schlage, an Allegion brand of smart locks, reveals Americans’ No. 1 concern when it comes to smart-home security: “Wait… did I lock the door?”
Out of the 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed, 75 percent have felt uncertain about whether or not they locked their doors upon leaving the house. The data jumps to nearly 81 percent among parents and 83 percent among Millennials (we’re a forgetful bunch).
The survey also reveals that 43 percent of consumers have experienced or know someone who has experienced a break-in when they were not home.
“As technology evolves, locking devices will continue to advance and offer additional capabilities,” says Ann Matheis, marketing director at Allegion.
As the popularity of smart home devices continues to increase, there are a number of solutions available to ease your fears. For example, the August Smart Lock Pro and Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt let you double-check (and control) the status of their locks from anywhere with their mobile devices.
Additional Findings from the Home Security Survey
- Break-Ins:More than two in five Americans have personally experienced or know someone who has experienced a home break-in while away.
- Key Management:56 percent of Americans have lost or misplaced the key to their home. Millennials and parents are more likely to do this, as 69 percent of millennials and 66 percent of parents have misplaced or lost the key to their home.
- Uncertainties:75 percent of Americans have felt uncertain about whether they locked their doors when they have left home. Specifically, 83 percent of millennials and 81 percent of parents have experienced this.
Here are a few smart locks that you can add to the door of your smart home:
Schlage Z-Wave Connect 
- Works with Amazon Alexa for voice control (hub required, Alexa device and hub sold separately)
- Z-wave technology connects to your home automation system and lets you lock or unlock your door remotely via the web or smartphone
- 3-Alert modes (activity, tamper and forced entry) let you know when someone is coming or going and communicate potential security threats
- Memory for up to 30 different access
Kwikset Kevo Touch-to-Open Bluetooth Smart Lock
- Open the door from a smartphone
- Send and manage eKey access via smartphone
- Bluetooth Smart ready with a Bluetooth 4.0 enabled device
- History and notifications – see who locked/unlocked Kevo
- Smart Home compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Ring Doorbell, Skybell, Nest Learning Thermostat, select Honeywell Thermostats, Android Wear and IFTTT
Yale Real Living Electronic Push Button Deadbolt
- Works with Amazon Alexa for voice control (Wink or SmartThings hub required, Alexa device and hub sold separately)
- Create up to 250 unique pin codes to share with family and friends (25 with no controller)
- Unlock by entering your 4-8 digit PIN code on the backlit, push button keypad, with your smart home app (i.e. SmartThings) or using your physical key
August Smart Lock
- Control your door with your smartphone
- Keep your existing deadbolt–installs in minutes on the inside of your door.
- Grant or restrict access to visitors anytime
- Automatically locks your door as you leave and auto-unlocks as you approach
- Voice Control – Lock your door using Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit or the Google Assistant
- Track who is coming and going with a 24/7 activity log on your smartphone
The post Top Smart Home Security Concern: Did I Lock the Door? appeared first on Electronic House.
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Wireless Access Point Brings Wi-Fi to the Back Yard
There’s nothing worse than heading to the back yard and losing your Internet connection. No more music, videos or social media. It’s a bummer for back yard barbeques and relaxing on an outdoor chaise. An outdoor wireless access point (WAP) can extend your connection to the outdoors so you can entertain with ease, and SnapAV has offers a new weather-hardy solution for Wi-Fi enjoyment with no dropouts.
SnapAV’s Araknis brand has introduced its new 700 Series Outdoor Wireless Access Point. The outdoor Wireless Access Point (WAP) offers the same network capabilities as its traditional, indoor 700 Series WAP, while facing the elements.
“Outdoor living is a growing trend in North America,” says Ayham Ereksousi, director of products, Araknis Networks. “Consumers want to enjoy the outdoors while staying connected to their digital life. The 700 Series Outdoor WAP allows dealers to bring this experience to their customers.”
Designed to complement outdoor spaces such as decks, pergolas, large yards and guest houses, the 700 Series Outdoor WAP features an IP55 rating, as well as SnapAV’s proprietaryOvrC remote system monitoring platform.
“Most products receive their IP rating simply by passing the lab test according to the predetermined specifications,” notes Ereksousi. “But when we audited the spec, we found that it didn’t consider real-world scenarios such as water streaming into the top or bottom of the product. We made the executive decision to test these scenarios because we want dealers to be confident installing this product.”
Delivering as much as 1750Mbps of throughput through features such as its 3×3 antenna configuration, the Araknis 700 Series Outdoor WAP provides network-friendly functions, including band steering and fast roaming.
The WAP also features a built-in switch, and Araknis adds that through its OvrC remote monitoring platform, integrators can securely manage their clients’ networks’ signal strength, network speed, power status and more.
The post Wireless Access Point Brings Wi-Fi to the Back Yard appeared first on Electronic House.
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Sensors and Predictive Analytics Smarten Up HVAC Vents
A few years ago, smart vents introduced a revolutionary way to heat and cool and home. But these motorized vents, which are meant to replace dumb air vents to control temperature in individual rooms, have struggled to find a following despite strong showings from from EcoNet, Keen Home, Ecovent and others.
Start-up HiberSense promises a more elegant approach to the smart-vent category, with a Connected Climate Control system that uses multiple sensors and analytics to make each room comfortable and save energy house-wide.
The solution includes a sensor package that can monitor temperature, pressure, humidity, light, motion (occupancy detection) and indoor air quality (optional).
“This provides our developers with a plethora of data for machine learning and predictive analytics,” says Bob Fields, chief revenue officer for the Pittsburgh-based company.
The result, he says, is a solution that “maximizes system performance and efficiency, and optimizes comfort for occupants.”
One concern about “traditional” smart-vents is they could damage the HVAC system if sealed off for long periods of time.
In the case of HiberSense, sensors monitor duct pressure and airflow among other things to mitigate potential problems like over-heated motors and freezing coils.
The HiberSense system is automated via a central hub, which receives data from the sensors via Bluetooth. The wireless vents – available in brass, wood, aluminum and plastic – have a 3-year battery life based on eight to 12 activations per day, according to the company.
The company plans to sell directly to the custom installation channel, as well as to HVAC contractors. Integration with Control4, Crestron, Savant, Lutron, Amazon Alexa and other control systems is coming, according to Fields. Recommended pricing starts $99 for vents (based on style), $200 for the hub, and $79 for the sensors.
The post Sensors and Predictive Analytics Smarten Up HVAC Vents appeared first on Electronic House.
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Monday, August 28, 2017
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Razer Unveils Thresher Ultimate Wireless Headsets for PC, Xbox One & PS4
Razer unveiled its new Thresher Ultimate headsets at E3 promising wireless 7.1 surround sound to the PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for $249.99, putting them firmly into the premium headset market. Running 2.4 Ghz wireless at a 40-foot range, 50 mm drivers and leatherette-wrapped memory foam ear cups and boasting a 16-hour battery life, these are built to be premium cans for gaming and personal home theater applications.
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Friday, August 25, 2017
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Crestron Home Automation System Helps Couple Entertain Guests
Suzanne and Irl Engelhardt love entertaining – so much so that they have set up their extraordinary home largely for that purpose.
“We bought kitchen towels that say, ‘Guests of our guests may not bring guests,’ but we’ve broken that rule,” Sue Engelhardt says. She has held parties for their grown children, for their friends, for employees, college alumni, even her book club from St. Louis. “I love to have people come and stay,” she says.
The five-bedroom house is unusually long and narrow. Most rooms have windows on two or three sides plus private patios. “We might have eight guests each in their own areas – but when they’re ready to socialize, they all congregate at the center of the house.”
The center is a beautiful living room, kitchen and dining area, with floor to ceiling windows that retract, on both sides, to bring the outdoors inside. Here the Engelhardts and friends can lounge in the sun, eat, talk, watch movies, or binge-watch Netflix. “After dinner, we always love to watch something, whether an action movie, a drama or Downton Abbey. We take turns deciding what it will be, but we watch it together. It’s a form of bonding.”
Blending Design & Smart Home Technology
Sue Engelhardt says she and Irl bought their original property in Naples in 2003, but after retirement they were able to purchase the adjacent lot, tear down their existing house and build something special.
“I knew nothing from a technical point of view, but I know good design,” she recalls. She found Vero Beach-based architect Clem Schaub and loved his designs. “He grew up in Puerto Rico and enjoys the tropical lifestyle,” she says. “He understands that if you’re in Florida you want to be outside.”
She had trouble finding a good technology integrator, but Schaub recommended Will Gilbert of Fort Lauderdale-based Think Simple. “I felt comfortable with Will. He’s very open with how they will build something and transparent about pricing. If I would say, I really want this to be this way, he would always find a way to do it.”
The living room is something special. Schaub and Think Simple designed a media system with a JVC projector, James Loudspeaker surround sound and a huge projection screen, but hid everything in the ceiling and behind a beautiful piece of fabric art by Olga de Amaral. But because the family hates to close draperies, Think Simple also installed an 80” Sharp TV, a better option when the room is bright. Press a button on a handheld remote or iPad and the artwork rolls out of the way to the right, revealing the TV or lowering the screen and projector. “It’s really cool,” Sue says. “You can’t even tell they are there.”
Sue says she was surprised and impressed when the Think Simple people came back after the audio system was installed and tuned each room with Crestron’s Surround Sound Tuning Kit, using a microphone to compare the sound coming from the speakers with a reference tone generated by a computer. “It’s night and day how much better it sounds.”
As concerned as she was about sound and image quality, Sue did not want to look at the A/V equipment when she wasn’t using it. Think Simple installed an equipment rack in the attic, mounted speakers in the ceilings, and hid TVs in cabinets whenever possible. In the master bath, they installed Seura mirror TVs, which disappear when powered off. If someone wants to play a movie or song list from a phone or tablet, they can connect wirelessly via AirPlay. The sound system defaults to the room they connect from, but it’s easy to play music in multiple rooms or throughout the house.
The Finer Details
Getting the details right was a bit of a challenge. Gilbert says he had the bathroom vanities custom built so that the glass would match the glass in the Seura mirrors perfectly. “We also had to use linear actuator motors in the living room to keep from damaging the artwork,” he adds.
Think Simple owns its own “CNC” computer-controlled lathe and milling machine, which they used to build bronze plates for security cameras and wood plates for some of the outdoor lighting fixtures, all of which exactly match fixtures chosen by Schaub interior architect Christine Pokorney.
Network, Lighting and Security
In addition to the A/V systems, Think Simple installed the home network, a home telephone system including a cellular antenna, and Crestron controls to integrate the security, lighting, shading, climate and A/V, coordinating with the family’s security and IT suppliers based near their main home in St. Louis.
“The name of the company [Think Simple] is interesting,” Sue says. “As technical as they are, they really do make it very simple for the end user. I was impressed, too, with their service after the sale. I was watching a movie with some friends one evening and something happened – the movie just quit. I called Will, and he fixed it immediately by connecting remotely to my house. We went right back to our movie.”
“The Think Simple people are all kind of nerdy but a good nerdy,” she adds. “They are all truly excited about what they do, and they are always looking for the next thing that will be great to use in a home.”
That’s one reason she recommended the company to a neighbor down the street. But the other is simply that she loves her integrated home.
She says her son is building a new house now and she told him to be sure to include an automation system. “I said, ‘Do it now before the house is finished. You’ll be really glad you did.’”
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New from Fibaro: Temperature Sensor Watches Doors and Windows
Some sensors are designed to detect one condition, and that’s okay. But Fibaro has combined a few sensing technologies into one small-size device that fits right on the side of a door or window, gate or a set of blinds. The Door/Window Sensor 2, a Z-Wave Plus certified smart home device, monitors the status of the door, window, gate or blinds. At the same time it functions as a temperature sensor.
The combo sensor can report to your smartphone or tablet a change in open/close status to help prevent theft, break-ins, and energy loss if a door or window is unintentionally left open. Then, through its internal temperature sensor monitor temperature changes to maximize efficiency and reduce monthly electricity bills. For additional security the Door/Window Sensor 2 also includes a tamper sensor that will alert the user if someone tries to remove it.
The sensor also has the ability to trigger a pre-programmed customized scene. For example, when the front door is opened and the Door/Window sensor is triggered, a “welcome home” scene can be activated with a series of actions pre-programmed by the user (i.e. the front hall lights are turned on, music starts to play and the air conditioning is activated).
With Z-Wave Plus certification, Door/Window Sensor 2 enjoys features that come with the upgraded Z-Wave platform, including longer battery life, faster operation, better RF coverage and easier installation.
The sensor is currently available in white and additional colors may be added later to this version of the Door/Window Sensor to give consumers the option to custom match their interior décor. Smaller than its predecessor (at less than 3-inches long), the Fibaro Door/Window Sensor 2 can be easily mounted on any style of door or window using the included strong two-sided adhesive. The sensor is battery powered and also works with a Z-Wave hub, so it can be placed anywhere in the home.
The Door/Window Sensor 2 is available for $49.99 from Amazon.com.
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Nakamichi Unveils DTS:X Soundbar with Dual Wireless Subwoofers
Soundbars introduced homeowners to a completely new way of integrating speakers into their media rooms. Mounted below a skinny TV, they provide channels of audio up front, but sometimes getting the rear speakers and subwoofers to connect to them can be challenging—especially if you’re interested in a multi-speaker setup like DTS:X.
Nakamichi hopes to simplify matters with the introduction of two DTS:X-compatible Shockwafe soundbars. The showcase product is the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 DTS:X, a 45” soundbar system with 9.2 channels, two 10-inch wireless subwoofers, and four modular 3S rear speakers. The other model, the Shockwafe Elite 7.2 DTS:X, comes with two 8-inch wireless subwoofers and two 3S rear speakers.
Compatible with DTS:X, they both possess object-based surround capabilities for more immersiveness and flexibility in how surround sound can be experienced. The new 9.2- and 7.2-ch soundbars are now available for pre-order on http://ift.tt/2viNro8 and http://ift.tt/2wJ2Stf (delivery in October 2017), with a retail price of $899 and $1099, respectively.
With Nakamichi’s new 7.2- and 9.2-Channel soundbar systems, home theater enthusiasts can jump right into a state-of-the-art multi-dimensional cinema experience in only a matter of minutes.
“The new Nakamichi Shockwafe soundbars are the most ambitious research and development project ever undertaken by Nakamichi,” says Nakamichi USA CEO, Rayman Cheng. “Based on sound, simplicity and price-to-performance ratio, they are arguably the most value-for-money sound bars that anyone who owns a HDTV would be interested in buying.”
Dual Wireless Subwoofers
Quad-U-Flex Modular 3S (Synchronized Surround Sound) Speakers
Out of the box, the Shockwafe Ultra Quad-U-Flex 3S Speakers are arranged into a dipole configuration: two separate enclosures that face outwards and away from each other, dispersing the surround effects away from the listener to eliminate localization effects. The enclosures can be detached and placed in the room as four individual speakers for optimal placement to deliver the Ultra 9.2’s signature surround sound to any room shape or size.
Control and Connectivity
Shockwafe Ultra supports the latest video standards including HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC), 4K Ultra HD pass through, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and HDCP 2.2, connect up to 6 devices to this dream command center of your home theater via 1 HDMI ARC, 3 HDMI, 1 Optical and 1 Coaxial inputs.
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