Years ago, I was a SimpliSafe proponent. However, as the smart home landscape has evolved, the SimpliSafe security system has remained mired in the past — both in business practices and technologically, without even the most basic of ecosystem interoperability. Which led me to Ring Alarm and broad Alexa capabilities, such as my contact sensor routine … Read more
Nearly two years ago, streaming TV pioneer Roku expanded into the smart home … with a questionable partner in Wyze. Now, by way of the FCC, we see Roku potentially reducing their smart home dependence and risk by engaging Leedarson for new indoor and outdoor camera hardware vs once again leaning on Wyze’s typical manufacturing … Read more
The Amazon Echo Dot Clock is no more. As reported by The Verge, “once inventory of this generation Echo Dot with Clock is sold through it will not be restocked.” I can say with certainty that the primary reason my family has not yet abandoned Alexa, amidst ongoing privacy concerns and features moving behind paywalls, … Read more
Hot on the heels of the new Wyze Battery Cam Pro, the company is prepared to increment the Wyze Cam v3 — which is possibly their best selling and most highly regarded WiFi camera. The upcoming Wyze Cam v4 quite clearly picks up a spotlight, as shown above and sourced from the publicly available Android … Read more
Wyze is launching a small beta test to put the second of two possible Trade-In programs through its paces. While many of us treat (previously) inexpensive Wyze hardware as disposable, by offering Wyze store credits and product discounts, the company intends to reduce e-waste by simultaneously building customer loyalty and replenishing their stock of refurbished hardware … Read more
Blink is poised to refresh their camera line with 4th gen models that will likely replace 3rd gen. Of course Blink is an Amazon subsidiary, sitting alongside Ring in providing a number of monitoring solutions, that built their brand on affordability and a pair of AAs. As such, I don’t expect much change in relation … Read more
By way of June FCC filings, we learn that IKEA plans to introduce at least two new smart home sensors. In a first, the Scandinavian retailer will be offering a contact sensor. The IKEA Parasoll Open/Close Sensor is likely a two part affair — the larger main unit shown below, to include wireless capabilities, and … Read more
Seems like I’ve stumbled upon the reason much of Arlo’s line of cameras and doorbells are 40-60% off right now… as the smart home video pioneer has a number of new products in the hopper. And, two of several unreleased products I’ve identified are displayed above: The Arlo Essential 2 Video Doorbell and Arlo Essential … Read more