To paraphrase a certain real-estate mogul and presidential candidate, smart-home technology at CES and in 2016 will be “yuge.”
Spilling out from the Sands are suppliers of everything smart – sensors, switches, plugs, security cameras, LED light bulbs, thermostats, smoke alarms, carbon-monoxide detectors, HVAC vents, door locks, door bells, alarm systems, environmental monitors, faucets, windows, window shades and more. The cornucopia of gadgets uses proprietary and open platforms to control everything from a mobile device via an app, and then there are the industry alliances trying to herd all these smart home cats.
The Sands represents less a marketplace than a gold or oil boomtown, filled with the usual entrepreneurs and well-established brand names hoping to plant a permanent stake in what promises to be one of CE’s biggest and more potential-filled categories.
“In 2015, 6 million additional households in the U.S. installed a smart device or system for the first time, bringing the total number of ‘smart homes’ to nearly 27 million,” said Bill Ablondi, director of smart home strategies for Strategy Analytics. “By 2020, the number of smart homes will more than double to more than 58 million, generating $45 billion in sales at the consumer level, up from $22 billion in 2015.”
All of which explains the land rush at the Sands.
Here’s a look at what dealers will find at CES. All booths are in the Sands, either in the Smart Home Marketplace or Eureka Park, unless otherwise noted.
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Amaryllo (72348): This Dutch smart provider is exhibiting two new auto-tracking security cameras, including the iCamPRO Deluxe, due on the second quarter at $300. It screws into any standard Edison base light socket. The $199 Koova is said to be the world’s smallest auto-tracking home security camera.
BeON (21000): The start-up has started selling the first modular smart LED bulbs in its initial $199 Proactive Home Protection kit. Here, new smart LED light bulb modules and accessories are debuting in the ZWave Alliance booth.
Blink (70431): An Immedia brand, Blink just raised $5.8 million as it enters production following a beta release of its wireless camera system. The $79 motion-activated single camera and $289 multi-room, five-camera system use small, deck-of-cards-size modules with programmable auto arm/disarm functions, LED lighting, night vision, temperature sensor, built-in microphone, and optional 105db alarm. They are powered by two AA batteries that operate for more than a year.
Delta Faucet (71525): The plumbing fixture company is announcing its new Delta Leak Detector. Designed with iDevices, the detector alerts owners to leaks and floods while are at home or away.
Essence (70958): This B2B connected-living supplier will unveil its consumer WeR@Home and the aging-in-place Care@Home Connected-living platforms. They include home security and safety, remote home management, home automation, and energy-saving modules sold through service providers.
EZVIZ (71172): Weighing only 4 ounces, the $70 EZVIZ Mini Wi-Fi cam records 720p video. Features include magnetic base, horizontal viewing angle of 115 degrees, diagonal 130-degree viewing, motion detection, and night vision. Footage can be stored locally on a microUSB card or in the Cloud; a 12-month subscription of seven days of Cloud storage is included.
Hunter Fans (71153): Ceiling fan maker Hunter is launching its first smart fans. The two Wi-Fi/RFenabled models, Symphony and Signal, were co-designed with Ayla Networks. They can be controlled individually or as a group on-or off-premises from an iOS or Android device. On an iOS device, the fans will eventually interact with other HomeKit devices.
Kuna (73172): Kuna is a $199 smart Wi-Fi camera and intercom built into an outdoor light fixture to detect people at doors. It enables interaction with the visitor via a live video feed to a smartphone. The new Toucan smart camera can be added to any existing outdoor light.
Lowe’s (70727): The DIY retail giant is giving a sneak peek of planned devices for its upgraded Iris hub, including the $99 Halo smoke alarm/CO detector, which also offers dangerous weather and natural disaster alerts. Built with Microsoft Azure’s Cloud technology, the latest Iris version offers new functionality and faster performance and includes updated software and hardware to make Iris simpler, more intuitive and more personalized, the company said. The new Iris Smart Hub is $59.99, and devices start at $15.
Lucis (71752): The company is promoting its recently announced $199 NuBryte Touchpoint touchscreen console, which offers home intercom, video messaging, and control of lighting and security.
Also on display is the new Lucis NuBryte Lite, designed to extend the company’s motion sensing, climate monitoring and smart lighting capabilities to lesser-used rooms or wall-switch locations with a more traditional switch style.
Myfox (70739): This Wi-Fi camera maker is adding on-demand professional monitoring to its suite of security solutions. When needed, consumers can turn on the monitoring service, which includes real-time alerts and local intervention, through the Myfox app.
Nortek (70936): Under its GoControl brand, the company is showing a number of new DIY smart devices in its greatly expanded DIY line, which includes the $139 smart irrigation controller, said to be the only Z-Wave Plus irrigation system controller on the market.
Oomi (70949): Start-up Oomi is showing the firstever smart home system to use tap-and-touch pairing technology for simpler set-up. Four new products include a smart LED strip, a multi-functional water sensor, a media streamer, and an in-wall dimmer switch.
This spring, Oomi will start selling three starter kits, all of which will include the Oomi Cube, which is the company’s multi-functional gateway and security camera. The kits will also include a Touch controller.
The $599 entry-level kit will also come with two LED bulbs and a multisensory, while a $699 mid-level kit will include three bulbs, one multisensory, and one smart plug. The $749 premium kit will pack two bulbs, a smart plug, one multisensory, and a streamer.
Philio (21000): In the Z-Wave booth, Philio is spotlighting its latest Z-Wave 500-series devices, including what it claims to be the thinnest Z-Wave gateway, the PSC05, as well as a new app. New devices on display include a smart dimmer socket and a smart keyless door lock, both available this quarter, and new kits for light control, security and environmental monitoring.
Sengled (70531): LED bulb specialist Sengled is demoing the first-ever voice-controlled smart LED bulb. The Voice enables voice control of devices and, by detecting suspicious sounds, enhanced home security.
Also on display is Flex, a $105 light and wireless multiroom speaker that uses JBL speakers. It’s due in the first quarter. Flex speaker/lights can be integrated into a home network, enabling different lighting and playback settings for specific zones within the house. For music, users can access personal music libraries, streaming services, or Internet radio stations using their mobile device.
SensorSphere (81247): This firm is previewing its SensorSphere Wi-Fi-connected robotic ball with camera, microphone, speaker and environmental monitoring sensors. It sends HD video streams, audio, temperature, humidity, air quality and smoke information to any mobile device. It will be priced at less than $300 when it ships in the fourth quarter.
Sentek (21000): The fire and security device maker is demonstrating the new Curtain PIR security motion detector, which will be available this spring, and a mini optical smoke alarm. It’s powered by a five-year battery and is due to go on sale this summer.
Swann (7923): Swann is adding to its SwannOne smart home platform, which was recently made compatible with third-party products. Those products include Nest, Yale, Lockwood, Samsung SmartThings, Kwikset SmartCode deadbolt locks, Jasco plug-in smart switch and smart dimmer, Phillips Hue, and soon, Chamberlain garage door openers.
Tailwind (80762): Instead of the usual lights, security and temperature control, products from this Canadian tech start-up monitor and control less traditional home devices such as garage doors, gas fireplaces, irrigation systems, sump pumps, pool heaters, and security systems, and the like. Prices start as $29. Shipments start in March.
Universal Electronics (20612): The universal-remote specialist is unveiling a range of wireless home intrusion, monitoring and control solutions. They include sensors to monitor and alert homeowners to flooding or frozen pipes, a light-switch control, and a door/window intrusion sensor with adjustable detection range.
Yale (21000): At the Z-Wave Alliance booth, Yale is demonstrating multiple products. The $224 Assure uses Bluetooth digital keys. The Look Door Viewer ($179.99 with Wi-Fi, $199 with Wi-Fi and Z-Wave) lets homeowners see who’s at the door via its built-in LCD monitor or via a smartphone.
