Apple's software protocols allowing HomeKit compatibility without demanding IoT gadgets have a physical chip inside have finally made it into the wild. A new firmware version Belkin's Wemo line-up of connected smart switches make them the first to gain support, which is widely expected to light a fire under Apple HomeKit adoption.
The Trump administration may have blocked the purchase of Qualcomm by Broadcom, but another transaction seems to have flown under its radar. Taiwan-based Foxconn is probably best known for assembling iPhones but it has recently been expanding its reach to become a force to reckon with in the hardware business. Now it has just announced that it will be acquiring Belkin International, which means that it might soon own Belkin, Linksys, and Wemo to create a “global consumer electronics leader”.
The Internet of Things has brought technology into our homes in a more integrated and invasive way. From smart bulbs to smart speakers to even smart refrigerators, technology is slowly but surely becoming a staple in modern homes. But why put off for tomorrow what you can start today? If you’ve ever dreamed of living inside the home of the future, you can already do so as long as you have a home Wi-Fi network. You don’t even have set it all up in one go. You can even get started with a simple bulb. Here are some of the essentials to get you started on upgrading your house, piece by piece.
Wemo is adding Apple HomeKit support, with the new Wemo Bridge joining the gap between the iOS smart home system and its remotely-controlled plugs and light switches. Announced last year, Wemo has confirmed today at CES 2018 that the Wemo Bridge is now on sale. It promises easy setup by plugging via ethernet cable into your existing router.
Smart home products these days speak different languages, which sometimes defeats the purpose of having an automated home. But rather than trying to force existing and future products to speak a single language, device and platform makers are solving the language barrier like we do in the real world: with translators. The Belkin Wemo Bridge is one such translator and it is quite adept at one language. This tiny square that you connect to your Wi-Fi router allows Wemo's switches and plugs to speak Apple's HomeKit language.
Belkin has announced that it is now shipping its new Wemo WiFi Smart Dimmer Light Switch to customers, giving consumers yet another connected accessory with which to make their home a bit smarter. This Dimmer model builds upon the previously launched Smart Light Switch, bringing with it additional features requested by users such as a new Night Mode and more. The Dimmer switch made an appearance back during CES 2017, and it is now available to buy from retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.
A smart assistant isn’t going to be very smart if it keeps to itself, especially when said assistant should be helping you around the house. That’s why in order for products like Google Home to be a viable smart home hub, it needs to be able to communicate with as many smart appliances and services as it can. Initially launching with only a few integrations, Google is now announcing its expansion with two more members of its growing roster. Now Google Home and Google Pixel owners can easily control their thermostat or even any appliance thanks to Honeywell an Belkin’s WeMo switches.
Belkin has announced its new Wemo Mini Smart Plug and Dimmer Light Switch, two new smart products that complement existing Internet of Things devices for better home automation and hassle-free control of one’s home. Both items were unveiled at CES 2017, where Belkin detailed its new hardware. The two new models work with a variety of existing devices, including Amazon Echo, Google Home, IFTTT, and the Nest Learning Thermostat.
Belkin’s Wemo now works with Nest, with the company announcing Works with Nest integration this morning. What’s this mean for you? If you have the Nest thermostat and one or more Wemo switches, such as a Wemo Insight Switch or Light Switch, they’ll now work together, making for a more integrated (and thusly capable and efficient) home.
This week the folks at WeMo have announced that their WeMo app for WeMo smart lightbulbs has been updated to work with IFTTT for LED bulbs. This means that users that have IFTTT accounts - which are free, mind you - are able to create formulas (if this then that) which allow smart devices in-hand and in-pocket to interact with said bulbs. This newest update to the WeMo app allows users to connect to OSTRAM SYLVANIA devices like WeMo LED bulbs and other the WeMo-enabled LED lighting solutions.
Amazon Echo is digging its voice-controlled fingers deeper into the smart home, with Amazon adding Philips Hue and Belkin WeMo support to the always-listening home assistant. The new functionality, pushed out to Echo units from today, allows owners to control their lighting, smart appliances, and switches using simple voice commands rather than reaching for the respective apps, and could well be the most useful additions Echo has seen since it began shipping in limited numbers late last year.
Have you fallen in love with a connected home? If so, several new WeMo light bulbs will be arriving in the near future, expanding the lighting options available with both indoor and outdoor lights, full-color options, and more. The products are available in collaboration with Technical Consumer Products (more commonly referred to as TCP) and OSRAM SYLVANIA -- the latter's bulbs are up for pre-order now, but the TCP bulbs won't be arriving for a little while still. We've all the details after the jump!