The Smart Home is coming your way, and we want to help out by reviewing some of the hottest, and leading edge products. I’m pleased to announce some of the reviews we will publish in November and December, starting with this SmartThings Hub!
I tend to think of the SmartThings Hub as primarily a Z-Wave controller, but it does have more capabilities, including Wifi, and the ability to interface with a number of non Z-Wave devices.
I will be creating several other pages this week on a number of the other products that have arrived for review, which, include one of the Schlage Smart Locks, The Zipato RGBW Smart Lightbulb, a Schlage Security Camera, a water leak sensor, motion sensor, even an alarm, plus: A Lutron Caseta lighting controller, and with it, an assortment of Lutron dimmers, remote controls and more. Most of those mentioned are Z-Wave or Wifi devices, not, however the Lutron products. This feature, though on the SmartThings Hub is more extensive than the other blurbs because “controllers,” of course, interface with all the other items, and inherently have more capabilities and complexities. Back to the SmartThings Hub:
When it comes to Z-Wave, where much of the smart home action is centered – especially security related such as door locks, window sensors, alarm systems, but also light dimmers, smart wall outlets and more, SmartThings Hub is most likely considered the leading controller (or bridge, or hub- the terms are mostly interchangeable). One of the things that excites me about reviewing the SmartThings Hub, is that they seem to put far more effort into providing advanced support for many third party products, including, for example, the Zipato RGBW smart bulbs. I fully believe that gives them a distinct advantage over a lot of the competition, especially those who make a lot of devices and also a controller, but then pretty much ignore 3rd party products.
Seems at least a noticeable amount of the home automation gear out there is coming from small, or even large companies that don’t really have their acts together. No surprise, many are startups raising money on Kickstarter, Indiegogo, etc. As a reviewer trying to contact them, get product, or even get good support can be challenging. I mention this, because so far, SmartThings seems to be the best organized company I’m working with in this space. From initial contact through their PR firm (a major one), to product being delivered, and support contacts being provided, they have proven professional. That’s a great start. How did this happen in a company that was founded only back in 2012, and raised their first funding in Kickstarter? I suspect the fact that Samsung bought them, and that they have provided them with the resources is the key. That bodes well for SmartThings being a serious player for years to come.
The SmartThings Hub arrived yesterday. Over the next few days it will be installed in our Dream Home Project and devices added to it, replacing the Nexia Bridge we’ve been using the past few months. Click for Nexia Bridge review. It’s just one of a whole batch of home automation gear that has recently arrived, or is inbound.
OK, back to the SmartThings Hub.
Art's been reviewing high tech products and editing their reviews for 15 years. He launched his first website presenting solutions.com (sold in 2003) in early 1995 when there were only a few thousand .coms. He launched ProjectorReviews.com in 2000, and started planning Smarterhomeautomation.com back in 2011.
Art's goal is to provide in-depth reviews on the latest and hottest products that fit into the Smart Home, aka Home Automation, as well as insightful articles to educate people into what's available, what makes the most sense, and where the market is going, so people can better plan, and implement their goals for energy efficient, convenient, and downright "cool" capabilities.
Ancient history: Born in Allentown PA, Graduated 1972. Sold and managed stereo stores (and did a little surfing) in the early, mid-70's before getting into computers and more AV. Managed the first computers store in Pa, starting in 1979 (not the first manager). Moved to selling computers to major accounts. Then moved west to SF area, for a four year stint with Epson starting in 1982, then left for one of the early large venture backed start-ups in the Silicon Valley - Presentation Technologies. Left there to start up Presenting Solutions, which became the first projector focused reseller on the internet (Jan 1995). Married Lori in 1990, and have been enjoying our daughter Lisa, since 1992! Presently living, and working in San Clemente, CA.
