While I wouldn’t dream of smarting up my house without the unified experience a home automation controller (HAC) provides, I can see that not everyone wants to take that step. Devices like the HALO, which connect directly to your Wi-Fi and use an app, are a great way to get some of the benefits of a smart lock on your […]
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Details are still a bit thin on the ground, but Kwikset is bringing out a Wi-Fi enabled deadbolt lock. Wi-Fi is obviously a much lower bar to entry than a proper home automation hub/system, so I can see why they are doing it. But, if it’s just an isolated lock, with no chance of integration with other systems (even the […]
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I’m sure I missed a lot of news by not being able to make it to CES this year. One of these things, and I know I would have seen it close up because I always stop by the Kwikset booth, is their new Z-Wave deadbolt. Frankly, I think it looks great and I was really happy with my Kwikset […]
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This year’s show was focused heavily on home automation (HA) and the “Internet of Things” device so I spent most of my time at the show running down different HA vendors and talking to them about the products they have, and the ones that should be out sometime this year. Instead of breaking each one into its own post I […]
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To show off how cool it is to combine IP control + Home Automation (HA), the Z-Wave Alliance and Kwikset are having Mariusz Malkowski climb the six highest mountian in the world during CEDIA. While that is slick, it’s not as personally applicable as the $500 worth of Z-Wave kit and a Kwikset deadbolt lock if you can guess when […]
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When I was building my home automation (HA) system, the lack of devices and good integration between those devices was the main reason I settled on Z-Wave. In many ways Zigbee is a superior technology though, and also has the benefit of being supported by many chip manufactures (Z-Wave is controlled by Sigma Designs) so it’s great to see product […]
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No Home Automation (HA) is really complete without connected deadbolts making it possible to manage access. Which is exactly why I have the original Kwikset Z-Wave locks in my home. Frankly, I’m a big fan and there’s a lot to like about the locks, especially SmartKey which lets you re-key the locks whenever you want without involving a locksmith. There […]
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