New August Connect Allows You to Control Your Smartlock from Anywhere

Gradually, home automation is taking its place in the market. With almost everyone carrying at least one smartphone all the time, this idea appeals to a major crowd although it has only penetrated a small portion of it at present. One of its potentials is being able to improve home security. August, is a company that presents door locks that are Android or iOS smartphone operated. However, generally, such technology depends on Bluetooth connection to function. Thus, you can only turn the switch in a limited proximity.

Now, the groundbreaking August Connect is here to make things even better as recently introduced at CES. Instead of Bluetooth, it works through Wi-Fi connection. It can work as a bridge between he Internet and the August Smart Lock by simply plugging into a power outlet and connecting to your home’s Wi-Fi connection. This would allow you to control your door locks from wherever in the world as long as your smartphone or tablet is connected to the Internet. Imagine what useful role it can play to be able to open the locks for contractors who needs access to your home without giving them your actual key, like a house cleaner.

It is already available via pre-order today and is ready to ship the following month. It costs $49.99 and $249.99 for the lock that works hand in hand with it. the brand has also announced that an API will possibly be taking third-party sellers, like Nest, making it easier to communicate as long as it has the August badge.

New August Connect Allows You to Control Your Smartlock from Anywhere

The Latest Gadgets from Archos

Archos is not only launching one handset, but three smartphones, two tablet computers and other gadgets. We can say Archos is pretty much proactive, and certainly they succeeded in grabbing the market’s attention. Beginning next month, these gadgets will be faired on IFA. But to keep you ahead, here are some highglights.

The gadgets from Archos to watch out for are namely Archos 50b Platinum, Archos 45c Platinum, Archos 40 Cesium and Archos 101 Oxygen along with additional gadgets.

Archos 50b Platinum

-          Dual sim support

-          5” IPS screen 960×540

-          Quad core processor

-          8mp rear camera with autofocus

-          2mp front snapper

-          8GB microSD card, 4GB built-in storage

-          1,900mAh Li-Po battery

-          £120 (€150 / $200)

 

Archos 45c Platinum

-          Dual sim support

-          4.5” IPS screen 480 x 854

-          Rear camera: 5mp Front camera: 2mp

-          Android 4.4.2 KitKat

-          1,700mAh Li-Po battery

-          £100 (€125 / $165)

 

Archos 40 Cesium

-          Windows Phone 8.1

-          Quad Core processor

-          4” display

-          £80 (€100 / $130)

 

*All three smartphones will start rolling on September.

 

Archos 101 Oxygen

-          10.1″ 1080p screen

-          Quad Core processor

-          16 GB built-in storage

-          £200 (€250 / $330)

 

More from Archos

The company is also dedicating efforts on home automation. So far, the coolest they have produced are temperature tracker, music lamp and a beany with built-in headphones.

Archos Weather Station will be launched also this September. £100 (€125 / $165)

 

Archos Music Light £50 (€65 / $85)

Archos Music Beany £30 (€40 / $50)

The Latest Gadgets from Archos

Microsoft"s Own Home Automation App And Device

Google bought the innovative home products maker Nest for $3.2 billion earlier this year. Not to be outdone, Microsoft is trying to get into the home automation market with a product of their own. Microsoft does not have any home automation products of its own even though they bought the home automation startup R2 Studios. R2 Studios, was a startup that focused on home entertainment and home automation but it seems Microsoft has been holding back on developing anything in that niche, until now.

The Redmond based company has started a partnership with home automation company Insteon. Microsoft and Insteon have just announced that an enhanced version of the Insteon app will be available on Windows and Windows Phone 8.1 and with it the launch of their new home automation product.

Here are some features of the Insteon app:

• Full screen video feeds which you can use to check on what’s happening at home.


• A visitor mode to give limited control to guests.


• App notifications can appear on a live tile.

In addition to this, standalone devices are planned to be available for sale in the Windows Store. These devices include things like an LED bulb, a WiFi Camera, and a leak sensor for $30 – $80. Kits for this system start at the price of $200.

Microsoft will have to be careful about the price since they are competing with well established rivals like Nest and Phillips in this niche. Nest does not offer a lof of products but the products that they do offer are high quality, simple in design, and easy to use. Phillips Hue is good but it only has an iPhone and iPad application to configure the devices.

Nest Products make use of wifi to talk to each other while Insteon’s system uses RF frequency instead. It also uses the home’s existing power wiring to communicate to the devices. This is a very interesting use of the Powerline networking technology.

The app is already in the Windows Store and the devices should be available on July 1st. The package should contain plenty of demos and other material to help you understand and set it up.

Microsoft"s Own Home Automation App And Device