Hey everybody – I owe you an apology for not being in touch for a while. All is great here in Ireland and finally, the evenings are stretching. Today I have some pretty exciting stories to share with you in this edition. From Amazon’s plans to take over the world… from space to the booming AV tech job market that requires no degree, we’ve got it all covered. We’ll also tell you about Ring’s exciting new in-app features, and the newly released 2023 Z-Wave Ecosystem Report that reveals how the smart home market is rapidly growing as consumers demand more interoperability and DIY fun. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the read.
Amazon Plans to Take Over the World…from Space!
Hold on to your hats, folks! Amazon has been given permission to launch over 3,000 satellites to bring the internet from space to our homes. That’s right, you heard it, SPACE! The plan is to give high-speed internet to under-serviced areas. CEO Andy Jassy said they’re hoping to reach 300-400 million customers worldwide, and that’s a lot of people!
The service, called Kuiper, will change access to information and resources for communities with little to no fixed broadband connectivity. But let’s not kid ourselves, Amazon’s not doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. They’re hoping that if more people have high-speed internet, they’ll be more likely to use Amazon products. And we all know what that means, more videos, more orders, more music, and more MONEY for Amazon!
But wait, there’s a deadline! The FCC has given Amazon until mid-2026 to have 1,600 satellites in space, or they risk losing their approval. So, Amazon’s going all out, building satellites in Kirkland, Washington, and securing deals with ULA, Arianespace, and Blue Origin to launch them into space starting in early 2023. They’re planning test launches later this year, and if they want to make their target goal, they’ll need to hurry up in 2024 and 2025.
It’s official folks, we’re one step closer to Amazon taking over the world… or at least space!
Get in on the Sound Waves: AV Tech Jobs Booming with No Degree Required
Get ready to hear some good news for those who want to ditch their degrees! A recent survey conducted by JobSage revealed that Americans are eyeing the no-degree job market more than ever before. And the most interesting “no-degree job” at the moment? Being an AV technician!
AV techs, aka audio and video technicians, are the most sought-after no-degree job, according to the survey. ZipRecruiter data showed that the demand for AV technicians is growing faster than any other job in the “no-degree” category. The average salary for AV technicians is currently between $40,000 to $59,999 but is expected to increase due to high demand and interest in the field.
Sound engineers came in second on the list of “Most Interesting No-Degree Jobs,” and they’re expected to experience a similarly high growth rate through 2031.
This survey showed that people’s attitudes toward college degrees have dropped considerably over the past year. In fact, 69% of respondents believe that college degrees will be less important for getting well-paying jobs in the coming years. Meanwhile, 72% say they would skip college altogether if their dream job didn’t require a degree. And to top it off, 92% of Americans believe that degrees are overpriced.
So, if you’re considering a no-degree job, AV techs and sound engineers are definitely worth looking into. Plus, it’s good news for the custom install industry, which has suffered from a severe labor shortage. Who needs a degree when you can have a cool job like an AV technician or sound engineer?
And let’s not forget that the certified NGSHI professional training program is an excellent first step in joining this booming industry 💰.
Protect Your Home with Ring’s Exciting New In-App Features – Subscription Required!
Ring, the popular home security company, has announced some exciting updates to its in-app features that are sure to ring in the profits. Starting March 29, 2023, you’ll need to subscribe to Ring Protect if you want to access certain features, like the ability to arm and disarm your Ring Alarm from your app. But don’t worry, if you already have an Alarm, you’re in luck! You’ll get to keep these features, and Ring won’t take them away… yet.
For those without an Alarm, Ring is offering a subscription service that will grant access to some nifty new features. You can now change modes to arm and disarm your entire home security system from the Ring app or via an Alexa-enabled device. Plus, you’ll get real-time notifications and 60 days of alarm history. Who wouldn’t want to relive every single false alarm?
But wait, there’s more! With a Ring Protect subscription, you can even link your Ring doorbells and cameras to your Alarm and create custom automation. Want your cameras to start recording when your Alarm goes off? Done. Want to turn off your doorbell’s live view when you’re at home? Also done. Just make sure you subscribe, or you’ll miss out on these exciting features.
Of course, if you don’t want to pay for a subscription, you’ll still have access to some basic features like Live View, Two-Way Talk, Motion Detection, and Motion Alerts. But let’s be honest, who wants basic when you can have all the bells and whistles?
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for Ring Protect today and protect your home… and your wallet.
Z-Wave Alliance Releases 2023 Ecosystem Report: Smart Home Growth Surges as Consumers Demand More Interoperability and DIY Fun
The Z-Wave Alliance, a bunch of folks dedicated to making your home smarter, has released its fourth-annual Z-Wave Ecosystem Report. Before you say “What the heck is that?”, let us break it down for you: the report takes a deep dive into the smart home market and the Z-Wave® technology. It also examines the growth and challenges of smart homes globally, and guess what? The results are in!
Apparently, the U.S. is leading the pack when it comes to smart home adoption, but the UK, France, and Germany are not far behind. People across all four countries are satisfied with their smart home systems and want more, especially sensor kits for electrical, fire safety, and water usage.
The report also revealed that people want their smart home devices to be compatible with each other, and as more devices are owned, the importance of interoperability increases exponentially. Who wants to have to use five different apps to control five different devices? Ain’t nobody got time for that.
And hey, did you know that having basic smart home technology in any new home is the new end-user expectation? Yup, over half of smart home device owners in the U.S., UK, and Germany want their next home to have at least basic smart home technology.
DIY vs pro installation? It seems that consumers are getting more confident in investing in smart home products, but there’s still a chance for the pros to swoop in and offer their expertise.
Overall, the report is pretty exciting, especially for those who love data and graphs. But hey, if you’re not into that, the report also includes a case study about energy savings achieved by using a Z-Wave-enabled Horus solution in hotel properties. So, there you have it. Smart homes are on the rise, and Z-Wave is leading the way!
This is it for today, See you next later this week 😉. If you have colleagues, friends, or neighbors that would benefit from knowing about smart home devices, please consider sharing them. They can sign up for the newsletter by going here.
– Gerard
