Hello and welcome to this week’s newsletter, where we bring you the latest and greatest in smart home news! It’s been an exciting week in the world of smart security as Abode and Nest team up, creating a match made in heaven for home security enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Neato Robotics bids farewell to its iconic D-shaped robot vacuums, marking the end of an era. In other news, a new report shows that smart homes are taking over Europe and North America, with strong market growth and promising future predictions. And finally, Apple is shaking up the smart speaker market with its latest HomePod, featuring a 7-inch display. So grab your favorite beverage, sit back, and let’s dive into the world of smart homes!
Abode + Nest: A Match Made in Smart Security Heaven
In a move that’s sure to delight smart security enthusiasts everywhere, Abode has announced that it’s reintroducing Google Nest integrations directly into its app. That means you can now add your Nest Cam and Thermostats to your Abode security system, making your home security smarter and more comprehensive than ever before.
But don’t worry, you don’t need a degree in rocket science to get your Nest account synced within your Abode app. It’s actually pretty straightforward. Just tap the menu (≡) icon, select Integrations, choose Google Nest from the list, and hit Connect with Google Nest. Then, follow the prompts to log into your Nest account and tap all the toggles to give Abode access to your Nest devices. And voila! Your Nest devices will now be listed in the Abode app alongside all your native sensors and cameras.
Once your Nest devices are up and running in the Abode app, you’ll be able to see snapshots of their statuses and use them as triggers for Abode automation and quick actions within the Cue setup. It’s like having a personal assistant who’s always looking out for your home security. For example, you can have an alarm trigger if motion is detected by a camera, or have your alarm system arm if your Nest status becomes Away. You can even have your Nest Thermostat turn off the heat if smoke is detected by your Abode smoke detector.
The integration is available now, so if you’re an Abode user, make sure you’re running the latest version of the app to take advantage of this exciting new feature. It’s time to take your home security to the next level with Abode + Nest.
The End of an Era: Neato Robotics Says Goodbye to Its D-Shaped Robot Vacuums
After 16 years of sucking up dirt and debris, Neato Robotics, the company behind the iconic D-shaped robot vacuums, is closing its doors. If you’ve ever used one of Neato’s vacuums, you know that its unique design made it a cleaning powerhouse. The D-shape allowed the vacs to easily clean corners and edges, where dust bunnies love to gather.
But Neato’s vacuums were more than just pretty shapes. They were also pioneers in the world of smart home cleaning technology. Neato was one of the first companies to incorporate LiDAR technology into its vacuums, allowing them to map rooms and navigate around obstacles with ease.
So why is Neato calling it quits? It’s unclear, but we can only imagine that the competition in the robot vacuum market has become too fierce. With big players like iRobot and SharkNinja dominating the space, it’s tough for smaller companies to keep up.
But fear not Neato fans. If you already own a Neato vacuum, there’s no need to panic. The company has said that it will continue to support its vacuums and provide customer service. And who knows? Maybe one day Neato will make a comeback with an even better and more innovative design.
In the meantime, let’s all take a moment to appreciate the D-shaped vacuums that made cleaning a little bit easier and a lot more fun. Farewell, Neato Robotics. You will be missed.
Smart Homes Take Over Europe and North America: New Report Shows Strong Market Growth and Future Predictions
Smart homes are on the rise, according to a report from IoT analyst firm Berg Insight. The report found that the number of smart homes in Europe and North America reached a staggering 120.5 million in 2022, with North America leading the way in terms of market penetration.
At the end of 2022, 39.2 percent of households in North America had at least one smart home product or system, equivalent to 57.5 million smart homes. Meanwhile, Europe lagged behind with a total of 63.1 million smart homes. But fear not Europe! Berg Insight predicts that by the end of 2027, smart homes will be more prevalent, reaching close to 47 percent market penetration, with a total of about 112.8 million smart homes.
So what are the most popular smart home products? According to the report, smart thermostats, smart light bulbs, smart security cameras, smart door locks, smart plugs, and smart speakers have sold in the hundreds of millions. Traditional OEMs such as Signify, Resideo, Danfoss, Belkin, Chamberlain, and Assa Abloy have marketed these products, along with newer entrants like Ecobee, Mysa, Nuki, Arlo, Netatmo, and Wyze Labs.
The report also notes that the market for whole-home systems is being served by traditional home automation specialists, home security providers, telecom operators, and DIY solution providers. In North America, interactive home security systems have become one of the most common types of smart home systems, with ADT, Vivint, Comcast, and Telus leading the way. In Europe, traditional home automation systems and DIY solutions are more prevalent, with eQ-3, Centrica, Verisure, and Somfy estimated to be the largest vendors of whole-home systems in the region.
As more consumers realize the value of connected products and systems, the smart home market is expected to keep growing. Plus, developments in new products and services, as well as connectivity standards that facilitate setup and control of devices from different vendors, will only foster more growth in the market. In fact, Berg Insight predicts that the new Matter standard is likely to become a key driver for the mass-market adoption of smart home devices in the next few years.
So, whether you’re in North America or Europe, it’s clear that smart homes are here to stay. And with electricity prices surging, there’s no better time to invest in smart home solutions that can help reduce your consumption and save you money.
As the smart home market continues to expand, so does the demand for professionals who possess the knowledge and skills to install, maintain and troubleshoot these devices. A smart home certification course can provide you with the training and credentials necessary to succeed in this rapidly growing field. By completing such a course, you’ll not only gain valuable insights into the latest technologies and trends, but you’ll also be able to position yourself as an expert in this exciting and dynamic industry. So if you’re looking to enhance your career opportunities and stay ahead of the curve, consider enrolling in a smart home certification course today!
Apple’s New HomePod with a 7-inch Display to Shake Up the Smart Speaker Market!
Apple is reportedly stepping up its smart home game with a new HomePod in the works. Rumored to debut in early 2024, this revamped model will feature a 7-inch display, making it more in line with the tech giant’s other products. Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-respected industry analyst, claims that the HomePod will boast tighter integration with Apple’s other hardware offerings, marking a significant shift in the company’s smart home strategy. This new HomePod will be equipped with a display panel manufactured by Chinese company Tianma, which has a reputation for screen innovation. With all the buzz surrounding this new development, we can’t wait to see what Apple has in store for us!
This is it for today, See you soon 😉. 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
CLASSIFIEDS
➤ SMART HOME IN 8 WEEKS: Smart home devices have the potential to change your life for the better. Here’s everything needed to plan, create, and start living in your own smart home in just 56 days!
➤ GET CERTIFIED: My flagship course titled Certified Next-Generation Smart Home Installer (NGSHI) has been recently updated. If interested in earning an extra $1,000 per month installing smart home systems, then click here.
Start Your Own Smart Home Devices Installation Business Today!