Google consolidates Home and Nest smart home initiatives

Fresh from Google IO 2019 is the news that Google Home and Nest devices are now consolidated into a unified smart home hardware and software initiative. The first product under this brand is the Google Nest Hub. A 10-inch smart display with Google Home functionality as well as a camera for video calls (or for security when you're away), this device can be anyting from a smart-speaker, kitchen TV, or digital photo frame.

Coming to Canada for the first time, the Google Nest Hub comes in a variety of colours including, chalk, charcoal, aqua and sand. Google says You can buy Hub for $169, and starting today, you can pre-order from the Google Store.  Google also has some deals for pre-orders of the Nest Hub between May 7 and May 27, Customers will get a Google Home Mini for free. Starting today, pricing for Google Home speakers will be $129 and Google Home Max will be $399.

Take a look at the latest Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings enabled smart home solutions

We recently went on a walkthrough at Amazon's pop-up smart home and saw a variety of applied smart home solutions. Among the stand out products that caught my eye include the August smart locks that can be unlocked remotely with an app or through your voice. 

We also saw the impressive iRobot Roomba i7+ (which we will review soon), this smart robot vacuum can be controlled by voice as well and even empties its own filter on to its charging station. Samsung showed off various sensors, it's high-tech refrigirator with a display, it's Frame TV and other sensors. Check out the video above to see some of the demos.

Dedicated smart home app reportedly coming to iOS 10

The list of devices that support Apple’s HomeKit platform continue to grow. And with that means varied apps needed to manage different kinds of appliances or devices. Thankfully, there might be a central hub for all of that in the future, if the rumours are to be believed. MacRumors reported they saw a review on Amazon from an Apple employee that claims a “standalone” HomeKit app will be coming in the fall just in time for the release of iOS 10. The staffer can’t say how it’d work but the implication is it’ll be a hub for all HomeKit-compatible gadgets. Of course, there’s no certainty that Apple plans to show up soon. But if this does get released, that’ll give Apple an edge in the smart home market.

Source: Engadget

New study reveals Canadians are rapidly adopting smart home technology

 

By Sonya Davidson

Interesting findings have been revealed recently on how Canadians expect smart home technology to become commonplace in their homes within the next two years. The study conducted by MARU/VCR&C*, and commissioned by TELUS, found a significant gap between those that believe that smart home technology will benefit their lives (61%) and those who currently own a smart home device (34%). 

But that's about to change quickly! Of those 63% of people have reported that they will own at least one smart home device by 2018 - such as a smart TV, thermostat, lighting, appliance, entry and security system etc.. Half of them also reported they will own at least three or more. 

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