Aug 01

The Best of CES: Smart Home Edition

Many new and improved smart home technologies came forth at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

The Consumer Electronics Show(link is external) in Las Vegas is a great opportunity to meet with tech companies and see the latest trends. A large show covering all manner of technological advancements, it can be quite overwhelming with over 2,400 exhibitors and 100,000 attendees, the largest technology conference in the world. As an avid smart-home enthusiast and a primary contributor to REALTOR® Magazine’s Ultimate Smart Home series, that’s where I focused most of my time. Here’s a rundown of what’s exciting coming out of CES on the smart home front.

Matter Protocol

During last year’s show, the new Matter protocol was announced but there weren’t many products available at that time. This year many companies announced new compatible products or that they will be offering over-the-air updates to support Matter. Apple Home(link is external) users are likely to be the most excited by this. Typically, Apple users experience the least number of compatible options with their smart home ecosystem. Matter is supposed to rectify the issue. I don’t think the protocol will have as big of an impact on the industry as Matter claims.

For years, other protocols for connecting various devices such as Z-Wave(link is external) and Zigbee offer a similar solution to the ecosystem conundrum. Most consumers don’t know the difference between them and will continue to shop for compatible devices by looking at the box or online. I also predict manufacturers will look at how consumers use their apps for these services. After collecting data, they’ll likely limit services based on use.

Affordable Smart Lighting

Companies like Govee(link is external), Nanoleaf(link is external) and Yeelight(link is external) debuted fun and affordable lighting options for entertainment spaces, many of which will sync up with televisions or computers. Expect to see greater control of these devices, the ability to create scenes and lighting zones to create a more immersive experience.

It is nice to have some alternative choices to Philips Hue popping up, which errs on the pricey side. That said, if you already have a lot of Hue bulbs and a Samsung TV, a new paid app allows you to sync the lights(link is external) of your connected devices without the previously required HDMI Sync box. The app will cost users a one-time fee of $130. The partnership is a great example of how smart tech companies can work together and will hopefully lead to an expansion with other brands.

For those who prefer smart switches over bulbs, Lutron announced the expansion of their new Caseta Diva & Claro lineup(link is external) to include color options that will be available from Home Depot online.

Robot Vacuums and Lawn Mowers

This year’s CES did not disappoint when it came to robot vacuum advancements. Enhanced navigation and self-emptying docking stations that can clean the mops and fill them back up made the list. Historically, Roborock leads the way category, and this year they announced the new S8 lineup(link is external), which comes with a host of new features, including self-cleaning for the robot itself. However, 2023 might be the year they run up against some competition from Eufy(link is external), and Noesis(link is external) which automatically replaces disposable mop pads.

Robot vacuums are commonplace now, while robotic lawn mowers really struggle to take off, likely due to the cost and challenges around deploying the mechanism in a typical yard. Worx announced their new Landroid Vision(link is external) model, which features cameras for navigating. The company purports that “Landroid Vision uses deeply trained neural network to set grass apart from obstacles,” which means the mower “knows what to mow, what to avoid, and where not to cross.” What’s more, the mower makes its way back to the dock for charging and when it’s work is done.

Water-Related

While the robot is out mowing the yard, the new Moen smart sprinkler system(link is external) makes water use more efficient while preserving the integrity of the grass. The system has wireless soil moisture detectors built into each zone to ensure the most efficient use of water. This is perfect for anyone already using the Flo by Moen water ecosystem, and it can be controlled from the same app.

Kohler brings aromatherapy(link is external) and skincare into the shower for an affordable, spa-like experience. The longtime fixture company collaborated with Sprig to provide a shower experience that rains down water infused with popular scents like lavender and eucalyptus. The Sprig pods also include popular skincare products like hyaluronic acid, which has long been used in various skincare products as it promotes skin elasticity and hydration.

Companies Entering the Smart Home Space

Roku announced(link is external) its expansion into smart home technology with a partnership with Wyze. The partnerships give users the added benefit of accessing the home’s cameras on Roku devices and using one app to control everything. Longtime electronics brand RCA now has an entire lineup of Wi-Fi–connected smart-home devices, including security cameras(link is external), for budget-conscious homeowners. Devices will be available soon at major retailers like Walmart and TJ Maxx. Ring made the jump into the automobile space with their new Car Cam(link is external). The dual-facing dashboard security camera also includes optional LTE connectivity (for an additional fee). Car Cam connects directly to the car’s OBD-II port and works with the existing Ring App and home Wi-Fi.

As smart home technology expands and becomes a more fluid part of everyday life, expect to see more partnerships and an array of companies adding smart home devices to their product lineups.

EVs and Charging

There were plenty of new electric vehicles featured on the show floor including the announcement of the upcoming Afeela(link is external), a partnership between Sony & Honda, which is slated to be available for purchase in 2025.

The expansion of electric vehicles means more EV charging stations, and many companies are jumping on board. Most notable was the new Schneider Home(link is external) from Schneider Electric. The company unveiled a whole-home energy solution that includes a smart panel capable of managing solar power, battery backup, EV charging and home automation all in one state-of-the-art package. Fully integrated systems like this will put the power back into homeowners’ hands to monitor their electrical use, power through outages, connect everything and save money. Each component is modular in design and the complete solution will roll out throughout the year. Installation will be handled by Schneider Electric’s network of providers.

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

admin

For all of your Real Estate needs, place yourself in the competent hands of a career Realtor who is a Philadelphia native and Delaware County resident. Skilled, smart and enthusiastic about his work and his life, Anthony DiDonato has the appealing combination of business sense and people skills gives him an edge in an industry that demands both.

Educated at Drexel University with a dual major in accounting and finance and minors in management and psychology Anthony DiDonato offers over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry. He has been a real estate investor since 1985 and a member of H.A.P.C.O. (Landlord Association). He became a licensed Realtor in 1992 and a member of the Local, Pennsylvania and National Associations of Realtors. Anthony DiDonato is also a member of the Computerized Multiple Listings, (MLS) and Internet Marketing Programs. In 1997 Anthony DiDonato became Century 21 All-Elite, Inc. Corporate Secretary.

Anthony DiDonato believes in taking his profession to the highest level of quality service. He is known for finding that “perfect” property in Philadelphia, Delaware County, Chester County, Montgomery County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania for his buyers and helping his sellers prepare their properties so they sell quickly and efficiently.

When it comes time to negotiate the terms of a contract, Anthony DiDonato has the knowledge, experience, and professionalism applied to meeting – or exceeding – his clients’ expectations. His service to his clients is second to none. His honesty and integrity have been his claim to fame.

For Superior Real Estate Representation in the Delaware Valley, Philadelphia, Delaware County, Chester County, Montgomery County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania… call Anthony DiDonato.