Home Is Where the Smart Is
A visit to former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek’s Loxone-powered, cloud-free and totally-automated smart home
Profiling the Audio System Buyer
The appetite for investment in an audio system is guided by the customer’s passion and knowledge. Getting them the right solution means getting to know them.
Will Elon Musk’s Starlink Solve the Rural Broadband Scarcity Issue?
Getting broadband Internet access to rural areas could be a boon to businesses, sales, and retailers. Will Elon Musk’s new Starlink satellite internet service do the job? To find out, we put the new service through its paces over the course of several months.
Lennox Unveils New Suite of Smart Home Products
Plus: Vention launched a new series of products at CES 2023 in Las Vegas.
Azione Unlimited Spring 2021 Conference Loaded With Innovative Programming
Azione Unlimited, The Smart Home Association, opened its virtual doors for a two-day event this week—The Expedient Exposition. Live from their Chester Springs, PA, headquarters, the Azione team beamed with excitement about the current conference agenda, and looked grinningly toward in-person events in the fall.
Amazon Unveils Upgraded Echo Dot
Amazon held an event today in which the company announced a number of new products, ranging from TVs to robotic upgrades to security lights.
Gadgets, TVs and More You Need to Know from CEDIA 2022
CEDIA Expo, the show for connecting integrators, designers and construction professionals, experienced a strong return for its 2022 edition.
Austere Launches Series of Surge Protectors
Austere’s new VII Series ($129.99), V Series ($99.99), and III Series ($79.99) sit flush with the wall for an elegant and unobtrusive appearance.
The Stay-at-Home Trend is Moving Outdoors
Even as the pandemic eases, working-from-home activities and entertaining will continue to take place outdoors.
Hunter Douglas New Roll Design for Sonnette Cellular Roller Shades
Hunter Douglas is bringing automated shades even closer to the window, which reduces light leakage, increases privacy, and supports energy efficiency.
Swidget Receives NAHB Global Innovation Award
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently announced its 2020 Global Innovation Awards. Among the winners is Swidget, a manufacturer of modular smart devices.
Blackdove to Bring NFT Artwork to LG TVs
Blackdove, the digital art gallery, is collaborating with LG to bring NFT artwork straight to LG DVLED Extreme Home Cinema displays.
Azione Unlimited and Nationwide Marketing Group Announce Merger
Nationwide Marketing Group and Azione Unlimited are merging to better serve the custom integrator community as well as Nationwide's independent retailer members.
Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA) Releases 1.0 Guidelines
Home Connectivity Alliance announced the release of its HCA 1.0 Giidlines for Cloud-to-Cloud interoperability at CES 2023. HCA, committed to home ecosystem operations, displayed...
The Top Smart Home Products from CES
From lighting, lawn care, fireplaces and more, these are our top smart home picks from CES 2023.
Samsung CES Keynote Touts Sustainability, Connectivity
Jong-Hee "J.H." Han, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics talked about new products, but mostly addressed the company's sustainability efforts, new partnerships, and other more big-picture considerations.
CHIPing Away at the Fragmented Smart Home Market
Amazon, Google, and Apple headline Project CHIP and look to undo the mistakes they influenced. A fragmented smart home market is saturated with limited innovation. Now, they're looking to define smart devices beyond just setting timers and checking the weather.
How Digital NFT Art Transforms the Television Use Case
The rise of digital NFT art is an opportunity to re-imagine screens, not just as a workplace tool or television, but as the medium for a dynamic art installation. For dealers, this application could open a path to sell larger screens to a broader profile of customer.
HTSN Report Highlights Resiliency in Custom Integration Industry
In May, the Home Technology Specialists Nationwide (HTSN) division launched a comprehensive survey of its members to produce the first-ever HTSN Member Report.
How to Create a Sustainable Path to Smart Home Growth
The smartphone industry offers lessons to retailers in increasing customer loyalty through green initiatives.
Nationwide Announces Partnership With Installation Nation
Retailers are struggling to keep up with delivery and installation demand, to remedy this Nationwide announced their new partnership with Installation Nation.
AI-Powered Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum Recognizes Even More Obstacles
Robotic vacuum cleaners continue to get smarter as companies work to develop and implement more sophisticated AI capabilities. iRobot last week released the Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum with Genius 3.0 Home Intelligence. Equipped with a series of cameras that allows it to analyze harder-to-discern obstacles in real time, the Roomba j7+ is designed to allow the consumer to never again pick up a vacuum.
Building a Resilient Smart Home
The smart home is progressing quickly in 2022, and CES covered this topic in a conference session called “Building a Resilient Smart Home.” Hosted...
HTSA Sees Major Growth Potential in Lighting Channel
Lightapalooza 2023 from HTSA provides an opportunity for the CI industry to receive important trainings on how to capitalize on the growing lighting channel.
CSA New Smart Home Protocol Matter Officially Launched
Matter was launched by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) at a large launch event in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with a variety of members participating.
The Potential Behind Digital Twin Technology
How an evolving concept can change the future of connected living
Kwikset Introduces Entry-Level Smart Lock, the Home Connect 620
The first in the Home Connect line, the Home Connect 620 offers: one-touch locking; a 10-button keypad; and 250 unique user codes all powered by the latest Z-Wave 700 chip technology.
ECOVACS DEEBOT N8 Pro+: Deep Cleaning Without Lifting a Finger
Considering the increased suction power and the added convenience of the emptying station, the N8 Pro+ seems to be the most effective and cost-friendly option we’ve seen yet from ECOVACS.
Abode Launches New Wireless Video Doorbell and Full-Color Smart Bulbs
Abode Wireless Video Doorbell and Abode Color Bulbs – into the expanding and comprehensive Abode ecosystem.
TCL Goes XXL: Huge Screens for Superior Immersive Experience
TCL Electronics has launched a range of extra-large screens to offer the “best of immersive entertainment with affordable technology”.
WiZ Announces Several New Smart Lighting Products
WiZ, a smart lighting company which is owned by Signify, the same company that owns other smart lighting maker Philips Hue, has announced new lighting products.
Home Security Leader Ring Releases Floodlight Outdoor Camera
Ring has released its "most advanced outdoor security camera," equipped with 3D Motion Detection with radar and Bird’s Eye View—the new Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro. The new product builds upon the features of the Ring Floodlight Cam to monitor outdoor spaces with motion-activated LED lights and HD video.
Randy Klein Announces Retirement from Crestron
After more than 30 years with Crestron Electronics, including the last eight as President and CEO, Randy Klein will retire this year. Daniel Feldstein, current Chairman and COO and the son of Crestron founder George Feldstein, will assume the President and CEO position.
AIC Reveals Servers with 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors
The storage and server specialist AIC has unveiled a new range of systems for servers that are powered by 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable...
Nationwide Spotlights Luxury Appliances and Outdoor Kitchens at PrimeTime
Nationwide members had plenty of opportunities to learn about these fast-growing categories at last week's expo.
Wemax Releases “World’s Thinnest” ALPD Laser Projector
At only one inch thick, the Wemax Go Pro is the thinnest ALPD FHD laser projector projector on the market. It slips easily into back pockets. It really does.
Smart Display Market Worth $6.1 billion by 2025
According to the new market research report published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Smart Display Market size was valued at $ 1.1 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $6.1 billion by 2025.
Making Your Smart Home Entrance Smarter
The demands of new smart home tech are driving companies to make new products.
PowerHouse Alliance Releases White Paper on the CI Business
The report outlines key product trends, emerging technologies, and predictions for 2021 as reported by the 11 distributor members.
Z-Wave Alliance Releases 2022 State of the Ecosystem Report
The Z-Wave Alliance, the standards development organization dedicated to advancing the smart home and Z-Wave technology, has released its third-annual Z-Wave State of the...
GE Lighting, A Savant Company, Announces Major Additions to Cync Portfolio...
The company is introducing a Smart Thermostat and Temperature Sensor, a line of Outdoor Security Cameras, and additional lighting products to the family of connected products at CES 2022, and will continue to launch more hardware, as well as innovative software solutions, throughout the year.
Universal offers Matter-Certified Products for Interoperability across Entertainment, HVAC and Smart...
Universal Electronics (UEI) (NASDAQ: UEIC) announced its new Matter qualified products and services at the Consumer Electronics Show 2023.
Smart homes have been known to have...
Qualcomm Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Home Network Platform
Plus: ViewSonic unveils latest additions to Luminous Superior Series Projector lineup.
Nationwide Dazzles with Intelligent Luxury at PrimeTime
The debut of luxury appliances as a focus at this week's Virtual PrimeTime show offered new insights to Nationwide members that cater to smart home consumers.
DoorBird Driver Certified, Integrated Into Control4 Systems
DoorBird, the IP video door intercoms from Berlin, Germany-based Bird Home Automation Group, and Control4, manufacturer of smart home automation systems, have partnered. Control4 has certified the DoorBird driver, allowing for the company’s IP door stations to be integrated into Control4 systems.
Five Essential Products For Outdoor Work and Play
Even as the pandemic eases, working and entertaining will continue to take place outdoors. These five products are sure to make your backyard come alive.
Fostering Healthy Business Growth in 2022 and Beyond
Demand for home upgrades and custom installation is on the rise, so how can dealers and integrators can work together to capitalize on this trend in the new year?
What the Sustainable Smart Home Really Means
More so than in past years, there was a heavy focus on how technology can help solve personal and environmental health issues that we are currently facing.
Yeedi 3-in-1 Vac Station Cleans Rugs, Floors, and Itself
The Yeedi robot vacuum can make cleaning a fast chore because it can vacuum, sweep, and mop.
Enclave Audio CineHome Stands Out With Rich Sound, Few Wires
The Enclave Audio CineHome || CineHub Edition Home Theater Sound System features a plug-and-play setup and full surround sound to provide high-quality sound.
Your Own Private Smart Retirement Home
With overlapping interest from the smart home and healthcare industries, sensor-based tech leads solutions for aging-in-place and health management for seniors.
Eye on the Consumer: Help Consumers Outsmart Their Smart Homes
Before the pandemic, the average number of connected devices in the home was projected to grow from 14 in 2019 to 34 by 2025 according to Strategy Analytics.
Meet the E-Studio: the Multi-Purpose Tech Room Customers Want
Photo: The Abbott Road Studio is 600 SQ. FT. all-in-one room with a 14 ft tall A-Frame ceiling, owned by Rob Jaczko, Chairman of...
How to Encourage Consumers to Buy By Educating Them
Tech companies must focus on educating consumers on how autonomous kitchens ease their cooking woes by producing cooking experiences catered to personal needs.
Essential Office Tech For the Future-Proofed Workplace
Why changing work models require new product solutions.
This Is the Tech That New Home Buyers Want
If you’re selling a home, here’s what to leave behind, and what to take with you.
How Food & Cooking Will Change in the Future
Especially in light of the pandemic, the traditional dining-in model has drastically changed in recent years. More people are cooking at home, but they...
UNBOXED: Reviewing the LG CordZero A9 Kompressor Stick Vacuum with Power...
In these unusual times of home schooling and home office work, household appliances are being tasked to perform above and beyond their normal use cycles to meet changing consumer requirements. Quick cleanups, in between all that needs to be taken care of in these times, are rather impractical with a corded vacuum cleaner. A great solution: a cord-free vacuum to bridge the gap between a portable handheld and traditional tethered vacuums.
Mobile-Only Households Are a Slowing Phenomenon
The proliferation of home 5G and fiber-optic infrastructure during the pandemic is increasingly making users mobile second rather than mobile first.
Vivint Now Z-Wave Alliance’s Latest Principal Member
The Z-Wave Alliance has added Vivint Smart Home as its latest principal member.
Why the Modern Smart Home Is No Longer a ‘Jetsons’ Fantasy
Highlights from the Parks Associates and GE Appliances white paper on the connected home.
Access Networks Raising Money to Donate 1,000 Pairs of Nike Shoes...
Positioned as an industry-wide fundraiser, the Access Networks’ Nike Kicks for Kids Shoe Drive invites fellow vendors, integrators, and friends to contribute from Nov. 2 until the end of the year; Access Networks will match each pair of shoes donated.
How Are Consumers Liking Connected Technology Now?
More consumers than ever before have been purchasing connected technology and establish connected homes where smart products are front and center.
Tech Enabling New Apartment Experiences
Technology is ubiquitous and impacts all environments, especially buildings. One unique market for smart spaces solutions is that of smart apartments and MDUs.
Wemo Announces New Version of its Smart Dimmer
This week Wemo announced a new updated version of its Smart Dimmer with Thread, which is an in-wall dimmer switch.
Parks Research: Perceived Costs Inhibit Smart Home Device Adoption
More than 20 million U.S. broadband households do not plan to buy a smart home device due to perceived high prices, Parks Associates has reported.
Kwikset’s SC1 Keyway Smartkey Security
The new SC1 Keyway, compatible with most Kwikset locks, brings significant benefits to both the consumer and B2B markets, which includes security dealers as well as professionals who purchase and utilize a large volume of mechanical locks.
Best of the Best from the A/V Sector at CES 2023
See what products from LG, Hisense, Sharp, and JBL caught our eye at CES 2023.
CEDIA Expo Returns This Week
CEDIA Expo 2021 begins this week. Despite some exhibitors pulling out, more than 10,000 technology integrators, designers, and construction professionals will still attend and meet with the show's more than 300 exhibitors.
The Household Companion of the Future
Neato robotic vacuums have been given top ratings from international testing organizations. The flagship D10 robot features a HEPA filter, which captures 99.97 percent of allergens and dust particles.
Hampton Products Names Greg Gluchowski President and CEO
Leading provider of security and hardware solutions, Hampton Products International, has appointed Gregory J. Gluchowski, Jr. as President and CEO of the company.
REMO+ Add to the Growing List of DIY Home Security Tech
REMO+ DoorCam2 joins the growing list of DIY home security tech with its high-resolution camera, two-way audio, and motion sensor all at an affordable price.
Sounding Off on Home Theaters
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but when it comes to home theaters, audio is arguably more important than video.
Vivint Wins Annual IoT Breakthrough Award for Home Security
Vivint Smart Home named “Home Security Company of the Year” at the seventh annual IoT Breakthrough Awards recognizing outstanding Internet-of-Things companies.
Supporting Power Quality Demands
As connected technologies continue to populate new spaces, it’s essential to equip consumers with both the knowledge and solutions to support their investments.
Bosch Highlights Climate Action & AIoT for Sustainable Solutions at CES...
Bosch unveils its offerings related to AIoT, health & wellness, climate action and mobility at CES 2021.
Beyond the Basics: 5 Ways AI is Advancing the Smart Home
By the end of 2020, 40 percent of U.S. broadband households had at least one smart device. The right push could accelerate the category’s steady growth of the past few years into a period of rapid adoption and proliferation. Smart consumer electronics are already powerful and capable; the push they need is increased convenience.
Moen Launches Smart Faucet with Motion Control Technology
The next generation of Moen’s award-winning Smart Faucet, the Smart Faucet with Motion Control features new touchless technology that allows the user to control temperature and water flow by using simple hand motions.
Neato Robot Vacs Aim Higher, With Smarter Functions
The robotic vac manufacturer announced the new D9 and D10 models, both of which use laser navigation instead of a camera for floor mapping and object detection.
KONKA Brand Building Moves Forward with KONKASmart Lineup
The KONKASmart lineup represents the TV brand's launch into the Smart Home category.
AI’s Impact on Personalization in Connected Health
Remote Health resources have been on the rise and changing the future of healthcare.
Nice Hires Ryan Knavel as Director of Sales
Former Regional Sales Manager of Snap One and Control4 brings two decades of experience managing multi-product portfolio companies in the residential tech industry
Carlsbad, Calif.,...
New Smart Apartments
New apartments are becoming more tech enabled and friendly to attract more consumers who are looking for an upgrade to their living experience.
Energy Management and the Role of Utilities
New business models and technology can help drive customer engagement and participation in eco-friendly programs.
Azione Unlimited Adds New Board Members
Azione Unlimited recently welcomed Barco Residential's Director New Business, Americas, Daniel Nilsson, to its Board of Directors. Additionally, Eric Thies, president of DSI Luxury, and Gretchen Gilbertson, CEO of Seura, have been reelected to their terms.
