Smart Control

Aqara offers a whole range of very practical smart home devices. And within this range is the Aqara smart outlet. It is inexpensive, yet has a wide range of functions.

Regular design

This smart outlet has a rectangular design. It is quite large (67 × 47 × 35 mm) and has an indicator light on the front of the unit, which shows that the unit is well connected to the home’s Wi-Fi.

Regarding installation, you need to download the Aqara Home application on your smartphone in order to couple the Internet box with the outlet and the smartphone. An operation that has become standard and very simple. This smart outlet can support 100-125V, a voltage more than enough so you don’t have to worry about the connected device.

Basic but sufficient functions

Functionality is the main battleground of the various manufacturers of smart outlets. On this side. Aqara doesn’t really innovate and remains very classical.

There is an on/off function, the possibility to program activation times or to activate a timer. This plug has a big advantage: it can be controlled orally via Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. A big plus for such an inexpensive product.

To recap, it is possible to control the smart outlet either via Aqara Home application, which allows you to manage multiple devices, or via a voice wizard, in order to use as little manipulation as possible on the smartphone.

Our opinion on the Aqara smart outlet

Aqara is positioned in the segment of entry-level smart outlet. Cheap but without sacrificing quality. The ability to control the connected outlet with voice assistants is basic but sufficient. All in all, Aqara has succeeded in offering a very affordable and sufficiently well-maintained product, suitable for beginners as well as experienced users.

Home automation allows you to automate your home and control it remotely. Your home can therefore manage itself while you are away. It is then possible to integrate a system capable of managing your heating. The Xiaomi Aqara temperature sensor will allow you to perform this task. The Xiaomi Aqara temperature and humidity sensor monitors temperature, humidity and air pressure, and can then make changes to the environment and send a notification to your phone via the application.

Presentation of the Xiaomi Aqara temperature and humidity sensor

The Xiaomi Aqara temperature and humidity sensor communicates by radio frequency using Zigbee wireless technology. You don’t have to do any wiring since it uses a battery. Small in size, it can be placed discreetly in the place of your choice.

In addition, this intelligent sensor makes it easy to monitor temperature and humidity changes by looking at the data history.

Below are the characteristics of the sensor:

• Power supply: CR2032 battery
• Communication: ZigBee
• Temperature detection range: -20 – 60 ° C (+ / – 0.3 ° C)
• Humidity detection range: 0 – 100% RH (+ / – 0.3%)
• Atmospheric pressure detection range: 30 – 110KPa (+ / – 120Pa)
• Operating temperature: 0-40°C
• Dimensions: 3.60 x 3.60 x 3.60 x 0.90 cm
• Weight: 110 g

Configuration of the Xiaomi Aqara temperature and humidity sensor

To add your device to your eedomus box, it must be equipped with a Zigate dongle to allow it to use Zigbee technology. More information on our guide How to install a Zigate dongle.

To start adding your device, go to the home page of your eedomus box. Then click on <<<configuration>>> at the top right of your screen.

After clicking on <<<configuration>>, you will reach the system configuration tab. Go to your eedomus  box, then click on it. After clicking on your eedomus box, you will see the link <<<configure>> appear. Then click on <<<configure>> to continue with your steps.

You will then arrive at the configuration of your box. Go down to the middle of your screen, you can observe the Zigate part, with as administration: <<<Permit Join>>. Then click on Permit Join to add your device.

To use your temperature sensor, quickly press the button on the top of your sensor 3 times.

When your device is detected, you will see a link at the top of your screen. Click on <<<create it now>>.

Your device is then created. All you have to do is enter the name of your component, its use and define a part for it. Then, to validate this step, click on <<<Save>>.

You have just completed all the steps to add a device. These steps are identical when you want to add a device on your eedomus box with a dongle, to use Zigbee technology.

Scene creation

A scenario is an action performed by a component that depends on another component with operating criteria. Below, you will find the steps to follow for scenario creation, with Zigbee technology on your eddomus box.

First, go to the system configuration tab, then click on your component you added previously, then click on <<<configure>>.

You will then be taken to the configuration tab of your device. Navigate to the menu bar at the top of your screen and click on <<<Rules>>.

After clicking on the associated rules, you will arrive at the tab of the list of rules affiliated to your component. Click on <<<new rule>> to create a rule.

All you have to do is enter the name of your rule and define one or more criteria and one or more actions to perform. Validate the creation of your rule by clicking on <<<Save>>. You can now create a multitude of scenarios by following this procedure.

Conclusion

Recovering the temperature and humidity of your home is simple and economical. Indeed, with a box previously installed in your home, it will only be necessary to add a sensor such as the one presented in this article to optimize your quality of life, for example, by setting up automation systems in terms of heating, air conditioning or even to activate a VMC. It is up to you to choose since the only limit will be your imagination.

Smart homes, or connected homes, are becoming more and more popular. If you’re thinking about making yours smart, it’s sometimes hard to know where to start. Here is an introduction to the different types of devices available to automate your cozy nest.

Smart home hub

The most useful device is certainly the smart home hub. It acts as a wifi router by connecting all your devices to a single network. The idea is that you can control everything from a smart home hub.

Smart fire alarms

The connected fire alarms are linked to your smartphone, giving you the opportunity to test the alarm and know how many batteries are left. For example Nest, Aqara and Roost. Roost is also a connected battery that can connect to your wifi and add to your existing alarms, making them intelligent. The key element with these alarms is that you can receive an alert even if you are not at home and a fire starts.

Smart light bulb

Although the simple switch is very useful, it can be comfortable to control your lights with your smartphone, voice or smart hub. Nowadays, thanks to smart light bulb, you can connect to your network to dim, change the color, turn on or off your lights remotely. Some even turn off automatically if they detect that you are not in the room. Brands such as Philips, Yeelight and Osram, produce the smart light bulb that will last for years.

Smart Meters

Many service companies around the world are beginning to offer their customers smart meters. These devices manage your electricity, gas and water usage so you know exactly what you are consuming. The goal is for you to learn how to reduce your consumption, your bills and your impact on the environment. Research the smart meters available in your country.

Home security

Nowadays it is easy to install cameras at home and connect them to your smartphone, so you can have peace of mind when you are away. These devices may also have motion detectors that can trigger an alarm. Honeywell, Loxone and Belkin are just a few of the brands that offer intelligent security solutions.

These few categories can help you get started. There are many other ways to make your home smarter, so don’t hesitate to ask us about it.

More and more technological tools are facilitating the daily lives of older people, in particular to enable them to maintain their autonomy at home for as long as possible. With the smart lock, seniors gain in dependency and benefit from the advancement of smart home solutions.

Technology for the seniors

At the arrival of a very respectable age, the loss of autonomy, as well as the fear of loneliness, affects seniors. However, an elderly person still living at home can benefit from adapted solutions to provide more comfort on a daily basis. These are tools to facilitate the accomplishment of certain tasks that have become more complicated or require too much effort. Thanks to the development of smart home tools, such as the smart lock, the housing becomes more secure, with functions that can be programmed and modified at any time.

The smart lock

For seniors living alone at home, the smart lock offers very interesting possibilities. Equipped with access control technology, it allows you to adapt certain daily actions to limit travel. Equipped with very discreet opening sensors, the lock can be adapted over time to the habits of the main user, who can unlock it or adjust the parameters using a remote control. A great advantage to facilitate access for visitors or various providers such as the home nurse or meal delivery person. When using the smart lock manually, the senior benefits from a power-assisted opening and closing. The lock can also take a leading role in an emergency; it detects abnormal changes that occur. By means of an alert mode it can then alert the family or close persons. Finally, scenarios can be programmed in advance, for example an automatic locking from a specific time (night mode).

What else we can use

Here’s are the listing of devices and programs that we can adapt to facilitate home care for seniors:

• Door and window sensor installed on the various doors and windows
• Self-learning through the user’s lifestyle system
• Detection of a suspicious change of habit and alert to family/caregivers
• Scenario programming (door locking during night hours, etc.)
• Manual remote control for easy interaction with the system
• Power-assisted opening and closing when manually using the lock of the smart lock

Probably many users have already heard of Aqara, a brand designed specifically to create products for the home automation sector. Aqara is a brand that refers to Xiaomi, just like Yeelight, Mijia and Yi, other sub-brands of the Beijing giant, and until now it was not so easy to use its products. At least until now, interested users had to buy the Chinese version of the hub.

Finally, this will no longer be the case, as it is now possible to purchase a EU version Aqara Hub. Aqara confirmed this important novelty and also revealed that the first countries to enjoy the new hub are the Scandinavian ones, namely Sweden, Denmark and Norway. However, the brand that refers to Xiaomi has also ensured that in a short time the European version of the hub will also arrive in other markets: Aqara has not mentioned which ones, but the hope is that the novelty may also affect our country.

The hub, in fact, is rather tempting because it has features that can not help but arouse interest in users: think for example of voice control, but also support for Apple HomeKit. In addition, it should be noted that Aqara’s products are generally rather “low-cost”, and is undoubtedly a detail very pleasing to customers.

Read more:

• Amazon makes your home smart
• XIAOMI Home Security: adapter for the gateway’s power supply

One of the new technologies that appeared with good results in the aftermarket is the “Smart Display”, touch screens that simplify their characteristics compared to a tablet but include attractive functions such as virtual assistant, information and entertainment options. Now, new rumors mention that Google would go straight in with its proposal.

By comparing the recently presented Lenovo Smart Display, a device that has Google Assistant inside and a small screen to view videos from YouTube, traffic information, breaking news, temperature, etc., this time Google would add a powerful loudspeaker in its composition.

Google Smart Display at a glance

According to a Japanese specialized media that has obtained data on orders of components related to this category, by the end of 2018 the Californian giant would launch a model quite similar to the Amazon Echo Show, although with the logical inclusion of Google Assistant as the main software.

It is indicated that Google would initially intend to distribute about 3 million units for the first batch of its intelligent screen, something that also suggests that it would have some innovative features with which the company trusts that the public will be massively interested in its acquisition.

According to global figures in the last year, around 35 million intelligent speakers have been distributed worldwide, with Amazon being the undisputed leader with 63% of the market share and Google following with 32%. Some analysts believe that the popularity of these accessories will continue to improve in the coming seasons, reaching 100 million units by the end of 2018.

To conclude, there is no official statement by Google and there is only speculation about a release date that would occur in conjunction with the new generation of Google Pixel 3 and 3X phones to be held during October. Have you tried or are you interested in a Smart Display?

Amazon pushes on home automation to make people’s homes smarter. Jeff Bezos’ company presented a series of home appliances and smart devices that can make your home more connected and technological. The first product is the AmazonBasics Microwave . It is a real microwave with integrated Alexia and a Dash Button. Thanks to the possibility of connecting to the WiFi network at home, people will be able to use the Amazon voice assistant to control its functions.

Few technical details but those who have little time in the kitchen could find this product very convenient as the cooking of the covenants can be managed with the voice. Echo Wall Clock is, instead, a classic wall clock that hides a secret. Thanks to the integration with Alexa you can manage timers, alarm clocks, services and much more.

Amazon Smart Plug is a smart socket that you can manage with Alexa through a special application. Users will be able to manage it to disconnect and add power to every device in the house.

Finally, Ring Stick Up Cam is a security camera designed for home environments. It supports Alexa’s services, offers Full HD recording and is managed via apps.

Amazon has announced a number of new audio products that can be managed through the Alexa voice assistant. These are the new Amazon Echo Sub, Link, Link Amp and Input. The first is a subwoofer that can be combined with other Echo products to create a 2.1 stereo configuration. In any case, you can connect it to just one device. Amazon Echo Sub can also be managed, of course, through Alexa. From an aesthetic point of view, it has a classic cylinder shape and contains a single subwoofer.

Amazon Echo Link and Link Amp, instead, can be connected to an amplifier to manage the volume. Echo Link Amp, however, already has its own 60 watt amplifier. There are no microphones, though. To be able to manage them with your voice you need to use an Echo speaker.

Finally, Amazon also announced Echo Input, a special gadget that allows you to make smart any older generation speaker. Simply plug it in via cable or Bluetooth.

It is difficult, however, that most of these products arrive in Italy as well, since, at the moment, the Alexa assistant is not yet available.

Smart home touches all aspects of the house, in order to make it smarter. We had seen that when buying sashes, it was now possible to opt for a smart home solution. The same is true today in the world of lighting. Whether you are looking for a designer lamp, an outdoor wall lamp, a wall lamp, a ceiling lamp, etc., there are many solutions available today. The best known are undoubtedly those of Philips Hue, or Osram. But there are others, such as the Smart Friends solution, discovered by chance on the luminaire.fr website, which specialises, as its name suggests, in lighting.

When you are looking for a luminaire, you will usually find the site with the same name, which is specialized in the field and offers a wide range of products for all tastes. I was looking for lighting with natural materials for our chalet, based on wood or hemp, for example, and I discovered that they now also offer a “smart” section.

There are of course well-known products, such as Osram, or Philips Hue, whose many applications directly integrating the Hue technology, often little known, can be discovered. Philips does not only offer smart bulbs, although this is what we see most often. There are many ready-made wall lights and suspensions.

But the site also offers other brands, sometimes simply controllable with a remote control, sometimes really smart, to both control its lighting, but also to have an eye on its house, some bollards or external wall lights having the good idea to integrate a camera, a little like what Netatmo offers with its Presence, or Bosch. A rather ingenious and discreet idea: D

This led me to discover the Steinel Smart Friends Box solution, a German smart hub that allows you to control your lighting, but also many equipment from Steinel, of course, but also Schellenberg (for automation), Paulmann (for lighting), or Abus (for safety).

Steinel is a well-known detector manufacturer in Germany, which offers KNX products, but also Z-wave, which is integrated into this smart home gateway. There are therefore different models of motion sensors, but also of lighting, some of which integrate motion detection, all this communicating in Z-wave, therefore.

Unfortunately, there is little information about this box. The manufacturer announces that all data is saved locally, but it is impossible to say if it is really without Cloud, and what features it offers. On the other hand, it would also include ZigBee, Paulmann products using this communication protocol. Voice control via Amazon Alexa is also possible. If anyone has any information, I’ll take it!

New Fire HD 8 tablet from Amazon can be used in its dock as a smart display. The new futures are called Alexa Hands-free and Show Mode.

The Alexa Hands-free function was introduced by Amazon last year in the Fire HD 10 and is now available in the Fire HD 8 as well. With the show mode and the show mode loading dock a much more impressive Alexa experience should arise, according to Amazon.

So all you have to do is ask Alexa for the weather report or the news, or start a movie, or ask who’s on your doorstep to see it.

Alexa Hands-free

With Alexa Hands-free it should be even easier to enjoy your favorite content on the Fire HD 8. After the WLAN connection is established, you can offer Alexa to play your music or have Audible audio books read aloud. All this should work even when the screen is in standby mode.

With a compatible, smart radiator thermostat, Alexa can also control room temperature or display your security cameras.

If your friends or family have an Echo Show, Echo Spot, compatible Fire Tablet or Amazon Alexa App, you can also call them.

Show mode and show mode loading dock

The new Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet features Show mode for better readability. Once Alexa has received a request, she will visually display it on the screen in addition to her spoken answers.

As soon as Alexa plays a song or music channel, the show mode will also display the corresponding text, if available.

You can also use the Fire HD 8 Tablet with the new Show Mode Dock. This allows you to control the tablet with Alexa as it loads.

The loading dock also has an adjustable stand and comes with a sleeve.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Highlights

• 8 inch HD display with 1280 x 800 resolution
• 1.3 Ghz quad-core processor with 1.5 GB RAM
• Battery life up to 10 hours
• 16 or 32 GB internal memory, expandable with microSD card up to 400 GB
• Alexa Hands-free Function
• show mode
• Front camera with 720p HD
• 2MP camera on the back side
• According to the drop tests, the Fire HD 8 should be twice as robust as the iPad 4 mini.
• Dolby Stereo Speaker
• Dualband WLAN

Fibaro includes an alarm function where you will be informed within seconds about a siren or the corresponding app or email. The basis for the alarm system of your Smart Home System is a combination of window or door contacts and individually installed motion detectors in your home. As soon as you leave your home, you can activate the alarm function.

As soon as a movement is detected or a window is opened, for example, the alarm is triggered by a compatible siren. You will also receive the corresponding messages via app or email. You can also use the app to check the status of the house at any time.

Fibaro Smart Home System can do much more

The system can be fully automated with additional functions. For example, there is a water detector that alerts you if the washing machine breaks a pipe or the refrigerator runs out. In conjunction with the Fibaro WallPlug (smart socket), these devices can also be switched off fully automatically via the corresponding scenes when leakages are detected.

You can also choose a smoke detector that informs you if the temperature rises abnormally or if smoke develops. In addition, the IP cameras can be easily integrated, allowing you to keep an eye on the entrance area of your home at all times. Compatible cameras come from manufacturers such as D-Link, Foscam, Edimax and many others.

Fibaro The Button

The Fibaro “The Button” has been developed for fast scene activation or a simple and above all fast switching of devices. What looks like an emergency stop button at first glance, can be used to elicit many functions at second glance.

One could imagine the scene activation when leaving the house. You simply position this button at the desired position next to the entrance door and when you leave the house, you only have to press it to activate the desired scene. The best scene in this case would of course be the alarm scene, which checks whether all doors and windows are locked, switches off any consumers that are no longer needed, activates the sirens and cameras. Very helpful would be the use for persons in need of care, who can order help by the previously defined scenes or simple actions.

Fibaro Swipe

With the Fibaro Swipe, gesture control (Wikipedia) is now also possible, with just the simple movements of the palm of your hand, the shutters can be lowered, the lights switched on or off, or you can control your music without having to operate a switch or pick up your smartphone. Especially handy for use in the kitchen when your hands are wet, for example.