AppleInsider Staff
Two new products hit the "connected home" market this week as Dropcam added a motion sensor to its remote monitoring platform and network vendor D-Link released an adapter to control electrical devices from a smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi.
Dropcam Tabs
Designed to work alongside a Dropcam Pro connected monitoring device, Dropcam Tabs extends monitoring functions to items that the Dropcam may not be able to see. The company suggest placing it on doors or windows, the movement of which will trigger a notification to the user's iOS device.
Dropcam Tabs is also designed to be resistant to dust and rain, meaning it can be used in outdoor situations. The company says user-replaceable CR2023 batteries will power each sensor for up to 2 years, and multiple Tabs sensors can be placed up to 100 feet away from a Dropcam Pro unit.
Dropcam Tabs is available for pre-order for $29.99 directly from Dropcam or via resellers including Amazon, where the device is eligible for Prime shipping. Dropcam says shipments will begin in August.
D-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug
The D-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug is an outlet adapter that will allow users to control the power supply to any connected appliance or device using their smartphone. Users can turn outlets on and off manually or set a predefined schedule, and energy usage can be tracked and monitored for each plug.
Additionally, D-Link says that the Wi-Fi Smart Plug comes equipped with a heat sensor that will automatically turn off overheating appliances — such as hair straighteners — if users accidentally leave them on unattended. The devices also support WPS for easy setup with WPS-compatible wireless routers.
D-Link's Wi-Fi Smart Plug is available now for $49.99 directly from the manufacturer.
Malcolm Owen
Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Stephen Silver
Charles Martin
2 Comments
Just thought I'd share a link to the Dropcam Tabs overview video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPkxt0QpRD8. Thanks!
Using the wifi smart plug sounds like a good idea for turning off the entire entertainment cabinet - I really don't record DVR entries during the night, and none watches TV after 9PM. Then it can all come on at 7AM so it stays on during the day. The iOS app to control would be nice so we could override as needed.