After Smart-phones, lets get geared for the Smart-homes, thanks to Google’s innovations.
Google expands into homes by launching new Internet-matrixed products for homes that allow home devices and products to be remotely viewed and controlled in absentia.
Last week, Google’s Nest Labs unveiled its surveillance-video camera and talking smoke detector to turn homes into the Internet controlled and tracked smart homes.
Nest is led by former Apple engineer and iPod designer Tony Fadell.
Google is developing an operating system called Brillo to interconnect all the Internet-connected home devices to communicate with each other. The smart-phone will serve as a remote for controlling all the Internet-connected appliances. The smart-phones can also be used to receive notifications about activities in the house. The concept of a fully automated home is inching towards reality but people’s concerns about their privacy have to be addressed before homes become remote controlled.
Nest Cam the surveillance-video camera will feature higher-definition video with better design and flexibility such as a stand with a magnet that can be connected to refrigerators and better infrared technology for recording images in the dark. It is proposed to be priced at $199. Nest is also offering a $10-per-month subscription service for recording up to 10 days of video recordings in three-hour clips and send alerts about suspicious activity around the house.
Next proposes a next-generation smoke detector with sophisticated sensors for sniffing out fires and a 10-year lifespan. The device would be capable of monthly self-tests to check proper functioning of its speakers and horn. There will be a voice alert for a potential problem before the loud alarm goes off. It would be launched at a cost of $99. Nest has teamed up with two home insurance companies Liberty Mutual and American family in order to help promote the smoke and fire alarm system.
