ecobee Creates a Safe Haven
ecobee has announced Haven, its new home security platform, along with the brand’s first indoor security camera and some new sensors too. The $179 SmartCamera has all the standard features: 180-degree field of view, 1080p resolution, night mode, 2-way talk, etc. In addition, the camera has Alexa built-in to arm/disarm the system – and to perform any and all other activities one might normally ask of Alexa. SmartSensor is a combo entrance and motion sensor for doors and windows sold in two-packs for $79. Both products are sold separately, but ecobee is also offering various bundled options. The Haven system is not full home security system that will automatically contact emergency services, but it will send notifications to your phone if motion is detected or the sensors get tripped, and allows users to trigger a siren alarm from the camera remotely. Monthly fees for Haven start at $5, which includes 14 days of cloud storage for one camera.
The NPD Take:
- As these new products work together with ecobee’s smart thermostats and basic sensors, the company is building out a non-traditional whole home system with the ability to do things like automatically adjust the thermostat or security features based on sensor readings and geo-fencing. Certainly for those consumers who are already fans of ecobee and don’t have a security system from another company, the new camera and sensors are an easy way to add basic security.
Leviton Outlets: The Tik Tok Outlet Challenge Antidote
Leviton’s new Decora Smart Wi-Fi Tamper-Resistant Outlet keeps out pennies, fingers, or anything else that doesn’t belong plugged in by employing little “shutters” that only move out of the way when you insert a regular plug. The upper socket of the outlet is “smart”, while the lower one is a regular outlet. The smarts include Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, automatic scheduling, auto-shutoff, and scenes. As a bonus, no hub is required.
The NPD Take:
- $50 is certainly more than the going rate for a non-connected outlet, or for the price of smart plugs for that matter, but the convenience of the smarts combined with the safety of the anti-tampering design could make this the smart outlet of choice for those consumers who are in the market – especially, of course, for those who are already part of the Leviton smart ecosystem.