Aqara Releases A Presence Sensor
Aqara continued its investment in the Homekit platform with its newest product release, the Aqara Presence Sensor FP1E. The sensor is designed to help users create automations and scenes that are activated by someone’s presence, such as an automation designed to turn off smart lights when someone leaves a room. Though the product is supported by Homekit, Aqara’s Matter Bridge is required for it to work.
The Circana Take:
- Aqara’s investment in Homekit is an attempt to tap into the large installed base of iOS device users.
- With the Presence Sensor, Aqara is enabling new and unique experiences with its devices.
- While the product is Matter compatible, the need for Aqara’s hub in order for the device to work will likely throw some users for a loop- better education on the requirements for set up will ensure users are satisfied with their purchases.
Google Boosts Smart Home Intelligence
Ahead of the company’s fall hardware event next week, Google announced three Smart Home product updates featuring Gemini AI. The new features will all touch Nest cameras and Smart Hubs. Nest cameras will gain descriptive captions, meaning Google’s AI will transition from just identifying a person to identifying a person wearing a certain color of clothing and standing near another object. Google Home will also add more intuitive scene and automation setting, powered by NLP (natural language processing). Finally, the Google Assistant voice application will gain greater intelligence, boosted by Gemini AI. Most of these features will require a Nest Aware subscription.
The Circana Take:
- The development of AI was bound to have a greater impact on Smart Home devices at some point. Google’s position in hardware combined with its AI development efforts make the company well-suited for this market trend.
- Aside from a more intuitive assistant application, Gemini is adding value to Nest cameras, enabling descriptions which presumably users can set alerts to (ex. notify me when a red car pulls up to my driveway). More natural scene setting should make the practice of setting up these automations more common. Ultimately these new features should drive new Nest Aware subscriptions.