Futurehome Levies A Subscription Fee
Smart home brand Futurehome has instituted a new subscription to access basic features of its Smarthub device which originally launched in 2016. In June of this year, Futurehome sent a notice to its customers warning that access to its app and cloud platform would require a $117 annual subscription fee; otherwise its stable of connected devices would cease to function. This announcement comes just a few months after Futurehome’s announced bankruptcy.
The Circana Take:
- Though Futurehome is a small firm, its challenge to generate revenue is common to most smart home companies. Supporting devices via security updates, cloud storage and app control requires an on-going investment on the part of brands and many companies have transitioned their businesses to a subscription model in order to generate recurring revenue.
Google Announces Assistant Update
Last week, Google announced Gemini For Home, a new voice assistant to power the company’s line of smart speakers and displays. Gemini for Home is set to replace Google Assistant, the original voice assistant as rollout begins in October. Gemini boasts some new features including leveraging the “advanced reasoning, inference, and search capabilities” of Gemini AI along with adaptations that include more natural interactions and accomplishing more complex tasks.
The Circana Take:
- With the AI race in full swing, advanced applications such as Gemini and Alexa Plus will begin rolling out to more users.
- Though prices for Gemini for Home are not yet available, expect access to these applications to require a monthly subscription.
- Gemini For Home has also compelled an update to Google’s Nest Hardware as a new Google Home smart speaker was spotted during the company’s recent Made for Google product showcase.