D-Link significantly expands its connected-home offerings

D-Link announced plans at CES to widen its footprint in the DIY connected-home market with an all-new hub, several new sensors, and a Wi-Fi siren. The company, which manufacturers Wi-Fi routers, adapters, IP cameras, and other networking equipment for the home and SMB markets, shipped its first smart-home products in 2014.

The D-Link DCH-G020 enables you to integrated Z-Wave devices with your Wi-Fi router.

I had a relatively low opinion of D-Links Connected Home Platform when I reviewed it last year, because it was too dependent on power-hungry Wi-Fi devices. These new additions to that platform could change my mind.

The Connected Home Hub (model number DHC-G020, $80) is particularly interesting. The cylindrical device connects to your existing home router and acts as a bridge to sensors and other devices that use low-power Z-Wave technology.

It will eventually control Wi-Fi lighting systems that are compatible with the AllSeen Internet of Things initiative, too. The app [for operating the hub] will only recognize the devices that D-Link is announcing, D-Link marketing VP Dan Kelley told me in an interview last month, but the plan is to open up the API to additional devices in 2015 and beyond. D-Link expects to ship the hub in the second quarter of 2015.

D-Link announced three new sensors that will interact with the hub and other products in D-Links Connected Home Platform.The MyDlink Z-Wave Motion Sensor (model DCH-Z120, $50) sends push notifications when motion is detected in a room.

D-Link expects the battery in its DCH-Z120 motion sensor to last 3.5 years.

It's battery operated, which makes it much easier to deploy than D-Links existing motion sensor, which relies on Wi-Fi and therefore must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Unlike most sensors in this class, the DCH-Z120 is also outfitted with ambient temperature and light sensors. Consumers can configure the MyDlink Home app to trigger one of D-Links Wi-Fi Smart Plugs to turn on a light, and/or one of its Wi-Fi security cameras to snap a picture of what set it off.

D-Link's DCH-Z110 Z-Wave Open & Close sensor is innovative in that it can monitor ambient temperature and lighting conditions as well as the status of the door or window it's attached to.

The MyDlink Z-Wave Open & Close sensor (model DCH-Z110, $40) detects when windows and doors are opened and sends push notifications to the users mobile device. Unlike most door/window sensors, the DCH-Z110 can also monitor ambient temperature and lighting conditions, enabling it to send messages and trigger other devices, such as a smart plug. Kelley told me, however, that D-Links system doesnt tie into any thermostats at this point.

Visit link:
D-Link significantly expands its connected-home offerings