Every year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, manufacturers put their latest technologies on display. We attended in hopes of finding some cool smart home products we couldn’t live without.

• We were surprised at the sheer number of smart security cameras, doorbell cameras, door locks, and thermostats available from various manufacturers. There are far more choices than we realized from Samsung Wisenet, Honeywell, Ring, Blink, Zmodo, Somfy Systems, Sengled, Johnson Controls, RCA, Interlogix, Kwikset, Yale, Brinks, Schlage, etc.
• Voice control of smart home products was especially big this year with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant seemingly incorporated into just about every product we looked at.

We found several smart home products that we thought were noteworthy:

​Bitdefender BOX
An absolute necessity rather than a frivolity,  Bitdefender BOX 2 is a smart home cybersecurity hub that protects an unlimited number of your internet-connected devices from malware, stolen passwords, identity theft, spying, etc. It helps manage all the devices in your home and includes parental controls to monitor your kids’ online activities and manage screen time. (We purchased Bitdefender for ourselves during the show!) ​

Netgear Add-on Orbi Outdoor Satellite
We liked the Orbi Outdoor Satellite (RBS50Y) add-on product because it enables users to extend their WiFi up to an extra 2,500 square feet in their backyards. Many of our customers need stronger WiFi signals in order to connect outdoor security cameras and this product can deliver. According to Netgear, the Orbi Outdoor Satellite is the only weather-resistant outdoor WiFi mesh system available. It requires Orbi Router (RBR50, RBR40, RBR20 or SRR60) or can be used with an existing Orbi WiFi System.

​Lutron RA2 Select Lighting System
Light switches may not be as exciting as other smart home products, but the lighting “scenes” enabled by smart light switches are a wonderful convenience.  We liked Lutron’s RA2 Select product line because it’s ideal for larger houses, allowing up to 100 devices (vs. just 50 devices with Lutron’s Caséta Wireless system) and RF coverage for up to 5,000 sq. ft. of space (vs. just 2,500 sq. ft. with Lutron’s Caséta Wireless system). For even more RF coverage, you can purchase repeaters for an additional 2,500 sq. ft. of coverage per repeater or graduate to Lutron’s RadioRA 2 product line. (Lutron's Pico Scene Keypads shown in photo.)

GarageSmart MyLifter
For anyone needing more garage storage space, this is one possible smart home solution. GarageSmart’s MyLifter is designed to lift bikes, a kayak or canoe, a storage platform, car roof rack, etc., enabling you to keep them off the garage floor. Additional products that can be attached to the GarageSmart track such as a spotlight, speaker, extension cord, fan, parking assist/camera laser, air hose, and battery backup are coming soon. Also, coming soon is a voice module so devices can be controlled with Amazon Alexa.

​For installation assistance for these products (or any smart home products), contact AvidWorks Technology at info@avidworkstechnology.com or by calling (800) 701-9021.

This is our first installation of the new Nest Cam IQ Outdoor security camera. This camera must be plugged into an interior outlet, so our installer drilled through an exterior wall and routed the power cable through it.
 
Some advantages to this new camera:

• It can detect a person up to 50 feet away, then alert you with a photo of who’s there. With a Nest Aware subscription, it can even recognize a familiar face.
• If Nest Cam IQ sees a person, special algorithms automatically zoom in and follow the action in the Nest app. The camera can zoom in up to 12x and enhance for a crisp picture.

 
If you need camera installation assistance, please contact AvidWorks Technology at info@avidworkstechnology.com or by calling (800) 701-9021