WeMo, Controlling
Your Home From Afar…
© 2012 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
Over 700,000 apps are now available for the iPhone/iPad/iPod, but do
any allow you to control your home’s electrical devices? Belkin, a leading manufacturer
of computer, tablet and smartphone peripherals, recently introduced WeMo, a series of
plug-in modules that do just that when used with your Wi-Fi network.
So, how does it work? Presently there are two modules available that
plug into your standard electrical wall outlet. The first module is a SWITCH that connects
with any *120 volt, 15 amp (1800 watt) device such as heaters,
portable air conditioners, lights, coffee makers, etc and includes a manual
override button with a Wi-Fi signal strength indicator that’s also found on the
MOTION.
(TIP:
A unique application could be to reboot a device such as a DVR that’s frozen
and can’t be viewed from afar via a Sling Box without momentarily cutting off
the power to it.)
Once the SWITCH and the device are connected you may control the
operation of the device via your iPhone (3GS+), iPod Touch (3rdGen+) and all
models of the iPad, with a FREE WeMo app available
from Apple’s App store. Android smartphones may be compatible in the near
future. Sounds easy, and it is. The second module is known as MOTION and is used to
control the SWITCH when the MOTION module detects
any movement in its path and leaves the device on when set in the default mode.
When used with a FREE web service from ifttt.com it can send you a text or email alerting you that MOTION has detected
some sort of movement in its path, now making it a low cost security device.
(TIP:
*WeMo is currently available in the U. S. & U. K. and will soon be released
in France and Germany, followed by a world-wide roll-out in 2013. Naturally,
those models will be designed with the proper plugs and voltage/wattage
specifications and will vary according to country. Operation from your
iPhone/iPad/iPod is via the Internet and not country dependent.)
The WeMo app offers a wide range of fine tuning settings known
as RULES. These RULES allow you to go
beyond simple manual on/off operation. You can now program specific times,
duration of operation, and days of operation as well as sensitivity of motion
detection to activate the SWITCH. Once again, you can be alerted when
these activities take place if you subscribe to ifttt.com.
(TIP: ifttt.com (If This Then That) offers many features for
expanding this device including the possibility of having a lamp momentarily
turn on when you receive an email or a Facebook mention. Ifttt is certainly not
limited to WeMo and may benefit you in many other ways. Worth checking out!)
Installation and operation are relatively easy. Belkin has provided a
special WeMo customer support team specifically for this product
that’s accessible by phone, on-line chat, email or user blog in the event you
need assistance. Belkin’s customer service after the sale, is excellent!
I’ve tested this product extensively and find it to be well worth the
investment. The SWITCH is available separately since the app can support up
to 32 of them, or as a kit with the MOTION module included.
MSRP: $99.95 (kit) $49.95 (SWITCH or MOTION module
only)
Available on line and at various retailers. For more
information:
GADGETEER’S
RATING: *****
Bob Skidmore is a freelance
writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not
represent, or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are
solely his points of view and not those of the manufacturer. The manufacturer
generally supplies products at no cost for the articles and no other
compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he
feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason
for many superior ratings.
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