As a consolidation movement continues among connected home product companies, Internet of Things (IoT) device maker iDevices—a pioneer in development of Apple HomeKit accessories—was acquired in April 2017 by Hubbell Incorporated, a large multinational electric, electronics, and lighting manufacturer. Similarly, leading Silicon Valley smart door lock maker August Home was acquired in December 2017 by ASSA ABLOY, a multinational door opening solutions company that includes the storied Yale locks brand.
It can often take many months for these types of corporate lockups to yield fruit in the form of new co-developed products, but in the case of iDevices a pair of new smart-home products directly attributable to its affinity with Hubbell have already been announced. These include the iDevices-branded Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger and Ceiling Fan Switch, both well integrated into the iDevices Connected app and by association, well integrated into the emerging connected living mantra.
Joining a home EV charger market segment dominated by companies such as ChargePoint, the iDevices EV Charger is designed for wall mounting in what we refer to as the connected garage. As a so-called Level 2 or high-speed charger, these units require access to a 220V power source and can be ordered in either hard-wired or plug-in versions. For example, a 2017 Toyota Prius Prime would require about 2 hours to fully charge on a Level 2 charger such as the iDevices EV Charger, whereas charging the same vehicle with its supplied 110V charging cable would require about 5 hours. The Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV).
Co-developed with Hubbell Wiring Device-Kellems, an EV charger manufacturing subsidiary of Hubbell Incorporated, the charger can be remotely managed with the iDevices Connected app. Among the app features are the ability to monitor and schedule a charging session, check on the status of a charging session, and setting custom charging schedules.
Making a move into the ceiling fan control space, the iDevices Ceiling Fan Switch is a Decora-style wall switch co-developed with Progress Lighting, a Hubbell subsidiary that manufactures a broad range of residential ceiling fans and lighting products. Crafted in the same high-tech style used for the new iDevices Instinct wall switch, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled Ceiling Fan Switch integrates with a receiver installed in the fan canopy and can be controlled through the iDevices Connected app or through voice commands issued through the Apple Siri digital assistant, the Amazon Alexa assistant, or the Google Assistant. The switch features three speeds and energy monitoring capability.
“With these co-developed products, the first of many innovations to come, we have successfully combined iDevices’ vast IoT expertise with Hubbell’s 130 years of manufacturing and distribution experience,” says Chris Allen, president and founder of iDevices. “Our core goal has always been to enhance people’s lives and evolve the way they interact with the world around them. We have achieved that goal with Hubbell, and together will continue developing new smart home solutions that transform the way we live.”
iDevices says both the EV Charger and Ceiling Fan Switch will be released in 2018. Pricing has not been announced.
More info about this topic:
iDevices EV Charger and Ceiling Fan Switch on iDevices website
Conversations with your walls: iDevices Instinct smart switches to debut
Product brief: iDevices Dimmer Switch, smart-home switch hitter
iDevices bridges Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa worlds
Digitized House Magazine
