This week we start off talking about the Federal Trade Commission suing a data broker for sharing sensitive location data. It’s a topic we’re following closely, in part because location information can’t be anonymized even when companies promise that it strips identifying information from it. With that in mind, Fight for the Future, a nonprofit focused on consumer privacy, is asking the FTC to prevent large tech firms from getting access to car data. In more data-sharing news, we talk about Adrich, a Pennsylvania company that has found some success selling Bluetooth tags that track how much of a product has been used and can reorder them for consumers. But it also shares product data usage with the company making the product. Then we kick off the IFA conference with some news bits from the Home Connectivity Alliance adding new members and a plug fest, as well as updated products from Eve. Also, Tado has created a subscription plan to optimize low-energy prices. For those interested in the evolution of the security business, check out ADT’s deal with Uber to monitor drivers and riders on request. And for those who want to understand the consolidation happening in the IoT connectivity sector, we talk about Telit’s latest acquisition. We then answer a listener question about what he needs to run Hue bulbs even when the internet is out.
This week’s guest is Winston Mok, the founder and product lead of Woosh Air, a company making a connected air filter. We talk about how Woosh works, its focus on sustainability, and how it plans to integrate within existing smart home services. We also talk about Mok’s decision to use Kickstarter to launch the connected air filter, a decision that would have been a no brainer back in 2014, but seems almost quaint now. Mok explains why he thinks Kickstarter was a good option for Woosh and shares some of the benefits he got from launching on the platform. He also discusses how it it helped prepare for manufacturing at scale amidst the chip shortage, and shared advice on dealing with that situation. It’s a really useful interview.
Lutron Aurora Dimmer knob is the ultimate accessory for HUE lights. Zigbee knob that attaches to the existing all switch. Works even without internet. Right now it works with ANY device attached to your Hue Bridge. #Matteriscoming
Doesn’t it require a toggle-style switch? Or did they add a rocker-capable option as well?
They now have a $7 adapter bracket you can use for rocker switches. It’s one extra installation step, but it’s pretty straightforward.
https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-Wallplate-Bracket-Decorator-L-AWALL1-WH/dp/B08JD3NXP8?th=1
yeah they have a little bracket adapter to cover Decora style switches. I have all toggles in my current apartment so it works great.
I am looking forward to Hue becoming a Matter controller and getting devices from other matter systems. It would be awesome to use these to control devices from other systems.
I have one that controls the hue bulbs in bedside lamps, and another that controls the IKEA candle bulbs in my ceiling fan. I have others in my hallway covering 3 switches that normally handle the three lights in my hallway. Now I have smart control of all three lights individually and altogether. Its impressive what can be done with these.
I haven’t seen anywhere that Hue will be a “matter controller,” which would give it the ability to bring other matter certified devices into its app. That would require a complete redesign of their app since they just aren’t set up to handle most other device classes. Consider, for example, locks or a thermostat or streaming video.
What I have seen is that the hue hub will be a “matter bridge” Which means you will be able to add the hue hub to the matter controller apps from other companies, like SmartThings, Apple Home, and Ikea Dirigera, pretty much the way it works now, to be honest.
Yes, JD that is all we have heard so far. There’s some wishful thinking, Just putting it out into the universe.
Like wanting someone to take a fresh look at Z-wave table top controllers from 2001 but adding thread and a Matter QR code to them. Make a matter bridge at its simplest, an include exclude button and a way to pair it to the Matter-verse.
The issue with zwave is that most versions don’t have IP addressing for end devices, so a zwave to matter bridge would have to be way smarter than a comparable Zigbee device since it will have to proxy all the addressing. Including for multi endpoint devices.
It’s not impossible, but it’s likely to require a lot more memory and computing power than the old zwave tabletop controllers from Leviton and Cooper had. Which adds both cost and complexity.
SI Labs is promising new chips which will handle zwave to Matter. I think all the Zwave device manufacturers are waiting to see what that delivers. But it’s unlikely to be something you can retrofit for even a Series 700 hub.