Keep calm and Amazon

30

September

2021

No ratings yet.

Source: https://internetofbusiness.com/amazon-unveils-its-new-alexa-smart-home-car-devices/

These days, consumers are flooded with smart devices for the home. Like Google, there is Amazon, which certainly can deliver good products, too. Following this trend, Amazon is expanding the functions related to personalization of its smart devices to make them more useful (Hautala, 2021). As a user, you can either be happy about this or not. Both the Ring security cameras and Alexa smart speakers are known, for example, for tracking users and their surroundings (Hautala, 2021). Amazon wants to change this by not collecting all the personal data.

Amazon recently revealed updates for both Ring and Echo products that result in incremental improvement in user privacy (Hautala, 2021). As opposed to storing data in Amazon’s cloud, the bottom line is that people will feel more comfortable when their personal information is processed on its security cameras and smart devices.

Users of the smart devices have the option to store and process information locally, meaning that the data will remain on their devices (Hautala, 2021). However, the question is how trustworthy you consider the devices to be as a user. People who are very keen on privacy are on distance from these types of devices, so the new features will not provide a solution about devices that can always keep an eye on you (Hautala, 2021).

Personally, I believe that privacy is indeed a big factor when considering smart devices, but I do reflect on how prominently I want to place the privacy factor in my life. Using Amazon as an example, as opposed to an Alexia speaker I am likely to buy devices that relate to home security, for example Ring.

Now that Amazon is introducing the option to store data locally, knowing that information is still being captured, I am curious to know to what extent you want to make your home smart and whether privacy is a big factor for you to consider if you actually want to buy smart devices.

Reference

Hautala, L. (2021, September 29). Amazon unwraps privacy features as it tries to roll deeper into your home. CNET. https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/amazon-rolls-out-privacy-features-as-it-tries-to-get-deeper-into-your-house/

The Ring Always Home Cam: Boost your security, give up on your privacy

5

October

2020

5/5 (3) Last week, Ring, a company owned by Amazon, unveiled its Always Home Cam, an indoor drone that flies around your house to boost security. This next-level device is a new addition to the highly popular product line Ring has penetrated the market with. The company, founded in 2013, made its way up to a near-monopoly position in the video doorbell market before being acquired by Amazon in 2018 for over a billion USD. The Ring Video Doorbell, the firm’s flagship product, is a highly advanced camera system with a motion sensor that is connected to an app, so homeowners can communicate with people at their door without being physically present. While also functioning as home security, this device is set to be one of the companies revenue collectors in a market expected to grow from $500 million to $1.4 billion in 2023. Next to doorbells, Ring offers lots of other home security devices, including surveillance cameras for inside and outside, cameras with LED lights, alarms, and an app that integrates all devices.

The Always Home Cam is set to become the first day-to-day flying object in people’s homes. It targets customers that want to cover more than one room with a single camera setup and it can be used to scare away intruders and even to check if you left something at your house. This is one of Amazon’s new smart home appliances to add to your collection, next to your smart thermostat, your smart lighting, or smart speaker. Big tech companies are competing to get as much of their devices into your home, so they can gather more data about you and your day-to-day life. After the announcement of the Always Home Cam, a lot of concerns were raised about privacy issues. It seems a bit weird to secure your home, while, at the same time, a company with a history of privacy issues has the ability to fly around your house recording all your personal belongings.

For the ones that are afraid of these privacy side effects, Ring gives you the ability to restrict the drone to only enter certain rooms. An even better way to prevent privacy issues is to just not buy this product. In my case, I wouldn’t buy this product, although it’s very futuristic and next-level cool. This is more because I simply don’t think I need one. Other smart home appliances are more appealing, like a smart speaker and smart lighting. When I’m ready to buy my first house, a Ring Video Doorbell would be high on my list as well.

My question to you is: How smart is your home, and how smart do you ideally want your home to be? Are you concerned about your privacy when deciding to implement smart devices into your daily life?

When you haven’t seen the Always Home Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2jFN_QEcS4

References:

https://www.ft.com/content/8eaf8ee5-b074-4d48-b4fa-15d35a185a5d

https://nl-nl.ring.com/collections

https://www.dezeen.com/2020/09/30/amazon-ring-always-home-cam-drone-security-camera/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2018/02/27/amazon-is-buying-ring-the-pioneer-of-the-video-doorbell-for-1-billion/#74b14ac6706c

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/video-doorbell-market

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_(company)

IKEA: the future of smart homes?

10

September

2019

The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the disruptive developments of technology that has been prominently infiltrating homes, businesses, and cities. With the emergence of Alexa and Google Assistant, many companies have followed suit. One of the relatively new players in this game is IKEA, the Swedish company known for its functional and affordable home furnishing. Initially developed as a project in 2012, the company first dove in by introducing wireless chargers and smart LED lights.

IKEA Home smart

The collection of their items, labelled ‘IKEA Home smart’, started with the smart lighting ecosystem Trådfri (translates to wireless from Swedish), a cheaper alternative to Philips’ Hue. Cheap wireless chargers soon followed to compete with those of giant tech companies such as Apple and Samsung. In addition, IKEA also partnered with the speaker company Sonos to jointly introduce their €99 smart speaker Sympfonisk.

What is attractive about these line of products, aside from the low price, is the compatibility with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant – an existing AI technology with a growing customer base. At the end of 2019, IKEA will launch yet another tech-induced furniture: smart blinds. All of these smart products are also controllable through IKEA Home smart app, similar to the likes of other incumbents. The company does not show signs of stopping as it has just significantly increased its investment for smart technology by introducing a new business unit.

A ‘smart’ business move

Björn Block, Head of the new IKEA Home smart Business Unit at IKEA of Sweden, exclaimed that the company would focus on “improving and transforming existing businesses and developing new businesses.” IKEA successful cost leadership business strategy extends to these smart product line as well, apparent with the success of Trådfri LEDs against Philips’ Hue, the first mover of smart lighting. It also seems that the company’s upcoming smart blinds, with a €99-129 price range, will also become the cheapest among the current €300-400 smart blinds available in the market.

IKEA’s years of experience in the furniture and appliance sector gives them a massive platform of specific product approach and gigantic distribution network. Most of the incumbents of smart home AI developers and device designers – Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung, among others – may have these platform as well. Still, they lack a massive retail presence, while IKEA has hundreds of physical stores that double as warehouses around the globe.

Perhaps the determining factor of IKEA’s likely success in the smart home battle is its integration of the fragmented smart home ecosystem to a single, IKEA standard as it has access to all home products. Whereas many developers of smart home devices, such as Samsung and Nest, are only experts in specific – and limited array – of products. If this business unit continues to introduce smart technology furniture, it has a strong chance of becoming the leader in the industry and may promote the rise of IoT into everyday lives.

While the security risks of cheap IoT products is still a question mark, there is no doubt that the introduction of smart products enhance the value of IKEA’s products to customers and magnifies the company’s vision of creating a better everyday life for people.

As Block says, “We are just getting started.”

References

Barrett, B., 2019. Ikea’s Slow and Steady Plan to Save the Smart Home. [Online]
Available at: https://www.wired.com/story/ikea-fyrtur-smart-blinds/
[Accessed 9 September 2019].

Chandler, S., 2019. IKEA Smart Home Investment Could Be Boost The Internet Of Things Needs. [Online]
Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonchandler/
[Accessed 9 September 2019].

Gartenberg, C., 2019. Ikea’s smart blinds have been delayed to later in 2019. [Online]
Available at: https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/
[Accessed 9 September 2019].

IKEA, 2019. IKEA invests heavily in the smart home going forward. [Online]
Available at: https://newsroom.inter.ikea.com/news/
[Accessed 9 September 2019].

IKEA, n.d.. Smart home. [Online]
Available at: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/product-guides/ikea-home-smart-system/
[Accessed 9 September 2019].

Newman, P., 2019. IKEA is looking to broaden its smart-home ecosystem with a new business unit. [Online]
Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/
[Accessed 9 September 2019]. 5/5 (1)

Let IoT be the guardian angel

14

September

2018

No ratings yet. Living away from your family feels nice and free, but let’s be honest, as we grow up, we start to think, or worry about the elderly in the family. “How are they doing today?”,” Have they took the pills today?”, “Grandpa has been living alone for 5 years…”. “Did my grandma turnoff the gas?…” You can’t sleep.

From a macro view, the whole world is getting old: The UK will see a massive 23% increase in those aged 65+ between 2010 and 2018. By 2035, numbers of people aged 65+ will rise by just under 7 million – from 11 to 16.9 million. By 2050 the number of senior citizens in China will reach the peak at 400 million, which is 34.9% of total population, whereas Japan has already reached 32% in 2013.

The aging of population comes with large population base, rapid growth, high average age, disability and empty nest effect, while the demand for life, rehabilitation, medical care and spiritual service of the elderly has become increasingly prominent. The Internet of Things (IoT) is helping society facilitate the challenge.

IoT smart home devices/systems are taking care of elderly from 3 different aspects: precaution/reminding, rescue and comfort.

IBM has introduced cognitive and IoT technology to home field, through the deployment of a variety of sensors to the elderly home environment, the system can track user daily activities and body performance data and therefore build the “scene”. With the enrichment of personal data, the system will be able to build customized modes and timetables. The function of reminding or precaution can be reflected in very detailed aspects, for example, the self-learning stove alarm learns an individual’s cooking habits within a specific house by picking up data. Falling asleep when – or simply forgetting that – the stove is left on is incredibly dangerous, and this small device aims to send alerts before toxic gases are released/before a fire starts without being a hindrance. Also, Philips HUE motion sensor can detect footsteps in the dark and light up the smart lights in the hallway, therefore making the journey to the toilet easier.

sensors-17-01182-g001 (1)

Even if misfortunes happen, the smart devices(motion sensor) and warble devices, such as the latest Apple Watch,will sense and report the incident, whether it is because of fall down or drop of stroke, the initial symptom will be reported to both guardians and emergency center at the first place.

The IoT caring system will bring people multiple surprises, in addition to real-time health care, it can take care of the spiritual needs of the elderly. When the elderly have communication needs, the smart device will list the background information of the elderly in the corresponding database, including interests, hobbies, habits, personality or recommend interesting places, nice TV programs or rich community activities. Most importantly, your video/voice memo will be delivered.

In the future, development of both digital technology and health care will tip the scale toward precaution/reminding, as we will do our best to prevent any incident. And, most importantly, we make money and take care of our family.