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Abode Announces 'Iota' HomeKit-Compatible Home Security Gateway and Camera

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Abode Systems today announced the iota, an all-in-one security camera that's designed to offer security and integration with other smart home products.

The iota features a 1080p camera that can be used for home monitoring purposes, along with a built-in gateway that supports Z-Wave, ZigBee, and abode RF for connecting to hundreds of other devices. Native app support is included for many major smart home brands like Nest, ecobee, Philips Hue, and LIFX.

abodeiota-800x629.jpg

Included HomeKit compatibility also allows the iota to interface with HomeKit devices, and it's also been designed to work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Through the accompanying Abode app, users can get detailed alerts and notifications when notable events are recorded by the camera.

Live video streaming is available through the Abode app or through the Home app, and while saving recorded footage beyond three days requires an Abode subscription, in the event of an alarm, clips are automatically uploaded to the Abode timeline regardless of plan. Plans are offered on an on-demand basis and can be purchased in three or seven day increments, with longer monthly and annual plans also available.

abodeiota2-800x533.jpg

Design wise, the iota is cylindrical in shape and features a black and white fabric-covered design that allows it to blend with most decor. It connects to a home using Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and a built-in battery keeps it powered on for 10 hours even when the power goes out. There's also an option for backup LTE connectivity to make sure that the iota is always connected.

Abode plans to begin selling the iota during the first quarter of 2018 for $329. Existing Abode customers will be able to upgrade to the new iota gateway, with Abode to provide instructions and pricing for doing so at a later date.

Article Link: Abode Announces 'Iota' HomeKit-Compatible Home Security Gateway and Camera
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/01/08/abode-iota-homekit-camera-gateway/
I own an Abode system and have so far been very happy with the quality of their products. I had been researching security systems for years and this was the only one that checked all my boxes. Just wish I had known they were coming out with this a few months later!
 
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Curious.

I read the announcement and I'm still not sure about the gateway functionality. Is the device controllable by Z-wave, Zigbee and RF solutions? Or is it acting as a bridge to those protocols, capable of controlling those devices through it's app? If the latter, does it pass along that control to homekit & Siri?

I won't invest in Hue because I don't want a bridge taking up space. If one is already included in a useful device, I'd feel better about it.
 
vipergts2207 said:
And really, it's not like 1080p cameras are expensive to make anyway. That's old hat at this point.
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Nothing to do with cost of the camera. Has to do with 720p probably being adequate even to see faces and not requiring transmission of 1080p bandwidth. Just a thought anyway.
 
I have an Abode system and like it quite a bit--it was the only DIY home security system that checked all the boxes I wanted (app, works even without a contract, short-term pro monitoring if you want it), and thus far it's lived up to just about everything it promised to do.

Its one failing is lack of HomeKit support, and I don't have a live camera (just the still photo battery camera that comes with the base system), so this is pretty appealing as an upgrade without having to replace sensors.

Since the list price for the base system is already $330, if this comes with a couple of door sensors and motion detectors like the existing base does, then it's actually a really good deal--basically adding Homekit support and a live view camera at the same price as the existing system.

The question is, how much is the upgrade going to cost for existing owners. I can't really justify $330, but if it's reasonable enough (maybe with a trade-in of the base you've already got?), I'll probably go for it.

Aside: The Ecobee integration is neat. I can have my alarm automatically set itself and turn off the heater when I leave the house using geofencing, and have it disable itself and turn the heater back on when I'm within a few dozen yards of home.
 
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Makosuke said:
I have an Abode system and like it quite a bit--it was the only DIY home security system that checked all the boxes I wanted (app, works even without a contract, short-term pro monitoring if you want it), and thus far it's lived up to just about everything it promised to do.

Its one failing is lack of HomeKit support, and I don't have a live camera (just the still photo battery camera that comes with the base system), so this is pretty appealing as an upgrade without having to replace sensors.

Since the list price for the base system is already $330, if this comes with a couple of door sensors and motion detectors like the existing base does, then it's actually a really good deal--basically adding Homekit support and a live view camera at the same price as the existing system.

The question is, how much is the upgrade going to cost for existing owners. I can't really justify $330, but if it's reasonable enough (maybe with a trade-in of the base you've already got?), I'll probably go for it.

Aside: The Ecobee integration is neat. I can have my alarm automatically set itself and turn off the heater when I leave the house using geofencing, and have it disable itself and turn the heater back on when I'm within a few dozen yards of home.
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According to Abode's subreddit they're going to be adding HomeKit to our current hubs. Just waiting on Apple.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Abode/comments/7p40w6/iota_gateway_questions_response_to_reddit/

HomeKit - Apple recently announced its commercial support for a software based SDK for HomeKit compatibility (which will allow us to make or current abode gateway HomeKit compatible). This was announced for personal use last year and recently for commercial (which abode is) product integration. Historically, Apple has required a special hardware chip in order to enable HomeKit compatibility. We have been working with Apple to support our current gateway through a software update in the future and are awaiting Apple to allow us access to the SDK. We do not have an ETA at this time, as we are waiting for Apple to grant access to the SDK through one of their integration partners. iota will have HomeKit hardware embedded in the chipset which is why we are able to support HomeKit at launch. When we originally designed the V1 Gateway (3+ years ago) HomeKit (hardware version) was not available and had just been announced. Rest assured, we will make existing gateways HomeKit compatible once we have access to the SDK and it can be ported to our chipset.
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I read the entire article as "Adobe" throughout, and was thinking it was a strange but strong initial offering from a software company.
Didn't figure out it was ABODE until the comments.
 
So, when Abode ends support for this Iota some years in the future, I imagine it will only have live feed support through Homekit?
I'm leaning towards a Neatatmo Welcome or Presence since Neatatmo supports FTP and other storage options.
 
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