ConnectSense Debuts New HomeKit-Compatible Smart In-Wall Outlet

[MacRumors]

Ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show that's set to take place next week, ConnectSense has introduced its latest HomeKit-compatible product, the Smart In-Wall Outlet.

ConnectSense first released a HomeKit-enabled dual-plug Smart Outlet back in 2015, and is now following it up with an in-wall version.

The Smart In-Wall Outlet is installed in a home in place of a traditional outlet, allowing anything that's plugged in to be controlled via the ConnectSense app, the Home app, or Siri, much like other homeKit products.

Fans, lights, and other appliances can be plugged into the Smart Outlet, which is designed to connect to a home's Wi-Fi setup. There are two connected outlets available, each of which can be controlled individually. The outlet offers a quick and easy way to make any product smart, and it provides power monitoring features along with plug detection.

ConnectSense says that in addition to in-home use, the Smart In-Wall Outlet is designed to operate in commercial environments like office buildings, airports, universities, and more, with both 15A and 20A options available.

The Smart In-Wall Outlet will be available for purchase later in 2018. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Article Link: ConnectSense Debuts New HomeKit-Compatible Smart In-Wall Outlet

 

[err404]

Needs to have a USB port or two on there.

 

[jrlcopy]

Needs to have a USB port or two on there.

It's only semi smart, not full smart. .

 

[Xavier]

Needs to have a USB port or two on there.

Agreed. I really like this concept but no USB seems like a miss.

 

[niroola]

Can we just skip all this nonsense and just add an ethernet jack to our electrical panel? Really, skip the wifi and apply the power line standard to the entire damn fuse box. Boom, every electrical device is now networked. I am sure there are some technical hurdles but I would bet that it's cheaper to do over adding an extra layer of copper for networking and replacing all switches and outlets with smart versions. Plus, potentially simpler path for IoT devices to come market.

 

[flszen]

Can we just skip all this nonsense and just add an ethernet jack to our electrical panel? Really, skip the wifi and apply the power line standard to the entire damn fuse box. Boom, every electrical device is now networked. I am sure there are some technical hurdles but I'd pay up to $1k to swap out my panel with a networked version.

Outlets and switches aren't all home runs to the panel. You would be paying much more than $1k to open all your walls and run individual circuits.

 

[justperry]

Not really smart in looks though, I find those American power outlets just damn Fugly, and then of course there's the question of orientation, smiley or the other way around, and it isn't tight fit either, conclusion: Rubbish.
The EU plug is by far the better one, yes UK readers, safety is better in your plugs but they are too damned big.

* Yes, I sometimes have to fit these into Electrical cabinets for the U.S. market so I know what I am talking about.

 

[ksnell]

Needs to have a USB port or two on there.

Can't see the Apple community turning down extra ports , but I am curious what USB item you want to turn on with HomeKit. Would it just be to see power draw?

 

[kyleh22]

Agreed. I really like this concept but no USB seems like a miss.

To have a wifi chip the can independently control each outlet plus a 120v to 5v AC/DC transformer and female USB plug is simply unrealistic. There is no way to get all that hardware in a one gang gang outlet box at a price point that consumers could swallow.

I can't think of any place in my home where I would need wifi controlled outlets plus wifi controlled USB ports in the same outlet box. Come to think of it, I can't think of any instances where I would need wifi controlled USB ports at all. I would love to hear your use cases.
[doublepost=1515010621][/doublepost]

Can't see the Apple community turning down extra ports , but I am curious what USB item you want to turn on with HomeKit. Would it just be to see power draw?

My thoughts exactly.

 

[PastaPrimav]

Seems weird to not have a USB port there, however I'm betting it is a tradeoff with the HomeKit functionality.

Most USB-equipped outlets are large and barely fit in standard boxes. They do not fit at all in older boxes at all.
[doublepost=1515011083][/doublepost]

Can't see the Apple community turning down extra ports , but I am curious what USB item you want to turn on with HomeKit. Would it just be to see power draw?

No one wants to turn anything USB on or off with HomeKit. The USB comments are related to wanting USB ports on the outlet itself for easy charging that doesn't require a wall wart power adapter, or occupying one of the standard outlets.

 

[whoispankaj]

All these outlets never work as expected..

 

[FloatingBones]

Very cool that they include power monitoring. The Kill-a-watt meters have been around for many years, but they are bulky and have no means to talk to anything. These guys allow smart monitoring of any 120V AC device.

 

[FelixDerKater]

Let’s save power by adding a wireless connection to every outlet and bulb so they consume some power even when the devices are off. Brilliant!

 

[RMo]

Can we just skip all this nonsense and just add an ethernet jack to our electrical panel? Really, skip the wifi and apply the power line standard to the entire damn fuse box. Boom, every electrical device is now networked. I am sure there are some technical hurdles but I would bet that it's cheaper to do over adding an extra layer of copper for networking and replacing all switches and outlets with smart versions. Plus, potentially simpler path for IoT devices to come market.

What kind of house do you live in where each outlet is on its own breaker, or, at the very least, has a dedicated hot run from the panel?

But yeah, if these are $80 like their wall-wart version is...then no. You can get in-wall or wall-wart Z-Wave outlets for less than half that price, and (presumably unlike this device) they'll work with more powerful HA controllers like Vera, Home Assistant, SmartThings, etc.

Very cool that they include power monitoring. The Kill-a-watt meters have been around for many years, but they are bulky and have no means to talk to anything. These guys allow smart monitoring of any 120V AC device.

A lot of "smart outlets" have had power metering for years (e.g., the Aeon Smart Energy Switch and probably many in-wall versions I've never used), though I'm not sure how popular it was/is on devices that are HomeKit-capable out-of-the-box.

 

[legacyb4]

Let’s save power by adding a wireless connection to every outlet and bulb so they consume some power even when the devices are off. Brilliant!

I don't think the intent for smart plugs is to "save" power but rather provide more functionality...

 

[JRobinsonJr]

Seems weird to not have a USB port there, however I'm betting it is a tradeoff with the HomeKit functionality.

Most USB-equipped outlets are large and barely fit in standard boxes. They do not fit at all in older boxes at all.
[doublepost=1515011083][/doublepost]
No one wants to turn anything USB on or off with HomeKit. The USB comments are related to wanting USB ports on the outlet itself for easy charging that doesn't require a wall wart power adapter, or occupying one of the standard outlets.

Hmm... i can think of a few things that MIGHT be better fed by USB. For example, LED light strips. USB powered speakers. Even an Echo Dot out in a garage that you night not want to be always on. Not saying i would want this but there is certainly potential value.

 

[deeddawg]

I am curious what USB item you want to turn on with HomeKit.

None, but while you're replacing an outlet you may as well do so with one which has USB charging ports built in.

I suppose they might just not have had the space to do so, but it'd have been a nice addition.

 

[err404]

Can't see the Apple community turning down extra ports , but I am curious what USB item you want to turn on with HomeKit. Would it just be to see power draw?

Mostly for the utility of the port, even if it does not have smart power control. I want USB port in all of my outlets.

 

[doelcm82]

Mostly for the utility of the port, even if it does not have smart power control. I want USB port in all of my outlets.

It should be USB type C, of course, and capable of powering an MBP or similar laptop. In a few years, type A ports will just look quaint.

 

[mnc50515ny]

Not really smart in looks though, I find those American power outlets just damn Fugly, and then of course there's the question of orientation, smiley or the other way around, and it isn't tight fit either, conclusion: Rubbish.
The EU plug is by far the better one, yes UK readers, safety is better in your plugs but they are too damned big.

* Yes, I sometimes have to fit these into Electrical cabinets for the U.S. market so I know what I am talking about.

So the product is “rubbish” because it complies with US electrical code and NEMA standards? You do realize standard US voltage is 120, not 230 or 240 like EU/UK? Sounds like you have no idea what you are taking about and I certainly wouldn’t want you anywhere near my electrical wiring.

 

[justperry]

So the product is “rubbish” because it complies with US electrical code and NEMA standards? You do realize standard US voltage is 120, not 230 or 240 like EU/UK? Sounds like you have no idea what you are taking about and I certainly wouldn’t want you anywhere near my electrical wiring.

Your reading comprehension needs to have a firmware update!

 

[err404]

Not really smart in looks though, I find those American power outlets just damn Fugly, and then of course there's the question of orientation, smiley or the other way around, and it isn't tight fit either, conclusion: Rubbish.
The EU plug is by far the better one, yes UK readers, safety is better in your plugs but they are too damned big.

* Yes, I sometimes have to fit these into Electrical cabinets for the U.S. market so I know what I am talking about.

Aesthetics are very personal. I’ve grown up with US style plugs and find the slimmer plugs to look better and the smaller chargers that go with them objectively more convenient.

 

[longpath]

Needs to have a USB port or two on there.

While none of their press releases mention it, to the right of the ground lugs, there are a pair of what look like USB-C sockets. I have written to the manufacturer for clarification; but they have not responded yet.

 

[deeddawg]

While none of their press releases mention it, to the right of the ground lugs, there are a pair of what look like USB-C sockets.

Wrong size. A USB-C plug is about the same width as the larger (neutral) side of a polarized plug. I suspect those are just indicator LEDs to tell if the circuit is on or off.