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ConnectSense HomeKit-Compatible Smart Outlet Available for Pre-Order

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Now that HomeKit has been available for several months, additional HomeKit-connected products are beginning to trickle out. ConnectSense is the latest company to announce a launch date for HomeKit-compatible product, and its Smart Outlet was today added to Apple's list of HomeKit products.

Priced at $79.95, the Smart Outlet plugs into an existing outlet and offers two Wi-Fi connected sockets that can be controlled independently using Siri or an accompanying ConnectSense app. Like the Elgato Eve Energy, the Smart Outlet also includes tools for monitoring the power usage of connected appliances.


As with all HomeKit devices, the Smart Outlet can be controlled with voice commands and linked to other compatible HomeKit products to create Scenes and automated timers to turn appliances on or off. The Smart Outlet also includes a 2.4A USB port for charging iPhones and iPads and two LEDs for determining the status of plugged-in devices at a glance.

Smart plugs have been one of the most popular HomeKit products thus far, and in addition to the Smart Outlet from ConnectSense and the Eve Energy from Elgato, both iDevices and iHome have released connected outlet options.

The ConnectSense website is accepting pre-orders for the Smart Outlet, but the website lists a shipping date of September. Smart Outlets do not appear to be shipping yet, but will likely be going out soon given their addition to Apple's website.

Amazon.com is also accepting pre-orders for the ConnectSense Smart Outlet.

Article Link: ConnectSense HomeKit-Compatible Smart Outlet Available for Pre-Order
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/10/02/connectsense-smart-outlet-homekit/
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So how do they measure the power consumption of a washer if I can't plug my washer into its standard receptacle? How does it control my thermostat that I can't plug into it? Do I need a WiFi thermostat, I presume they exist??

UPDATE: I'm aware of the Nest thermostat but the one they showed in their video looks like the standard thermostat I have which runs on 2 AAA batteries and is only connected via the standard wiring to the HVAC unit.
 
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dsburdette said:
How does it control my thermostat that I can't plug into it? Do I need a WiFi thermostat, I presume they exist??
Click to expand...

Isn't the Nest a Wifi enabled thermostat? I wouldn't know - I don't have one, but I assumed it did.

No idea regarding your washer... I would think you need to get some kind of smart washer - I wouldn't put it past Samsung to have a wifi connected washer/dryer.
 
ArtOfWarfare said:
Isn't the Nest a Wifi enabled thermostat? I wouldn't know - I don't have one, but I assumed it did.

No idea regarding your washer... I would think you need to get some kind of smart washer - I wouldn't put it past Samsung to have a wifi connected washer/dryer.
Click to expand...

Yes, the Nest is WiFi connected. As is the Ecobee, which is HomeKit enabled, where the Nest is not.
 
dsburdette said:
So how do they measure the power consumption of a washer if I can't plug my washer into its standard receptacle? How does it control my thermostat that I can't plug into it? Do I need a WiFi thermostat, I presume they exist??

UPDATE: I'm aware of the Nest thermostat but the one they showed in their video looks like the standard thermostat I have which runs on 2 AAA batteries and is only connected via the standard wiring to the HVAC unit.
Click to expand...

The Nest is WiFi.
 
dsburdette said:
So how do they measure the power consumption of a washer if I can't plug my washer into its standard receptacle?
Click to expand...
I don't think it measures power consumption at all, which would be a very useful feature, especially given $80 price tag.
 
dsburdette said:
So how do they measure the power consumption of a washer if I can't plug my washer into its standard receptacle?
Click to expand...
Weird, I've never run across a washer that didn't use a regular 3-prong plug. Driers, on the other hand... different story.
 
This is brilliant! Now I can stand next to a lamp, take my iPhone, go to an app, select this particular lamp from the list and even switch it on! How amazing is that! It only takes 30 to 60 seconds. and it's only for $80!

Well, I could also switch the bloody lamp on manually, but it takes only a second and it's free so... nahhh, let's be modern for once.
 
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Uh, what?? Why do I need a .5HP motor in my wall outlet? o_O

---

The Smart Outlet features:
  • 120 VAC, 60 Hz power input
  • 2 power outlets
  • 1800 W resistive
  • 1/2 HP motor
 
dsburdette said:
Yea, my bad, I may have my units mixed up but one of them has the big 3-prong doohickey. My electrical plug knowledge escapes me at the moment. :(
Click to expand...
Correct, dryers use a 30Amp circuit with the larger NEMA 14-30P plug.

On topic, can't wait for more of these accessories for HomeKit to come out. More products by different manufacturers means more competition, and ultimately and most importantly, better products at lower prices.
 
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waveman said:
Well, I could also switch the bloody lamp on manually, but it takes only a second and it's free.
Click to expand...
True, for a single lamp this is overkill -- technically and financially.

One use case I like: turning off all my indoor Christmas lights each night at bed time. Currently I have to walk through each room of the house and crawl under furniture to unplug 10 sets of lights. If I could just say, "Hey Siri, turn off Christmas Light scene", that'd be cool!

(But expensive.)
 
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101at9 said:
I think it's dumb to call standard items dumb. I get its good marketing to make standard items feel obsolete but calling them dumb seems a bit juvenile.
Click to expand...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this. The light bulb most certainly isn't "dumb." Less juvenile would be to call these staples of everyday life traditional or as you say standard.
 
dsburdette said:
So how do they measure the power consumption of a washer if I can't plug my washer into its standard receptacle? How does it control my thermostat that I can't plug into it? Do I need a WiFi thermostat, I presume they exist??

UPDATE: I'm aware of the Nest thermostat but the one they showed in their video looks like the standard thermostat I have which runs on 2 AAA batteries and is only connected via the standard wiring to the HVAC unit.
Click to expand...

It would have to be a gas washer and dryer to work with the current product
 
Appreciate all the comments and feedback Mac Rumors, happy to answer any other questions about our product. We are excited to get it in all of your hands in the near future.
 
waveman said:
This is brilliant! Now I can stand next to a lamp, take my iPhone, go to an app, select this particular lamp from the list and even switch it on! How amazing is that! It only takes 30 to 60 seconds. and it's only for $80!

Well, I could also switch the bloody lamp on manually, but it takes only a second and it's free so... nahhh, let's be modern for once.
Click to expand...
I think with HomeKit you can setup scenes (where multiple of these outlets can be grouped together and turned on/off at once), as well as setup triggers.

For example, a trigger that automatically turns on select lights around your house at night when you pull your car into your driveway.

Others have found a way to integrate with their alarm system so the lights in the house turn on/off when the alarm is tripped. Very visual way of identifying the house (at least at night).

There's a pretty active home automation community out there, some with active forums like MacRumors. It's neat to see some of the cool stuff that creative people build using products like this!
 
aristobrat said:
I think with HomeKit you can setup scenes (where multiple of these outlets can be grouped together and turned on/off at once), as well as setup triggers.

For example, a trigger that automatically turns on select lights around your house at night when you pull your car into your driveway.

Others have found a way to integrate with their alarm system so the lights in the house turn on/off when the alarm is tripped. Very visual way of identifying the house (at least at night).

There's a pretty active home automation community out there, some with active forums like MacRumors. It's neat to see some of the cool stuff that creative people build using products like this!
Click to expand...

Its only going to get cooler once more products are in the market too. iOS 9 introduced Triggers which we are adding to our app soon. Then you will be able to do If-This-Then-That style stuff cueing off of other devices and things like location. Door opens, turn on the lights, Garage closes shut the house off.
 
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I am still looking in the UK for a full HomeKit solution that I can do with my tech and is still "dumb" enough for say my non tech savvy grandfather to use manually
 
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xraydoc said:
Says it has two independently controlled outlets, so it would be $80 for two. So $40 a piece is closer to what similar Z-wave outlets are.
Click to expand...
That does separate it from the competition somewhat. It's still in the early adopter range I'm afraid. I am hoping HomeKit enabled products will break out of that and offer lower (and more realistic) prices for the masses.
 
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