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System Integration for the Connected Home

Security

Hive Takes Security Cameras Outside

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British smart home company Hive announces a first outdoor security camera-- the Hive View Outdoor, a camera similar to the indoor Hive View featuring weatherproof housing, night vision and 2-way audio.

Hive View OutdoorsThe View Outdoor camera attaches magnetically to a mount, and is easily adjustable according to customer preferences. The mount requires access to mains power, something Hive says allows for more powerful built-in wifi hardware. Customers can either install the camera themselves or hire the services of a professional installer, and they can lock it to the mains cable to prevent theft.

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2GIG Gets Smart Areas for Security Panel Partitioning

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Nortek Security & Control (NSC) adds Smart Areas partitioning to the 2GIG GC3 security panel-- making it the first self-contained wireless security system with zone partitioning, at least according to the company.

2GIG Safe AreasPartitioning involves the creation of zone groups in a home or building security system allowing users to arm some sections of the property while leaving other areas disarmed. The result is greater personalisation and functionality for the end user,  with a one-touch solution providing access to any partition with appropriate autorisation.

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Amazon Connects Echo Devices to Smart Cameras, Doorbells

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Amazon adds further capabilities to Echo devices with the introduction of 3 APIs-- Doorbell Event Source, Motion Sensor and Alexa.RTCSession Controller, allowing developers to connect the devices to security cameras and doorbells.

Echo APIsInitially available in the US as part of the Amazon Smart Home Skill API, such features allow 3rd party smart home apps to trigger Alexa actions through doorbell presses and motion alarms, among others. The Doorbell Event Source API plays announcement across all Echo devices, while Motion Sensor reports the state of an endpoint whenever motion is noticed within an area.

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Savant Adds Home Entry Line

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Savant introduces a suite of what it calls "Savant Entry"-- a series of products allowing homeowners to see and communicate with anyone approaching a house entry point, such as the front door, side door, garage or gate.

Savant EntryIntroduced as part of the Savant 8.9 software and hardware release, the Entry solution sends notifications to homeowners via Savant Pro App secure encrypted connection. Users can respond and unlock the door or gate, as well as check via video intercom on anyone approaching the entry point. They can even simply monitor the status of an entry point, without anyone ringing the bell.

The Entry solutions are designed to work from both inside the home or remotely within the Savant Pro 8 iOS/Android app. In addition, the solution promises an array of premium features, including high-powered night vision capability, advanced motion detection with available notifications and up to 3 months of video storage for events at the door.

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Swann Integrates With Google Assistant

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Swann claims to be the first security vendor to add Google Asssistant voice control to its multi-camera wired surveillance systems, allowing customers to simply ask, through voice, to see live security camera feeds on their TVs.

Swann google assistantThrough the integration customers can use voice commands to stream video from security cameras on the TV using the Google Assistant via Google Home and Chromecast. Voice commands include "Okay Google, show me channel one," or "Hey Google, show me the front door." All control is, of course, hands-free.

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DoorBird Intros D2101KV Intercom

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DoorBird announces an addition to the D21x IP video door station range-- the D2101KV, an intercom designed to address "worldwide demand" for a single residence flush mount Doorbird complete with keypad and RFID.

Doorbird door stationThe D2101KV incorporates a 1-call button and a multifunction keypad. Aimed at single-family homes and commercial properties in need of an access control system, it is made from brushed stainless aluminium and offers an integrated RFID reader and the ability to assign as many as 100 different codes for access. The intercom can also send HTTP requests to broader smart home systems to trigger events via the keypad.

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2GIG Intros Dual-Source Water Leak Detector

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Nortek announces the 2GIG Water Leak Detector-- a device the company announces as the first sensor to provide dual-source protection against water leaks and flooding.

2GIG Leak detector“The Water Leak Detector is a "notification" sensor, designed to give homeowners important information in advance of events,” Nortek says. “Water damage is the number one residential insurance claim in the U.S. This new sensor notifies homeowners in the first stages of a leak, allowing them to react quickly to resolve the problem.”

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