Belkin announces availability of WeMo
Announcement posted by Belkin 10 Dec 2012
“Until now, home automation technology has either been too complicated or too expensive for consumers. WeMo bridges that gap by using a plug-and-play solution for controlling appliances remotely,” said Brendan Sparks, Head of Marketing and Product Management ANZ. “WeMo provides a fun and easy way to put the control of your home at your fingertips.”
The WeMo Switchis a small device that plugs directly into any electrical outlet and serves as the main building block for WeMo. Once the Switch is connected to the home Wi-Fi network, any device plugged into it can then be turned on or off from anywhere, whether at home or on the go with the WeMo app. The app also enables users to put devices on a timed schedule, so devices will turn on or off at pre-set times.
The WeMo Switch + Motion adds a sensor that reads motion within 3 metres and will turn on or off anything plugged into the switch based on motion. The WeMo app tells any device plugged into the corresponding WeMo Switch what to do when motion is sensed. The app also allows users to create rules or schedules based on customised intervals. For example, turning off a lamp if no motion is sensed in the room after 10 minutes.
WeMo also features integration with IFTTT, an online service that allows you to create tasks combining different internet-based services from one platform. Through the WeMo channel on IFTTT, you can use a WeMo Switch or Motion to trigger a variety of services, including email, weather, phone calls, Twitter, Facebook, etc. For example, you can set up a motion sensor by your front door and use IFTTT to create a rule that will send a text message to your phone any time motion is sensed.
“With these two simple devices and the free Wemo app, you can create a variety of tasks or recipes. The powerful combination of WeMo and IFTTT provides endless possibilities of what you can customise and control throughout your home,” said Sparks. “We are very excited to see how people in Australia will use WeMo in their everyday lives.”
WeMo Switch(F7C027auAPL) – $59.95
- A plug that becomes a programmable on and off switch for any household device
- Operates over Wi-Fi and mobile Internet, at home and away
- Creates schedules for devices to turn on or off
- Can work in tandem with WeMo Motion, or as a stand-alone product
- Requires free WeMo app
- Works with an existing Wi-Fi network and any iOS devices (v5.0 or higher)
- WeMo app is iOS only, not Android compatible
- Modular system makes it easy to add additional WeMo devices
WeMo Switch + Motion (F5Z0340auAPL) – $119.95
- Detects movement, and devices plugged into the WeMo Motion can be programmed to react to motion
- 2 metre power cord and 3 metre, 120° motion sensitivity range allow for optimal placement of sensor
- Operates over Wi-Fi and mobile Internet, at home and away
- Requires free WeMo app
- Works with an existing Wi-Fi network and any iOS devices (v5.0 or higher)
- WeMo app is iOS only, not Android compatible
- Modular system makes it easy to add additional WeMo devices
- Motion sensor sold bundled with WeMo Switch, not available separately
Availability
The WeMo Switch and WeMo Switch + Motion will be available from selected retailers across Australia this week. The free WeMo app is available now for download from the Apple App Store.
About Belkin International, Inc.
To learn more about Belkin, visit http://www.belkin.com.au.
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/BelkinAustralia, and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/belkinau
# # #
Media Contacts
Amanda Conroy
Espresso Communications
+61 422 472 883
+61 2 8016 2200
Or
Adam Knight
Espresso Communications
+61 2 8016 2200