The ultimate expression of the lazy smart home is probably turning the lights off from your phone. It’s not necessary, and it probably doesn’t even save any time; but damn it’s cool. This switch will let you do that, without needing to be an electrical engineer.
https://gizmodo.com/why-is-my-smart-home-so-fucking-dumb-1684949715
Most of the switches on the market either require special lightbulbs, or rewiring a light switch. The first option is expensive, whilst the second requires a small amount of skill (and a permissive landlord. Switchmate’s suggestion uses magnets to piggyback on an existing lightswitch, using a motor to flick the switch when you don’t feel like getting off your butt.
The Switchmate switch uses Bluetooth to connect to a smartphone app, which lets you control the on/off, as well as scheduling lights to come on at a certain time, or other various smart home integrations if you pair with a Logitech Harmony Hub.
You can’t buy the switch just yet — the project is currently fundraising on Indiegogo, where $49 will theoretically get you a single switch (or $109 for a three-pack). As always, the standard crowdfunding vaporware advisory stands — in particular, Switchmate’s far-off delivery date of December 2015 seems worrying. But if it ever sees the (artificial) light of day, it could be a good option for broke smart-homers. [Indiegogo via Gizmag]
