The Race to Build Command Centers for Smart Homes

Community Playground General Discussions
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“Nest Labs, Wink and Other Household Gadget Makers Vie for Space on Store Shelves”

Not a single mention of Z-Wave. Attention – and more importantly investment – seems to have moved on from the Z-Wave platform, regardless of Alliance stating some number of companies participating.

I think it’s worth noting the value added by the companies mentioned, beyond just the fact that things are connected by a mesh network.

  • Joel
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Requires an account to read the article…

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I could not read the article but my 2 cents…
Any system that is closed and does not recognize the more popular wireless platforms like Zigbee or Z-Wave, I will not promote to my customers.
The best for everyone would be a wireless platform that is open, security checked by the public and supported by most everyone.
Unfortunately reality does not conform to the best for everyone.

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Sorry about that :frowning: Work gives me free access to WSJ, and I can’t figure out how to share without an account…

The press often gets things wrong, no doubt. What made me post this is that Z-Wave seems to have never captured the imagination of folks that write these articles…and who shop at Home Depot. Basically, Wink and Nest are prominent in the article, along with their backing services that add value. Right or wrong, these two service bands – not technologies – have captured the attention of journalist dedicated to covering investments. And I can understand that actually.

In this article, the platform is put aside for more interesting questions about how we can intelligently control our homes, and how the market plays out. This is discussed, as opposed to, say, questions about a particular language choice, or “REST” API, and also not about a particular mesh protocol.

I have two unanswered questions in the Programming forum about Luup. They are reasonable questions to ask of any platform. And that is time invested, maybe with no value.

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The press often gets things wrong, no doubt. What made me post this is that Z-Wave seems to have never captured the imagination of folks that write these articles...and who shop at Home Depot. Basically, Wink and Nest are prominent in the article, along with their backing services that add value.

That’s because these products actually put their money where their mouth is and heavily invest dollars into marketing and positioning campaigns. It takes $$$ or a really compelling product to make the store shelves in the big box stores.

I have two unanswered questions in the Programming forum about Luup. They are reasonable questions to ask of any platform. And that is time invested, maybe with no value.

That has nothing to do with Z-wave, which is simply the radio protocol stack. Luup was chosen by MiOS as their automation language.

The problem with many HA products is that they are not that well developed (proper documentation, specifications, and training) so that these platforms could be pitched directly to the home building industry. Once HA becomes standard in new houses, then you will see wide adoption. People won’t have to decide if they want to invest in HA, it will already be part of the home. Once people get use to it, they will then demand it when they move into another home or add it themselves.

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You guys do realize that there have been a ton of articles wrt to zwave and zwave controllers both in the trade rags as well as financial. As well zwave is well represented by companies including Home Depot, Lowes, and Staples. In fact it is represented to a much greater degree than other technologies. This is not startup money this is later stage investment.

Now when it comes to investment I’ve never known the WSJ tech to throw out a puff piece editorial and getting it wrong. More importantly missing the point. Ever heard of Ricochet? How about the dot com bubble? Hell if I didn’t understand that most of the buzz during early stage investment doesn’t necessarily represent a sustainable business model. My broker would have made me exactly that… just broker. Gateway was going to take over the PC market. Nortel was poised to unseat Cisco. Compaq was going to reinvigorate HP. And advertising revenue on the internet is a long term business strategy.

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To read the article just google the title and follow the link.NCHYGY