Is anyone following the news with the Lowe’s Iris system that is slated to come out the middle of this year? I am wondering if this is something altogether new or if Lowe’s is just rolling the Schlage/Trane equipment into a centralized brand umbrella. Just seems strange that they would push out their own units when they are already carrying the Schlage products. Any one know for sure?
jeeej another clone of the vera
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[quote=“Da_JoJo, post:2, topic:170856”]jeeej another clone of the vera
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Lol, I know my first post shouldn’t be antagonizing someone. . . .but really? There are not even any specs released yet, you sound like a Vera fanboy.
[quote=“awake33, post:3, topic:170856”][quote=“Da_JoJo, post:2, topic:170856”]jeeej another clone of the vera
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Lol, I know my first post shouldn’t be antagonizing someone. . . .but really? There are not even any specs released yet, you sound like a Vera fanboy.[/quote]
It doesn’t take being a Vera fan to add 2+2. At CES, everyone saw what MCV was capable of doing at this price point and jumped on it with their own products. Some of the companies emerging as competitors have massive R&D budgets.
[quote=“Canadian EC, post:4, topic:170856”][quote=“awake33, post:3, topic:170856”][quote=“Da_JoJo, post:2, topic:170856”]jeeej another clone of the vera
…[/quote]
Lol, I know my first post shouldn’t be antagonizing someone. . . .but really? There are not even any specs released yet, you sound like a Vera fanboy.[/quote]
It doesn’t take being a Vera fan to add 2+2. At CES, everyone saw what MCV was capable of doing at this price point and jumped on it with their own products. Some of the companies emerging as competitors have massive R&D budgets.[/quote]
That may well be the case, but it is more likely that they have been working on it for awhile. Companies, even big corporations, don’t throw stuff like this together in a few months just because they have “massive R&D budgets.”
More importantly, the post is merely whining based on an assumption, adds zero to the thread, and fails to provide any additional insight to the OP’s inquiry.
I might add, that I do in fact own a Veralite, so it is not like I’m siding with a particular vendor here 
I’m under the impression that this isn’t MCV’s first CES show. It’s been what, about 3 years since Vera1?
Well then, I’ll just answer my own questions
Apparently, Lowe’s is developing a solution with a UK-based company called AlertMe. Strangely all the info I have found on AlertMe points to Zigbee technology. So I am not sure if Lowe’s is pushing that platform now. That could be rough on Z-Wave with Zigbee getting a big push from Lowe’s… or maybe just good competition.
Also, Belkin is getting into the game but I am not sure what communication technology will be used in there WeMo solution either: [url=http://www.belkin.com/wemo/]http://www.belkin.com/wemo/[/url]
Various news agencies reported that the Belkin Wemo uses Wifi as the comms medium instead of ZigBee or Z-Wave. If true, it removes one layer of “bridging-networks” from the infrastructure in the home.
They have seemingly lined up GE/Jasco for the z-wave for this Iris system together with Pella windows for controllable blinds between the glass. Should be interesting if it is z-wave which should help drive down the cost. I doubt that their solution will have the flexibility to add some of the devices that can be controlled by Vera via plugins.
well yes im a fan-boy (38 years old but hey im fine being called a boy lol)
i even write the dutch and german translations for mcv as we speak. so yes, to answer your question. it is build on a z-wave.me alike software with z-wave/zigbee hardware. it is build on z-wave and all the new outcoming systems gives us vera people the benefit that this devices they produce as side-hardware are also of use to the vera. This is very good for the market. the zigbee system is nice and vera can also talk to this, so do major brand clones. zigbee is open source version, it can do nearly as much as the big company supported z-wave. heck even LG dumped their zigbee plans and goes z-wave. zigbee is bound to die early, allmost 4 years have past and nothing come out.
So has anyone picked up an Iris device and paired it with Vera? The Smart Plug (which says it has energy monitoring) seems like a good deal at $30. The only competitive product that I know of is the Aeon Labs/Mi Casa verde SmartSwitch for $60. The motion sensor ($25) and door sensor ($20) look good, too.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_388564-41166-SPG902_0__?productId=3735315
Is it possible it uses both Zigbee and Z-wave??
I might pick up a sensor tonight on my way home…
This is from their website:
How Iris Works
The Iris Hub captures signals put out by smart home devices. When you connect the Iris Hub to your home’s broadband router, you’re creating a net of devices that can talk to each other and pass messages to and from the hub. If you have WiFi, Iris can use that, too, for Iris compatible WiFi devices. The Iris Hub relays smart home device signals to the Iris cloud and from there they can be accessed and controlled via your smartphone or web-connected tablet or computer.
Iris takes advantage of multiple well-proven technologies: Z-wave, ZigBee and WiFi. Since different devices use different technologies, using these most popular technologies means Iris can control a broader array of devices than competitors. That’s why it’s so easy to add new devices to your smart home — Iris uses the technology appropriate for each device. Look for the “Works with Iris” logo on smart devices before you buy.
Your devices maintain contact with the Iris Hub, sending signals as required. If a device is triggered, for example a contact sensor triggered by a door opening, the device immediately sends a signal to the Iris Hub where it is sent to the cloud and processed based on instructions you have set up.
Iris uses the cloud to remember all your instructions and send each device instructions via Z-wave, ZigBee, or WiFi signal (depending on which protocol the device uses). When alerts are triggered, Iris can send email, text and voice messages to you and your designated contacts’ smartphones, tablets, or computers.
[quote=“will2710, post:11, topic:170856”]So has anyone picked up an Iris device and paired it with Vera? The Smart Plug (which says it has energy monitoring) seems like a good deal at $30. The only competitive product that I know of is the Aeon Labs/Mi Casa verde SmartSwitch for $60. The motion sensor ($25) and door sensor ($20) look good, too.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_388564-41166-SPG902_0__?productId=3735315[/quote]
Not to mention the GE switches; $35 is at least $10 cheaper than I have ever seen them before, assuming they are the standard z-wave switches.
[quote=“ufd108, post:13, topic:170856”][quote=“will2710, post:11, topic:170856”]So has anyone picked up an Iris device and paired it with Vera? The Smart Plug (which says it has energy monitoring) seems like a good deal at $30. The only competitive product that I know of is the Aeon Labs/Mi Casa verde SmartSwitch for $60. The motion sensor ($25) and door sensor ($20) look good, too.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_388564-41166-SPG902_0__?productId=3735315[/quote]
Not to mention the GE switches; $35 is at least $10 cheaper than I have ever seen them before, assuming they are the standard z-wave switches.[/quote]
I am sure that the GE dimmers are Z-wave.
Look at this manual, it is modifies (says Iris) however if you read through it you will notice that the model number changes and it should be representing their normal Z-Wave dimmer…
http://www.lowes.com/campaign/iris/pdf/45639%20manual%20ENG.pdf
Also, the repeater is both Zigbee and Z-wave.
The Iris system should be available at my local store so I will definitely check it out!
Flo
[quote=“frichter09, post:12, topic:170856”]Is it possible it uses both Zigbee and Z-wave??
I might pick up a sensor tonight on my way home…[/quote]
The hub I believe supports both, but I highly doubt that individual devices would support both protocols as that would add quite a bit to their price tag. As for picking one up, all the Lowe’s near me don’t have it stocked yet, so if yours has it then please let us know! The press release says they will have it in 500 stores by the end of August. I’m tempted to pay the extra for shipping just to check it out and return it to the store if it doesn’t work but I’d figure I’d at least ask here first.
Will
Hey Will,
Yeah, I agree, the hub does both.
The GE stuff is Z-Wave, the extender is Z-wave and Zigbee.
I am really interested in the motion sensor, windows sensor and especially the smart plug!
Ah well, I guess I will try all of them!
Will report the results tonight!
Flo
Flo,
So your Lowe’s definitely has it? I’m jealous. If it turns out that the Smart Plug does energy monitoring reasonably well, I will definitely order one. Might even do a comparison against a the SmartSwitch and maybe a KillAWatt.
Will
Hey Will,
Yes and I needed to go anyways tonight…
All the IRIS stuff shows up as available in my store…
But if I look at 50 miles around me… nothing… crazy.
I probably wont be able to post an update before 8pm pacific time but I will let you know asap if I can pair any of the sensors with vera
Flo
not really, specially when you factor in that you need a premium subscription of $9.99/month to do anything useful with it :-
any case, I’m looking forward to any reviews of this and whether it can be integrated with Vera somehow…
not really, specially when you factor in that you need a premium subscription of $9.99/month to do anything useful with it :-
any case, I’m looking forward to any reviews of this and whether it can be integrated with Vera somehow…[/quote]
Why do you have to factor in the $9.99?
If you are using Vera you dont need the premium subscription.
Flo