Google Partners with ADT

A perhaps unexpected move, to address increasing concern about issues of security in the smart home.

Google Invests $450M in ADT to Begin Smart Home Security Partnership in Voicebot.ai

Google is investing $450 million in popular home security provider ADT. The investment is part of a new partnership between the two companies to have ADT and Google Nest smart home devices work in tandem in both business and technical terms. ... " 

(Updated) Amazon Guard Takes a Step into Home Security

As announced recently Amazon will be starting to offer the Alexa/Echo infrastructure to listen into the home for security while you are away.  Only some of their devices will support this, but I imagine most people who have invested in Amazon for the smart home will try this.   They already offer cameras and portal/doorbell devices. This will also compete with many other home and office security systems.    Emphasizing that Amazon will be listening may once again open up the fear of potential loss of home privacy. 

(Update) Been thinking about this, it is the first case of the smart home listening to the home sound environment by itself, and with the potential of making programmed adjustments to what it senses (sounds, motions? ).  I recall we used the thermostat as an example sensor-device interaction in the early days of AI.    Now we have what's closer to a conversation between smart home and assistant. ....

CNet overviews what it does today:

Alexa Guard goes live, lets your Echo speakers listen for trouble
We're testing out Amazon's new security mode for Alexa-enabled smart speakers. Here what you need to know.    Ry Crist  in CNet

"Alexa, I'm leaving."
"OK -- I'll be on guard."

That's the gist of Alexa Guard, a new feature from Amazon that lets your Echo devices keep an ear out for trouble when you're away from home. If Alexa hears something after you've put her into Guard mode -- a smoke alarm ringing or the sound of shattering glass, for instance -- she'll send you a notification. If you're an ADT or Ring subscriber, she'll notify your home security monitoring service, too.

Another feature: If you want, Alexa will cycle your smart lights on and off while you're away to make it look like you're home.

First announced back in September, Alexa Guard is now rolling out to Amazon's customer base in the US. I was able to turn the feature on in my own home over the weekend, and spent some time testing it out. Here are some early takeaways:  ... "

A Look at Smart Home Market

New look at the direction of Smart Homes.  But it does depend upon how your define a smart home.  Mine is still quite simple in what it includes,would it be defined as such?

Smart Home Market Analysis – Expectations vs. Reality
Hagai Shaham

 All eyes were on the smart home market in 2017. After all, industry experts such as MarketsandMarkets predicted that the industry would be valued at  to$137.91B by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 13.61%. Tech giants are all clamoring to get in on the action with Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Echo and Samsung SmartThings creating buzz, and new smart devices flooding the market at a dizzying rate.

However, despite these high expectations, smart home adoption has been slower than anticipated. While the connected home market is growing steadily, it certainly has not exploded. In fact, according to PwC’s 2017 consumer study of the IoT and the connected home, while 81% of consumers are aware of smart technology, only 26% actually own a smart device. Moreover, 68% of consumers reported that they are not very excited about the future of smart home tech in their daily life. Worse, the study found that 30% of consumers are not fully satisfied with their device or mobile app supporting their device.

What went wrong in the trajectory of smart home adoption, and why did so many experts miss the mark?  .... "

Best Buy Wants to Install Smart Homes

Recall that Amazon just also announced a smart home consultation service, apparently aimed at getting their devices installed.  Probably a requirement for typical aftermarket installations of Smart Homes.  For the 'non digital native'.

Is Best Buy’s latest Geek Squad service a blueprint for niche IoT?  by Matthew Stern in Retailwire.  With discussion.

As Best Buy has worked to turn itself around, two of its biggest differentiators have been its Geek Squad service offerings and its focus on selling and supporting IoT devices. The chain’s latest move leverages both by focusing its Geek Squad resources on a very specific niche within the smart home/IoT area. Best Buy is offering smart home consultations and installations geared towards adults acting as caretakers for elderly parents.

The smart home service, called Assured Living, consists of a free assessment that allows caregivers to determine the right arrangement of in-home monitors, devices and alerts for effectively caring for the elderly people in question, the Star Tribune reported. Geek Squad employees then implement the technology. .... " 

Will start to cover these efforts on the term 'Smart Home Services' tag below.

Amazon Launches 'Echo Squad' Help for Alexa Installs and Beyond

Had only a minor problem installing Alexa,  Had somewhat more trouble with Google Home, which could have stymied a non tech user.  In both cases dial-in help was helpful.  Though depending on the 'smarthome 'architecture', there might be some complete show stoppers.   The typical user will need help to install.

Will Amazon’s answer to the ‘Geek Squad’ help put Alexa in more homes?
by Matthew Stern in Retailwire.

There’s a learning curve for setting up, troubleshooting and using voice assistant technologies like Alexa. Amazon.com is now addressing that with a new in-home installation and repair service that’s reminiscent of the Best Buy Geek Squad.

Amazon has been hiring skilled professionals over the past few months to install and repair in-home gadgets, according to Recode. The company sees offering professional smart home setup as a way to reduce the number of returns of Alexa-enabled devices. The service, which is already live in seven markets, comes directly from Amazon and is not related to the website’s marketplace for third-party services.

The section of Amazon’s website that describes the service gives users an opportunity to book a “smart home consultation for Alexa” and set up an in-home visit from an expert. It states that experts will install and customize the smart home setup complete with configuring settings and connecting devices to Alexa. The expert will also train users on how to control wired devices via Alexa and give the customer the opportunity to test new wired devices in-home.   ....  "