Yesterday the news broke that Samsung and US-based security heavyweight ADT have partnered to bring out a security product targeted at the ‘DIY’ market, built on Samsung’s SmartThings platform.
It may be US-based news, but Samsung’s recent partnership with ADT is nonetheless interesting for insight into how manufacturers plan to both combat and capitalise on the rising numbers of consumers looking to deploy ‘DIY’ smart technology in their home.
Of course, this not the first time ADT has collaborated with a technology heavyweight, after partnering with LG to offer a security package (which it will continue to offer, according to ADT).
Priced higher than a lot of products also pitched as ‘DIY’, the standard home security starter kit – comprised of a hub, two door and window detectors and a motion detector – is priced at $549. An accompanying expansion pack (starting at $199) offers consumers extra sensors (e.g. fire, water or CO2), as well as a key fob remote with three functions (alarm ‘on’, ‘off’ and ‘panic’).
The included hub incorporates a 7-in touchscreen with a built-in siren, battery, cellular data backup and encryption wireless technology. It can also function as a SmartThings hub, allowing users to control and monitor third-party smart home devices via the app, as well as opt in/out of their monitoring service.
Although marketed at the ‘DIY’ level many consumers feel more comfortable with, ADT and Samsung plan to make these entry-level offerings more lucrative via a RMR model. Monthly monitoring will be available at a rate of £14.99 for life safety (monitoring sensors in the expansion pack) and $24.99 for security services from ADT.
The products are expected to be released on 29 October, 2017 will be sold through US retailer Best Buy and Samsung’s own website, as well as its SmartThings site.
This launch comes at interesting time for the home security market, following the recent launch of Nest’s full-home DIY system, Nest Secure.