Home security is no longer just for at home. The past 5 years have seen cell phone technology transform the way we interact with the things we own, putting their management into the palm of your hand. You can now control everything from baby monitors to refrigerators with your smartphone, and Android is emerging as the dominant software in smart home technology.
At times, their dominance is a result of their direct integration into a system. Google recently announced Open Automotive Alliance is high profile example of this strategy. By building Android into cars and
other consumer centered platforms Google can seamlessly integrate with a host of their other products and services. This is certainly the strategy behind the $3.2 billion acquisition of Nest.
But another part of their dominance has come from getting companies to integrate their own systems into Android. Companies like ADT, who were once at the forefront of smart home technology with their home monitoring system, have been forced to adapt to the new environment the smart phone has created. They released ADT Pulse on both iPhone and Android to adapt their offerings to the ever expanding Internet of Things. ADT has also expanded the traditional security features to encompass home automation in general, linking your lighting, climate control and more to any web-enabled device. Android is a key technology ADT has been forced to integrate with in their efforts to survive.
If you take a look at ADT Pulse’s features, it is clear the Internet and mobile phones have played a significant role in the product’s design. Just look at the features available:
- Arm and disarm your security system
- Lock and unlock doors
- Control climate and lighting
- Receive text and/or email alerts
- Check on video surveillance
Mobility and ease of use are driving the product offerings of ADT Pulse. They are also the same drivers behind Android’s integration into the automobile and home services landscape. Companies that once relied on Android for serving their customers could soon become overshadowed by Google itself as it flexes its software muscles to enter spaces traditionally occupied by its partners.
Remote access to your home, whether it’s turning your security system on and off, locking or unlocking your doors, managing your lights, optimizing your heating and cooling system, or generating customized alerts about the on-goings in your home, is the future of how we experience and manage our homes. Google is preparing to be a big part of how consumers will interact with their homes and Android is their big bet on how to win the market.
GUEST BLOG CONTRIBUTOR: Anna Stephens
The post Android and the Smart Home appeared first on AndroidGuys.