Keep your smart home safe and well managed with the Iota All-in-One Home Security Kit from Abode
Abode’s simple smart home security starter kit keeps things simple, yet elegant.
What is the iota of Abode?
DIY home security kits come in many flavors these days. At its simplest, it can just be a network-connected camera that you can monitor, and if it has some kind of motion sensor that can trigger alerts, so much the better. As you get more demanding you need an integrated system that can handle multiple cameras and possibly some door and window sensors. These more complex setups generally require some kind of hub, such as a B. Z-Wave systems that need to be connected to your home router. And then there’s the integration of Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa, and depending on what other third-party hardware you have, things may or may not communicate with each other, and they are controllable. It can be complicated.
The Abode Iota All-In-One Home Security Kit aims to overcome all of this complexity, connect all of the devices in your home, and give you the automation tools and controls you need to make it work without causing a headache.
What’s in the box?
Abode’s Iota kit contains the following parts / parts:
1 x Iota combination camera and hub
1 x door / window sensor
1 x keychain remote control
1 x power cord
Quick start guide, user manual, legal notices / warranty information
How to Use Abodes Iota
Of the home camera / security systems I’ve installed over the years, this is almost the simplest. Of course, you’ll need to connect the hub / camera to your router via ethernet during setup (cable included), but after that it can go where you need it and it won’t permanently lose one of the ethernet ports.
Setup (from the Abode support page)
Step 1 – Getting started
Take the Abode Iota out of the packaging and place it near your internet router.
Step 2 – performance
Plug the supplied power adapter into a socket and into the Abode Iota.
Step 3 – Internet connection
Connect the ethernet cable to an open port on your router and plug it into the Abode Iota.
Step 4 – battery backup
On the underside of the Iota, push the switch forwards to activate the battery backup.
Step 5 – App download
Download the Abode app, install it on your iPhone or Android device and follow the quick setup process.
Step 6 – Activation Key
Keep the installation card that came with your Iota Security Kit. You will need it Activation key printed to link your e-mail to the device and start your Abode profile.
Step 7 – pairing process
The devices contained in the Abode Iota starter kit (Mini Door / Window Sensor & Key Fob) have already been paired with the Iota.
Mini door / window sensor
Key chain
Just follow the setup process in the app to activate and name these devices.
To add additional devices, please follow the information below to add them to your iota system. You can use the Abode mobile or web app.
Using the mobile app: Sign in to the Abode mobile app and click the settings option in the lower right corner of the screen. Click the + Add Device option, find the correct name / icon of the device you are adding and follow the wizard.
Using the web app: Sign in to the web app at my.goabode.com. Click the + Add Device option at the top of the page, find the correct icon for the device you are adding and follow the wizard.
Read more on the Abode support page here.
Use
Once you’ve set up all of your devices (including any third-party devices already on your network like smart lights, plugs, locks, and more) you can control everything from the Abode app. At the simple (free) level, you can check your camera and door / window sensors and activate them using the app or the dongle when you are not at home (or at home but maybe gone to bed). When the camera detects that someone is lurking where they shouldn’t be (with a smart motion detection system that can distinguish people from other moving objects), you can get an alert on any connected device (I bring it up on my phone and see zu), and the camera / hub itself can trigger a 93 dB alarm. It’s important to note that these features are free – no additional subscription or service contract is required.
There are two levels of paid service as well, but the benefits can be worth it (especially when compared to some of the “pro” security companies out there). The standard plan adds features like saving and viewing videos on a timeline so you can keep track of activity captured by your camera, as well as Abode’s key automation features. For example, you can put different lights in your house that come on when you put the system in “Away” mode so it looks like someone is home. Or you could have ALL of your lights turn on when an alarm goes off. This plan costs $ 6 a month, or $ 60 a year billed annually, which is pretty reasonable.
For $ 20 a month or $ 200 a year billed annually, you can get the Pro plan, which includes active surveillance for peace of mind (and in some cases savings on home insurance) and a cellular backup system with it You yourself If your home network fails, the system will continue to work. If you’re a geek enough to do the installation yourself, it can save a ton of money over the professional home security services (one I checked charges 50% more per month for their active surveillance plan).
Why you should get the Abode Iota system
At this point, I’ve only just started scratching the surface with this system, and I’m pretty much sold out. The hub built into the main camera is a great design feature and the quality of the equipment is excellent. I look forward to adding your outside camera and hooking up window sensors all over the house and then connecting everything to my smart lights and plugs and my smart lock. The standard play seems like a breeze to me, but I plan to call my insurance company this week to see if the savings on my policy are effectively eligible for the Pro plan. Even if it’s close, I’ll probably take the plunge.
Abode’s Iota All-In-One Home Security System is available for $ 292 on the Abode website.
Disclosure: GeekDad received a sample of this article for review purposes.
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