One of the themes at CES 2024 was making the smart home easier.
Home Depot reintroduced their smart hub calledHubspace, andOliverIQintroduced itself as the first smart home as a service.
The QR code for setup that most Matter- and Thread-enabled devices use make the process smooth.
It works only with wifi and Bluetooth, and the Bluetooth is only for setup.
OliverIQ can just take over that entire installation process for you.
There are certainly other hubs (like SmartThings), but few with as widespread support as these three.
This may feel like an additional burden, but presumably you do the same research before buying any appliance.
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Ten years ago, a connected lightbulb could run $70; now its under $10.
If youre annoyed by lights being left on all the time, purchasingsensors and smart bulbssolves the problem.
I dont foresee all the function controls of a robot vacuum being accessible from a hub, either.
Find one company that you buy all your bulbs from.
If they also offer plugs and sensors, even better.
Otherwise, accept your fate.
Use a folder on your phone to throw all the apps into if they bother you.
Sometimes it’s here and there, and the problem resolves itself with an update.
Neither service can solve this issue, although OliverIQ hopes to circumvent it through routine monitoring and driver updates.
This takes time and can have an expense attached.
At some point, everyone benefits from learning to try unplugging the thing and plugging it back in.
You are also not trying to sell Gramps anything, and these services are.
It’s primarily a revenue stream for service people; you won’t have a direct relationship with OliverIQ.
Hubspace seems harmless enough as a sentient app, but it makes users rely on Home Depot.
Will Hubspace mean a fully fleshed out education program for associates and customer service members?
Im just not convinced middlemen are the way to do it.
