Belkin WeMo is a series of home automation products that allow you to control home electronics from literally anywhere in the world. The product suite includes a motion sensor, switch, insight switch, camera, light switch and app. I easily plugged the switch into my socket, and controlled it from the Smartphone WeMo app, via mobile network and even home Wi Fi network. All WeMo devices can also be controlled by voice using Amazon Echo. If any of your home appliance say a lamp or coffee maker has a plug, you connect it to WeMo and turn it on and off using your phone, how cool is that?
The Wemo motion sensor can also be placed anywhere in your house as long as it is connected to the same Wi Fi network. The job of a WeMo sensor is to switch off and on any of the WeMo devices that are connected to a Wi Fi network.
The WeMo light switch is used anywhere a light is to be controlled with a single light switch. Currently, multi way switching is not supported. It is encased in a white plastic shell that blends neatly with my office and home décor. Apart from the on and off switch, there is a restore button on WeMo itself which you can hold for a few second to initiate restart. Whether you want to turn on a light from your Tv lounge, front yard, kitchen or office, WeMo Switch has got you covered.
The WeMo motion detector is an unobtrusive and small and illuminates a pale blue light whenever movement is detected. It’s an attractive little gizmo that works pretty well, designed like a chess piece from a futuristic, abstract chessboard. Besides the restore button on top of the plug there is no other physical control to fiddle with. You can modify the detector’s sensitivity, all from within the app! The best part is that it even detects movements from up to 10 feet away.
The WeMo app controls all the WeMo devices virtually from anywhere as long as its wireless network is connected to an internet connection. The WeMo app lets you create called rules, and schedules for each of the connected devices. For example you can easily program your porch light to turn on at sundown and turn off at sunrise. The rule screen lets you program everything from fade out and fade in times to final brightness, so you can tweak your lights to quickly or slowly wake you up in the morning. The “away mode” automatically switches lights off and on daily just to trick potential burglars or strangers into thinking you are home when you are on a vacation.
The WeMo Smart LED Bulbs gives off a warm bright light something similar to a traditional 50 watt incandescent bulb and the best part is that it only consumes 10 watts of energy. They give off less heat than traditional light bulbs, thereby keeping my office cooler. They can be controlled from your smartphone from anywhere using just the WiFi network.
The WeMo collection is completely modular. All the products are designed to work together so that you monitor and control as much of your home as you like. Program home automation triggers like using your WeMo Motion to turn on your WeMo LED lights when you walk into your office or use the WeMo Insight Switch to learn about the cost savings of installing additional WeMo Smart LED bulbs–the combinations are endless
IFTTT is a service that allows you to create powerful connections with a simple statement: if this then that. IFTTT works well with all the WeMo collection of products, to make you more automated and connect your home electronics to a whole world of online apps. Get an email or text when the front door opens, and turn the lights on when the sun rises, there are a gazillion possibilities. Visit IFTTT to discover all the exciting recipes you can create with your WeMo + IFTTT
