Protection, automation, and hands-free garage access in one smart home system

The problem with many new smart home devices is that you have to replace your existing gear for a shiny, new machine. Not everyone thinks you should have to chuck out your old coffee maker or hire an electrician to get your home online. Some companies such as littleBits and Clime sell kits or sensors so you can turn dumb devices smart, while a new Kickstarter for Habitat introduces a hub that transforms garage door openers, smoke alarms, and dryers into connected devices.

In addition to the hub, there are three pieces to the Habitat platform: Park, Protect, and Learn. The Park is a docking station for your garage door opener; simply stick the remote in the tray, and you’ll be able to open and close your garage door with your smartphone. Friends and neighbors can have access, even if you only want to grant it for a limited amount of time. The attachment senses if someone’s trying to force the door open or can alert you when your kids arrive home.

Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/home/smart-home-hub-tells-dryers-done-opens-garage-door/

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