There is no denying that 2018 is (finally) the year of IoT.  We’ve talked about home automation since the ancient (vaporware) days of “Microsoft Home”, struggled along with professional installer implementations of propietary gear and X10, and saw a false start (or three) since around the turn of the millennium.  As with many things though, Amazon changed all of that with a device that most felt would be a useless complete miss (that sounds familiar).  Fast forward to 2018 and Amazon has a couple of decent competitors, despite maintaining a strong lead, and things are finally getting really interesting (and useful).  If any doubt remains, just have a look at recent CES coverage!

So in keeping with the times, these pages will now start featuring… drumroll… IoT reviews! ComplaintsHQ is stocked full of brain cell destroying WiFi device goodness and each piece will get a quick rundown.  Lots of depth reporting is being done on this gear by many professional sites, so much like “Notes from the Road”, this will be a more anecdotal approach.  With no further ado, here is the current inventory that will be featured in coming months:

Assistants

1. Google Home
2. 2 x Google Home Mini
3. AppleTV (as Home hub)

Infrastructure

1. Linksys Velop WiFi Mesh

Home Control

1. Philips Hue Hub
2. 4 x Philips Hue white standard bulb
3. 5 x Philips Hue color standard bulb
4. 11 x Philips Hue color floods
5. Harmony Hub
6. Nest Thermostat Version 3 stainless
7. 2 x Insignia smart outlets

Protection

1. 4 x Nest Protect
2. Ring Video Doorbell 2
3. 2 x Ring wireless chimes
4. August Smartlock Pro
5. Nest Cam
6. 2 x Elgato Eve Room (HomeKit)