Abode says it’s still working on getting HomeKit approval for the original Gateway hub, but since the iota starter kit is just $29 more than the kit that includes the older style Gateway hub ($329 vs $299) it’s hard to imagine At the end of the day, there are a ton of modular smart home security systems out there. If you click through using links on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The iota was slated for release at the end of this month (March) but that has been pushed out to the summer months, unfortunately.

Both come bundled in a starter kit, and the two hubs are identical under the hood. If the glass break sensor is triggered, all of the cameras start recording, the alarm sounds, and my phone lights up like a Christmas tree. That last automation was put to the test when my cat knocked a glass off my coffee table at 2 a.m. one night and my house became Fort Knox for a solid five minutes.Abode offers custom monitoring plans and subscriptions if you need them. The app has a log of activity (when doors or windows were opened or closed, when the system was armed, clips from any cameras etc) so you can monitor your home's status wherever you are. Instead, a large portion of the app is dedicated to encouraging you to upgrade your plan. Both Abode and SimpliSafe offer comprehensive home security and safety. There’s no camera with the Gateway, but you can purchase one separately. There was no way to disable the sound in the app and it was only after reaching out to support that we discovered we had to go to the web portal to turn it off. Abode Security System Site powered by Upfeat Inc. (Note: All existing Works With Nest integrations will continue to work in Abode, but if you integrate Nest with Abode after 31 August 2019 functionality may be limited). Most recently, Mike served as Tech Editor at The Daily Dot, and has been featured in USA Today, Time.com, and countless other web and print outlets. Copyright Wareable Ltd. All rights reserved. It has built-in Wi-Fi and doesn’t need an ethernet connection, so you can stick it anywhere that has a power outlet nearby, which is a big step up from the gateway I had been using.It’s relatively speedy to access a live feed of the iota camera via the Abode mobile or web app. The new hardware acts as a hub but also includes a 1080p streaming camera and two-way audio.

The only difference between iota and the Gen 2 gateway is that iota has a Wi-Fi radio and built … Ultimately, while it’s a great security system it isn’t really a substitute for a full smart home setup. His love of The 7.1 x 3.1 x 3.1 rectangular device sports Abode's signature black-and-white motif. By continuing to use The Ambient, you accept our cookie and privacy policy. Abode has two versions of its security system, the Essentials Gateway (2nd gen) and the Iota. The Gateway also includes a stand alone motion sensor (Iota has one built in). Abode iota design and setup. The Iota combines a security camera, motion sensor, and gateway into a single device. On the plus side, Abode has a wide range of security devices, including cameras, motion sensors (even a motion sensor with a camera built in), water leak sensors, a smoke alarm monitor, extra sirens, glass break sensors (acoustic and vibration), occupancy sensors, plus a variety of different sizes and shapes of door/window sensors, so no ingress need be left unprotected. Abode Systems has an all-in-one security kit for your home. You can also add conditions so the actions only happen based on specific events or statuses. Classic Abode Gateway starter package: $229. These are found in the Actions tab and are If This Then That-style automations that let you tailor the system to your lifestyle. Answer from Abode support.

Mounting the devices was easy. During setup you are prompted to invite other members of your household by email. It does this by using geofencing to determine the location of each user’s smartphone, arming the alarm only when the house is empty, and disarming it when someone returns home. To change the mode manually you can use the key fob, the app, or voice control (Alexa and Google, HomeKit is coming, says Abode). Abode Essentials Starter Kit Here’s when it might arriveThis might be the best coronavirus vaccine news you’ve ever heardNew study shows exactly how the coronavirus began to spread outside ChinaToday’s best deals: 3M face masks, Lysol wipes, one-day Anker sale, Purell in stock, Bose blowout, Fire TV deals, moreSave $60 on the greatest Instant Pot accessory ever madeGet 3M face masks and NIOSH-approved filters before Amazon remembers they’re only for hospitals5 Amazon deals ending soon that you definitely don’t want to missClorox hand sanitizer that’s even stronger than Purell is in stock at Amazon
It will also send a link to the professional monitoring service, allowing them to access your timeline and a live feed of any video.