All you do is configure the system into your WiFi network and you are ready to go. It’s basically plug and play with very little set up and effort. The iota is a little different because it has a camera and motion sensor integrated into the modem. Easy Peasy Abode iota all in one home security system But Abode has come out with a new system called iota. A while back I reviewed the Abode Home Security System, and remain totally happy with it. That’s a big deal and it would seem to indicate that Abode is going to be around for a while.Every traveler needs a home security system. Abode has been steadily improving its offering for years, upgrading the hardware and now gaining a hard-earned nod from Apple and a welcome into the HomeKit family. Extra features are really what set one system apart from another. You can get door sensors, alarms, and cameras under a dozen different brand names.
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 not going for the iota at this point.Īt the end of the day, there are a ton of modular smart home security systems out there.
Having HomeKit baked right into the system is a huge plus if you’re in the iOS ecosystem, and at the moment Abode (with the iota as the core) is the only build-as-you-go security system that boasts HomeKit approval. Being HomeKit approved also means you can use Siri to control various routines and arm or disarm the system. Setting up automation within Apple’s Home app isn’t all that much different than using Abode’s own automation system, but it allows you to use the Abode sensors as triggers for other HomeKit-compatible hardware like lights and smart plugs.
All it took was a quick update prompted within the Abode app and the iota magically appeared in the Home App and all the window and door sensors popped up along with it. HomeKit functionality was just added to Abode within the last week. None of this is required, which is great if you prefer the monitor-it-yourself approach, as I do, but it’s available when you need it.
You can opt for professional monitoring when you need it, kick in a few bucks and have the company keep an eye on your system while you’re on vacation. one night and my house became Fort Knox for a solid five minutes.Ībode offers custom monitoring plans and subscriptions if you need them. That last automation was put to the test when my cat knocked a glass off my coffee table at 2 a.m. 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. However, if the back or front door open after a certain time in the evening, I get a push notification, the alarm beeps quietly once, and a photo is captured. Think of it like IFTTT, but for security.įor example, I have it set up so that every time the back door opens, a push notification is sent to my iPhone (and watch).
The CUE Automations feature (still in beta) is impressive in its flexibility. The best thing about the Abode system is the freedom to customize it however you want. The video quality isn’t going to win any awards, but it’s more than adequate for this kind of thing. When the camera is triggered by an alarm or other action, the camera captures clips as long as 30 seconds.
You can also lower the resolution if you want, which might be a good idea if you’re going to be checking in over a cellular connection a lot. At 1080p, it’s nice and sharp and it automatically switches to an infrared mode at night, which is nice. It’s relatively speedy to access a live feed of the iota camera via the Abode mobile or web app.