IKEA gets rid of

IKEA re -launch it Smart home line In a step that will make its low -cost products work with other brands, with or without the IKEA center. Starting in January, the Swedish furniture giant will issue more than 20 new Article Smart lights, sensors, and remote control tools with “new products and upcoming factors”, David Gantaith from IKEA from Sweden, tells. freedom In an exclusive interview.

IKEA also Restart its audio shows Because he seeks to fill Sonos hole On her shelves. The first two models in the new line of inexpensive Bluetooth speakers are easy to use for the home $ 50 similar to nattbad And a table in the speaker, The Blomprract, coming in October, with a lot on the way.

These new products are part of the company’s constant effort to make its smart house simple and affordable for the largest possible number of people. “Two years ago, we made some strategic decisions on how to move forward with the smart scope, headphones and effect on the IKEA way for many people,” says Granta. It refers to the company’s learning from working with Zigbee and Sonos over the past few years, as well as its participation in establishing and developing the new smart standard, the issue. “We feel that we have reached this point. There is a lot coming, but this is the first step, as things were placed in place.”

Last week, IKEA released an update, currently in the experimental version, Diriger Smart Home Hub This turns the axis into a Observer It activates the long thread radio, which makes it a Topical Advancement Authority. This means that it is now possible to contact and control the compatible material, including those in other brands, along with the new material line from IKEA (which will be replaced at the end. Current Zigbee devicesGranath says. It is a major step towards a more open and rival smart house.

Initially, you will only support Dirigerra Types of material devices IKEA is currently offering – therefore, there are no robot voids, doors locks or refrigerators. However, Granath says that with the launch of more smart home products, the axis will be updated to support more types of devices.

Dirigera axis It already works as a bridgeEnably enabling the Xea devices based on Zigbee to call the largest Issue ecological systems Like Apple Home and Amazon Alexa. With the update, it supports now Issue 1.4 and Subject 1.4, Empowering energy control and The ability to join an existing interconnection indicatorsAmong other features.

Granath says: While it is expected that the full running later will start this year, the experimental version now lives through the Ikea’s Home Smart application, but some features will be limited.

We do not have many details about more than 20 new devices next year, but Granath has confirmed that it replaces the current jobs. So, new Smart lampsand Plugsand Sensorsand Remote controlsThe buttons, air quality devices, including temperature and humidity screens. It will also come with a new design. “It is not necessarily what has been leaked,” says Granta. Double car riding button That appeared earlier this year.

He has confirmed that some new products categories will arrive in January, with more follow -up in April and outside, including possible products. The pricing will be similar or less than previous products, which start less than $ 10. “The ability to withstand costs is still a basic priority for us.”

“The bonus is no longer to make the product smart is no longer “The article cancels the interfering operating capacity, ease of use and the ability to withstand costs for us. The measurement process means that more companies share the burden of work in development for this.”

Although away from Zigbee, IKEA maintains Zigbee’s Touchlink Job. The point protocol to a point allows the devices to be paired directly with each other and work together outside the box, without an application or axis- The lamp and a distant package It sells IKEA.

This means that the oldest remote controls from Zigbee can control TradRi line. “The link and the material will coexist in new products,” says Granath. “It is still very important for IKEA – not everyone wants an application or center.”

Interestingly, new IKEA products that also give up the material will also work without a center or IKEA application, as it can be prepared directly in any compatible smart home material system, such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and Home Home.

It is the truth of the matter

IKEA moves towards the complete adoption of the material sites, to be a more open platform, which must help in its efforts to make the smart house easier and affordable. It is also a major transformation of this industry.

Granath says that the goal of IKEA is for customers to get the best value of their products – it does not matter whether it is with Apple Home, with or without any center. This is why the company adopts the open approach to the material. “We want to remove barriers that prevent complexity, we want to be simple to use, and we just want to work,” he says. “If you want the most easy use system, choose our system. But if you are Apple, take a bulb and apply it to your Apple house.”

This re -operates IKEA as one of the first main retailers who transfer the matter to the prevailing market, which is a risky step as well as the issue. I turned, slow adoption, and other issues Since its launch. But Granath is confident that it is the right step. “IKEA is a good incentive for the comprehensive market, because we do not aim for technical people; we can make it accessible to everyone and easy enough for many people.”

So far, IKEA has taken a file Slow and stable approach to technologyWaiting for some cells to be eliminated before they are released to IKEA customers who expect things to be simple and only work. “We do not want people to have a bad experience – it was about timing. We were waiting for the balance of capabilities and user experience,” says Granta.

For IKEA, this time here, Granath says the team has made a lot of work to prepare technology. But while the article was subjected Large improvements recentlyThis was not fully proven in the main current. Is it really ready for such a large spray, ask? “We definitely hope,” says Granath.