China-based carmaker BYD is using its Analog Devices' Automotive Audio Bus (A2B) to distribute audio and control data and its SHARC digital signal processor for infotainment, said the semiconductor company Monday. Distributing audio and control data with clock and power over a single, unshielded twisted-pair is said to cut cable weight by up to 75 percent, boosting fuel efficiency and cutting system costs.
Lowe’s, one of the early retailers to test the smart home market, emailed customers it’s shutting down its Iris smart home and security platform March 31, after the company’s announced exit late last year. Lowe’s had announced its decision to exit the Iris business in its Q3 release as part of a “strategic reassessment" that also included closing 20 U.S. stores, some 30 stores in Canada and withdrawing its retail operations in Mexico. It took a $14 million charge in Q3 for its exit of the Iris and Alacrity Renovation Services businesses. A Lowe’s spokesperson emailed Friday the decision was made after it evaluated options and “determined that none of the alternatives would allow Iris to continue to deliver the experience our customers have come to expect from us.” Lowe’s created an online redemption process that will allow Iris customers with eligible, connected Iris devices to receive a prepaid Visa card "to help them migrate to another smart home platform,” she said. Many devices used with Iris are compatible with other smart home platforms, she said. She mentioned SmartThings as a “comparable” platform and said a SmartThings support team is available to help with the migration process. The company will provide a full refund for eligible Iris devices not supported on a comparable platform. Responding to our question on how consumers should view Lowe’s take on the smart home opportunity, she said: “Lowe’s remains committed to carrying the breadth and depth of smart home products and brands to meet our customers’ needs now and in the future.” The smart home section on Lowe's website Friday appeared jumbled. The landing page under the smart home and security tab featured a Google family of products, including a thermostat, camera and smartphone app. When we clicked on “Shop All,” more than 30 smart lighting products from Q-See, also sold at competitor Home Depot, showed on screen. A Whirlpool washing machine appeared next to a Q-LED wired security camera kit and didn’t appear to be a smart model. In the row below, two Samsung ventless stackable dryers were sandwiched by a hangable shop light and a Samsung “smart home white home automation item tracker.” Lowe’s entered the market with Iris in 2012.
Smart speakers are the most prevalent smart home controller, used by 35 percent of smart home owners, Parks Associates blogged Thursday. Five percent of U.S. broadband households use their smart speaker as a hub vs. 3 percent that use a home security system and 2 percent with independent control hubs. Most smart homeowners operate their devices individually, but voice control's rise and the growing number of connected devices in homes is nudging more toward centralized control, said analyst Dina Abdelrazik. Such homes average more than 10 devices, and voice is emerging as a key interface for managing them, she said. "A smartphone app may be sufficient for houses with just one device, but when people get their fourth or fifth product, using individual apps for each device creates friction."
Velodyne Lidar said its sensors are used in smart valet parking technology from HoloMatic launching in China. HoloParking lets a driver leave a vehicle at the entrance to a parking lot, and the system finds an empty spot and completes the parking maneuver on its own without human supervision, said Velodyne Thursday. When returning for pickup, the driver can start the vehicle remotely, and it will automatically drive to the boarding area, it said. Velodyne’s sensors provide high-resolution, 3D information about the surrounding environment. HoloParking commercialization is beginning in select cities in China this year, with initial rollout in Shanghai. In 2020, HoloMatic expects to support more than 20 cities, each with 20 lots.
As the wireless industry begins transitioning to 5G, it's “doing so with a robust and coordinated ecosystem of carriers, handset OEMs, component suppliers and government support,” said IHS Markit. “A ‘perfect storm’ of 5G capabilities and interested parties are coming together to shape the impending technology transition,” said the report emailed Wednesday, concluding that 5G smartphones are “primed and ready” for a “fast rollout.” Citing Qualcomm’s CES forecast that 30 models are scheduled to debut globally in 2019, IHS said: “With the industry aligned and momentum clearly behind 5G smartphone introductions in 2019, the lead-up to the 5G transition is shaping up to be much more coherent than it was for the LTE transition.” In 2020, the second year of 5G smartphone commercial introductions, IHS forecasts that handset adoption will reach six times the volume of LTE smartphones during the time frame.
Panasonic turned to Indiegogo to launch a $279 home monitoring system that doubles as a floor lamp. The crowd-funding campaign, which began Jan. 22, was introduced in a Tuesday news release. With 18 days to go, seven HomeHawk Floor units out of 25 had been claimed at the early bird $185, and nine units overall brought it to 9 percent of goal, said the webpage. Estimated delivery is May. Panasonic is pitching the system, with an eye-level camera built into the top section, as an alternative to security cameras that are “a pain to mount.” Among features are voice assistant control; full HD recording; two-second “pre-recording” before the motion sensor is activated; a 140-degree camera angle; adjustable height, built-in speaker and mic; geofencing that turns off the camera when the owner leaves; and color night vision.
Home Instead Senior Care is partnering with GrandPad on a tablet-based solution aimed at seniors. The partnership is said to provide a platform for Home Instead franchise owners to offer integrated care while a caregiver is in the home, along with future services, such as interactive remote care for tech-based home care in underserved populations, they said. The agreement includes an undisclosed equity investment in GrandPad, and Home Instead CEO Jeff Huber has joined GrandPad’s board. Pilot programs are underway, and Home Instead Senior Care integrated care services powered by GrandPad will be available in select markets this year, they said.
GameStop shares plunged 27 percent Tuesday to $11.28 after it ended efforts to sell due to lack of financing terms acceptable to a prospective buyer. Its board began a review process with third parties in June. The retailer sold its Spring Mobile business this month for $735 million (see 1901160050), and it's evaluating how to use those funds, which could include reducing debt, funding share repurchases or reinvesting in videogame and collectibles businesses to drive growth, it said. GameStop "should be a primary beneficiary from the console refresh in 2020 or 2021," wrote Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter to investors Tuesday, saying the retailer "remains the dominant force in the video game industry’s pre-owned segment." Wedbush lowered its 12-month per-share target by $3 to $15.
Silicon Labs released Bluetooth software with direction-finding down to less than a meter for its wireless IoT portfolio, it said Monday. It's for devices to determine direction of a Bluetooth signal with methods including angle-of-arrival and angle-of departure within 5 degrees.
KNZ Technology bowed a combination Bluetooth speaker/Qi charging station called Dock'n'Roll that claims 30 percent faster charging than most OEM chargers. Its driver and bass radiator are powered by a 7.5-watt amplifier, and the speaker can be detached for portability, said the company Friday. Range is 50 feet, battery life is 12 hours, it has five presets and can be paired for stereo sound. Price is $119.