Last November Nadir Mohamed, President and CEO of Rogers, took the podium at the Canadian Club and said that in the coming months they will launch a service called Rogers Smart Home Monitoring. Mohamed said that “Rogers is re-defining the notion of home security and taking it several steps further. Levering our strength of our networks in an all-IP-based environment; this new service will start as a real-time home monitoring system with energy management and home automation tools. It will allow you to access the news, sports, or local traffic via your home security panel as you walk out the door… It will allow you to use your mobile device to turn your lights on and off, to adjust your thermostat, and to receive alerts telling you when your kids arrive home safely.”
Now, nine months later the service has launched. According to the Rogers website the official description states that “The ultimate in security, reliability, and accessibility, together with state-of-the-art home automation, puts Smart Home Monitoring head and shoulders above traditional home security solutions”. So what does this mean? Well, Rogers will give you 24/7 monitoring from certified security professionals and in several ways will make sure your home is safe.
You’ll be able to control your home in a couple ways. Rogers Cable Hi-Speed Internet required but one of the ways is via the “Touchpad” that lets you program the lights, security, thermostat and also get news, weather, traffic and sports apps. The device looks like a small tablet and also has a built-in speaker and microphone. Now where the mobile aspect comes in is that you can control and get text alerts via the iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4. In addition, a free iPhone app has been created but Rogers notes in the FAQ that other customers can go “through the mobile web interface which is compatible with most smartphone browsers”.
A quick search in iTunes brings up the iPhone app and it looks intuitive. You can control your home from your iPhone, turn the lights on/off, control your small appliances, enable/disable your home security system and change the temperature. Now for the price points. Apparently the Touchpad will cost $149 on a three-year term, or $749 with no term. I thought this would be included in the monthly price plans. In addition, the installation will cost a one-time fee of $99. The 3 monthly price plans are as follows: Home Basics for $39.99 per month, Home Essentials for $48.99 per month and Ultimate Home for $57.99 per month. Each give you different levels of monitoring from “Full System Status Checks”, “Secure Mobile Access” to “Instant Customizable Alerts”.
(That leaked internal presentation wasn't joking)
Capo di tutti
I've used all the above listed from my phone + unlocking and locking doors/windows.
jester
Not sure if I would trust them with home security.
VDub
I really wanted to install this into my new house but holy those monthlies are expensive!!!
Zyklon_Jay
Enjoy your SKYNET s.
GGM
quote:
Originally posted by VDub
I really wanted to install this into my new house but holy those monthlies are expensive!!!
All this stuff already exists and a lot of it in better form. Using texts to control stuff is kinda weak when there's apps already that do it graphically. Combined with the fact a one time purchase/installation fee in my opinion is much better than seeing those charges on a monthly Rogers statement its a no brainer. Even that control pad is ghetto when you could be using an iPad or other tablet. Only people I see getting this are people with money to blow that don't know any better.
Zyklon_Jay
So the Alberta market is cornered. Gotcha.
chinamon
I'm using an oldschool alarm system in my home that uses magnetic door/window sensors that are HARDWIRED (best way to do it IMO). Also have a CCTV system (hardwired as well) which I can view online and from my phone.
This will beat any bull home monitoring system that Rogers can offer.
GGM
quote:
Originally posted by Zyklon_Jay
So the Alberta market is cornered. Gotcha.
:haha:
Zyklon_Jay
Its really funny, because it is true. How we managed to have a Texas with tundra is really an amazing phenomenon in itself.
E2EK1EL
After this new venture, what's Rogers gonna tackle next?
CAKE
I think its neat, the best part is if the power is cut it uses rogers wierless network to monitor the home !
