This week’s SmartHome roundup features an effort to streamline home automation solutions, a garage door opener add-on that connects via WiFi, and a home security platform that’s added some new perks.

Open house

As more and more home automation solutions go to market, the problem of these little devices not communicating with one another is becoming more prominent.  Some people who are turning their homes into a connected one find themselves stuck with a single brand, as other devices cannot communicate with their existing home automation hub.  But that problem may soon be resolved, as companies are now coming together to fix this.

ABB, Bosch, Cisco, and LG intend to develop an open architecture for data exchange so that these smart home devices can better talk to each other.  If they are successful in this effort, this will greatly benefit consumers as they no longer have to worry about device compatibility or app fatigue.

Home automation solutions often come with their own hubs, which controls the different components, but some products launch with just an app to allow you to control them remotely.  Because of this, some people deal with numerous apps on their smartphone, making it quite a daunting task to monitor all these apps.  This will also boost interest in developing apps for these smart home devices, or smart devices in general.

Garageio

Car garage door openers have come a long way, as innovations now allow you to open them without needing your clicker to do so, you just use your smartphone.  Some require you to replace the entire mechanism, but others would just require you to purchase an add-on for your existing mechanism to modify it.

Garageio is a $149 gadget from Alottazs Labs that connects to your existing garage door opener which would allow you to open and close it via an Android or iOS app through a WiFi connection.  It also comes with a sensor that would allow you to remotely check the status of your door, if you left it open, and even give temporary access to others and track their comings and goings.  What makes it different to other add-on is that it connects via WiFi, not Bluetooth, which means it has wider range of control, and remote access.

Viper Home

Viper is well known for delivering top of the line automotive security.  The company has now expanded by offering a home security solution with a lot of perks.

Dubbed as Viper Home, it offers a starter kit that includes a Smart Hub that connects to your WiFi, an indoor motion detector and two magnetic door/window sensors for $229.  Compatible with Android or iOS for remote access in arming or disarming the alarm, and if you purchase a Viper camera, you can also get a real-time video feed of your home.

Aside from that, VIper Home also features a mobile panic button for your own safety, which contacts your personal security network when activated, with controls over how you get notified about home security events.