This week’s Smart Living roundup features the first Windows 10 smart home hub, why Quirky, Inc. CEO Ben Kaufman stepped down, and how an app update allows your Apple Watch to control your smart lock.

CastleOS announces first Windows 10 home automation hub

CastleOS Software, LLC announced that its upcoming smart home hub, called the CastleHUB, will be among the first Windows 10 smart home hubs (see all of Microsoft’s compatible home automation products here). It will feature voice control with Microsoft’s voice-control assistant Cortana and far-field control with Microsoft’s motion-detecting Kinect.

The CastleHUB calls itself the most flexible smart hub on the market, as it uses several internal radios, features ports for external radios, offers support for any smart device protocol, and features C#-based scripting. It also comes with a full and open API, as well as support for any mobile device.

With Windows 10 and the CastleOS, CastleHUB allows users to use voice control to turn on lights, change the color of smart light bulbs, control media streaming, adjust temperature in the room, lock or unlock smart door locks, monitor security, water the lawn, feed and monitor pets, and control other smart home devices.

CastleOS is compatible with any smart device brand and works on any mobile platform.

What makes CastleHUB unique from other smart home hubs is that it doesn’t need the Cloud to perform its duties. This means there’s no latency between commands issued and commands executed. This also gives users total control over their privacy and security, which is a huge plus, especially for those who are worried about hackers tapping into Cloud services. And because everything happens in the hub, even if the Internet goes down, your smart home will still work.

Quirky CEO steps down

Three months after a botched software update that resulted in users being locked out of their Wink HUB, Quirky, Inc. CEO Ben Kaufman is stepping down as head of the company.

In a short announcement in the company’s blog, it was revealed that the position will be immediately filled by Chief Financial Officer Ed Kremer. No reason was given as to why the sudden change of leaders, but signs are pointing to the recent botched software update and other missteps by the former CEO in relation to Wink.

August Smart Lock app gets updated for Apple Watch

August Home, Inc. has updated its iOS app to make it compatible with the Apple Watch. This update brings control to the Apple Watch, allowing the user to lock and unlock their August Smart Lock using the smartwatch.

Aside from remote control with the use of the Apple Watch, the update also delivers new features, such as viewing your August Smart Lock’s most recent activity and getting instant notifications directly on your wrist.

photo credit: Smart Home: Das digitale Wohnzimmer via photopin (license)