Savant, the home automation company made a reputation out of meeting the tech needs of the "one percent of the one percent".
The company is now making an entry to the middle-class market of smart home devices. It proposes a delightfully simple system: it contains a hub, a touchscreen remote and a lamp control gizmo and they're all Wi-Fi connected. A plus for the remote control is that it has Bluetooth functionality, meaning that it works without having to point it to a certain place.
Users can control a myriad of devices, from the smart TV and sound system to the lamps that are plugged to the control device. For users accustomed to Cortana and Siri, voice control is integrated in the remote. The company understands that some users who never part from their smartphones. That is why it is set up with a mobile app that replaces the remote.
A unique feature of the home automation system is the possibility to create Scenes. For example, you can direct an energetic morning ritual by programming a Scene that will turn on the TV and fire up the music system at the same time, with the press of a single button or the vocal command "Good morning." Savant makes it possible that your home wakes up when you do.
So far, Savant limits its reach to entertainment and lighting systems. Around 380,000 devices, including modern television sets like Sonos and Roku are compatible and respond well to the automation. The company aims to increase the number of integrated devices to sun shades and locks, moving forward towards a truly smart home.
"You'll see us add devices that we feel are best in breed at controlling climate, shading, and some other things," Savant CEO, William Lynch, said.
If the talk about home technology rings a bell, you are right. Last year, Logitech announced its Harmony Living Home platform that linked a touch screen remote to a hub, which could interact with various home electronics. Although blurry on the details, Savant aims at more than the simple click and open type of uses for its systems. Trivia enthusiasts will be happy to know that Savant created the automation system used by Steve Jobs to pilot his yacht from his iPad.
Early December is when Savant will be available for purchase. With a cost of $500, the product is cheap for a premium producer, but stinging expensive when compared with the offer from the competition.
