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Motorola and Verizon team up for Z-Wave monitoring service, let you control your home as you roam
Do you have Verizon broadband and an overwhelming desire to dim your lights remotely and spy on the kids while you're out on a date? Verizon's mew Home Monitoring and Control service lets internet subscribers add Motorola's Z-Wave-based 4Home automation system to their existing package, enabling access to networked cameras, light controls, smart thermostats and door locks. With the $10 monthly service, you can monitor a collection of wireless cameras, unlock doors for family members or guests, or adjust the thermostat using a web-connected tablet or smartphone. The basic Home Monitoring Kit will run you $70, and includes a wireless camera and single light control. A $170 Energy Control Kit swaps the wireless cam for a connected thermostat and Energy Reader, while a $220 Home Monitoring and Control Kit includes all of the above. Door locks, window sensors and additional cameras are sold a la carte, making a complete system a rather pricey proposition. Jump past the break for a handful of man on the street customer testimonials (spoiler alert: they love it!).
Is Verizon planning a Z-Wave home automation system?
As home automation starts building up steam it looks like Verizon might be giving Nokia's to-be-released Home Control Center a little run for its money. According to CE Pro, FCC documentation has been found describing something called the Verizon Home Monitoring Gateway and Home Monitor Service. Apparently based on technology from 4Home, the Z-Wave compliant system uses a Westell-branded Control Point gateway featuring Internet connectivity and automation capabilities. The site also describes widgets for controlling surveillance cameras and various room modes, such as "Home," "Away" or "Movie Time!" Devices can be accessed and functions scheduled either through a web browser or directly from Verizon mobile phones equipped with a "4Home" button. Neither Verizon nor 4Home have yet commented on any of this, but we're keeping our eyes peeled.
