EXCLUSIVE:Belkin Close To Major Bunnings Deal With WeMo

Bunnings sources have told ChannelNews that the big hardware
retailers has had “mixed results” selling lighting automation gear in
the past.

ChannelNews understands that Belkin Australia CEO Stephanie
Ogden has been leading the negotiations with Bunnings, who are also in
discussions with Swann who recently launched their Swann security system that
supports its own hardware, but also third-party products such as the Philips
Hue Lighting system and the Nest thermostat.

Stephanie Ogden has not returned calls on the issue.

Yesterday Belkin launched an expansion of their WeMo home
automation ecosystem that now includes a new $149 device called the WeMo Maker.

This additional product lets owners control or monitor any
low-voltage electronic device from a smartphone or tablet.

WeMo Maker connects to nearly any device controlled with a
low-voltage DC switch.

The devices can then be remotely controlled or automated
using the WeMo app or IFTTT to connect to a wide variety of Internet services
and applications such as email, SMS, Facebook and Twitter.

Sensors that will work with WeMo Maker include light
sensors, motion sensors, moisture sensors, temperature sensors, flame sensors,
and carbon monoxide sensors.

 Also in the new WeMo
range is the $99.95 WeMo Insight Switch that allows users to control and manage
the energy usage and costs of home electronics from anywhere through their iOS
or Android device.

The WeMo Insight Switch plugs directly into an electrical
outlet, and then a user simply connects it to the home Wi-Fi network, downloads
the free WeMo app and instantly is able to turn any device plugged into the
unit on or off using his or her iOS or Android device.