Logitech sees growth opportunity, seeks to build more HomeKit, Google Now devices
Long-time accessory maker is looking to widen its involvement into the home automation and "internet of things" marketplaces, rather than throwing in as a development partner solely with Apple, Amazon, or Google.
After a market recovery earning the company $1 billion in sales, with 50% margins, Logitech is seeking deeper entry into the burgeoning home automation market. Not straying far from its existing product lineup at first, one product Bloomberg claims is in the works is a line of home surveillance cameras tied a Logitech cloud service.
"There's no way these big players are going to want to be in every little puddle around their operating systems," said Logitech CEO Bracken Darrell of the move. "We've always been in categories where the big players are."
Logitech will likely not have an omnibus release, spanning the entire range of home automation gear, however. According to Bloomberg, the company is spending it's relatively meager $150 million research and development budget on stressing design in just a few areas to start.
"The smart home looks difficult," said researcher Torsten Sauter. "They have no software, no ecosystem. Logitech is much more a design company than a tech company."
To jump-start the development, Logitech may very well buy its way into the category. As part of the company's financial recovery, in 2008 it purchased Ultimate Ears, which is now 15 percent of the company's sales.
So far, Logitech products are walking the line between companies. Some of Logitech's UE products can utilize Apple's Siri and Google Now, and some of its remote controls leverage Amazon's Alexa.
After a market recovery earning the company $1 billion in sales, with 50% margins, Logitech is seeking deeper entry into the burgeoning home automation market. Not straying far from its existing product lineup at first, one product Bloomberg claims is in the works is a line of home surveillance cameras tied a Logitech cloud service.
"There's no way these big players are going to want to be in every little puddle around their operating systems," said Logitech CEO Bracken Darrell of the move. "We've always been in categories where the big players are."
Logitech will likely not have an omnibus release, spanning the entire range of home automation gear, however. According to Bloomberg, the company is spending it's relatively meager $150 million research and development budget on stressing design in just a few areas to start.
"The smart home looks difficult," said researcher Torsten Sauter. "They have no software, no ecosystem. Logitech is much more a design company than a tech company."
To jump-start the development, Logitech may very well buy its way into the category. As part of the company's financial recovery, in 2008 it purchased Ultimate Ears, which is now 15 percent of the company's sales.
So far, Logitech products are walking the line between companies. Some of Logitech's UE products can utilize Apple's Siri and Google Now, and some of its remote controls leverage Amazon's Alexa.
Comments
Is this the way (aside from high-end, professionally programmed systems) that we can FINALLY move to the promised land of direct query of device states and direct commands (and ability to confirm execution of said commands) via data connection.
I cannot believe it is 2017 and I still have a little computer attached to an IR emitter that tries to remember if the TV is on and what input it is set to, instead of just QUERYING THE DAMN TV!
There is Room for the connective pieces needed for HA. Logi could overtake Wemo and expand into more accessories. The Circle is a great start. They need an outdoor version.
Sensors would be easy to get into as well.
Sadly the impression is strongly given by all AV makers that they still live in the 70s - almost pre-Internet, their user interfaces suck, they generally are incapable of offering software upgrades of even the most basic level and their using the term smart TV is an oxymoron.
Everything is in place, hardware-wise.
Now where have I heard that before?
The real issue is maintaining security. Hence I have a dedicated Mac Mini locked behind a robust firewall that I vpn to from my iPhone. Once in, I Remote Desktop to a PPC mini protected with a password. That machine is not accessible directly from the internet and controls my home network. Unfortunately the PPC mini runs an older version of OSX. There is no automation software built for the classic Mac OS or I would be using my old wallstreet powerbook to control the network on OS 9.
When I finish the task, I close out the Remote Desktop and then the VPN. It's a bit of a hassle, but far safer than having the devices all connected directly to the internet such that someone can hack into the thermostat or open the garage doors.
At home, I have several Logitech 890 pro remotes which control my media system and the home automation network. I don't need nor do I want their new devices.
I will say that setting up a zwave network reminds me of setting up scsi devices in the old days of the Mac OS. There is a little bit of "magic" and prayer involved, but with effort and dedication it can be done. I do understand the allure of Home Kit and the convenience offered. It's Apple and they do take security seriously. I still don't like the idea of having each device directly connected to the internet, however. In fact, I might pass up on the whole idea of IoT. Not certain I want someone hacking into the IoT chip in say my refrigerator and turning up the temperature or even turning the appliance off completely. I believe the hackers that breached Target's customers credit card accounts attacked a low priority security system controlling the HVAC system. Once in, they were able to gain access to the server that held the account information of thousands of people. No thanks.