If you’ve been thinking about swapping out all the light bulbs in your home with bulbs that can be controlled with your smartphone, I have an alternative product that you might want to consider. Switchmate, an Indiegogo crowdfunding project, is a switch that fits over your existing light switch plates by using magnets to snap onto the screws of a standard switch plate. The Switchmate pairs with your iOS or Android device via Bluetooth. From an app you can control any individual Switchmate switch in your home or all of them. The app also gives you the ability to set timers so you can make your house appear as if someone is home when you’re away on vacation. Switchmates are priced at $45 each or $109 for a pack of three. Visit Switchmate’s site for more info or Indiegogo to pledge. They’ve already surpassed their funding goal and shipping is estimated for December 2015.
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for that kind of money, you can buy a SmartThings hub or one of several other smart home systems and replace the switches
@Mark I think the Switchmate is being marketed towards non-techies or people who want an easy no-hassle type of solution.
Since it uses Bluetooth, you can program or operate it only within 30 ft? How can one operate it while being away from home?
@John if you mean the programmable timer, it must be built into the switch itself.