Best Buy gets first dibs on an impressive new DIY security system with a complete Samsung SmartThings home-automation hub inside, including ZigBee, Z-Wave and Wi-Fi. The system is apparently made by leading security manufacturer 2GIG (Nortek) and monitored by ADT.
The PR doesn’t tell us it’s a 2GIG product, but clearly from the images, the hardware is built on the popular GC3 panel. That doesn’t mean the innards are the same, however. There’s a full SmartThings board in there.
The PR also doesn’t tell us it’s UL listed for life-safety and fire, but we can assume it is because there’s the appropriate back-up battery, and only certain sub-GHz sensors will be monitored by ADT, including smoke and CO detectors. (Correction: The system is ETL-listed to UL standards, which carries the same weight as a UL listing.)
That’s one big thing the new Nest Secure system doesn’t give you. That product, monitored by MONI, is UL-listed for life-safety (UL 1023) but not smoke and fire protection (UL 985).
With the new SmartThings system, the list of ADT-monitored security products include: door/window sensors, keyfob (with panic alarm), motion detector, smoke alarm, CO detector and water leak detector.
It does not appear that ADT will monitor Z-Wave sensors at this time, even though Z-Wave sensors with the new S2 security frameware, are now UL-approved for life-safety applications.
According to SmartThings, the new ADT Security Hub (the thing that looks like a 2GIG panel) features a 7-inch touchscreen control panel, built-in siren, battery and cellular back-up (free!), and dual-encryption wireless technology.
In addition to the cellular and security-sensor radios, the Hub includes Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ZigBee, and probably Bluetooth, as it is said to integrate with “Works with SmartThings” devices.
In addition to local communications with ZigBee, Z-Wave and security devices, the ADT Hub can communicate cloud-to-cloud with SmartThings-compatible devices such as Arlo cameras and Ring doorbells.
This isn’t ADT’s first DIY rodeo. The company teamed with LG last year to introduce the LG Smart Security system with built-in camera and ADT monitoring, but the companies killed the product after selling only a few hundred units.
This one is different, as it’s built by a security-industry leader and powered by a leading home-automation provider with brand recognition and a strong track record.
As for SmartThings, this isn’t their first pro-security rodeo either. Currently, some elements of SmartThings can be professionally monitored under the newish ADT Canopy program. Also, SmartThings works with Scout Alarm, which can be professionally monitored.
Monitoring for the new ADT Security Hub is optional, and can be ordered and canceled at will through the SmartThings app. Pricing for the service maxes out at $35 per month.
The product is available for pre-order starting today on BestBuy.com and Samsung.com. On October 29, the product will be available in Best Buy stores as well as BestBuy.com, Samsung.com and SmartThings.com.
Read Press Release, next page.
SmartThings, ADT Pricing
ADT Home Security Starter Kit ($550)
- Security Hub
- Two door/window sensors
- One motion detector
Home Safety Expansion Pack ($200)
- Fire detector
- CO detector
- Water detector
ADT Monitoring (no contracts)
- ADT Home & Life Safety (smoke, fire, CO and water leaks) – $15/month
- ADT Home Security Monitoring (intrusion and panic alerts) – $25/month
- ADT Total Security Bundle (all of the above) – $35/month
{pagebreak}PRESS RELEASE
Samsung Unveils ADT-Monitored DIY Security and Home Automation Solution Powered by SmartThings
Industry Leaders Collaborate to Provide Professionally Monitored Life Safety and Smart Home System; Exclusively Available at Best Buy In Stores and Online on October 29; Pre-order Starts Today
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. and BOCA RATON, Fla. — October 2, 2017 – Samsung, a global leader in home automation, and ADT LLC, the leading home and business security provider, together announce a new professionally monitored, self-installed life safety solution powered by the SmartThings platform. With the intelligence and connectivity of Samsung and the unmatched professional monitoring of ADT, the Samsung SmartThings ADT home security system is the safest, easiest, and most flexible DIY security and smart home solution available for families today.
Consisting of a Home Security Starter Kit and Home Safety Expansion Pack, the new solution from Samsung and ADT gives consumers the ability to create a safe and secure home and grow their connected home ecosystem as their needs evolve – all backed by ADT professional monitoring with no long-term contract.
The product is available for pre-order starting today on BestBuy.com and Samsung.com. On October 29, the product will be available in Best Buy stores as well as BestBuy.com, Samsung.com and SmartThings.com.
“We know from research that home security and safety are top reasons why consumers adopt smart home technology,” said Bill Lee, Vice President, Smart Home Product Marketing, Samsung Electronics America. “The collaboration with ADT enables us to connect our Samsung SmartThings ecosystem to the most trusted name in life safety so consumers have peace of mind knowing that someone is ready to react to an incident at home in just a moment’s notice.”
READ THE MAIN STORY: Best of DIY and Pro: UL-Listed Security Hub with SmartThings Inside, Monitored by ADT, Built in 2GIG
The basis for the new DIY system is the Home Security Starter Kit, which includes the Security Hub, two Door and Window Detectors, and Motion Detector. The system size can be expanded with additional sensors as needed, including fire, carbon monoxide and water detection with the addition of the Home Safety Expansion Pack. The ADT Security Hub touchscreen panel also works as a SmartThings Hub so users can control and monitor hundreds of third party smart devices, like door locks and doorbells, thermostats, lightbulbs and more – making it easy to customize endless combinations for home devices to work together, without needing additional hardware. From the Android- and iOS-compatible SmartThings mobile app, consumers can easily manage these devices and sensors, set up routines, and receive alerts based on their preferences, as well as check on the security of their home.
All of the security and life safety features can be backed by ADT professional monitoring. Consumers have the ability to sign up for or suspend ADT service on their app, at their convenience. No phone calls to ADT are necessary, nor are there any contracts or long-term commitments for the consumer. Leveraging over 143 years of experience, ADT provides consumers with the comfort of knowing the people and things that they care about most are protected, with cutting-edge technology and 24/7 professional monitoring and customer service.
“We believe everyone deserves to feel safe, and with this launch, we’re truly redefining the home security industry,” said Jay Darfler, Senior Vice President, ADT Emerging Markets. “By partnering with Samsung SmartThings, we’re able to expand our professional monitoring services to even more customers looking for the smartest and safest DIY home security solution on the market.”
“One of the top reasons our customers are interested in smart home is the ability to easily monitor and secure their homes, but their wants and needs can vary greatly,” said Mary Ortizcazarin, Vice President of Smart Home at Best Buy. “The new Samsung SmartThings and ADT partnership gives them more flexibility than ever to control their homes how, when and where they want to.”
Key Features:
- Do It Yourself (DIY) simplicity: Protect the family with a fast-response, easy-to-install home security system with built in Smart Home control functionality. The ADT Security Hub and wireless detectors and alarms help protect against intrusion, fire, carbon monoxide, and more.
- Enjoy 24/7/365 peace of mind with optional ADT professional monitoring services: Flexible, low month-to-month fees and no long-term contracts that consumers can sign up for any time, via the mobile app.
- Smart security: The brain of the smart home security system, the ADT Security Hub features a 7-inch touchscreen control panel with a built-in siren, battery and no-cost, cellular data backup, and dual encryption wireless technology.
- Works as a SmartThings Hub—connect and manage the smart home, easily: The customizable, DIY security system connects with hundreds of compatible SmartThings devices to allow for one central control point. The touchscreen panel & mobile app let consumers control their system, even on the go, while monitoring and activating connected devices in your home.
- A home that grows with you: Since the ADT Security Hub works as a SmartThings hub, consumers can add their favorite automation and smart devices, like lights, cameras, doorbells, door locks, thermostats, sensors, voice assistants, and more, right from the SmartThings mobile app
ADT customer Joseph Clem experienced the value of professional monitoring first-hand. “The carbon monoxide detector in the basement went off, and then ADT called to advise us that the fire department was on its way. We believe that without ADT and the fire department, we would've gone to bed not knowing there was carbon monoxide in our home and possibly not woken up.”
The ADT Home Security Starter Kit starts at $549.99 and ADT Home Safety Expansion Pack starts at $199.99. Monthly monitoring is available starting at $14.99 for life safety and $24.99 for security services.
For more, visit www.smartthings.com/ADT.
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