Connected appliances are all the rage at this year’s CES conference. All manner of household goods are sporting new connections to the internet of things, from the kitchen to the garage. Still, this one might have come out of left field. With a little help from Belkin, Crock-Pot unveiled the latest in its legendary line of slow cookers, and it’s a smart appliance you can access from your phone!
While it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of connected appliances, a smart Crock-Pot makes a ton of sense. Slow cooking can take hours and the appliances is meant to be left on all day. If you’ll be away longer than you think, your food could get overcooked or even cause a safety hazard. The ability to control a Crock-Pot when you’re away from home is incredibly helpful!
Using Belkin’s WeMo app, you can turn the Crock-Pot on and off, adjust temperatures, check meal times and more. You have total control of your slow-cooked meal on the fly, from any iOS or Android device. About the only thing you’ll need to be present for is loading the food into the cooker and any stirring, or spicing needs you might have.
Imagine if all your appliances could be switched off remotely – you’d never worry about leaving the stove on again!
Belkin is showing off a ton of other connected household appliances at CES. The slow cooker is joined by a Mr. Coffee smart coffee pot among others. All of the products will launch sometime this spring and the WeMo app is getting a major update this February.
For more information on the Crock-Pot smart slow-cooker and other Belkin WeMo-enabled devices, Belkin’s announcement follows below:
BELKIN EXPANDS WEMO FAMILY WITH A RANGE OF NEW PRODUCTS AND APP ENHANCEMENTS AT THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL CES
WeMo LED Lighting, WeMo Maker to launch this spring alongside the Crock-Pot® Smart Slow Cooker with WeMoPlaya Vista, Calif. – January 06, 2014 – Continuing to evolve the WeMo platform of simple, ingenious connected home products, Belkin today announced a slate of new WeMo devices including the WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set and WeMo Smart LED Bulbs, the WeMo Maker Kit, and Crock-Pot SmartSlow Cooker. Also on tap for the WeMo line at CES is a revised Android and iOS app offering improved functionality and enhanced lighting features. Belkin’s new WeMo line-up will be on display at PepCom’s Digital Experience!, on January 6, 2014 at the Mirage Hotel and Casino and will be on display at the Belkin’s booth, South Hall 3 #30451, from January 7-10, 2014.
“Since first launching at the 2012 International CES, WeMo has become a major player in the connected home thanks to its simple, scalable, and affordable nature – words not typically associated with the connected home,” said Ohad Zeira, director of product management for WeMo. “As the most approachable entry point into the Smart Home, we are excited to introduce new products and app upgrades in 2014 that will continue that trend, as well as grow our business with Jarden Consumer Solutions and future partners to expand WeMo’s presence throughout the house.”
Belkin’s new LED Lighting Starter Set and WeMo Smart LED Bulbs allow you to control, schedule and dim your smart LED bulbs from anywhere. As easy as replacing a standard light bulb, the WeMo Smart LED Bulbs work through the WeMo Link and are controlled via Wi-Fi and the WeMo app. The long-lasting bulbs are 60-watt equivalent with 800 Lumens and 3000 Kelvin for a bright, pleasing warm white light. Fully dimmable, WeMo Smart LED Bulbs can be controlled individually or in groups. The WeMo LED Starter Set includes two LED Smart Bulbs and a WeMo Link, which can support up to 50 individual Smart bulbs. Individual WeMo Smart LED bulbs also will be sold separately.
WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set (F5Z0489) – $129.99
WeMo Smart LED Bulbs (F7C033) – $39.99Turn lights on/off or schedule from anywhere
Fully dimmable
60W equivalent bulbs last up to 23 years
Vacation mode automatically turns lights on/off to simulate occupancy
Dim to sleep – gradually dim lights to fall asleep more naturally
Warm white light similar to incandescent bulbs
Works with the WeMo app, available for Android or iOS
The WeMo Maker empowers DIYers to build their own WeMo solutions by adding Internet connectivity to any device controlled with a DC switch, such as research robotics, motors, sprinkler systems, antennas, and more. A small module that wires into low voltage devices, WeMo Maker also lets you monitor and manage a wide range of 5V DC sensors from anywhere using a smartphone or tablet. WeMo Maker is controlled via the same free WeMo app as existing WeMo products and integrates seamlessly within the WeMo ecosystem, allowing you to create schedules or automatically control the WeMo Maker with sensor inputs. Deactivate your sprinkler system if moisture is detected or open the blinds at sunrise from Monday to Friday. WeMo Maker also works with IFTTT, which lets you create specialized recipes bringing the Internet of Things to your fingertips.Also debuting at the 2014 International CES, the WeMo-enabled Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker is the first WeMo equipped product stemming from Belkin’s collaboration with Jarden Consumer Solutions, a family of household appliance brands. The Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker is the first smartphone controllable slow cooker, which allows you to adjust the cooker’s settings from anywhere giving you greater flexibility and control over life’s unexpected moments. Receive reminders, change the cooking time, adjust the temperature or check the status of your dish while you are away through the WeMo app and come home to a perfectly cooked meal whenever you want it, even if you have to work late or practice runs over schedule. Additional Jarden Consumer Solutions co-branded products on display at the Belkin booth include the Mr. Coffee® Smart Coffee Maker enabled with WeMo, the HOLMES® Holmes Smart Console Space Heater enabled with WeMo, the HOLMES® Smart Console Humidifier enabled with WeMo, and the HOLMES® Holmes Smart Air Purifier enabled with WeMo.
Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker enabled with WeMo – $99.99
Turn on/off, change temperature or time settings from anywhere
Receive reminders
Timer calculates cook times and process
Works with the WeMo app for iOS or Android
Manual control option
Aside from growing the WeMo product family in 2014, Belkin also will upgrade the award winning WeMo app to include a customizable long press gesture for the WeMo Light Switch, enhanced sunrise/sunset rules to select a time before or after sunset/sunrise, a simulated occupancy or vacation mode setting and a countdown timer.Availability
The WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set, WeMo Smart LED Bulbs Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker enabled with WeMo and WeMo Maker Kit will be available in spring 2014. The latest version of the WeMo app with the upgraded features will launch in February for both Android and iOS.Belkin at CES
Visit Belkin at the 2014 International CES in booth #30451 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center or on the Web. To schedule a booth tour or an appointment with a Belkin representative, please call Leah Polk at 202-213-4464.About Belkin International, Inc.
To learn more about Belkin, visit http://www.belkin.com/aboutus/. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/belkin, and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/belkin.
[Via: Belkin]