You can also see how much that power is costing you per month, and today. It will also keep tabs as to how much power is used on a monthly basis. When monitoring energy consumption the Insight will tell you (in the app) how much power it is currently feeding to its outlet. With this Insight switch I can turn power on and off, from the App, which will, of course, power on or off whatever is plugged into it. That would allow us Apple Siri users, to control WeMo switches, outlets, etc, by voice. What I’m hoping for, but hasn’t happened (yet?) is Apple HomeKit support. The short version would be that you can control the Insight using the SmartThings app instead of the WeMo one.Īmazon’s Echo (another device I am currently reviewing) also works with WeMo, so I can control the off/on capabilities of the switch via voice command with the Echo. I happen to be reviewing one of those at the moment as well. There is also a relationship between WeMo and Samsung’s SmartThings Hub, a Z-Wave controller. Like other WeMo devices it can be controlled by IFTTT (discussed later). I can also access it from the internet, when I’m remote. ![]() The current Insight 2, way smarter! I can access it over my wifi with the same Belkin App that I use for their light switches, motion sensors, etc. ![]() You plugged it into the wall, then you plugged a device into it, and it read out your power consumption on its attached small LCD display. I started out, several years ago (before SmarterHomeAutomation), owning the original Insight outlet (I think it was called that, back then). You can plug in a lamp, or a coffee maker, or any other appliance that you would like to control remotely, or have turn on/off at predetermined times or under certain circumstances. The idea behind the Insight and other smart switches is that they allow you to control some pretty dumb equipment. Monitoring energy consumption is pretty cool, (and very “in” these days), and allows us to understand our usage and make changes when desired, but for most people monitoring is just an extra fringe benefit. You can control it “in-house” over your Wifi network, but it will also work remotely. It will measure power consumption and control the power of both 3 prong (grounded) devices, and two prong ones as well. The Insight accepts standard 3 prong US AC power cords, and requires a three prong outlet to plug it into. Plug it in, and it lets you power on and off any device plugged into it, but in addition, it let’s you monitor power consumption, estimate monthly costs of whatever device you have plugged into it. Consider this a 4 to 4.5 star award or an Editor’s Choice. This award goes out to products that work well, are very functional. ![]() Or more simply stated: If you want one, they sure are easy to find! Prices seem to vary, but most places are right there at the $49.99 at this time. The WeMo Insight is very available – from Amazon and other online resellers to big box houses like Best Buy, even the Apple store.
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