However, most of these networks also need a "primary" device that serves as a network controller. If the primary device drops out of service, another device can often take over. Interfaces with smartphones or tablets can be handled by hubs, commercially available devices that are often compatible with two or more of these standards, as well as with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
"You have to have a hub to connect with the home network" for most of these protocols, said Tom Kerber, director of research, home controls and energy for Dallas-based market-research firm Parks Associates. "Hubs used to be $200, but now they come on USB sticks, cost $10 and plug into the back of the router."
Fortunately, many widely sold hubs can communicate with devices using two or more of these standards, allowing customers to mix 'n' match to some extent. But let's look at the differences among them.
From the article "ZigBee, Z-Wave, Thread and WeMo: What's the Difference?" by Kevin Parrish.
New research from Parks Associates’ consumer study of 8,000 US internet households finds electric vehicle (EV) ownership has seen a slight decline, with 5%, or six million internet households, reporti...
Streaming, meanwhile, is the leading choice for video entertainment today; today, 88% of US internet households subscribe to at least one OTT service, according to Parks Associates' most recent Video...
A recent study by Parks Associates shows that 76% of U.S. households have at least one video streaming service, and according to nScreenMedia, the average subscriber has more than 3 services. That sai...
Research featured in Parks Associates’ new Smart Home and Security Tracker reveals 28% of full-time employees and business owners use artificial intelligence (AI) applications for their professional n...
