With many traditional Home Security and HA firms getting in the Apple Watch Home Automation game, one upstart is garnering a lot of buzz for their innovative solution with a user interface focusing on a clean aesthetic. PEQ offers an open HA system compatible with other manufacturers in the smart home space but at a cheaper price. They are a worthy consideration if you are looking to outfit your residence with a relatively inexpensive automation or security system.
Where PEQ really shines is their attractive user interfaces — first in their iOS app for the iPad and iPhone, and now with for Cupertino’s hot new wearable. Let’s take a closer look at the details to see if PEQ makes sense for you.
A Closer Look at PEQ Home Automation
Like pretty much every other Home Automation system on the market, PEQ offers four starter kits to make your first foray into HA an easier process. The simplest starter kit retails for $119 and includes the PEQ hub along with one door and window sensor. The Illumination Bundle adds two lamp modules to the starter kit for $199, while the Watchdog Bundle includes a wireless camera with the starter kit at that same $199 price point.
If you want to make a larger initial investment in your PEQ system, consider the House & Home Bundle. This kit includes a hub, two door and window sensors, two lamp modules, two motion sensors, a water sensor, and a smart thermostat, all for a price of $489. This bundle provides nearly everything you would need for a system with basic Home Automation and Home Security functionality.
Following what seems to be a trend in the nascent Home Automation industry, any PEQ system also requires a monthly fee of $9.99. So consider that fact when budgeting for your initial system outlay.
PEQ System Expansion Options are Robust
PEQ offers a whole host of devices in an a la carte fashion whenever you want to expand your system, or as part of your initial setup. Essentially every device included in one of the starter kits is available at prices that range from $34.99 for the door and window sensor to $129.99 for the camera or water sensor. These prices are definitely competitive when comparing them to similar items from other HA providers.
The PEQ architecture also supports a variety of third-party Home Automation devices, giving you additional options for system expansion. The famous NEST smart thermostat, a variety of keypad lock systems from Kwikset and Yale, as well as the LG 800-Lumen smart light are all supported. One interesting supported device is the Zubie Vehicle tracking system, which tracks your vehicle location and alerts you through PEQ when there are engine issues or if the car is speeding. This sounds like something perfect for parents with teenage drivers!
An Innovative Home Automation User Interface for the iPad and Apple Watch
Its innovative user interfaces for the iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch truly distinguish PEQ from other Home Automation systems. The PEQ iOS apps for the iPad and iPhone feature a sliding tile-based interface that ironically appears like something out of Windows Phone or Windows 8. PEQ also supports Android, and its user interface looks similar. The PEQ for iOS app requires at least version 7.0, while the Android version requires 4.0 or later.
The active tiles are a great interface option, with each device in your system getting its own tile. You simply need to tap on a tile to turn a light on and off, or swipe up or down to control the temperature on your smart thermometer. PEQ’s Apple Watch Home Automation interface essentially displays one active tile at a time, which is perfect for the smartwatch’s smaller screen real estate. The company hopes that the Apple Watch becomes the standard interface option for those who own the smartwatch. A PEQ app for Android Wear isn’t yet available, but undoubtedly the company will offer one if that market grows enough to make development worthwhile.
So yet another Home Automation system is now on the market, but PEQ’s superior user interface makes it one worth checking out for anyone looking to turn their residence into a smart home.
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