Skip to main content

Turn your Wi-Fi router into a smart home hub with this USB device

klug home smart hub 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Smart home hubs come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and forms — from an old smartphone to integration into a TV. Klug Home by Intraix, a newcomer to the game, is a small USB device that connects with a user’s smart devices when plugged into a Wi-Fi router and allows them to be controlled with a single smartphone app.

With its new smart home hub, Intraix combines data from multiple sources with the aim of creating a smarter and better integrated ecosystem. Klug Home is capable of interfacing with numerous connected devices, hubs, and software, with Nest, SmartThings, and Amazon Echo being among them. It can also talk to digital assistants such Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google’s Ok Google.

Recommended Videos

In addition to voice control, Klug Home features contextual awareness, using lifestyle learning to give users a personalized experience. The software’s algorithms are able to learn a user’s behaviors and preferences. With the data the system gathers from a user’s devices, it can interact with the user to create the ideal home atmosphere.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

“We believe that smart devices can be even smarter when they work together and play off of each others’ synergies,” said Bryan Lee, co-founder of Intraix, in a related statement. “A truly smart home starts with better software — and this is where we make a difference. We’ve designed Klug Home to listen, learn, and understand your habits and preferences at home. It gets smarter as it gets to know you better and is able to develop single contexts across the multiple devices that you own and use most.”

Intraix launched an Indiegogo campaign for Klug Home today, and the device is now available for pre-order. The price is set at $78 for early adopters, with shipping set to begin in October 2016.

Stephanie Topacio Long
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Stephanie Topacio Long is a writer and editor whose writing interests range from business to books. She also contributes to…
These buttons and dials offer a unique way to access your smart home
The Flic Smart Button on a table.

One of the major pain points of the modern smart home is its digital nature. Whether it’s controlling your smart lights, robot vacuum, smart lock, or thermostat, there’s a good chance you’re using a smartphone for most of your interactions. That makes it less than ideal for other members of the household -- or even guests -- to make changes to your setup. This is where Flic comes into play, as the company offers a lineup of physical buttons and dials so everyone can use your favorite smart devices without the need for a digital interface.

I’ve been testing out both the Flic Smart Buttons and Flic Twist, and while they lack certain functionalities, they’re bound to be a fun addition to most smart homes. That’s especially true if you use Alexa or HomeKit, as both platforms work with the innovative smart buttons.
The Flic app makes setup a breeze

Read more
This smart display alternative can now use AI to plan all your meals
The Skylight Cal Max installed on a wall.

Skylight is a smart home company that produces a variety of smart display alternatives, such as the Skylight Cal Max. These serve as a central hub for all your daily planning -- they’re primarily used as a digital calendar, but you can also use them to track chores, make lists, or meal prep. That last aspect just became much more exciting, as Skylight is officially introducing Sidekick, an AI-powered assistant that can plan all your meals in just a few minutes.

Sidekick is a new AI feature for Skylight devices. It’s capable of generating personalized recipes based on your budget, family size, and dietary restrictions, and it’ll even create a shopping list and load up step-by-step cooking instructions. Skylight hopes the new feature will save families 10 hours every month, as they’ll no longer need to worry about the logistics surrounding meal prep.

Read more
Bring holiday cheer to your front door with Vivint’s seasonal Winter Chimes
A gingerbread version of the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro.

Thanksgiving has come and gone -- which means the holiday season has officially begun. And if you need help getting into the holiday spirit, Vivint has just released a long list of Winter Doorbell Chimes and Approach Chimes for the Doorbell Camera Pro. All the chimes are free to use for members, and they’ll be available through January 2.

Anyone throwing a holiday party will love the quirky new chimes, as they offer a bit of festive flair for guests coming to your front door. Doorbell Chimes play when the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro is rung, while Approach Chimes activate as soon as a guest gets near your front door. Here’s a look at all the new seasonal tones available to Vivint members:
Doorbell Chimes

Read more