Skip to main content

Oval 2.0 transforms your house into a smart home, one object at a time

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Giving your home a brain could be as easy as installing a single sensor. At least, that’s the promise of the new Oval 2.0, an all-in-one smart sensor that claims to monitor light, temperature, and humidity, and send its users instant alerts if anything feels out of place. Whether you want to turn an object or an area into its smart counterpart, Oval 2.0 wants to help.

The device builds upon the success of the original Oval, which launched early last year across 32 countries. The team was apparently so pleased with its performance that it decided to manufacture the next generation of the product, creating the 2.0, heralded as an “even smarter sensor.”

If you place the Oval 2.0 next to a door, window, or private room, the device can send an email or smartphone alert when these entrances are opened or closed. And if you place the device next to water pipes, it can tell you if there’s a leak or a mechanical failure. The Oval 2.0 can also monitor the temperature and humidity of an area or items including food, medicines, or plants.

“No two homes, or people, are alike, and Oval was created with this in mind. After our initial release, we spent the year speaking to our customers all over the world, learning how they were using Oval around the home and asking how we could improve our smart sensor to provide even more value to our customers,” said Mike Harry, CEO of Oval Digital Inc. “Oval 2.0 is the result of both customer feedback and the latest technology available.”

Of course, no smart home product would be complete without smart assistant compatibility, and luckily, the Oval 2.0 can be integrated with either Amazon Alexa or Google Home. You can ask Assistant what the temperature is in your living room, or have Alexa tell you if there’s water in the basement. And thanks to the device’s IFTTT support, you can create “scenes” with Oval, triggering other devices to jump into action if the sensor detects that something is amiss.

There’s no installation process required for the Oval, and setup should take just minutes. Thanks to its small size and wireless configuration, it can be attached to just about any object or area. The Oval gateway is wireless and can be connected to a Wi-Fi network — sensors communicate with this gateway at a range of up to 150 feet.

“Oval has demonstrated it can improve lives, even save them,” Harry added. “In one instance, a customer had installed Oval in his elderly father’s home. One day, Oval identified a drop in temperature and alerted our customer immediately. Concerned that his father, who was on blood pressure medication, wasn’t answering his phone, our customer rushed to him, and found his father unresponsive after he’d accidentally lowered the thermostat to a dangerous level. Our customer wrote us explaining that while he knew OvalllVAL would give him peace of mind about his father’s well-being, he never thought it could actually save his life.”

Of course, you should always exercise caution when backing a crowdfunding campaign, but if the Oval 2.0 has piqued your interest, the team is offering early bird pricing of $99. Delivery is expected for November.

Editors' Recommendations

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Sonos One vs. HomePod mini: which smart speaker is best?
The Sonos One smart speaker on a countertop.

When it comes to smart speakers, the Sonos One and HomePod mini are two of the best. Offering impeccable sound, great smart home connectivity, and sleek designs, few products can match the style and performance of these two behemoths. But which one is right for your home?

While it’s impossible to go wrong with either, there are a few key differences between the two smart speakers that might make one a better fit for your home. Here’s a closer look at the Sonos One and HomePod mini to help you decide which is best.
Pricing and availability

Read more
Save money on your utility bills with these smart home gadgets
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat in stainless steel.

Smart home gadgets can do more than respond to voice commands or automate your household -- they can also save you money. It might require a hefty initial investment, but once your smart home is up and running, it’s not uncommon to see big reductions across most of your utility bills. If you’re looking to save a few extra bucks every month, here are some easy ways to save money with smart home devices.
Upgrade to a smart thermostat

Arguably the best way to save money on your energy bills is by switching to a smart thermostat. These come in all shapes and sizes, but your best bet is to spring for a premium model that offers advanced learning capabilities -- such as the Nest Learning Thermostat. Products in this category give you the best control of your HVAC system, as they’ll actively monitor your usage and suggest ways to be more efficient.

Read more
Adorable smart home robot unveiled at CES 2023 could be a great addition to your family
A child playing with the EBO X.

Every January, CES brings us a laundry list of innovative, intriguing products that’ll probably never see the light of day. Enabot, an under-the-radar robot company, seems to be bucking that trend at CES 2023, with its impressive EBO X smart home robot offering up dozens of futuristic features and a release date planned for the second quarter of this year.

EBO X is an adorable smart home robot that serves multiple purposes in your household. After mapping its surroundings, the self-balancing, two-wheeled companion can follow you around your home, provide two-way communication through its 4K camera, pump out music via its Harman speakers, sync with other Alexa devices, and provide security alerts while you’re away.

Read more