A solid Switch, but worth 80 bucks?
The new iDevices Outdoor Switch performs basic functions well, but problems with its smart features hold back its potential.
The new iDevices Outdoor Switch is coming out in November. iDevices plans to offer the smart Switch for $79 on its website and at select Lowe's locations.
The iDevices app makes setup quick and easy. The app itself will walk you through connecting to the device and syncing it with your Wi-Fi--altogether it'll take you under five minutes. The app even reads the product's registration code for you.
The outer weatherproof shell will keep out the elements, but it still looks modern enough to power patio lights without being an eyesore.
The iDevices app is divided conveniently between rooms, zones (like "upstairs"), and scenes. Scenes are the command combinations your app will send to various HomeKit appliances on a schedule you build.
The Outdoor Switch features two power outlets, meaning you can power even more electronics at once. You can't toggle the plugs individually, but for holiday light setups two outlets will be a big plus.
You can check out your electronics' energy usage with the newest app update. Although it doesn't give you analytics like the Belkin WeMo Insight Switch, the basic information like energy and estimated cost can be viewed daily, weekly, monthly, annually or for all time.
The watertight button on the side of the Outdoor Switch will let you manually turn your electronics on and off.
You can always look at your individual iDevices products and their features. The Outdoor Switch doesn't include nightlight control like its indoor counterpart, but the energy tracking tool is useful.
The iDevices Outdoor Switch is a solid product, but is it worth your money? Find out by reading the full review from CNET.