D-Link detects your smoke alarms from a distance at CES 2016
The D-Link Smart Alarm detector listens for the sounds of a siren, and sends you an alert if it hears something.
Ready to listen for trouble, the Mydlink Smart Alarm Detector will keep you posted if it hears something. A Wi-Fi connected box that plugs into your wall, the detector listens for the alarms of smoke or CO detectors and sends you a push notification if it hears something.
Compatible with the Mydlink Home app, the device can also interact with other D-Link connected devices, switching off a light plugged into a D-Link switch. And thanks to D-Link's new IFTTT channel, if the Smart Alarm detector hears something, it can act as a trigger for any number of smart home devices.
With a range of 50 feet, the Smart Alarm listens for the specific sounds of UL certified detectors to minimize false alarms while maintaining reliability. If you find a good spot for it, you can use one device to enable remote notifications for multiple detectors in your home.
Due out in the second quarter of 2016, you'll be able to purchase a Mydlink Smart Alarm Detector for $60, making it a much more cost effective way of adding basic smarts to multiple detectors, as opposed to a wholesale replacement like the second generation $100 Nest Protect.
D-Link isn't actually breaking new ground with the Smart Alarm Detector. The Leeo Smart Alert Nightlight does essentially the same thing and includes a nightlight and a microphone so you can listen to the alarm remotely. I didn't find that listening to the alarm added much to the experience, as the sound quality wasn't high enough to discern what was actually going on, but the basic features worked well and the nightlight provided a charming touch.
D-Link kept things simple -- it listens for an alarm and triggers whatever alert you'd like if it hears something. Its $60 price justifies that against Leeo's $100 list price, but you can find Leeo for $50 now on Amazon, so you'd have to take advantage of D-Link's interoperability with other D-Link devices or IFTTT to redeem its value.
If you don't have a good hallway outlet that can hear multiple alarms, the most cost effective path to simple smarts might be the $35 Roost Smart Battery, a retrofit 9V with push notifications.
If D-Link's solution is responsive and reliable, it's promised interoperability with IFTTT and affordable price should make it a solid option for simple connected safety.
Check out the rest of CNET's CES 2016 coverage here.