Filip Brož I firmly believe that a house, apartment or other real estate has a high value for people. Just as we protect our bank account credentials, we also need to protect our home. Unfortunately, it often turns out in practice that an ordinary lock and key is no longer enough these days. Thieves are becoming more and more resourceful and know a lot of ways to get into your apartment unnoticed and whitewash it properly. At this point, logically, more advanced security in the form of an alarm system must come into play.
There are a number of alarms on the Czech market, from ordinary ones to professional ones, which of course differ in their functions and, above all, in price. In my opinion, the iSmartAlarm suite belongs to the golden mean. Its biggest benefit is, of course, that it is tailor-made for apple iron users. So what can it offer in practice?
Easy and quick installation
I personally tried and tested iSmartAlarm in my apartment. As soon as you unbox it, you feel the packaging – I felt like I was unboxing a new iPhone or iPad. All the components are hidden in a neat box, and after removing the main cover, a white cube peeked out at me, i.e. the CubeOne central unit. Right below it, I discovered stacked boxes with other components. In addition to the central unit, the basic set includes two door and window sensors, one room sensor and two universal key fobs for users without a smartphone.
Then comes the stage of installation and assembly itself, which I was quite afraid of. When I realized that classic security systems are installed by a trained technician, I didn't know if iSmartAlarm would also require some knowledge. But I was wrong. I had the new security system installed including startup within half an hour.
First of all, I started the main brain, i.e. CubeOne. I just connected the well-designed cube to my router with a cable and plugged it into the mains. Done, within a few minutes the central unit automatically set up and synced to my home network. I then downloaded the app of the same name iSmartAlarm, which is free in the App Store. After launching, I created an account and filled in everything as required. Also done and I'm going to install more sensors and sensors.
First of all, I had to think about where I would place the sensors. One was completely obvious, the front door. I placed the second sensor on the window, where there is the greatest probability of foreign intrusion. Installation itself was instant. There are several double-sided stickers in the package, which I used to attach both sensors to the given places. No drilling or rough interventions in the apartment equipment. A few minutes and I can already see that the sensor is active.
The last accessory was a motion sensor, which I logically placed above the front door. Here, the manufacturer also thought of the possibility of fixed drilling, and in the package I found both a double-sided sticker and two pieces of screws with dowels. Here, it mainly depends on the surface where you want to place the sensor.
Everything under control
When you place all the sensors and start them, you have an overview of your entire apartment in your iPhone. All sensors and detectors are automatically paired with the CubeOne central unit, and you have the entire security system under surveillance through the home network. The phase of getting to know the functions of iSmartAlarm has come.
The system has three basic modes. The first one is ARM, in which the system is active and all sensors and sensors are working. I tried to open the front door and immediately received a notification on my iPhone that someone had broken into my apartment. It was the same with the window and the corridor. iSmartAlarm immediately informs you of all movements - it sends notifications or SMS messages to the iPhone or sounds a very loud siren in the central unit.
The second mode is DISARM, at that moment the whole system is at rest. The CubeOne control panel can be set to sound a gentle chime when the door is opened. In short, the classic mode at the moment when everyone is at home and nothing is happening.
The third mode is HOME, when the system is active and all sensors are doing their job. The main purpose of this mode is to protect the home, especially at night, when I can move around the rooms inside, but at the same time the system still monitors the apartment from the outside.
The last option is the PANIC button. As the name suggests, it is an emergency mode, where after pressing it twice quickly, you start a very loud siren that comes from the CubeOne central unit. The volume of the siren can be set up to 100 decibels, which is quite a ruckus that will wake up or upset many a neighbor.
And that's all. No extra unnecessary features or modes. Of course, there is the possibility of complete user settings through the application, whether it is about sending notifications or alerts, or other settings in the form of various time limits and so on.
The package also includes two universal keychains that you can assign to people who live with you but do not have an iPhone. The remote control has the same modes as in the app. You simply pair the driver and you can use it. If you have more than one Apple device at home, you can grant others full access and control of iSmartAlarm by scanning a QR code.
iSmartAlarm for every home
iSmartAlarm is very user-friendly and above all simple to install. It can easily secure your home without complex wiring solutions and complicated settings. On the other hand, you definitely need to realize how and especially where you will use it. If you live on the eighth floor of a panel apartment, it is quite likely that you will not use it and will not appreciate its functions. On the contrary, if you have a family house or a cottage, it is an ideal security system solution.
All sensors run on their own batteries, which according to the manufacturer can last up to two years of full operation. You can control the entire system from your device and you always have information about what is happening at home, wherever you are.
However, the system offers significant limitations in terms of security when power failure or the internet connection is not working. Thieves just have to blow the fuses and iSmartAlarm is (partially) out of service. If the security system loses its connection to the Internet, it will at least send you a notification through its servers that such a problem has occurred. It then continues to collect data, which it will pass on to you once the connection is restored.
You will also receive a notification when there is a power outage. Unfortunately, the CubeOne base unit has no backup battery built into it, so it cannot communicate without electricity. However, usually at that moment there will also be an internet connection failure (the CubeOne must be connected with an ethernet cable), so everything depends on whether the iSmartAlarm servers are online at that moment (which they should be) to send you a notification about the problem. Once they detect that they are not connected to your system, they will notify you.
The only thing missing from the iSmartAlarm basic set is a camera solution, which can be purchased separately. In terms of design, all the sensors and sensors are very nicely made and you can see that proper attention has been given to them. Likewise, the application is adapted to the classic iOS interface and there is nothing to complain about. iSmartAlarm costs 6 crowns, which is of course not little, but compared to classic alarms, it is an average price. If you're looking for a security system and you're a fan of the Apple world, consider iSmartAlarm.
We thank the store for lending the product EasyStore.cz.
Hello, can anyone tell me if controlling the application also works with Voiceover? I would like to buy a Smart, but if I won't be able to control the application with Voiceover, then it's useless to me.
I confess that I did not try this option during testing. Therefore, I looked at the manufacturer's website and unfortunately I did not find this option there, although it might be worth sending a question to the manufacturer and asking them directly, it is possible that it can be done in some way.
Hello, this is not a problem to try, you just need to go to the settings, in general, accessibility and turn on Voiceover. Then you have to be careful about the gestures that will change, but it is not a problem to turn off Voiceover. I would like to know if Vo reads all the buttons etc.
Hello, is it possible to purchase a noise sensor, a fire sensor or a carbon monoxide sensor? Where to buy?
iSmartAlarm does not yet offer such sensors directly, only cameras.
Hello, which cameras can be connected to this device?
Hi Jardo, these sensors and a number of other extensions (intercom, fall sensor for seniors, smart socket, etc.) will be available over the next year.
Hello, I would like to ask how the device is designed to turn off the electricity (circuit breakers/fuses are usually in the corridor in front of the apartment or outside the house) and how the communication resistance of the sensors and the base against 2,4GHz band/3G/BT jammers, etc. is solved. These jammers can be bought very cheaply almost anywhere.
It's exactly like that. A power failure disables the alarm from sending information. Yes, the siren can go off, but every normal person will turn off the internal siren at the latest after the first alarm plan, because they will not risk their pets, wife and children going crazy. . . Some sensor security is not worth solving at all, it is a complete parody of security and user deception. And idiots like the author of the article support the public in this. This is very unfair, but marketing and design decide :-)
Hello Petra, when the electricity or internet is turned off, you will receive a notification and the next reaction is up to you. The sensors communicate with the base in the sub2.4GHz band, but I don't know what this fact means for the effectiveness of jammers. If there is a risk that someone will use a jammer to break into your house/apartment, it will probably be more reasonable to install professional security equipment with everything, including a connection to the central protection desk. iSmartAlarm is primarily intended for users requiring a sufficient level of security and information about what is happening at home, with an emphasis on the most typical method of burglary, namely prying doors, breaking windows, etc.
Look, I enjoy this "Apple" perception of the world. I thought the alarm was in some kind of security, but the article is packed :-) The fact that I have to create an account somewhere is at least strange, the system probably doesn't work autonomously, but that doesn't interest the author of the article anymore :-))) , this really bothers me fun . . no one minds that to set off the entire alarm, just turn off your router, which in practice means turning off the electricity. Yes, in a panel house it means blowing out the circuit breaker in the corridor, in a barrack the main circuit breaker is on the sidewalk :-D Alarms from tin for 1500 have the same protection against power failure. When the net goes down, it doesn't work, when the operator's server goes down, it doesn't work. . . . this is a joke for an alarm and it's completely overpriced. . . . Adam Tobiáš fell to the level of Miloš Čermák. . . this is a very dangerous system even at the sensor level, the worst thing about it is that it will provide a feeling of security which is very false. . . .
It's just a toy, you can get a basic "real" alarm for half that amount. Unfortunately, it is not designer enough :-). Of course, I understand that on this server, things are rather evaluated in terms of connection with Apple products, and that's probably fine, but I would appreciate at least a minimal safety consideration for the alarm :-)
In the event of a power failure or blown fuses, the alarm will send a message or notification to the user. Just like if someone broke into the apartment. It is true that it has no protection, but that is only an incentive for the manufacturer, we will not do anything about it.
And can I ask how the alarm sends a message in the event of a power outage? Because it won't send anything through the router (modem) without electricity, and the Internet isn't working at that moment, does that mean it has backup communication via a classic SIM? So I didn't read this.
This is handled by the iSmartAlarm servers. As soon as they lose contact, they should send a notification that the connection has been lost.
I don't want to start any more flames, but this is really sad. In practice, it's useless, you will panic about what's going on at home with any minor internet or electricity outage on vacation or at the cottage, if you're not being robbed. In addition, you will no longer be able to access further information. . . Oh well, I won't elaborate any further. I would take the fact that some Chinese wants to get rich on human stupidity. But I'm sorry that the server with this readership "prints" such a mess. It is a reflection of today's times, when a person in Mr. Tobiáš's place, instead of saying "Alarm, I absolutely do not understand it, I cannot test it", says "Sure, I will give the alarm." . . in the weekend I will test and write an article". It's sad, but Láďa Hruška can be found everywhere :-D
Good evening Pepa, the iSmartAlarm system was never intended to be perfect bulletproof home security of course. But it represents a sympathetic, functional and affordable solution for someone who wants to be informed about what is happening at home, does not want to pay a monthly fee, wants to be able to constantly expand the entire system (with cameras, smoke detectors, smart sockets, baby monitor, etc., etc.) and all this in a simple and just-it-works form working with his smart devices.
Hello Patrik, so that there is no misunderstanding, the iSmartAlarm system is simply one of the products on the market for me. And what I dare to comment on is not the device itself, but the device in the context of this article. I wouldn't mind if someone tested the device only "on the table", i.e. the communication with the phone is good, what bothers me is that the article looks like an alarm test, which it definitely isn't. And I'm sorry that it's like that on "my" favorite server. I took the liberty of commenting on this so that no one would get the impression that this is a practical security device as described in the article. It's just that users don't have only one-sided information. When the device is used knowing all its advantages and disadvantages, it is everyone's business, including the willingness to pay the given price. I really don't want to deal with it anymore, I think that those who want have enough incentives to become interested, and those who don't want a design headquarters. Have a nice day, pepa
Yes. It really shows that you have no experience with alarms. On the one hand, the installation of the motion sensor, and on the other hand, the fact that you call it an alarm. I like Apple, but in this it is about 6 years behind Chinese products, not to mention a company like Jablotron.
YES, I like Apple very much, but this is not APPLE! ;) And yes, I also preferred Jablotron … in connection with a smart home from LOXONE … control on iPhone, iPad is a matter of course …
It is true that it is a cheaper solution. I have no experience with alarms. But in connection with some smaller UPS, the problem with electricity could be fixed. If you stick AP, Router and these boxes on it. But if the provider drops out, the entertainment is also taken care of. However, it's worth what it's worth, so I wouldn't blame it.
I would rather appreciate maybe even a smaller version.
I don't need to buy the whole box, but 1 max 2 sensors and stations are enough.
So maybe they will expand in the future.
This alarm is not cheap or expensive but overpriced. From the point of view of the alarm, it is a mockery and if it were to be compared to it just a little, then the reason why not would be more than the length of this article. It's a desperation like no other. Today, all decent manufacturers of real alarms have applications for most platforms. If an apple alarm is written somewhere, people will go crazy and go for it. Give people the keys to unlock the alarm and tell them about it on the key. Great, if you lose them, you've served the last asset protection on a golden platter. Don't fool people and put it in the toy category. You will probably return the value of the property to the people with the poor functioning of this scum.
I think it's something else, around 12% of people worldwide have a professional alarm, many of them stopped using it because they didn't like switching it on and off... This is a device for exactly the 80% of others who don't want a professional device, but something smaller they would like to have protection... It targets a completely different group than professional Jablotron-type alarms, and you can't look at it through the eyes of professional alarms, or even compare it...
Is there any way to eliminate triggering by a small pet? (cat)
Yes, yes. But for the standard alarm. Not with this child's toy
OK, I'll save up for the Jablotron maybe ..
A few things annoy me about it, but otherwise I can recommend the Jablotron.
So it's about the price. They priced the Jablotron at NOK 29.000...
Price is one thing and functionality is another. For the 29k, it certainly includes detection of glass breakage, magnets, functional motion sensors and, above all, communication on a completely different frequency than 2,4 GHz, which, in my opinion, is unusable for these purposes.