Roost is an Internet-of-Things gadget that makes it possible for anyone with a smoke detector to turn it into a smart home device that can connect to a mobile device. There’s no need to replace your existing smoke detector with an expensive new model, and you don’t have to permanently attach anything to your ceiling or do anything else your landlord might not approve of.
That’s because Roost is basically a smart 9-volt battery. However, it isn’t good for just any gadget that uses that particular type of battery. It is designed specifically for smoke detectors and, when paired with a smartphone will send you alerts.
Roost was successfully crowd-funded during a Kickstarter campaign last year. The product is now ready for the general public with preorders available now through the company’s website, or Amazon. A single 9V battery costs $35. A two-pack is discounted at $65. Replacement lithium batteries cost $15.
While that’s kind of expensive for a battery, it’s a lot cheaper than Google’s Nest Project, which is a smart smoke detector that replaces your existing one. It looks good and has great features, but it also costs $100. So, if you are looking for something less expensive, and less permanent, Roost might be an alternative worth looking into.
Via a compatible app, the smart battery will let you know when it is running out of juice, which the company claims won’t be for at least five years. So, no more annoying chirping in the middle of the night… at least for a while.
It will also let you “snooze” the alarm if it went off because you’ve burned the toast again. When the alarm goes off, you can tap the alert on your mobile device to quiet it.
If you are away, you will receive an alert if the alarm goes off. Plus, you can share the information with friends and neighbors so that, if you are on vacation when the smoke alarm goes off, the designated contact will also know right away.
You can also purchase a replacement lithium battery pack for $15. So, when the juice finally does run out, you don’t have to buy an entire new Roost.
via FastCompany
That doesn’t seem like a totally useless product, assuming it actually does what it claims. The price isn’t crippling, and if your smoke detector could be temporarily silenced from your phone, that would beat leaping on a chair (and needing to remember to replace the battery).
How does it know the alarm is going off? If it’s by power draw, would it work on one that is connected to 110 volt power where the 9 volt battery is only the backup power?
I’m assuming it silences the alarm by cutting the power for a certain period of time, and assuming that doesn’t work where the 9 volt battery is only the backup power.
Don’t look at it so hard, it isn’t how well the bear dances but that it can dance at all. These are not practical but just another toy to help capture disposable income. Buy one and it’ll end up in the junk drawer next to your Chromecast.
I’ll have you know my Chromecast is on my junk shelf, not my junk drawer. 😉
Seriously, I expected Chromecast to have limited use, since I own an HTPC, but I didn’t realize how limited it would be.
If you guys don’t want those Chromecasts then send them to me. I use mine all the time and have thought of adding another one or two for other screens in the house.
As for this battery I think you are correct – it won’t work if tied to the mains as well and must function by cutting power to the detector. The power is all it has within its means ans sphere of knowledge/control. I don’t think I’d be tempted anyway but my current detectors use AA batteries.
If that new Nest unit gets decent reviews I might pony up for that though.
Why would it end up in the junk drawer when it should be in your smoke alarm? 😛