Author Profile

Julie Jacobson

Julie Jacobson, recipient of the 2014 CEA TechHome Leadership Award, is co-founder of EH Publishing, producer of CE Pro, Electronic House, Commercial Integrator, Security Sales and other leading technology publications. She currently spends most of her time writing for CE Pro in the areas of home automation, security, networked A/V and the business of home systems integration.

More About Julie Jacobson

Julie Jacobson's Latest Opinion Posts

Read: $1 Billion Problem: Can CellBounce Solve the Security Industry’s Sunset Dilemma?

$1 Billion Problem: Can CellBounce Solve the Security Industry’s Sunset Dilemma?

CellBounce’s plug-and-play solution is designed to upgrade 3G systems by converting its signal to 4G/LTE — no truck roll required.

Read: ADT Pulse vs. ADT Command and Control: What’s the Difference?

ADT Pulse vs. ADT Command and Control: What’s the Difference?

Thanks to Command and Control, ADT sees the 3G sunset as an upgrade opportunity, rather than a 3G-replacement burden. Here’s how the platform differs from Pulse.

Read: Is Bluetooth Mesh About to Be the Next Big Home Automation Standard?

Is Bluetooth Mesh About to Be the Next Big Home Automation Standard?

Though many companies utilize Bluetooth for home automation, this is the first time that a group of companies is going to sit down and decide on an absolute standard of interoperability, according to one expert.

Read: Why Did SnapAV’s Parent Company Acquire SimpliSafe?

Why Did SnapAV’s Parent Company Acquire SimpliSafe?

Home automation guru Julie Jacobson reviews synergies within private equity firm Hellman & Friedman’s portfolio after its acquisition of a controlling stake in DIY security provider SimpliSafe.

Read: Are Pro Security Companies on Amazon’s Shopping List?

Are Pro Security Companies on Amazon’s Shopping List?

Buying an alarm company such as Brink’s or Vivint would give Amazon an army of techs to sell more security and home automation gear and reduce the cost of truck rolls by saturating the market.

Julie Jacobson's Latest Posts

Read: Z-Wave Smart Home Protocol Will Be Opened to Other Tech Providers

Z-Wave Smart Home Protocol Will Be Opened to Other Tech Providers

Silicon Labs said it is going to open the Z-Wave specification to other silicon manufacturers and software developers in the second half of 2020.

Read: Vivint to Announce Integration With Control4 at CEDIA 2019

Vivint to Announce Integration With Control4 at CEDIA 2019

Considered a technological milestone for the company, Vivint’s security engine now integrates two-way with Control4 home automation systems.

Read: SnapAV Acquires Custom Plus Distributing, Adding 5 Branches on West Coast

SnapAV Acquires Custom Plus Distributing, Adding 5 Branches on West Coast

Custom Plus Distributing, with five branch locations in the Pacific Northwest and California, is the fourth distributor SnapAV has acquired since March 2018.

Read: Alarm.com, ipDatatel Settle Patent-Infringement Lawsuit

Alarm.com, ipDatatel Settle Patent-Infringement Lawsuit

Alarm.com and ipDatatel settle on at least two patent-infringement claims related to security, home automation and remote monitoring/management.

Read: $1 Billion Problem: Can CellBounce Solve the Security Industry’s Sunset Dilemma?

$1 Billion Problem: Can CellBounce Solve the Security Industry’s Sunset Dilemma?

CellBounce’s plug-and-play solution is designed to upgrade 3G systems by converting its signal to 4G/LTE — no truck roll required.

Read: Nortek Security & Control Seeks New President After Mike O’Neal Departs

Nortek Security & Control Seeks New President After Mike O’Neal Departs

Mike O’Neal spent eight years as president of Nortek, overseeing the $135M acquisition of 2Gig Technologies in 2013.

Read: SnapAV, Control4 CEOs Comment on Merger of the Home Automation Giants

SnapAV, Control4 CEOs Comment on Merger of the Home Automation Giants

The CEOs say the merger will create a one-stop shop for professionally installed home automation, A/V, networking and other home technologies.

Read: Napco iSecure Fuels Fast, Easy Path to Security and Smart Home RMR

Napco iSecure Fuels Fast, Easy Path to Security and Smart Home RMR

Launched at ISC West, Napco bills its iSecure series of dual-path alarm and smart home systems as “the first complete cellular alarm systems under $99 net.”

Read: Alula BAT-Connect Turns Legacy Panels Into Interactive Alarm, Home Automation System

Alula BAT-Connect Turns Legacy Panels Into Interactive Alarm, Home Automation System

The BAT-Connect takeover module features three paths of communication and allows dealers to bring a unified video security and automation interface to customers with legacy systems.

Read: SnapAV Aims for Security Dealers With Clare One Security and Smart Home System

SnapAV Aims for Security Dealers With Clare One Security and Smart Home System

Clare One will include Z-Wave, WiFi, Bluetooth and 433 MHz radios, as well as cellular for alarm communications and SnapAV’s OvrC platform.

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