About competitors to our WiFi-kettle. iKettle

A few days ago there was a news that we can no longer claim to be the "first kettle with WiFi."

The British (as I understand it) company has released a kettle that can be turned on via WiFi using an iOS and Andoid application.
Below are a few photos, videos and my thoughts on why this is not exactly what we are doing.

Control

To begin with - iKettle has only 4 unchanged temperature presets - 65, 80, 95, 100 degrees, and the mode of maintaining the current temperature:

The application simply duplicates these buttons on the screen, allowing the user to click them remotely. Judging by the screenshots - the remaining settings are missing. Applications are only for iOS and Android.

Our kettle can be set to any temperature, from room temperature to 100 degrees, by creating an unlimited number of presets (bottom edge of the screen):

Indicators and water level

IKettle has neither current temperature indicator nor water level. It is proposed to determine the water level by looking through the transparent cover (!) :)
«Design features:

And there is no need to show the current temperature - you need to press the desired button and wait until it heats up to the set temperature. Opportunity to learn that there is absolutely no water left.

Our kettle, even in the form of a prototype, can show the temperature of the water in it to the nearest degree, and the water level to the nearest 100ml. And when it appears on sale - the accuracy will be about 20 ml due to the use of a strain gauge (as in the scales).
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WiFi network

So, as I did not find detailed specifications, it will be based on the video and pictures. There are two facts - the program interface is not shown anywhere in the screenshots of the program in terms of entering the name and password of the WiFi network, but nevertheless, the notification function is announced that the phone appears next to the kettle. From this I make an assumption that the kettle itself creates a WiFi network to which the phone should connect. Two conclusions follow from this - it is impossible to use the kettle and the home Wifi network with the Internet at the same time, and the impossibility of remote control of the kettle via the Internet.


Our kettle is able to connect to the user's network, provides for integration into any system, and is controlled via the Internet. Of course, the mode of creating a local network will also be.

Alarm clock

The only thing (except for the release date) that we lose to the i-boiler is the alarm clock - we haven't thought about it yet. If this function is needed, we will have to do it. We again hope for your help - voting on this issue is available from the bottom of the topic.

Cost of

iKettle costs $ 160, ours is about $ 100 to $ 150. Such a fork in prices is due to the not quite clear price of production, but of course, we will try to make it cheaper :)

Ecosystem

And finally, the main difference is that they make a kettle with Wi-Fi, and we are doing the eco-system of a smart home. Contrary to popular belief, a smart home is not just an opportunity to turn on electronics from a tablet or phone. Smart home - this is the technology that will take on some of the concerns of man. And it will be possible to do this only if all devices are connected to one network. And, it seems to me - to focus on the fact that all devices will be of the same manufacturer - this is terrible. Only a lot of devices and competition among manufacturers will allow us to make a really good system. Therefore, it is especially important that the protocols should be open and accessible to all - this is a condition for easy integration of any solutions.
And they just made a kettle with Wi-Fi.

Video

Links to news

iphones.ru: iKettle. Electric kettle for iphone
3dnews.ru: iKettle - “smart” kettle with integrated Wi-Fi is available for pre-order
Gizmodo: A Wi-Fi Kettle When It Boils
Dailmail: EXCLUSIVE: World's first wifi ... then keeps you out of bed
Firebox: IKETTLE - THE WORLD'S FIRST WIFI KETTLE
Engadget: iKettle $ 160