News
Nanoleaf Sense+ Control Lighting Handles Automation By Itself
The smart light switches connect to a Thread Border Router known as the Nala Learning Bridge, which features an onboard assistant.
Smart devices such as light bulbs and switches have been around for a long time. These products allow you to turn lights on and off remotely, adjust colors and brightness, plus set up automatic schedules.
There is, however, a slight catch.
Until now, the scheduling part of the equation is something you’ve mostly had to handle yourself, and depending on the app in question, the experience can often be frustrating and time-consuming.
Nanoleaf aims to fix those scheduling issues with its newly announced Sense+ Control family of products. The smart device lineup consists of the Sense+ Smart Light Switch, Sense+ Wireless Light Switch, and Nala Learning Bridge. All three products are Matter and Thread enabled and feature built-in motion and ambient light detection. The Nala Learning Bridge functions as a Thread Border Router and acts as the smart home network’s hub while featuring its own ambient lighting.
As well as a router, Nala is also the name of the Nanoleaf Automations Learning Assistant. The inbuilt technology uses complex machine learning algorithms to predict a user’s routines and adjust lighting accordingly. The company claims that, “Over time, users will be able to have a truly intelligent and hands-free experience with the smart lighting in their home.”
Nanoleaf 4D
Also announced at this year’s CES 2023 was the Nanoleaf 4D, a system that synchronizes Nanoleaf lights with your TV. The system will ship with the Nanoleaf Screen Mirror Camera and a light strip featuring 50 customizable LED zones.
Using Nonoleaf’s Sync+ technology, the Nanoleaf 4D can mimic your screen’s colors and lighting patterns across all of the other Nanoleaf lights in the room, and supports pre-made scenes, including sunrises.
Nanoleaf Skylight
Nanoleaf already offers modular wall panels in its lineup, but soon, the company will add a set of square RGBW LED panels that can be arranged in different patterns on ceilings.
Named Skylight, this new product includes Nanoleaf’s screen mirroring technology, a music visualizer, and supports group scenes. Like the Nala Learning Bridge, Skylight can also be used as a Thread Board Router.
Finally, the company will also update its Essentials line to make them Matter compatible and release software updates to ensure everything works harmoniously. The Sense+ Control line, Nanoleaf 4D, and Skylight should all arrive in stores by the second half of 2023, with pricing yet to be announced.
News
Viasat Satellite Messaging Tech Showcased In Saudi Arabia
The direct-to-device (D2D) demonstration highlighted the technology’s potential to revolutionize remote communication.
Satellite communications firm Viasat announced yesterday that it had completed its first demonstration of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity technology in Saudi Arabia. The live broadcast took place during the “Connecting the World from the Skies” event in Riyadh, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) alongside the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Attendees witnessed successful satellite-based two-way messaging and SOS alerts sent using commercial Android smartphones and a combination of Viasat’s robust L-band satellite network and the Bullitt over-the-top messaging app. Signals were transmitted using the company’s L-band spacecraft positioned over the Indian Ocean, while the infrastructure for 3GPP NTN services was deployed by Viasat’s partner Skylo.
Sandeep Moorthy, Viasat’s Chief Technical Officer, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, explaining, “By expanding our direct-to-device innovation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we’re showcasing the potential for D2D services in the fast-growing Gulf and Asia-Pacific region. D2D could help reduce barriers to connectivity in regions where terrestrial services are spotty and unavailable to help transform industries and supply chains, enable new opportunities, and to become more efficient, sustainable and safer. We’d like to thank the CST for their support in carrying out this exciting demonstration”.
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D2D technology allows devices like smartphones, vehicles, and industrial equipment to connect seamlessly to both satellite and terrestrial networks. Unlike traditional satellite setups, D2D eliminates the need for extra hardware, thanks to emerging global standards that are gaining traction among satellite operators, mobile network providers, and tech manufacturers.
What makes this approach particularly promising is that Viasat uses a licensed, dedicated satellite spectrum to deliver its D2D services. This avoids any interference with existing terrestrial networks, allowing smooth integration with mobile network operators in the future.
The demonstration clearly showed the potential of D2D technology to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions while opening up opportunities for innovation, improved safety, sustainability, and efficiency.
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