Jasco Blog

Amazon continues to improve and add to their Alexa powered products – currently sitting at a total of 6 unique Echo devices. While all interesting in their own way, the most impressive option is the new Echo Plus.

The Echo Plus not only builds on the foundation that the Echo and Echo Dot models have established, but it also improves and adds to it. The audio has received a welcomed upgrade when compared to previous iterations thanks to the improved Dolby speakers that produce crisp vocals and extended bass to fill the room with 360 degrees of audio. While improved audio is great, the most significant difference from the rest of the Echo family is the inclusion of a built-in ZigBee smart home hub.

Why is that significant? Why should I buy the Amazon Echo Plus over the others? Read here to find out all you need to know about the Echo Plus.

Finding a gift that is cool, useful, and affordable is no easy task. From fun electronics, to trendy tech, to the latest fashion - the possibilities for your list are never ending! According to the Consumer Technology Association, approximately 68% of adults plan on buying some sort of technology gift alone.

It's even harder to narrow down your wish list when you work for a company that makes a ton of innovative products. We asked a few Jasco employees to share what Jasco items are going to be at the top of their lists this year. After much deliberation, here are the top product picks our team members said they wanted the most for Christmas. We hope this Jasco Holiday Tech Gift Guide helps give you a little Christmas list inspiration!

At this point, you have seen or at least heard of voice activated virtual assistants somewhere online or from a friend. These devices have been around since 2014 and have continued to rise in popularity and are quickly becoming a device that you will find in most homes. The major players in the voice activated virtual assistant space are Google’s Home Assistant and Amazon’s Echo, Echo Dot and most recently, the Echo Plus, which has a built-in hub that seamlessly connects and controls ZigBee smart devices.

I will not be comparing the Amazon Echo Devices or Google Home Assistant and recommending one over the other. If you know you want to add one to your home and are trying to decide on a specific device, check out this article for some insight on which device is best for you.

This particular post is simply to further inform you of voice activated virtual assistants and how they function as well as some ways you can use virtual assistants in your day-to-day to make life a little easier.

Z-Wave is a leading smart home technology found in millions of products around the world. It allows all of Jasco's Z-Wave devices to securely "talk" to one another, and talk to other certified Z-Wave products. As with any technology, home automation is constantly evolving. Z-Wave Plus represents one of the latest advancements in smart home tech. You can learn more about the latest Z-Wave technology and find answers to the top 5 questions about Z-Wave Plus below.

Waking up to morning light is considered by many to be the gentlest way to rouse oneself from slumber in the morning. This is why many people prefer to have their bedroom facing east so their body can gradually wake as the sun rises.

If you're like me and don’t have a bedroom facing the rising sun a convenient alternative is connecting a GE Bluetooth Plug-In Smart Switch to a lamp. This can be a great way to simulate the rising sun. The light will tell your body that the day is starting and ease you into the process of waking up. The Bluetooth Plug-In Smart Switch is simple to setup and will get you on your way to effortlessly waking up in the morning.

In today’s world, the phrase, “work hard, play harder,” could not be truer. Every minute it appears a new workaholic is born, and as the work load gets heavier, the vacation time looks more appealing. So we came up with a top 10 list that sheds light on the technology that keeps you working efficiently, and helps you to unplug when you finally get a break from work. Here are the top 10 tech things that keep workaholics sane:

Sometimes it feels impossible to get everything you need to get done accomplished in one day. There are only so many hours in a day, and trying to fit in cleaning, work, exercising, life, social activities, and all of the other daily activities into those 24 hours can be a daunting task. With these featured products you can get more done in a day than you would have ever expected! Allow technology to help make you more productive without lifting a finger.

We are excited to announce we recently released the first Z-Wave enabled in-wall lighting controls with integrated motion-sensing technology. The highly anticipated GE branded Smart Motion Switch and Smart Motion Dimmer are now available online at EZzwave.com. 

With intelligent motion-sensing technology, the Smart Motion Dimmer or Switch can detect any movement in a room up to 45-feet away. With an 180º detection zone, the motion sensor is great for large or small rooms and features three different operation modes to choose from:

Jasco had a busy and exciting 2016. We launched new products, innovated existing products, and everything in between. Our blog followers have allowed us to share our journey, thoughts, and ideas along the way. Your favorite blog posts from 2016 ranged from DIY smart lamps to everything about surge protectors, and we are so thankful for each and every one of you. See below for your favorite top five blog posts from 2016!

Whether you've dabbled in home automation or consider yourself a "DIY weekend warrior" when it comes to home technology, some smart home projects may seem like an intimidating task at first. Not to mention the number of devices that can be integrated into a smart home is growing at an accelerated rate. However, choosing the best smart devices for your home and lifestyle may be easier than you think. Not all smart home products are overly complex gadgets. There are several options for adding products that are quick and easy to install and require little to no wiring.

First, consider your needs. Do you want to add smart technology throughout your entire home, or add smart devices one room at a time? Second, choose the types of products that would make your life easier. Think about the activities that take place in different rooms on a daily basis. Which of these would be more enjoyable or easier with the help of smart home products?