Apple, home automation service providers expand reach + products

This weeks Smart Living roundup features ADTs investment towards the development of a new security app, AT&Ts expansion of its Digital Life smart home platform into new markets, and the emergence of a new smart home model.

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Life360, an app that helps people keep track of the whereabouts of other members of the family, recently received $50 million in a Series C funding, led by ADT, a home security and automation company.

ADT invested $25 million in the round, which will provide a valuable lead generation source for ADT and enable the development of innovative, co-branded mobile security applications to provide greater safety and security services to families.

Aside from the monetary investment, ADT and Life360 will be collaborating on a new mobile app, integrating ADT Chaperone with Life360s security offerings to provide direct access to ADTs 24/7 monitoring centers that can connect users to police, fire and emergency medical responders.

Life360s mobile apps are free to download, but to access additional features included in the premium package, which includes 24/7 live advisor, roadside assistance, location of feature phones, stolen phone insurance, users pay a monthly fee of $5.

. Apples Worldwide Developers Conference will be kicking off next week and the latest rumors suggest that the Cupertino giant will be unveiling the iOS 8 platform, an update to OS X, an upgraded version of the Apple TV, and a smart home platform.

According to reports, the connected home platform will allow iPhones to be used as remotes for connected devices, and the upgraded Apple TV will serve as the home base of the system. If rumors are true, it will put Apple in a prime spot to once again compete with Google which acquired Nest, the smart learning thermostat, earlier this year.

Apple moving into the home automation market isnt that surprising as it already had a headstart with AirPlay and Apple TV. iOS is primed for home automation services, considering the existing number of smart home apps crafted just for iPhones. Apple stores also present a distribution retail opportunity for several smart home products, including the Nest thermostat.

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Apple, home automation service providers expand reach + products