Wolverton: Smart-home products powered by Bluetooth

New gadgets

A growing number of companies are rolling out home automation products that tap into new capabilities of Bluetooth, giving them the potential to be cheaper and easier to set up and use than previous home-automation gadgets. Among the new gadgets

A touch-activated door lock. The deadbolt lock, from industry stalwart Kwikset, unlocks at the tap of a finger when it detects a Bluetooth signal coming from an owner's phone. Users can also configure it to recognize visitors' phones, such as those of a housekeeper or a nanny.

A smart home kit. Designed by Archos, a French company best known for its low-cost electronics devices, the kit includes a collection of security and automation products such as cameras, weather monitors and controllable wall plugs that all communicate with a specialized tablet over Bluetooth.

A remote-controlled light bulb. Designed by startup company Oort, the bulb allows users to turn it on or off or change its color using an app on a smartphone or tablet. It works similarly to Philips Hue light bulb, but for less than half the cost. And unlike the Hue, it doesn't require an extra device to communicate with it using your phone.

A wireless light switch. Designed by Avi-on, a startup company, the device allows users to place a new light switch wherever they'd like, without having to carve a new hole in their wall or extend their wiring. The switch, which is set to debut next spring, uses Bluetooth to send signals to power plugs and light bulbs that can turn the lights on or off or even dim them.

A remote-controlled wall plug. To be released early next year by San Francisco startup Zuli, the plug will allow users to dim their lights or turn on an appliance like a crock pot with their smartphones.

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Wolverton: Smart-home products powered by Bluetooth