Lowe’s knows there’s no place like home

On the heels of adding new security features to its Iris connected home device, Lowe’s is further expanding its presence in the connected home market.



Lowe’s is launching a national partnership with the Nucleus connected home device. Nucleus combines the family phone, intercom, video chat and security alerts in one device. With this partnership, Lowe's will accept pre-orders for Nucleus devices beginning January 2016. The product will be for sale in more than 1,000 Lowe’s stores in summer 2016 and also online, including pre-orders, on Lowes.com.



In addition to pursuing integration with the Iris by Lowe's smart home platform, Nucleus supports integrations with other connected home platforms including Nest, SmartThings, iControl and Insteon.



According to the 2015 Smart Home Survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Iris, home improvement stores (either in-store or online) were rated the number one place Americans are most likely to buy connected home systems.



"We are committed to offering our customers smart home products that combine ease-of-use with breakthrough technical capabilities," said Mick Koster, VP and general manager of Iris Home Systems. "Consumers are seeking connected home products that deliver security and automation in engaging ways. Nucleus helps further Iris' mission to have customers to have deeper relationships with their homes by offering the ability to further protect their home, while staying connected to their families."



Lowe’s is obviously convinced connected home technology will become a major consumer product category. Since launching Iris in 2012, Lowe’s tried to make it more accessible with moves such as joining the ZigBee Alliance Internet of Things (IoT) standards body, as well as adding security and even a holiday Santa tracking feature.



By selling the Nucleus device, Lowe’s is hedging its bets against being stuck with the equivalent of Betamax in the still-developing connected home market.