Smart Home Ready w/ the WeMo Power Switch

A few months back, I received a Belkin WeMo Switch. The Belkin WeMo is a wirelessly controlled outlet. You plug it into your home wall outlet, then plug another appliance or device into that.

Using an app on your mobile phone, you can switch the item on and off without having to manually do it yourself. It’s like turning your phone into a remote control for anything with a plug. The app for iOS and Android devices is free and you can connect additional switches. This can be done over 3G/4G or via WiFi.

Product provided for review purposes as a #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Ambassador. All opinions are my own.

Using the Belkin WeMo Switch

When is this a seriously awesome feature? One idea is to connect a lamp to the WeMo Switch. When away on vacation, you can turn the light on remotely so it appears someone is still home (to deter break-ins). I often forget if I’ve turned my flat iron off so plugging it in the WeMo lets me turn it off with phone if necessary. Frans and I tried it in several applications but finally found something that works for us – as a night light, kind of.

Picture this. You’ve had an exhausting day. Finally, you crawl into bed and try to unwind. Maybe you do a little reading or play on your mobile device until your eyelids start getting heavy. You snuggle down into your sheets, find your comfy position, and then it happens. You realize that you forgot to turn off the light!

So, now you have to throw off your sheets just after you got all nice and toasty and stomp off on the cold floor to flip the light switch. Or, you can try to convince your partner that they’re closer to the switch or that they were the last to get into bed and should turn it off. Or, you can just roll over, open up the WeMo app and tap the power button. The last option works out best for us and our marriage 🙂 In fact, we’ll even race to see who will turn it off that night. Yes, we’re kind of nerdy like that sometimes.

Create ‘Recipes’ and More for WeMo w/ IFTTT

There are many more uses for the WeMo, more creative ones than mentioned here I’m sure. You can even program it with clever functionality using the automated program IFTTT (If This Then That), which I use for other ‘recipes’ but haven’t tried one using the WeMo yet. Just note that the WeMo does get hot when in use so you might not want to put it near anything that will melt or that is flammable.

No matter how you use it, the Belkin WeMo Switch will be sure to add a touch more convenience to your life.