Hello abode Family,

We are excited to let you know that we are continuing to enhance your abode system with new software updates! You do not need to do anything as the updates are already in place and ready to use. Below is a quick overview of the updates:

Stay Safe,

The abode Team

1. Auto Home and Auto Away Updates

We received a lot of feedback from the user community asking for the ability to identify and name the mobile devices associated with the Auto Home and Auto Away location automations. We updated the UI accordingly.

To send a push notification to a device, click on the “bell” in the top right hand corner. Once you’ve figured out which device is which, you can create descriptive labels for each by double-clicking on the device name.

2. abode Integrations Page

In an effort to centralize the integrations available to the abode system, we’ve created an Integrations page where you can configure and manage your abode Integrations. Our existing integrations (IFTTT and Nest) have been moved from the Add Devices dialog to this new Integrations page.

3. Updates to Using Lights as Actions in Automations

When configuring a light / dimmer as an action in an automation, you now have the ability to turn on the light permanently. In our previous implementation, you could only turn it on for specific periods of time, now you can turn it on and leave it on.

4. abode’s New Occupancy Sensor

As promised in our last update, we have added support for our new Occupancy Sensor that will be posted to the abode store next week. This is our first multi-sensor providing occupancy detection, temperature, and a light sensor. All three sensors can now be utilized as triggers in abode automations.

With the occupancy sensor you can create automations based on movement within your home. For example, turn on the light switch for 15 minutes when occupancy is detected. With the light sensor you might turn on the outdoor lights when it is dark and turn them off when it is light.

5. Alexa PIN Code Support

We have updated our Alexa Skill to enable PIN code support for more security. Our skill has been submitted and we are awaiting certification. This release will also enable you to disarm, lock and unlock doors, and set off a panic alarm. A full list of supported command is available in our support site. We will be sure to notify everyone when our new skill has been approved.

What’s Next?

1. New Mobile App Release

We’ve been working hard to improve our geofencing technology for both IOS and Android. Over the past couple of weeks we’ve run a beta test with customers who were having issues and the results have been great. We are planning to release these new apps very soon! This release also includes…

New notification sound for abode alarms

Dimmer Control

Temporarily Enable and Disable Schedule and Status Automations

Interactive Push Notifications for abode Alarms — these allow you to swipe on the notification to quickly disable or verify and alarm without opening the abode app.

2. Notifications by System Mode

Many of you have been asking for the ability to configure abode notification based on the system mode at the the time of the event. We have been working on a solution that should be available soon.

3. Improved Nest Integration

Our initial roll-out of Nest integration was pretty basic. In the next Nest release, we plan to more tightly integrate the Nest products. We will do this by enabling Nest products to be used in abode Automations, adding Activity Zone integration for the Nest Cam, and allowing users to configure how and when they want their Nest cam motion events to be integrated with the abode timeline.