Hive Connected Home Explained

Hive
Location:London, United Kingdom
Foundation:2012
Num Employees:200+ (2015)[1]
Industry:Home automation
Products:Hive Active Heating
Hive Active Light
Hive Sensors
Hive Active Plug
Hive Leak
Hive Camera
Hive app
Parent:Centrica (2012-present)
Native Clients:iOS, Android (Google Play and Amazon Appstore), Windows 10 Mobile
Type:Subsidiary

Hive is a trademark owned by Centrica Hive Limited that produces smart home devices.[2] It is one of the largest connected home providers in the UK and,[3] as of May 2018, the company had more than 1,000,000 customers.[4]

Using the Hive app and website, customers can control a range of internet-connected devices, from a thermostat to lights, smart plugs, motion sensors, and window and door sensors.[5]

History

Before the creation of the Hive brand, British Gas had been trialling a remote control heating service, starting in September 2011, using technology from AlertMe.[6] This led to the launch of the Remote Heating Control service in 2012[7] paving the way for the later Hive-branded smart heating system.

Hive was established when parent company Centrica, owner of British Gas, formed its Connected Homes sector in 2012.[1] The year after it was founded, the company launched Hive Active Heating on October 14, 2013,[8] a smart thermostat that allows customers to control heating and hot water in their homes via the company's website or app.[9] The system can be installed in customers' homes by a British Gas engineer.[10]

In February 2015, British Gas purchased the connected home firm AlertMe in a deal worth £65 million.[11] [12] This allowed Hive to build its devices using the Honeycomb platform developed by AlertMe, which facilitates the capability for users to control all their smart home devices through an app.[11] [13] This meant Hive could more closely compete with similar platforms used by rivals such as HomeKit, Project Brillo and Nest Labs.[1] [14]

Hive Active Heating 2, the second edition of the company's smart heating system, was released in July 2015.[15] The new model was upgraded to include two additional features.[11] The holiday mode setting allows customers to set a given temperature while away from home.[16] The boost function allows customers to immediately turn heating and hot water on for a period of up to six hours.[17]

The smart thermostat was designed by Silicon Valley-based,[1] Swiss designer Yves Béhar,[2] who won Design Miami Design Visionary Award in 2015.[18] It was praised for its sleek look,[14] with critics saying it was an improvement on the company's first active heating model, which was criticised for having a dull aesthetic.[14] However, in the same year, complaints about the lack of data security led to changes in the software. The company improved data encryption as a result of an investigation by Which? magazine.[19]

The company also paired up with Dulux[14] to provide accessory frames for the thermostat in a range of different colours.[16]

In 2015 the company announced future plans to use the Honeycomb platform to support and allow integration with third-party products including a Samsung camera.[20]

The company launched two new products in January, 2016.[21] The Active Plug enables users to attach devices, monitor whether they are on or off,[22] remotely-controlling them using a mobile device or laptop.[21] The Window or Door Sensor allows customers to remotely monitor when windows or doors in their home are opened or closed.[15]

The company released the Motion Sensor on February 9, 2016.[10] Customers can use it to keep track of movement within their homes remotely.[23]

On June 13, 2016, the company launched the Active Light,[24] supplied by the Aurora Group, which users can control remotely to turn the bulb on and off and program lighting schedules.[25]

On August 11, 2016, the company announced a partnership with IFTTT (If This, Then That)[26] to allow the smart thermostat to connect to 300 additional products and services through expanded recipe-based automation.[27]

In September 2016 Hive announced it will partner with Amazon Echo, allowing customers to use Alexa voice control to activate lighting, plugs and heating.[28]

On September 27, 2016, the company launched two new smart LED bulbs that can be controlled to alter the colour and tone of the bulbs.[29]

Effective December 31, 2019 Centrica Hive Limited discontinued the direct sale of products and related services for Hive in the United States and Canada.[30]

On July 11, 2022 Hive announced they would longer sell their security and leak range of products including Hive View cameras, Hive HomeShield and Hive Leak devices. These products are scheduled to be remotely disabled between December 2022 and August 2025. [31]

Marketplace

Energy efficiency targets set by UK energy industry regulator Ofgem aim to convert 53 million homes and small businesses to use smart gas and electricity meters by the end of 2020.[32] Since this was announced, there has been an increase in partnerships between smart thermostat companies and utility companies.[33] [11]

Operations

The company is the only UK-based, connected homes organisation that provides an end-to-end service, including the creation and installation of devices while also providing customer support on an ongoing basis.[34]

Beginning with 15 staff members,[1] by 2015 this had grown to 200.[1] The company offers services in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and North America.[35]

Devices

The main devices offered include a smart thermostat, lightbulbs, motion sensors for doors and windows, and what the company refers to as a smart plug[10] - all of which operate on an interconnected system that links to a central hub connected to the internet.[16]

Devices can be controlled via the hub, either by using the company website or smartphone app (available on iOS and Android).[16] Users can turn devices on and off both remotely[36] and manually.[14]

Criticism and controversy

In August 2015, a Which? investigation claimed that the Hive app was a "burglars dream"[37] because it was sending data that was unencrypted, including heating schedules and away settings, posing a security risk to customers should their Wi-Fi be tapped into.[38] The company was informed about the Which? investigation in May 2015 and immediately began encrypting previously vulnerable data.[19]

There was criticism of Hive because users could only operate devices designed for the company's system, instead of integrating multiple platforms like companies such as nCube do.[21] However, in August 2016 it was announced the partnership with IFTTT will allow for cross-platform collaboration.[27]

Hive faced consumer backlash when in July 2022 they announced their security and leak line of products were being discontinued and remotely disabled. Consumers had minimal options for refunds and left many with devices which where working perfectly fine but have since been remotely disabled by Hive.[39]

Awards

YearAwarding bodyType of awardResult
2014UK Customer Experience AwardsTechnology and Telecoms[40]
2014UK Customer Experience AwardsNew Product / Product Improvement
2014Appsters Champion[41]
2014Appsters Best IoT Development [42]
2014Appsters Best App Technology
2014The Appys Best Desktop / Web App [43]
2014Ignite Award Internet of Things [44]
2014Starpack Best Retail Launch Packaging [45]
2017The T3 AwardsBest Connected Eco/Energy Product[46]
2018The Ambient Smart Home AwardsHome security tech of the year[47] [48]
2018The Ambient Smart Home AwardsSmart home design of the year
2018The Ambient Smart Home AwardsSmart energy product of the year

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The British are coming: Why Nest should be worried about Hive's plans for the US . James Stables . Wareable . August 19, 2015.
  2. Web site: British Gas Hive 'smart home' products refreshed . BBC News . 15 July 2015.
  3. Web site: Hive 2 begins major push by British Gas into smart home with range of connected devices . David Gilbert . International Business Times . July 15, 2015.
  4. Web site: Centrica unit chief says smart thermostat adoption has doubled within a year . Gaurav Sharma . International Business Times . August 25, 2016.
  5. Web site: 5 ways to prepare your home for winter . Lindsay Blair . Real Homes Magazine . October 23, 2015 . October 24, 2016 . October 24, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161024222451/https://www.realhomesmagazine.co.uk/advice/5-ways-to-prepare-your-home-for-winter/ . dead .
  6. Web site: Smart homes: take remote control. Miles Bignall. The Guardian. September 30, 2011.
  7. Web site: British Gas launches remote control central heating service. The Guardian. July 11, 2012. Mark King.
  8. Web site: British Gas creates Hive brand to house internet-enabled tech products . Matthew Chapman . Campaign Live . September 26, 2013.
  9. Web site: British Gas Hive adds app controls to domestic boilers . Matt Warman . The Telegraph . 25 Sep 2013.
  10. Web site: Hive Releases New Connected Home Products . Roland Banks . Mobile Industry Review . February 8, 2016.
  11. Web site: British Gas Buys UK Smart Home Pioneer AlertMe In $100M Deal . Ingrid Lunden . TechCrunch . Feb 13, 2015.
  12. Web site: British Gas buys smart home company AlertMe for £44m as Centrica bets on Internet of Things . Lynsey Barber . City A.M. . February 13, 2015.
  13. Web site: Hive launches first products built on its Honeycomb IoT platform . https://web.archive.org/web/20160128092342/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2443443/hive-launches-first-products-built-on-its-honeycomb-iot-platform. unfit. January 28, 2016. Chris Merriman . The Inquirer . 27 January 2016.
  14. Web site: Hive unveils sleek new smart thermostat and connected home gadgets you might actually want . Ben Woods . 15 July 2015 . The Next Web.
  15. Web site: Hive Releases Window, Door Sensors And Smart Plug . Michael Moore . TechWeek europe . January 27, 2016.
  16. Web site: Hive Active Heating 2.0 review: Style meets connected practicality . Chris Hall . Pocket-lint . October 27, 2015.
  17. Web site: Review: Hive 2 heating/hot water control system from British Gas . Chris Price . TechDigest . November 12, 2015.
  18. Web site: Yves Behar Is Honored with Design Miamiís 2015 Design Visionary Award . Will Speros . Architectural Digest . December 4, 2015.
  19. Web site: Which? probe uncovers Hive heating app data risk Thermostat app sending information unencrypted . Alice . Rickman . 19 August 2015 . Which? . The Consumer Association.
  20. Web site: Hive will add connected cameras, Honeycomb platform offers third-party support . Chris Hall . Pocket-lint . July 15, 2015.
  21. Web site: Hive just added 3 new products to its line of smart home devices . MIX . 27 January 2016 . The Next Web.
  22. Web site: Five of the best tech relief . Polly Weeks . The Press and Journal . February 21, 2016.
  23. Web site: Hive expands connected home range with Active Plug and Window, Door sensors . Chris Price . TechDigest . January 27, 2016.
  24. Web site: Hive Active Light: Connected bulbs make Hive a major smarthome player . Chris Hall . Pocket-lint . June 13, 2016.
  25. Web site: Smart Home bargain: Hive's smart lightbulb costs just £20 . Sean Keach . Trusted Reviews . June 13, 2016 . October 24, 2016 . October 24, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161024220531/http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/hive-active-light-bulb-smart-home-bargain-cheap . dead .
  26. Web site: IFTTT is coming to native apps to join the dots between your smart home tech . Chris Smith . Trusted Reviews . August 10, 2016.
  27. Web site: Hive's smart thermostat gets IFTTT's recipe-based automation . Matt Brian . endgadget . August 8, 2016.
  28. Web site: Hive confirms compatibility with Amazon Echo for voice controlled heating and lighting . Chris Hall . Pocket-lint . September 14, 2016.
  29. Web site: Hive takes on Hue with colour-changing light bulbs . Matt Brian . engadget . August 27, 2016.
  30. Web site: Hive A British Gas Innovation Start Your Connected Home. www.hivehome.com. en-US. 2020-05-18.
  31. Web site: Product News Hive Home . 2024-04-24 . www.hivehome.com . en-GB.
  32. Web site: Transition to smart meters . Ofgem.
  33. Web site: British Gas Unveils Updated Hive Thermostat, New Smart Plug, Lighting And Motion Sensor Products . Seve O'Hear . TechCrunch . July 14, 2015.
  34. Web site: British Gas Connected Homes reveals smart household gadgets for its Honeycomb IoT platform . Margi Murphy . TechWorld . July 15, 2015 . October 24, 2016 . October 24, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161024223214/http://www.techworld.com/news/personal-tech/hive-reveals-new-products-says-it-will-open-api-developers-work-with-its-iot-platform-3619613/ . dead .
  35. Web site: British Gas owners invest £500m in the connected home . Kezia Joseph . Mobile . August 3, 2015 . October 24, 2016 . October 25, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161025044232/http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/news/industry/36625/british-gas-owners-invest-500m-in-the-connected-home--.aspx . dead .
  36. Web site: British Gas wants you to control all of your home appliances via your smartphone . Olivia Solon . Mirror . July 15, 2015.
  37. Web site: British Gas Forced to Change Burglars Dream Hive Smart Heating App . Stop Smart Meters . August 19, 2015.
  38. Web site: Which? probe uncovers Hive heating app data risk . Which? . August 19, 2015.
  39. Web site: Hive to axe cameras and other smart devices by 2025 - your rights explained . 24 April 2024 . Money Saving Expert.
  40. Web site: UK Customer Experience Awards 2014 . ContactCentres . October 3, 2014.
  41. Web site: Hive by British Gas wins big at The Appsters Awards 2014 . appsworld . November 13, 2014 . October 24, 2016 . October 24, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161024224734/https://apps-world.net/2014/11/13/hive-british-gas-wins-big-appsters-awards-2014/ . dead .
  42. Web site: Recap: Apps World . App Developers Alliance . November 17, 2014 . October 24, 2016 . October 24, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161024220603/http://www.appdevelopersalliance.org/news/recap-apps-world . dead .
  43. Web site: Appy Awards Shortlist 2014 . The Appys.
  44. Web site: IGNITE awards winners announced . Dominic Murphy . Numbust Ninety . October 31, 2014.
  45. Web site: British Gas Hive - How does a new brand find its way into retail? . TheDrum . 2016-10-24 . 2016-10-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161024224843/http://www.thedrum.com/profile/project/228246/british-gas-hive-how-does-new-brand-find-its-way-retail . dead .
  46. Web site: The T3 Awards 2017 together with Three: all of this year's winners . T3.
  47. Web site: The Ambient Smart Home Awards 2018 shortlists revealed . The Ambient.
  48. Web site: The Ambient Smart Home Awards 2018: All the winners revealed . The Ambient.