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Google to buy 6.6% stake in ADT in home security push

243 points by 80mph 6y ago

throwaway122378 6y ago
Well there goes me buying any ADT security products
- firebird84 6y ago
  I was literally going to call them today to monitor my house's pre-existing ADT (DSC I think?) system out of practicality. Now, I'm not so sure. Edit I wonder what modern solutions exist in this space for takeover of old systems. It feels like every alarm system installed is designed to extract your money for components for 3 years or so and then immediately become "discontinued." Most of the companies I see want me to buy a new system and lock into 3 years of monitoring. It wouldn't be so bad if the components weren't so damned expensive. $1k to fit out a small house, no smarthome nonsense even.
  - cproctor 6y ago
    We just bought an old house that had been nicely taken cared for. There's an existing wired alarm system which must have taken a lot of work to install. I just installed my first server rack in the basement for network-attached storage and to run services locally, including Home Assistant [1]. I'm looking at Konnected [2], which makes an aftermarket alarm panel interface. I'd love to hear what else folks have done. - [1] https://www.home-assistant.io/ https://www.home-assistant.io/ - [2] https://konnected.io/ https://konnected.io/
    - firebird84 6y ago
      konnected.io looks fascinating. It seems to focus on wired systems, but I believe the system I own is just an "old" wireless system. I'll look for something similar for wireless systems. At least what I want seems possible!
  - antoncohen 6y ago
    > Most of the companies I see want me to buy a new system and lock into 3 years of monitoring. That is why Comcast pushed hard into home security. Is there a significant value to home security companies, or is the whole industry a scam?
    - ocdtrekkie 6y ago
      Yeah, they can install a cheap TrendNet PoE switch and a handful of cheap offbrand cameras, and charge you for them monthly into perpetuity. After that contract point to repay for the equipment, it's highly profitable, as it turns one time costs into a recurring fee.
  - donavanm 6y ago
    Its been a few years since I looked. But yeah.. basically all the consumer and general commercial monitoring is centralized to be handled by ADT. Hardware is all from honeywell or a few others. Companies like frontpoint etc handle customer acquisition, support, Billing, and distribution. Most of the “apps” and alarm system configuration is also reskinned ADT. There are a couple small companies that provide more access to your own hardware. You can use their centralized system to send yourself alerts etc. Having police/fire/medical dispatch gets back them paying ADT to process those alerts. If you want to start in this direction I was happy with suretyhome.com. Edit: regarding consumer hardware its all either zigbee or z-wave these days. A DIY system (like with surety) is generally all compatible and Id ball park more like $3-400 for hardware. If you use one of the bigger players they use custom firmware & lock down the panel/sensor management to ensure you pay them a nice markup.
  - throwawayp123 6y ago
    Originally I had a local electric company take over our security system's sensors - it seems like the sensors are mostly standardized hardware where the sensors just read open or closed to some central hardware box, and the actual monitoring is handled by some third party. Might be worth investigating.It would have been a factor of ~1k more expensive to go with ADT for us. Ring Alarm does offer a "wired alarm takeover kit" apparently: https://shop.ring.com/products/retrofit-alarm-kit https://shop.ring.com/products/retrofit-alarm-kit
    - CedarMadness 6y ago
      This works if you have one of the wired systems, which are common on systems installed while the house was being built. All of the sensors are pretty easy to hook up, and there's even a DIY kit available from this company https://konnected.io/ https://konnected.io/ if you're into that sort of thing However, my alarm was added well after the house was built, and they used wireless sensors so they wouldn't have to open up any walls. These all use a proprietary protocol, which probably could be reverse engineered by someone smarter than me, but no drop in solutions exist. I am in the process of replacing all of them with Z-wave sensors to use with home-assistant, but removing them means re-painting all of the window trim.
- lrem 6y ago
  And what if Google buys 5% of every player in the market? ;)
  - waihtis 6y ago
    Uhh.. start your own line of products?
  - stevehawk 6y ago
    Install your own cameras?
culturestate 6y ago
I get it, it makes business sense - that’s a huge install base to push smart home products to. At the same time, I would have a hard time naming a company that I’d trust less to integrate into my home security than Google. Privacy, (lack of) customer service, service continuity...I know these aren’t issues that would worry most consumers but they would all be on my mind.
- noad 6y ago
  I'm trying to think of any company I would trust for a camera in my house and am drawing a blank. Google is pure evil for sure, but which company is better? It it even possible to roll your own LAN solution any more? The tech giants have become so hostile to anyone who dares to try to control their own data that I never even hear it discussed any more.
  - ocdtrekkie 6y ago
    Most IP cameras support standard methods of accessing their video feeds. A program like iSpy will work fine, you just want to also have a firewall that will block your cameras' attempts to call home and not set up any cloud access.
    - _coveredInBees 6y ago
      Is that still true? I wanted to buy an IP camera to monitor our puppy's crate a few months back and I was shocked to find that pretty much all the cheapish IP cameras that used to support this a few years back have all moved to a cloud-only offering where you have to access your video via their app which streams your video to their cloud service (hard no). I was amazed that not a single product in the sub $100 range on Amazon seemed to support direct LAN access. I ended up going with the Wyze cam, which still has that issue, but I'd trust a bit more over the no-name Chinese brands still running 10 year old Linux kernels on their cameras.
      - ocdtrekkie 6y ago
        I referred to iSpy both because it's a great free/open product, but it also has an excellent camera database with all of the video feed URLs for different model cameras. Check it out: https://www.ispyconnect.com/sources.aspx https://www.ispyconnect.com/sources.aspx From my experience, many cameras won't publicize/document this information, but it's still available/possible for almost every one.
xen2xen1 6y ago
Ring ring. Seriously, who doesn't think this is because of the popularity of the Ring ecosystem?
smashah 6y ago
Neutral news. I just hope this results in new products launching quickly. The nest Yale partnership is disappointing to say the least. Despite the naysayers, this can be a successful step in the right direction for nest as an ecosystem
nojito 6y ago
Home Security Systems are largely marketing gimmicks. I wonder if any of Google's large "diversification" pushes have yielded success?
athenot 6y ago
I'm on a "low Google diet" myself as I'm not at all a fan of how my data gets scooped up and resold. That being said, while I disagree with their business practices, I think their information security is one of the best. For contrast, imagine Equifax running your home security... :)
- waihtis 6y ago
  Its not an infosec problem, but a privacy problem
  - antoncohen 6y ago
    In what way? What privacy breach are you worried about? For example are you worried that a real human at your home security company will be invading your privacy? When they do are you worried that real human will take personal action against you? Or are you worried about automated systems building knowledge about your life based on home security data? Or are you worried about your home security data used in aggregate? Maybe you are worried about attackers getting access? Internal infosec and privacy controls/policies are required to protect you from some of these. Some of these threats may be more likely from Google, but I'd say some of them are more likely from other home security providers (keep in mind that a lot of home security products are actually intended to have another human monitoring your home).
    - anamexis 6y ago
      I would say these are the obvious ones for Google: > Or are you worried about automated systems building knowledge about your life based on home security data? Or are you worried about your home security data used in aggregate?
    - ortvlwm8gcfpeu 6y ago
      I worry about the next disaffected Level 6 white supremacist doing a data dump out of Mountain View to dox all of “those people” he deems unworthy.
    - jcims 6y ago
abstractbarista 6y ago
Seems like a bad idea to me. But I'm someone who would never use or recommend ADT in the first place. People don't seem to realize... You can run your own serious alarm system (DSC is a great brand) and then self-monitor with devices like the Envisalink. This integrates with Home Assistant too. All the awesome functionality for $0/mo.
- waihtis 6y ago
  You could build a lot of things yourself, but there is a limited scope of things people have the time and skills to build
- overcast 6y ago
  Dang, you must build your own homes, cars, and computers too! I bet you even raise your own livestock and sow your own fields! Everything you just said there would make 99.999999% of peoples eyes glaze over.
  - dang 6y ago
    Please stop being an asshole in HN comments. You've done it more than once recently. We ban accounts that do that, and have had to warn you about this before. If you wouldn't mind reviewing https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and taking the intended spirit of this site to heart, we'd be grateful.
    - overcast 6y ago
      I appreciate your patience in dealing with my sarcastic tone, and the amount of nonsense you must put with over the years. But please don't personally attack me with name calling. Like the guide says, "1 + 1 is 2, not 3." So thanks for bringing this to my attention, I will do better!
      - dang 6y ago
        I know it's highly open to interpretation, but when I make a remark like "please stop being an asshole in HN comments", I specifically phrase it that way to be a comment about behavior, not person. The choice of the word 'asshole' is not accidental, either—it's a degree more intense than 'jerk', and I use it when the comment and/or the prior history of the account seem to warrant a more intense signal. Sort of like a yellow card vs. a red card: https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&query=by%3Adang%20jerk&sort=byDate&type=comment https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&que... https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&query=by%3Adang%20asshole&sort=byDate&type=comment https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&que... I hear you that it wasn't helpful in this case and appreciate the even-keeled reaction!
sradman 6y ago
Google's blog post A partnership with ADT for smarter home security [1] [1] https://blog.google/products/google-nest/partnership-adt-smarter-home-security/ https://blog.google/products/google-nest/partnership-adt-sma...
MattGaiser 6y ago
I am fascinated at the anti-Google attitude here. Why exactly do you think some other home security company would not also use your data? Except they will secure it poorly with a default password.
- ocdtrekkie 6y ago
  Fundamentally, the reason I'd rather anyone but Google have my private data is Google's ability to use it effectively. Many companies can vacuum up data, few are prepared to do anything intelligent with it. Not only does Google have far more data, it's able to use it. That makes them way scarier than ADT.
  - sumtechguy 6y ago
    I used to work on systems like this. The thing is there is a lot of data. But no effective or even interesting ways to use that data. My guess they want to get into the 'home automation' bits. Which is a huge money sink and really not that interesting. They also need to be willing to do something more than on a 2-3 year time frame. I have things in my house that are 25+ years old. I zero plans on replacing them. My parents have a house that is 80 years old. They also have zero plans on replacing things. For the embedded market which is where ADT sits they need to be thinking 10-15 year time frames. They also need to think in the 'fail usable' state. If my internet goes out and I can not get my garage door open I am not happy and that thing will be on the way to the garbage bin. They also probably want in on that monthly recurring lease on equipment you do not really own.
    - ocdtrekkie 6y ago
      I think when you combine data about doors opening and closing, security system status (home/away/stay) and existing data for location history and the like, it presents a lot more accuracy to people's routines, which can potentially be leveraged to sell ads. I don't feel like that data is easily monetizable to a company like ADT, but is likely very monetizable to Google.
gigatexal 6y ago
I like Google. The search engine is amazing. BigQuery is awesome — it’s really something only a Google could pull off — but, but, I think this might be DOA for the same reasons that make Google search and ads so good: the data. I don’t want Google in my home like this with a view of everything coming in and going out (yes yes they can already see the amazon orders in my gmail account, but still) or who is coming or going.
TheSoftwareGuy 6y ago
Interesting. 6.6% seems like a pretty insignificant investment. Does anybody have any idea what 6.6% could really get them?
- JimRyan 6y ago
  Private information about the operation of the company which they can use themselves to compete with them. I'd certainly be very worried.
  - vdfs 6y ago
    Then shutdown their competing offering in 2-3 years once it's mature and have a user base
- DesiLurker 6y ago
  yes but how many times you think it will make a headline when google slowly increases stake in adt while simultaneously pumping in preferred deals for relevant data. I fully expect nest to have deep integration into adt going forward.
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
batt4good 6y ago
Potentially a questionable investment with the police being abolished?
cpwright 6y ago
Lots of the comments don't trust Google, but I'm not sure I would trust ADT. I was looking to buy a house, which had an ADT system installed. I just called them up, asked about the address, how much monitoring would cost, etc. and they told me what kind of panel, sensors, etc. were installed at the house. No verification at all. Clearly this would help with their sales, but from the perspective of someone who owns the system; I would not want them to give out details of my security system to anyone.
- selykg 6y ago
  These types of home security systems are more a deterrent than they are anything else. In fact, the ONLY reason I think I'd personally invest in would be automated alerts for fire or emergency situations. If someone wants into your house, they will get into your house. There's giant glass windows in most homes these days and door locks are hardly much more than a speed bump. All you should look at ADT for is simply making you not the easiest house to get into. But if someone wants into your house, a security system is unlikely to be something that stops them. Edit: to be more clear, I think the deterrent part is the equivalent of putting an ADT sign in a window or nearby. THAT is the deterrent, not the system itself.
  - pc86 6y ago
    This is true and is actually one of the ways they sell the system. About five days after we bought our home the ADT salesman came to the door and after seeing that we were on the fence used this as another argument. Like you, I really only wanted it for the fire detection, and the fact that the panel has an emergency button and is located in the back but with clear line of sight to the front door. We did have one break in during the 8 years we lived there, but the German Shepard was what stopped them, not the alarm sign in the yard.
    - selykg 6y ago
      Yea, all the sign does, for someone motivated enough, is tell them how much time they have. "Okay, they have a security system. Break in, grab the tv, grab the other stuff that's visible and worth something, then run" At the end of the day... it will deter those that aren't interested in dealing with it. And for those that aren't deterred it just gives them the info they need to know it's a smash, grab and run situation.
jvm___ 6y ago
Telus in Canada bought ADT Canada to add to their line of home security and home health monitoring.
sanguy 6y ago
Will they tank this like Nest and the prior home HW vendors. Google is a data mining company. Nothing more, noting less. We are the product. You are stupid to allow them into your home.
calimac 6y ago
gross
huphtur 6y ago
For those "loving" the ADT home security commercials, check out the story of "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" by Eiffel 65 https://youtu.be/epnsRRPtoeU https://youtu.be/epnsRRPtoeU
diogenescynic 6y ago
Google is an awful service provider. Ever had a Gmail account get hijacked? Good luck getting it back. Google doesn't give a crap about helping its "customers" because its products are free so they have this awful take it or leave it attitude. You can't rely on that. They did the same thing to Nest. They'd change your thermostat and shut things down, potentially at your home's risk. Just a really careless and inconsiderate company who I avoid doing business with.
kbos87 6y ago
ADT’s pricing and go-to-market approach is draconian in 2020. Long term contracts, expensive equipment, and high pressure sales tactics couldn’t be any different than my experience with a Nest home security system. Will be interesting to see if and how ADT evolves because of the ownership stake.
- ec109685 6y ago
  I agree. They want a two year commitment and $55 a month, plus $1000 for the installation. That is absurd for what their monitoring service entails.
- kps 6y ago
  Hmm, so an ADT sticker will discourage burglars but encourage conmen?
carterklein13 6y ago
One of my biggest worries with this is that it will shut ADT off to all future integrations outside of the Google ecosystem. I believe that if ADT wants to stay competitive, they would hugely benefit from a swath of integrations with different vendors doing different things to allow for a modular home security experience. I'm not sure that partnering with Google really accomplishes that... at least not on its own.
annoyingnoob 6y ago
Pushing spy tools into more places, yuck.
tclancy 6y ago
Be a hell of a thing to discover they shut the division down two years later just as someone comes through the window.
kyrra 6y ago
(Googler, opinions are my own) I wonder what this says for the Google/Nest Security product future. The existing Nest Secure[0] is a well designed product, but also rather limiting (only one base unit, which is frustrating for houses with multiple entrances, or large houses). The Nest Secure was released ~3 years ago, and there have been some minor feature improvements, but no hardware additions or changes. [0] https://store.google.com/us/product/nest_secure_alarm_system https://store.google.com/us/product/nest_secure_alarm_system
- ec109685 6y ago
  It seems like Ring is innovating more in this area and their monthly monitoring fee is only $10, and hardware cheaper. Secure was pretty easy to setup, so would be unfortunate if they cancelled and seeded DIY to Ring.
  - tomschlick 6y ago
    Everything google does on the home side just seems like pet projects that they abandon 2 years later as they consolidate and change names once again. Meanwhile, Amazon/Ring is killing it coming out with more models, sizes, colors, features, etc.
- tmpz22 6y ago
  I intentionally avoided Nest products like the plague when replacing my parents smoke alarms due to many stories like this [1][2]. Poor leadership and smart home devices do not a good marriage make. [1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11832828 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11832828 [2]: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nest-camera-hacked-hacker-spoke-to-baby-hurled-obscenities-at-couple-using-nest-camera-dad-says/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nest-camera-hacked-hacker-spoke...
  - kyrra 6y ago
    (googler, opinions are my own) I honestly like bradfitz's youtube video the best to show the Nest Protect (the smoke alarm) issues[0]. They have since fixed these issues, as this was the gen one protect. For your #2 (no insider knowledge), that looks like people's accounts getting hacked and then the hackers talking through them. All home camera cloud based cameras have had these cases. I think Nest moving to Google account login system for Nest is probably the best protection against this kind of thing happening. Account takeovers happen, and guarding against them at scale is hard (especially when people reuse passwords). For #1, I think the culture has changed a lot as it's been absorbed into Google's hardware division. Hopefully it's better, but I couldn't say anything of value there. [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpsMkLaEiOY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpsMkLaEiOY (warning, loud video)
exabrial 6y ago
Remember: Google doesn't think they're invading your privacy when they are making money on it. It's only a violation of privacy if their competition is making money on your privacy.
mtgx 6y ago
> in home security push Don't you mean in home spying push? This really what it's about. Stealing consumers' data and exploiting it.
jhallenworld 6y ago
One thing missing in this area is a low cost combined alarm and home automation. Some have nice home automation (Smart Things, for example), others have a nice alarm system (Ring). But nobody has a good combination of both together. At least part of the problem is that the alarm system does not want to trust third party devices for triggering the alarm. This means that they are treated as second class citizens. So an example of this is that I have water monitors and a water main shutoff valve that works with Smart Things. But Smart Things doesn't have an alarm, and Ring doesn't support the water monitor and shutoff valve.. Not sure I'm happy with ADT, since they are expensive (per month monitoring). But they do have name brand recognition.
- cloudking 6y ago
  Check out Home Assistant, it can pull off the automations you describe. You can run it on a Raspberry Pi 4 https://www.home-assistant.io/ https://www.home-assistant.io/
dmode 6y ago
ADT is a near scam home security company who force you into signing aggressive 3 yr contracts
dikaio 6y ago
Unfortunately ADT is the worst security company out there or in the US for that matter. Garbage.
- C19is20 6y ago
  I'm in Europe. Interested in your comment. Got a source, or any further info?
justicezyx 6y ago
If Google pursued github and tiktok like msft I'll be more optimistic. ADT? Not sure what they wanted here...
sjbrown 6y ago
"Home" security? ADT has cameras, door sensors, medical alerting "pendandts" etc. installed in many more places than private homes. This deal seems more about sensors and new streams of incoming data for Google.
heimatau 6y ago
Wow. Crazy. Google is starting to leverage their position. They now selling 12.8x this buy in corporate bonds. I think this is the beginning of many plays by Google/Alphabet. [1] - https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1290338641919856640 https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1290338641919856640
- gabagool 6y ago
  What does this mean? I clicked on your link. I'm also not sure what "SELL $5.75 BILLION OF ESG BONDS IN CORPORATE RECORD" means?
  - texasbigdata 6y ago
    Probably the implication is that with really cheap funding (bonds) they can swash buckle across corporate america and buy stuff? It's most likely a coincidence. Google had $120B of cash on its balance sheet at 12/31/19.
  - kissickas 6y ago
    Alphabet is selling some record amount of corporate bonds, which OP states they're using to finance this purchase (and that they raised 12.8 times this amount so there's plenty left to make more acquisitions). More detail on Alphabet's bond sale: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/alphabet-borrowing-575-billion-in-largest-corporate-esg-bond/2020/08/03/f483a1de-d595-11ea-a788-2ce86ce81129_story.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/al...
justaguy88 6y ago
This makes me uncomfortable
DesiLurker 6y ago
Well great, if the thief carries a android phone for the first time in history of mankind google would be able to run machine learning algos to predict where the crime is going to be committed. /s personally I would be more worried about ADT getting google data. plus ADT has tie-ins with many police depts. this could go south really fast from here. Also, google already has fitbit data so google is slowly spreading its tentacles into our life in real world much more so than FB. honestly I feel like I need to minimize my google usage right-bloody-now. a slightly better web search is not worth all that shit it comes with.
jedberg 6y ago
There was an article where they interviewed a bunch of burglars and asked them the best way to secure your house. First they listed off all the things that don't work, like alarms and cameras. Then they said: - Number one, have a TV on. If they see a TV on they assume people are home and watching. - Get a big dog. If they have to choose between a house with a dog and one without, they'll chose the one without. - Get motion activated security lights. Always-on lights just provide extra light for breaking in, the motion sensors draw attention (although most robberies happen during the day so it's sort of a moot point).
- Upvoter33 6y ago
  Someone needs to put these things together: motion activated dog barking plus auto-turning your TV on. HNer's, get to work!
  - ncr100 6y ago
    > motion activated dog barking plus auto-turning your TV on Call it "Release the Hounds".
    - beenBoutIT 6y ago
      Add in weaponized paint cans falling from stairwells and call it 'k.McCallister'.
- smaili 6y ago
  Playing devil's advocate but assuming they're being truthful what's in it for them to expose the very strategies they use?
  - Pfhreak 6y ago
    I would assume so. Pride and bragging about how easy something is would lead a lot of folks to just straight up tell you how they've outsmarted security gear. Humans will always be humans, and humans LOVE to tell you how they've beat the system.
pseingatl 6y ago
Get a fumigation sign. The skull and crossbones and threat of death by toxic asphyxiation will keep all but the most determined burglar away.Few burglars go out on a job with respirators. Add a bit about asbestos being found "on site." An ADT sign is nothing but an "all clear." The police won't help, they're too busy selling drugs, forfeiting automobiles and investigating possible misdemeanor counterfeit bill passing cases.
jdeibele 6y ago
I had bought a new Nest thermostat and was going to install it at about the time that Google went from having different things Nest-integrated to having them be Google-integrated. I chose to sell my thermostat to somebody and buy an Ecobee specifically because Ecobee wasn't owned by Google or Amazon. So far Amazon seems like its treating its acquisitions better as far as customers are concerned. Ecobee does make a model with Alexa built-in but I got an older one that doesn't have that. I am really tempted to buy some Eufy 2K cameras, which I hear are decent quality and integrate with Homekit. Apple has tougher security requirements than Google or Amazon and the products that meet it seem better, even if more expensive.
DevKoala 6y ago
ADT came pre-installed in my house. I deactivated it, and want to remove it fully, but I haven’t gotten around it.
rednerrus 6y ago
If you're planning on doing away with public police, private home security is going to be BIG business.
gnicholas 6y ago
Huh, looks like Google used to offer a cellular-based backup option, but cut it off a few months ago. Some folks were upset that the only way to get that now is to pay Brinks ($29/mo or $20/mo with 3-yr contract). I assume the Brinks deal will be phased out and ADT will replace it? Given what people are saying about ADT's pricing, hopefully their offer will be no more expensive than Brinks'.
throwaway6000 6y ago
one of Google's best idea.
Danieru 6y ago
ADT and other American security is broken. They are missing the hard part of an active security system: response. In Japan there is a company called Secom. This company has a near monopoly on security systems. They have this monopoly because instead of just calling the cops they have staff on patrol who respond to alarms. You can imagine the install base moat required to have active personal patroling constantly. The end result is alarms get checked. Every time we mis-unlocked our office a Secom person would stop by soon after to check. No idle phone calls from a phone center, the staff checked the premise themselves. Of course similar services must exist in the states for businesses, but without the install base they cannot be priced reasonable for home use. Secom is used everywhere, from uppper class homes to museums.
- Narkov 6y ago
  Very interesting. Can I ask what you pay for that service? Their website geo-redirects me to a local site so I can't check for myself.
- noelsusman 6y ago
  A ton of companies in the US offer this, including ADT. https://www.adt.com/patrol https://www.adt.com/patrol
marc__1 6y ago
I haven't seen anyone posting, but on the ADT investors relations website there is a presentation [1] and [2] webcast outlying the M&A rationale. Briefly speaking, it is to be expected product integration (starting with Google Cloud for ADT video) and in the future some 'automation' and newer products. By the way, can there be any 'synergies' between ADT and Fitbit? [1] https://s22.q4cdn.com/631128414/files/doc_presentations/2020/08/ADT-Google-Partnership-08.03.2020-Final.pdf https://s22.q4cdn.com/631128414/files/doc_presentations/2020... [2] https://investor.adt.com/events-and-presentations/events-calendar/event-details/2020/ADT-Partnership-Announcement-Conference-Call/default.aspx https://investor.adt.com/events-and-presentations/events-cal...

243 points by 80mph 6y ago

throwaway122378 6y ago

Well there goes me buying any ADT security products

firebird84 6y ago
I was literally going to call them today to monitor my house's pre-existing ADT (DSC I think?) system out of practicality. Now, I'm not so sure. Edit I wonder what modern solutions exist in this space for takeover of old systems. It feels like every alarm system installed is designed to extract your money for components for 3 years or so and then immediately become "discontinued." Most of the companies I see want me to buy a new system and lock into 3 years of monitoring. It wouldn't be so bad if the components weren't so damned expensive. $1k to fit out a small house, no smarthome nonsense even.
- cproctor 6y ago
  We just bought an old house that had been nicely taken cared for. There's an existing wired alarm system which must have taken a lot of work to install. I just installed my first server rack in the basement for network-attached storage and to run services locally, including Home Assistant [1]. I'm looking at Konnected [2], which makes an aftermarket alarm panel interface. I'd love to hear what else folks have done. - [1] https://www.home-assistant.io/ https://www.home-assistant.io/ - [2] https://konnected.io/ https://konnected.io/
  - firebird84 6y ago
    konnected.io looks fascinating. It seems to focus on wired systems, but I believe the system I own is just an "old" wireless system. I'll look for something similar for wireless systems. At least what I want seems possible!
- antoncohen 6y ago
  > Most of the companies I see want me to buy a new system and lock into 3 years of monitoring. That is why Comcast pushed hard into home security. Is there a significant value to home security companies, or is the whole industry a scam?
  - ocdtrekkie 6y ago
    Yeah, they can install a cheap TrendNet PoE switch and a handful of cheap offbrand cameras, and charge you for them monthly into perpetuity. After that contract point to repay for the equipment, it's highly profitable, as it turns one time costs into a recurring fee.
- donavanm 6y ago
  Its been a few years since I looked. But yeah.. basically all the consumer and general commercial monitoring is centralized to be handled by ADT. Hardware is all from honeywell or a few others. Companies like frontpoint etc handle customer acquisition, support, Billing, and distribution. Most of the “apps” and alarm system configuration is also reskinned ADT. There are a couple small companies that provide more access to your own hardware. You can use their centralized system to send yourself alerts etc. Having police/fire/medical dispatch gets back them paying ADT to process those alerts. If you want to start in this direction I was happy with suretyhome.com. Edit: regarding consumer hardware its all either zigbee or z-wave these days. A DIY system (like with surety) is generally all compatible and Id ball park more like $3-400 for hardware. If you use one of the bigger players they use custom firmware & lock down the panel/sensor management to ensure you pay them a nice markup.
- throwawayp123 6y ago
  Originally I had a local electric company take over our security system's sensors - it seems like the sensors are mostly standardized hardware where the sensors just read open or closed to some central hardware box, and the actual monitoring is handled by some third party. Might be worth investigating.It would have been a factor of ~1k more expensive to go with ADT for us. Ring Alarm does offer a "wired alarm takeover kit" apparently: https://shop.ring.com/products/retrofit-alarm-kit https://shop.ring.com/products/retrofit-alarm-kit
  - CedarMadness 6y ago
    This works if you have one of the wired systems, which are common on systems installed while the house was being built. All of the sensors are pretty easy to hook up, and there's even a DIY kit available from this company https://konnected.io/ https://konnected.io/ if you're into that sort of thing However, my alarm was added well after the house was built, and they used wireless sensors so they wouldn't have to open up any walls. These all use a proprietary protocol, which probably could be reverse engineered by someone smarter than me, but no drop in solutions exist. I am in the process of replacing all of them with Z-wave sensors to use with home-assistant, but removing them means re-painting all of the window trim.
lrem 6y ago
And what if Google buys 5% of every player in the market? ;)
- waihtis 6y ago
  Uhh.. start your own line of products?
- stevehawk 6y ago
  Install your own cameras?

culturestate 6y ago

I get it, it makes business sense - that’s a huge install base to push smart home products to. At the same time, I would have a hard time naming a company that I’d trust less to integrate into my home security than Google. Privacy, (lack of) customer service, service continuity...I know these aren’t issues that would worry most consumers but they would all be on my mind.

noad 6y ago
I'm trying to think of any company I would trust for a camera in my house and am drawing a blank. Google is pure evil for sure, but which company is better? It it even possible to roll your own LAN solution any more? The tech giants have become so hostile to anyone who dares to try to control their own data that I never even hear it discussed any more.
- ocdtrekkie 6y ago
  Most IP cameras support standard methods of accessing their video feeds. A program like iSpy will work fine, you just want to also have a firewall that will block your cameras' attempts to call home and not set up any cloud access.
  - _coveredInBees 6y ago
    Is that still true? I wanted to buy an IP camera to monitor our puppy's crate a few months back and I was shocked to find that pretty much all the cheapish IP cameras that used to support this a few years back have all moved to a cloud-only offering where you have to access your video via their app which streams your video to their cloud service (hard no). I was amazed that not a single product in the sub $100 range on Amazon seemed to support direct LAN access. I ended up going with the Wyze cam, which still has that issue, but I'd trust a bit more over the no-name Chinese brands still running 10 year old Linux kernels on their cameras.
    - ocdtrekkie 6y ago
      I referred to iSpy both because it's a great free/open product, but it also has an excellent camera database with all of the video feed URLs for different model cameras. Check it out: https://www.ispyconnect.com/sources.aspx https://www.ispyconnect.com/sources.aspx From my experience, many cameras won't publicize/document this information, but it's still available/possible for almost every one.

xen2xen1 6y ago

Ring ring. Seriously, who doesn't think this is because of the popularity of the Ring ecosystem?

smashah 6y ago

Neutral news. I just hope this results in new products launching quickly. The nest Yale partnership is disappointing to say the least. Despite the naysayers, this can be a successful step in the right direction for nest as an ecosystem

nojito 6y ago

Home Security Systems are largely marketing gimmicks. I wonder if any of Google's large "diversification" pushes have yielded success?

athenot 6y ago

I'm on a "low Google diet" myself as I'm not at all a fan of how my data gets scooped up and resold. That being said, while I disagree with their business practices, I think their information security is one of the best. For contrast, imagine Equifax running your home security... :)

waihtis 6y ago
Its not an infosec problem, but a privacy problem
- antoncohen 6y ago
  In what way? What privacy breach are you worried about? For example are you worried that a real human at your home security company will be invading your privacy? When they do are you worried that real human will take personal action against you? Or are you worried about automated systems building knowledge about your life based on home security data? Or are you worried about your home security data used in aggregate? Maybe you are worried about attackers getting access? Internal infosec and privacy controls/policies are required to protect you from some of these. Some of these threats may be more likely from Google, but I'd say some of them are more likely from other home security providers (keep in mind that a lot of home security products are actually intended to have another human monitoring your home).
  - anamexis 6y ago
    I would say these are the obvious ones for Google: > Or are you worried about automated systems building knowledge about your life based on home security data? Or are you worried about your home security data used in aggregate?
  - ortvlwm8gcfpeu 6y ago
    I worry about the next disaffected Level 6 white supremacist doing a data dump out of Mountain View to dox all of “those people” he deems unworthy.
  - jcims 6y ago

abstractbarista 6y ago

Seems like a bad idea to me. But I'm someone who would never use or recommend ADT in the first place. People don't seem to realize... You can run your own serious alarm system (DSC is a great brand) and then self-monitor with devices like the Envisalink. This integrates with Home Assistant too. All the awesome functionality for $0/mo.

waihtis 6y ago
You could build a lot of things yourself, but there is a limited scope of things people have the time and skills to build
overcast 6y ago
Dang, you must build your own homes, cars, and computers too! I bet you even raise your own livestock and sow your own fields! Everything you just said there would make 99.999999% of peoples eyes glaze over.
- dang 6y ago
  Please stop being an asshole in HN comments. You've done it more than once recently. We ban accounts that do that, and have had to warn you about this before. If you wouldn't mind reviewing https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and taking the intended spirit of this site to heart, we'd be grateful.
  - overcast 6y ago
    I appreciate your patience in dealing with my sarcastic tone, and the amount of nonsense you must put with over the years. But please don't personally attack me with name calling. Like the guide says, "1 + 1 is 2, not 3." So thanks for bringing this to my attention, I will do better!
    - dang 6y ago
      I know it's highly open to interpretation, but when I make a remark like "please stop being an asshole in HN comments", I specifically phrase it that way to be a comment about behavior, not person. The choice of the word 'asshole' is not accidental, either—it's a degree more intense than 'jerk', and I use it when the comment and/or the prior history of the account seem to warrant a more intense signal. Sort of like a yellow card vs. a red card: https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&query=by%3Adang%20jerk&sort=byDate&type=comment https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&que... https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&query=by%3Adang%20asshole&sort=byDate&type=comment https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&que... I hear you that it wasn't helpful in this case and appreciate the even-keeled reaction!

sradman 6y ago

Google's blog post A partnership with ADT for smarter home security [1] [1] https://blog.google/products/google-nest/partnership-adt-smarter-home-security/ https://blog.google/products/google-nest/partnership-adt-sma...

MattGaiser 6y ago

I am fascinated at the anti-Google attitude here. Why exactly do you think some other home security company would not also use your data? Except they will secure it poorly with a default password.

ocdtrekkie 6y ago
Fundamentally, the reason I'd rather anyone but Google have my private data is Google's ability to use it effectively. Many companies can vacuum up data, few are prepared to do anything intelligent with it. Not only does Google have far more data, it's able to use it. That makes them way scarier than ADT.
- sumtechguy 6y ago
  I used to work on systems like this. The thing is there is a lot of data. But no effective or even interesting ways to use that data. My guess they want to get into the 'home automation' bits. Which is a huge money sink and really not that interesting. They also need to be willing to do something more than on a 2-3 year time frame. I have things in my house that are 25+ years old. I zero plans on replacing them. My parents have a house that is 80 years old. They also have zero plans on replacing things. For the embedded market which is where ADT sits they need to be thinking 10-15 year time frames. They also need to think in the 'fail usable' state. If my internet goes out and I can not get my garage door open I am not happy and that thing will be on the way to the garbage bin. They also probably want in on that monthly recurring lease on equipment you do not really own.
  - ocdtrekkie 6y ago
    I think when you combine data about doors opening and closing, security system status (home/away/stay) and existing data for location history and the like, it presents a lot more accuracy to people's routines, which can potentially be leveraged to sell ads. I don't feel like that data is easily monetizable to a company like ADT, but is likely very monetizable to Google.

gigatexal 6y ago

I like Google. The search engine is amazing. BigQuery is awesome — it’s really something only a Google could pull off — but, but, I think this might be DOA for the same reasons that make Google search and ads so good: the data. I don’t want Google in my home like this with a view of everything coming in and going out (yes yes they can already see the amazon orders in my gmail account, but still) or who is coming or going.

TheSoftwareGuy 6y ago

Interesting. 6.6% seems like a pretty insignificant investment. Does anybody have any idea what 6.6% could really get them?

JimRyan 6y ago
Private information about the operation of the company which they can use themselves to compete with them. I'd certainly be very worried.
- vdfs 6y ago
  Then shutdown their competing offering in 2-3 years once it's mature and have a user base
DesiLurker 6y ago
yes but how many times you think it will make a headline when google slowly increases stake in adt while simultaneously pumping in preferred deals for relevant data. I fully expect nest to have deep integration into adt going forward.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

batt4good 6y ago

Potentially a questionable investment with the police being abolished?

cpwright 6y ago

Lots of the comments don't trust Google, but I'm not sure I would trust ADT. I was looking to buy a house, which had an ADT system installed. I just called them up, asked about the address, how much monitoring would cost, etc. and they told me what kind of panel, sensors, etc. were installed at the house. No verification at all. Clearly this would help with their sales, but from the perspective of someone who owns the system; I would not want them to give out details of my security system to anyone.

selykg 6y ago
These types of home security systems are more a deterrent than they are anything else. In fact, the ONLY reason I think I'd personally invest in would be automated alerts for fire or emergency situations. If someone wants into your house, they will get into your house. There's giant glass windows in most homes these days and door locks are hardly much more than a speed bump. All you should look at ADT for is simply making you not the easiest house to get into. But if someone wants into your house, a security system is unlikely to be something that stops them. Edit: to be more clear, I think the deterrent part is the equivalent of putting an ADT sign in a window or nearby. THAT is the deterrent, not the system itself.
- pc86 6y ago
  This is true and is actually one of the ways they sell the system. About five days after we bought our home the ADT salesman came to the door and after seeing that we were on the fence used this as another argument. Like you, I really only wanted it for the fire detection, and the fact that the panel has an emergency button and is located in the back but with clear line of sight to the front door. We did have one break in during the 8 years we lived there, but the German Shepard was what stopped them, not the alarm sign in the yard.
  - selykg 6y ago
    Yea, all the sign does, for someone motivated enough, is tell them how much time they have. "Okay, they have a security system. Break in, grab the tv, grab the other stuff that's visible and worth something, then run" At the end of the day... it will deter those that aren't interested in dealing with it. And for those that aren't deterred it just gives them the info they need to know it's a smash, grab and run situation.

jvm___ 6y ago

Telus in Canada bought ADT Canada to add to their line of home security and home health monitoring.

sanguy 6y ago

Will they tank this like Nest and the prior home HW vendors. Google is a data mining company. Nothing more, noting less. We are the product. You are stupid to allow them into your home.

calimac 6y ago

gross

huphtur 6y ago

For those "loving" the ADT home security commercials, check out the story of "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" by Eiffel 65 https://youtu.be/epnsRRPtoeU https://youtu.be/epnsRRPtoeU

diogenescynic 6y ago

Google is an awful service provider. Ever had a Gmail account get hijacked? Good luck getting it back. Google doesn't give a crap about helping its "customers" because its products are free so they have this awful take it or leave it attitude. You can't rely on that. They did the same thing to Nest. They'd change your thermostat and shut things down, potentially at your home's risk. Just a really careless and inconsiderate company who I avoid doing business with.

kbos87 6y ago

ADT’s pricing and go-to-market approach is draconian in 2020. Long term contracts, expensive equipment, and high pressure sales tactics couldn’t be any different than my experience with a Nest home security system. Will be interesting to see if and how ADT evolves because of the ownership stake.

ec109685 6y ago
I agree. They want a two year commitment and $55 a month, plus $1000 for the installation. That is absurd for what their monitoring service entails.
kps 6y ago
Hmm, so an ADT sticker will discourage burglars but encourage conmen?

carterklein13 6y ago

One of my biggest worries with this is that it will shut ADT off to all future integrations outside of the Google ecosystem. I believe that if ADT wants to stay competitive, they would hugely benefit from a swath of integrations with different vendors doing different things to allow for a modular home security experience. I'm not sure that partnering with Google really accomplishes that... at least not on its own.

annoyingnoob 6y ago

Pushing spy tools into more places, yuck.

tclancy 6y ago

Be a hell of a thing to discover they shut the division down two years later just as someone comes through the window.

kyrra 6y ago

(Googler, opinions are my own) I wonder what this says for the Google/Nest Security product future. The existing Nest Secure[0] is a well designed product, but also rather limiting (only one base unit, which is frustrating for houses with multiple entrances, or large houses). The Nest Secure was released ~3 years ago, and there have been some minor feature improvements, but no hardware additions or changes. [0] https://store.google.com/us/product/nest_secure_alarm_system https://store.google.com/us/product/nest_secure_alarm_system

ec109685 6y ago
It seems like Ring is innovating more in this area and their monthly monitoring fee is only $10, and hardware cheaper. Secure was pretty easy to setup, so would be unfortunate if they cancelled and seeded DIY to Ring.
- tomschlick 6y ago
  Everything google does on the home side just seems like pet projects that they abandon 2 years later as they consolidate and change names once again. Meanwhile, Amazon/Ring is killing it coming out with more models, sizes, colors, features, etc.
tmpz22 6y ago
I intentionally avoided Nest products like the plague when replacing my parents smoke alarms due to many stories like this [1][2]. Poor leadership and smart home devices do not a good marriage make. [1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11832828 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11832828 [2]: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nest-camera-hacked-hacker-spoke-to-baby-hurled-obscenities-at-couple-using-nest-camera-dad-says/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nest-camera-hacked-hacker-spoke...
- kyrra 6y ago
  (googler, opinions are my own) I honestly like bradfitz's youtube video the best to show the Nest Protect (the smoke alarm) issues[0]. They have since fixed these issues, as this was the gen one protect. For your #2 (no insider knowledge), that looks like people's accounts getting hacked and then the hackers talking through them. All home camera cloud based cameras have had these cases. I think Nest moving to Google account login system for Nest is probably the best protection against this kind of thing happening. Account takeovers happen, and guarding against them at scale is hard (especially when people reuse passwords). For #1, I think the culture has changed a lot as it's been absorbed into Google's hardware division. Hopefully it's better, but I couldn't say anything of value there. [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpsMkLaEiOY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpsMkLaEiOY (warning, loud video)

exabrial 6y ago

Remember: Google doesn't think they're invading your privacy when they are making money on it. It's only a violation of privacy if their competition is making money on your privacy.

mtgx 6y ago

> in home security push Don't you mean in home spying push? This really what it's about. Stealing consumers' data and exploiting it.

jhallenworld 6y ago

One thing missing in this area is a low cost combined alarm and home automation. Some have nice home automation (Smart Things, for example), others have a nice alarm system (Ring). But nobody has a good combination of both together. At least part of the problem is that the alarm system does not want to trust third party devices for triggering the alarm. This means that they are treated as second class citizens. So an example of this is that I have water monitors and a water main shutoff valve that works with Smart Things. But Smart Things doesn't have an alarm, and Ring doesn't support the water monitor and shutoff valve.. Not sure I'm happy with ADT, since they are expensive (per month monitoring). But they do have name brand recognition.

cloudking 6y ago
Check out Home Assistant, it can pull off the automations you describe. You can run it on a Raspberry Pi 4 https://www.home-assistant.io/ https://www.home-assistant.io/

dmode 6y ago

ADT is a near scam home security company who force you into signing aggressive 3 yr contracts

dikaio 6y ago

Unfortunately ADT is the worst security company out there or in the US for that matter. Garbage.

C19is20 6y ago
I'm in Europe. Interested in your comment. Got a source, or any further info?

justicezyx 6y ago

If Google pursued github and tiktok like msft I'll be more optimistic. ADT? Not sure what they wanted here...

sjbrown 6y ago

"Home" security? ADT has cameras, door sensors, medical alerting "pendandts" etc. installed in many more places than private homes. This deal seems more about sensors and new streams of incoming data for Google.

heimatau 6y ago

Wow. Crazy. Google is starting to leverage their position. They now selling 12.8x this buy in corporate bonds. I think this is the beginning of many plays by Google/Alphabet. [1] - https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1290338641919856640 https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1290338641919856640

gabagool 6y ago
What does this mean? I clicked on your link. I'm also not sure what "SELL $5.75 BILLION OF ESG BONDS IN CORPORATE RECORD" means?
- texasbigdata 6y ago
  Probably the implication is that with really cheap funding (bonds) they can swash buckle across corporate america and buy stuff? It's most likely a coincidence. Google had $120B of cash on its balance sheet at 12/31/19.
- kissickas 6y ago
  Alphabet is selling some record amount of corporate bonds, which OP states they're using to finance this purchase (and that they raised 12.8 times this amount so there's plenty left to make more acquisitions). More detail on Alphabet's bond sale: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/alphabet-borrowing-575-billion-in-largest-corporate-esg-bond/2020/08/03/f483a1de-d595-11ea-a788-2ce86ce81129_story.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/al...

justaguy88 6y ago

This makes me uncomfortable

DesiLurker 6y ago

Well great, if the thief carries a android phone for the first time in history of mankind google would be able to run machine learning algos to predict where the crime is going to be committed. /s personally I would be more worried about ADT getting google data. plus ADT has tie-ins with many police depts. this could go south really fast from here. Also, google already has fitbit data so google is slowly spreading its tentacles into our life in real world much more so than FB. honestly I feel like I need to minimize my google usage right-bloody-now. a slightly better web search is not worth all that shit it comes with.

jedberg 6y ago

There was an article where they interviewed a bunch of burglars and asked them the best way to secure your house. First they listed off all the things that don't work, like alarms and cameras. Then they said: - Number one, have a TV on. If they see a TV on they assume people are home and watching. - Get a big dog. If they have to choose between a house with a dog and one without, they'll chose the one without. - Get motion activated security lights. Always-on lights just provide extra light for breaking in, the motion sensors draw attention (although most robberies happen during the day so it's sort of a moot point).

Upvoter33 6y ago
Someone needs to put these things together: motion activated dog barking plus auto-turning your TV on. HNer's, get to work!
- ncr100 6y ago
  > motion activated dog barking plus auto-turning your TV on Call it "Release the Hounds".
  - beenBoutIT 6y ago
    Add in weaponized paint cans falling from stairwells and call it 'k.McCallister'.
smaili 6y ago
Playing devil's advocate but assuming they're being truthful what's in it for them to expose the very strategies they use?
- Pfhreak 6y ago
  I would assume so. Pride and bragging about how easy something is would lead a lot of folks to just straight up tell you how they've outsmarted security gear. Humans will always be humans, and humans LOVE to tell you how they've beat the system.

pseingatl 6y ago

Get a fumigation sign. The skull and crossbones and threat of death by toxic asphyxiation will keep all but the most determined burglar away.Few burglars go out on a job with respirators. Add a bit about asbestos being found "on site." An ADT sign is nothing but an "all clear." The police won't help, they're too busy selling drugs, forfeiting automobiles and investigating possible misdemeanor counterfeit bill passing cases.

jdeibele 6y ago

I had bought a new Nest thermostat and was going to install it at about the time that Google went from having different things Nest-integrated to having them be Google-integrated. I chose to sell my thermostat to somebody and buy an Ecobee specifically because Ecobee wasn't owned by Google or Amazon. So far Amazon seems like its treating its acquisitions better as far as customers are concerned. Ecobee does make a model with Alexa built-in but I got an older one that doesn't have that. I am really tempted to buy some Eufy 2K cameras, which I hear are decent quality and integrate with Homekit. Apple has tougher security requirements than Google or Amazon and the products that meet it seem better, even if more expensive.

DevKoala 6y ago

ADT came pre-installed in my house. I deactivated it, and want to remove it fully, but I haven’t gotten around it.

rednerrus 6y ago

If you're planning on doing away with public police, private home security is going to be BIG business.

gnicholas 6y ago

Huh, looks like Google used to offer a cellular-based backup option, but cut it off a few months ago. Some folks were upset that the only way to get that now is to pay Brinks ($29/mo or $20/mo with 3-yr contract). I assume the Brinks deal will be phased out and ADT will replace it? Given what people are saying about ADT's pricing, hopefully their offer will be no more expensive than Brinks'.

throwaway6000 6y ago

one of Google's best idea.

Danieru 6y ago

ADT and other American security is broken. They are missing the hard part of an active security system: response. In Japan there is a company called Secom. This company has a near monopoly on security systems. They have this monopoly because instead of just calling the cops they have staff on patrol who respond to alarms. You can imagine the install base moat required to have active personal patroling constantly. The end result is alarms get checked. Every time we mis-unlocked our office a Secom person would stop by soon after to check. No idle phone calls from a phone center, the staff checked the premise themselves. Of course similar services must exist in the states for businesses, but without the install base they cannot be priced reasonable for home use. Secom is used everywhere, from uppper class homes to museums.

Narkov 6y ago
Very interesting. Can I ask what you pay for that service? Their website geo-redirects me to a local site so I can't check for myself.
noelsusman 6y ago
A ton of companies in the US offer this, including ADT. https://www.adt.com/patrol https://www.adt.com/patrol

marc__1 6y ago

I haven't seen anyone posting, but on the ADT investors relations website there is a presentation [1] and [2] webcast outlying the M&A rationale. Briefly speaking, it is to be expected product integration (starting with Google Cloud for ADT video) and in the future some 'automation' and newer products. By the way, can there be any 'synergies' between ADT and Fitbit? [1] https://s22.q4cdn.com/631128414/files/doc_presentations/2020/08/ADT-Google-Partnership-08.03.2020-Final.pdf https://s22.q4cdn.com/631128414/files/doc_presentations/2020... [2] https://investor.adt.com/events-and-presentations/events-calendar/event-details/2020/ADT-Partnership-Announcement-Conference-Call/default.aspx https://investor.adt.com/events-and-presentations/events-cal...