Quirky joins forces with GE to expand its smarthome offerings

Quirky and General Electric revealed seven new smart-home products, making their biggest push yet to try convincing consumers that the connected home is something they soon won’t be able to live without. “Each of these represent the building blocks of an affordable and accessible” smart home, Quirky CEO Ben Kaufman said Tuesday at his company’s Manhattan headquarters. Among the new products was Tripper, a sensor that can be put on any window or door and know if it’s opened or closed. A two-pack of Tripper will cost $40. Kaufman also claimed it developed “the death of the thermostat,” a white box called Norm that regulates humidity and temperature using a series of sensors throughout the home. Norm, which costs $80, can be controlled through a smartphone. A bevy of technology companies have been working to develop the smart home, a broad concept of making appliances, lights and switches connected to the Internet, while also adding more sensors to doors, windows and rooms around the house.