Swidget Modular Smart Outlet

Google might have given up on the idea of a modular smartphone, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be other modular things. Swidget, which started life as a Kickstarter campaign, is a modular outlet concept that’s unlike any other smart outlets out there.

If you don’t know what they are, smart outlets are plugs that can communicate with your smartphone in order to control it.

To be clear, smart outlets aren’t a novelty in this day and age. There are excellent choices already available for the smart home-savvy, like the Belkin Wemo Insight Switch. Some people also prefer the Insteon On/Off Outlet. The point is, there are already lots of options.

Swidget, however, is the first one to feature modular outlets. That’s just a fancy word meaning you can take individual pieces and shuffle them around as you please. More notably, Swidget outlets offer more than just basic controls like turning devices on or off. The platform includes a ton of modular inserts that perform a variety of functions.

There’s a modular inset for motion sensing. Then one for detecting carbon monoxide levels in a room. There’s also a modular insert that checks the temperature and humidity of a given area. You’ll find a security camera modular insert as well, and of course, a USB charger. So on and so forth.

The idea is you’ll be able to quickly swap between these modules with minimal friction. The best part? They’ll come in both Wi-Fi and Z-Wave versions. The Wi-Fi ones are designed to work directly with the companion Swidget app. The Z-Wave ones, however, require a compatible smart home hub like SmartThings.