# Hub-Replacing Connective Panels This Smart Home Controller Connects Your Smart Home Devices By Alyson Wyers | Published 2014-09-23 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-home-controller References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/3036092/innovation-by-design/quirky-spin-out-wink-launches-touchscreen-controller-for-your-smarthome) & [quirky](https://www.quirky.com/shop) In an effort to make the smart home a more mainstream concept among consumers, startup Quirky is launching a smartphone sized touch screen smart home controller. Relay does away with standard hubs that connect all your devices. Instead, the panel can be installed like a conventional light switch. This invention connects more than [100 different smart home gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-smart-home) from partnering brands as well. The smart home controller is from the same company that developed the Wink app with [GE](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cync-reveal) and is essentially Wink created for a new format. The $300 control pad also has movement sensors that will light up when someone approaches the display, a built-in voice recording system so people can leave messages for each other and two programmable buttons to control lights or other appliances with a tap. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 22% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Smart Home Controllers:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating alternative smart home control solutions that eliminate the need for traditional hubs. - **Conventional Light Switches:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in developing touch screen panels that can replace traditional light switches and serve as smart home controllers. - **Integration of Smart Home Gadgets:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating platforms or devices that can seamlessly integrate and control multiple smart home devices from different brands. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Smart Home Technology:** The smart home technology industry can explore new ways of developing smart home controllers without the need for standard hubs. - **Home Automation:** The home automation industry can focus on creating touch screen panels that can replace conventional light switches and serve as control centers for smart home devices. - **Internet of Things (iot):** The IoT industry can work on integrating multiple smart home gadgets from different brands into a single control platform or device. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Centralized Smart Home Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shelly-wall-display-x2i.md) - [Physical Smart Home Controllers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flic-twist.md) - [Advanced Smart Home Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-home-interfaces.md) - [Smart Home Controller Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/universal-remote-controller.md) - [Omni-Control Smart Home Remotes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/linxura-smart-home-controller.md) - [AI-Powered Smart Home Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samsung-home-hub.md) - [Gamified Smart Home Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/majordom-smart-home-hub.md) - [Climate-Controlling Smart Home Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hub2.md) - [Plug-And-Play Smart Home Technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-switch1.md)