A new HomeKit enabled smart plug has appeared this month in the FCC’s database with the name of the Popa F2 Smart Outlet. While yet another smart plug isn’t usually the biggest of news, some of the details behind it are, as HomeKit fans may already have a plug similar in their homes. The smart outlet, which appears to be from the same manufacturer (Foneric Electronics) behind VOCOlinc’s line of HomeKit accessories, and has essentially the same compact form factor and features of the SmartBar from the popular low-cost device maker.
Popa F2 HomeKit Smart Outlet
Digging for information surrounding the new brand has pretty much come up empty of details, as there is no website that we could find for Popa. However, we were able to locate the associated POPA App, which has been available for just a couple of weeks and has seen one update already. Just like with the Popa F2’s design, the POPA App shares the same visual styling that VOCOlinc uses with a colorful brushed metal icon on its Linkwise App, albeit with a different color, and a pretty much identical navigation theme and layout. The user manual, also available in the FCC listing, again shows off the same similarities to VOCOlinc’s packaging, suggesting that this new name could be a potential re-branding of VOCOlinc, or perhaps just a new way to diversify offerings from Foneric Electronics.
The F2 Smart Outlet has an all-white design, with soft rounded corners in the familiar compact frame. There is a small LED indicator light in the upper right-hand corner, and along the side of the plug is a button for toggling on and off the device manually. The outlet utilizes Wi-Fi for connectivity (2.4ghz networks only), and it is rated for up to 15amps and 1,800 Watts of power. Measurements are roughly shown to be around 3.1″ x 1.9″, and the entire plug is rated for indoor usage only.
We will be keeping a close eye on the Popa F2 over the coming months, to see just how it all plays out. What do you think of the Popa F2 Smart Outlet?
