How to connect your garage door opener to other devices

Now, your garage can listen to you.

Hoffman Estates-based Sears' Craftsman brand this week launched a new garage door opener called AssureLink that connects to your iPhone, iPad, Android devices, laptop or PC.

Now, you can close your garage door from anywhere you have an Internet connection. No need to drive back home or get out of bed, if you forgot to close it.

“All you'll need is in the box,” said Derek Voigt, Sears product director. And of course, an Internet connection, even if that means using a router and Ethernet cable at home.”

Sears offers two versions of AssureLink, the chain drive garage door opener for $289.99 and the belt drive garage door opener with a DieHard battery backup for $329.99.

The only thing free is the app, which you can download for an iPhone, and Android device.

You'll start paying an annual activation fee starting in the second year for $19.99 a year.

Sears also said the opener is secure, using safety measures and sensors to detect any obstructions in the way of the closing door. You'll see a graphic display on your device that indicates if the door is up or down, said Voigt.

“People leave a lot of valuable property in their garage,” said Voigt. “So this is one way to help protect that.”

Surfing: Northfield-based Talk3 is seeking Beta testers for its soft launch of Knakks, a new social mobile app that's available for download at Apple's App Store. Knakks aims to help consumers control how information is gathered and shared with marketers.

Ÿ Verizon Wireless, which has its Midwest headquarters in Schaumburg, and Libertyville-based Motorola Mobility Inc. now have the Xoom 4G LTE upgrade available for existing Motorola Xoom customers. Then it's in Verizon Wireless stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com beginning Oct. 13 for $499.99 with a new two-year contract.

Ÿ Chicago-based U.S. Cellular said the HTC Wildfire S ($79.99) and the HTC Hero S ($199.99) smartphones and the HTC Flyer tablet ($399.99) will arrive in stores next month. Each price is after $100 rebates and required the purchase of a data plan.

Ÿ Bensenville-based Earthwise Environmental Inc., an eco-conscious water treatment firm, has relaunched its website with new features and client applications.

Ÿ AT&T, which has its Midwest headquarters in Hoffman Estates, has added cell towers in Libertyville, to improve coverage along Milwaukee Avenue, River Road and the Tri-State Tollway, as well as Northbrook, to boost coverage along Techny, Willow and Sanders roads.

Ÿ Niles-based The Mitchell Group, a distributor of faux leather upholstery, has launched a website to display its brands and collections.

Ÿ Skokie-based Peapod, the online grocer, is partnering with Giant Food Stores in Philadelphia to serve that state, as well as Delaware, and southern Montgomery, Penn., counties.

Ÿ Highland Park-based Web2Carz.com offers a free, full-service vehicle research portal for new and used cars, reviews, quotes, buyer tips and options for car financing.

Ÿ Follow Anna Marie Kukec on LinkedIn and Facebook and as AMKukec on Twitter. Write to her at akukec@dailyherald.com.