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‘Home Automation’ Stories

Insteon Hub automates your home using iPhone or Android apps

, May 15th 2013 Discuss [0]

Home automation is one of those technologies that a lot of people find interesting, but perceived complexity and cost keeps a lot of people from actually checking it out. Home automation allows you to do all sorts of things such as control lights or outlets at your home when far away or when nearby. I think most of us could appreciate the convenience of being able to turn off the lights upstairs when you're in bed downstairs and don't feel like getting up. Read The Full Story

AT&T rolls out Digital Life home management system, offers it in 15 markets

, Apr 26th 2013 Discuss [0]

It could be said that one day every home will have automation features - it only makes sense given the increasingly wireless and mobile nature of technology and our lives in general. AT&T has gotten into the market, rolling out its Digital Life home management and automation system for the first time. For now, the service is available in 15 markets, with plans to roll it out in 50 markets by the end of the year. Read The Full Story

Honeywell shows off new Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat

, Apr 11th 2013 Discuss [0]

I don't think anybody really gave their thermostat much thought before Nest unveiled its cool little round Wi-Fi programmable unit. That Nest thermostat really kicked off a market for cool programmable thermostat that you to connect to them using your mobile device or computer. Honeywell has now announced a new Wi-Fi programmable thermostat that aims to compete with the Nest offering. Read The Full Story

Philips opens hue connected lighting to devs with iOS API

, Mar 11th 2013 Discuss [0]

Philips has opened up its hue LED lighting system to external developers, allowing coders outside of the company to tap into the multicolored wireless bulbs and link them into new apps and web services. The new hue API, as well as an iOS app development kit, will allow for hue-compatible apps - such as custom color temperature systems for photographers, color alerts linked with social networks like Facebook, and more - to be released directly into the App Store. Meanwhile, Philips too is working on adding native features, some of which we can expect in the next few months. Read The Full Story

Belkin drops two new WeMo Android-controlled light options at CES

, Jan 6th 2013 Discuss [0]

Today the folks from Belkin are expanding on their WiFi enabled household light products. Their WeMo home-automation has continued to improve already in 2013, and today in Las Vegas for CES Belkin announced two new Android-controlled options. We knew home automation would be a big part of the show so read on for more details. Read The Full Story

Schlage shows off new Touchscreen Deadbolt

, Jan 4th 2013 Discuss [0]

Schlage is one the largest makers of deadbolts and other door locking hardware on the market. The company has offered some rather high-tech door locks in the past that use a keypad allowing you to unlock the door without a key. The company has unveiled a new line of touchscreen deadbolts that offer interesting home automation capabilities. Read The Full Story

Apple, Google & Microsoft tipped in talks with ex-Slingbox chief’s home automation firm

, Dec 21st 2012 Discuss [0]

Apple, Google, and Microsoft are all believed to be circling home automation startup R2 Studios with potential acquisition in mind, as each weighs a push in the growing wired-home market. Established in 2011 by Slingbox founder Blake Krikorian, R2 Studios so far has a single product out - an Android app intended to turn phones and tablets into a universal remote for Crestron home automation kit - but according to the WSJ's sources has already caught the attention of some industry heavyweights. Read The Full Story

vivint Home Automation and Security System Review

, Dec 17th 2012 Discuss [0]

Home security and automation is many a geek’s dream and many a DIY enthusiast’s nightmare. Ambitious plans for interconnected security, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) and automation systems can easily descend into a chaos of poorly-compatible hardware and unreliable stability. The alarm system that trips every other night is the system that gets turned off permanently. Vivint offers an alternative route: much of the flexibility and convenience of the DIY approach, thanks to a modular setup of wireless components, but the reassurance of pro-installation and 24/7 monitoring. Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

vivinta

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Sharp Cocorobo robot vacuum gets smartphone app and control over your TV

, Nov 21st 2012 Discuss [0]

Sharp has revealed a new part of its Cocorobo smart home system, the RX-V60 robot vacuum cleaner, which can not only get rid of dust-bunnies under your couch, but send before/after photos to your smartphone. The smaller 'bot is now 29.7cm in diameter - 4.7cm less than the model it replaces - for easier scooting between table legs, and now works with a "Cocorobo Square" app that can be used to lay out floorplans, sketch precise cleaning patterns, and review photos while you're away from home. Meanwhile, an optional remote attachment, the Cocorobo Navi, can give the RV-V60 control over your TV and other appliances. Read The Full Story

Tado takes on Nest with smartphone-controlled intelligent heating

, Nov 14th 2012 Discuss [0]

Smart thermostat company Nest has a new challenger hoping to heat your home, with German start-up Tado aiming to put smartphones and tablets in control of your HVAC. Rather than the iPod-educated, display toting wall box Nest is centered around, Tado relies on your mobile device for communication and control, and limits the thermostat to a few simple buttons. And, because you usually have your smartphone on you, Tado knows when to shut off the heating when you're leaving the house, or when to turn it back on when you're on your way home. Read The Full Story

Lumen Smart Bulb seeks funding

, Nov 13th 2012 Discuss [0]

Not too long ago Phillips unveiled its green LED bulb called the Hue. The coolest part about the Hue was that it was designed to use a standard socket and can be turned on or off as well as being color controllable via an app from your smart phone. A company called Lumination is looking to bring a very similar competing product to market called the Lumen. Read The Full Story

Philips hue iPad-controlled LED lightbulbs hands-on

, Oct 29th 2012 Discuss [0]

Colored LED lighting that could be remotely controlled used to take professional installation and thousands of dollars; now, Philips’ new hue system makes it as easy as screwing in a bulb. On sale on Tuesday – initially exclusively through Apple Stores – the hue bulbs screw into a regular ES fitting and are remotely controlled from iOS or Android apps over a ZigBee connection, either locally around the home or (handy if you’ve left the lights on while you’re on holiday) anywhere with an internet connection. They’re hardly a cheap replacement to a standard incandescent bulb, though, so we spent some time with Philips to find out why hue is special, and how the system could actually make us happier or more productive.

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