Sequentric Energy Systems signed a distribution agreement with one of America’s largest electric utilities distributor, HD Supply Utilities. Under the agreement, HD Supply Utilities will resell and integrate the full suite of Sequentric smart grid solutions to its electric customers. 

The Sequentric smart grid range of products are a complete package which comprise of hardware and software backed by services including an end-to-end demand response solutions.

In a move to make whole home automation a part of its standard option for new home development US home builder Holmes Home is working with Control4, the home control and automation specialist. Through the collaboration Holmes Home will offer a complete Control4 home automation system to homeowners as a standard feature in an affordable new housing development in Daybreak, a sustainable community located near Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Diffusion Group (TDG) has release a new report entitled “The In-Home CE Ecosystem of U.S. Broadband Households: 2010”. The report highlights the shift of the connected device from the home office to the living room where more devices are connected. It compares the location of hubs, routers and gateways in today’s homes with those of a few years ago. It looks at the shift also in terms of the types of content that is consume, how it is more web/internet centric.

Western Digital has introduced three new external hard drives; My Passport Essential portable hard drive, My Passport Essential SE portable hard drive, and My Book Essential external hard drive. All three drive families come in a variety of capacities and offer USB 3.0 connectivity, the latest and fastest USB connection. Also available is the highest industry capacity, which is available at 3TB, in addition to 1 and 2 TB capacities.

Helix Wind, a global renewable energy company has announced the release of its next generation Wind Turbine Monitoring System (WTMS). Helix Wind has significantly improved its smart grid technology, which monitors performance and uptime of Helix Wind Savonius turbines and connected power electronics. The latest release of the WTMS will be available for shipment within the next 30 days.  New WTMS hardware will embrace a smaller footprint and unveils a robust and refined web-interface that can be accessed from a computer's web browser online anytime, anywhere.

ADT Security has released the ADT Pulse, a new interactive smart home touch screen solution. The ADT Pulse will provide anytime and anywhere access to your home security system via computer, iPhone or smartphone. ADT Pulse can be integrated into your whole home automation solution, so you can manage light, temperature, get security alerts and more.  It is built around Z-Wave open standard and will support other home automation solutions.

Like Sony QNAP has released a network multimedia player, called the NMP-1000P Network Media Player, according to QNAP the NMP-1000P is design for audiophiles and AV enthusiasts.  It is capable of delivering full 1080p HD video backed by Dolby and DTS multi-Channel surround sound. IT offers expandable storage and is accessible through wire and wire from a PC, Mac, Linux/UNIX for easy and convenient file sharing.

Netgem and Toshiba have collaborated on a multifunction adapter to offer “Toshiba Places” for the French market. Through this new multifunction device French users will be able to access online services from their television.  The “Toshiba Places” was designed to optimised the TV experience, through it you can access a range of entertainment services, which include the ability to share your digital content (multimedia) with friends and relatives and watch video-on-demand.

In an effort to help and reduce the level of Carbon in the environment Hitachi and Panasonic are to join their respective technological knowhow to create products for the smart grid sector.  Both companies will jointly develop products and standardisation initiative within the smart grid community. The agreement is both companies are to establish a cooperative relationship in the smart community-related business in the global market with a goal of helping to realise a low-carbon society.

The RX-V867 is the latest in the 67 series of low to mid-market AV receivers. The RX-V867 is packed with some of the latest in AV connectivity, sound distribution and more. As a mid-market receiver it is up there with Sony, Denon, Onkyo and others in-terms of features such as 3D support, HDMI output and networking capabilities. It is already available online from Yamaha and Yamaha authorized dealers for an estimated price of $899.95.