Savant Systems, an Apple-based home automation and control system has file a complaint against Crestron, also an residential and commercial building automation and control systems manufacturer, in a Massachusetts District Court. The complaint file by Savant claimed that Crestron has unlawfully sought to exclude Savant from the network of dealers who can purchase programmable controllers for residential and commercial automation.
Coming next month is the Sony 'Network Media Player' SMP-N100, a compact media player for BRAVIA Internet Video and whole home content streaming. It is DLNA compliant and Wi-Fi accessible, a complement to your existing Sony appliances and other home entertainment systems. The SMP-N100 can be use to access YouTube, catch-up TV platforms and movies. Especially for YouTube, you can stream it to your HDTV, and it's all accessed through the XrossMedia Bar on-screen menus or via free apps for the iPhone/iPod Touch and Android-based devices.
This month CEDIA show saw the release of some of the world’s best home theatre projectors from Sony, Epson, Mitsubishi and LG Electronics. Sony introduced the company’s first 3D front projector (VPL-VW90ES); Mitsubishi debuts its entry level HC4000 HD home theatre projector; LG Electronics introduced a dual engine single lens full HD 3D projector and Epson, released a total of seven projectors in the PowerLite Pro Cinema range.
Alertme, UK based home energy management solution provider has added a new feature to its website that let its UK customers see how much carbon dioxide their home is generating in relation to their electricity use. Alertme customers can now find out their carbon footprint in comparison to the national average. Also available is a Time of use feature which show customers how their energy use and cost spread across different time of the day morning, day, evening and night.
In a joint deal with Netflix NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution announced that US Netflix members can now watch a selection of broadcast series from the NBC television network and NBC Universal's popular cable channels. This agreement has widened the choice available to Netflix members for just $8.99 a month. Movies included in the agreement include 30 Rock, The Office and Law & Order: SVU and prior seasons of Psych, Friday Night Lights and more.
For those of us who haven’t got a home LAN moving from room to room to transfer data can be a bit annoying. This is why LaCie has released a new Wi-Fi network attached storage solution the LaCie Wireless Space. Now you can connect to the LaCie Wireless Space from anywhere in your home to store or retrieve your file from a Mac or PC. It is already available in Europe and is due in the US next month – October.
The Energy Services Network Association (ESNA) announced today that they are going to publish, maintain and certify devices compatible with the Open Smart Grid Protocol (OSGP). “By publishing OSGP as an open standard” said ESNA “it will enable independent implementation of interoperable smart meters and other smart grid devices. Utilities will have the autonomy to buy best of breed products and avoid vender lock in.
Intel is on its way to making intra-home communications between devices travel at the speed of light- literally. At this year’s developers forum they demonstrated a new fibre optic solution called Light Peak. Intel believes that with the current demand that our lifestyle and applications place on the current solutions (HDMI, Powerline Ethernet, USB, FireWire, DVI and DisplayPort) they soon will not be able to keep up.
Toshiba introduces a new range of 4G WiMAX laptops with Built-in Intel Wireless Display technology makes it possible for users to wirelessly connect the laptop to a big screen HDTV and enjoy digital content. The new range has the latest Intel Core processors, optional NVIDIA GeForce graphic cards, HD TruBrite widescreen and harman/kardon speakers with Dolby Advanced Audio technology. Prices start from $804.99 to $1,079.99 MSRP depending on the model and specification.
Building on their NetgemTV platform, Netgem has launched the N5000 Netbox range of internet/TV adapters for the connected home. The N5000 Series Netbox is for service providers looking for an affordable solution which offers some of today’s latest TV services. For existing service providers with the NetgemTV already in place the N5000 will seamlessly integrated as part of a complete Hybrid TV solution for subscribers.