For a while Google and Microsoft were encouraging utilities and consumer to get connected through their solutions to learn more about their energy use. Google launched the Google PowerMeter through it iGoogle platform, Microsoft launched Microsoft Hohm and Cisco launched the Home Energy Controller gadgets and software. They all promised information at our finger tips so we can make more informed decisions on how we use our home energy.
The connected home has become the new technology battle ground for the electronics and software giants; with a market stand to worth tens of billons of dollars, we are on the verge of a feeding frenzy. Today Google announced plans to acquire Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion to become one of the biggest player in the connected home market. Bear in mind that it was just two months ago that Google abandon plans to continue to offer its PowerMeter service come 16 September this year. See why this acquisition is more than mobile phone and what is next?
Having Android in our home appliances has been in development for some time, by the MIPs Android Community. However, this week at the Google IO developers conference in San Francisco they announced the Google@Home initiative, which means Google has put its force behind putting the Android platform into our everyday appliances.
On May 24 the connected home global summit returns to London. This year’s summit like last year will feature a host of industry key players from all area of the connected home sector. There will be presenters from BT, TiVo, Whirlpool, Google and many more; they will be looking at the 'technology choices and business models that will monetise the connected home'. Service providers and operators should attend to gain insight into how this growing market sector can be adopted to create new revenue streams. Users will learn how the devices and media services they buy are changing.
Like Logitech Sony has launched their incarnation of a Google TV solution in Sony Internet TV. Sony has released four models of the television plus on Blu-ray disc player to complement the range. To accompany the TV is a handheld RF QWERTY keyboard for easy browsing and typing. The screen sizes starts at 24-inch for $599.99 to 46-inch for 1,399.99 recommended.
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.
T-Mobile US is to release its second Android Mobile phone next month (June). The myTouch 3G Slide – as it is called, is an upgrade to the myTouch 3G released last year. The myTouch 3G Slide offers more typing space with a slide QWERTY us who rather a physical button to press than the on screen touch on the myTouch 3G. Also upgraded is the camera which has a 5-magapixel for better resolution.
HP has release the world first web connected touch-screen printer. “The Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web is poised to become HP's flagship printer when it's released in September” according to Cnet. Making the The Photosmart Premium a ideal Christmas gift for the connected home this Christmas.