Crestron this month released one of the market's most advanced touch panel home control solution, called the TPMC V-Panels. They are available in 12 and 15 inch models and are the markets thinnest and fully integrated home touchpanel. The TPMC V-Panel offers advance features such as high definition touch screen for rich color graphics, gesture navigation, 3D GUI animation, cover art and browsing the web.
DSI Entertainment Systems has been the recipient of two Home Automation award plus six others at this years CEDIA’s Electronic Lifestyles Designer Awards, which is considered on e of the most prestigious awards program for the Integration Home/Home Automation industry. Using some of the industry’s leading home automation solutions from companies such as Control 4, Crestron, Savant and AMX.
Watteco and Texas Instruments (TI) have teamed up to collaborate on a new line of ultra-low-power and intelligent communications solution for the next generation of connected appliances. Designed for Smart Grid applications, the system combines Watteco's WPC PLC (Power Line Communication) technology with TI's MSP430 microcontroller (MCU) for low-power energy-management applications. Leveraging each other’s technology the solution will offer an easy to develop platform that enables interoperability between a combination of wireless and PLC devices in the home.
HAI, an integrated security and home automation solution manufacture and the developer of the Snap-Link for iPad announced that the HAI Intercom on the OmniTouch 5.7e Touchscreens is now available along with Helios 2N IP Door Station connectivity. The company said the new OmniTouch 5.7e Touchscreens will be shipped with intercom capability and existing homes with OmniTouch 5.7e can be updated to provide Touchscreen-to-Touchscreen communication.
iControl Networks and uControl today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement. The merger combines the two market leaders in broadband home management, and promises to deliver a best-in-class solution that includes interactive home security, energy management and home health care solutions to broadband service providers, home security companies and utilities. The combined company has launched commercially with several service providers and will announce additional deployments in the near future.
Rogers of Canada announced plans to launch a home control solution that will manage household appliances, security, temperature and lighting. The new solution is called Rogers Smart Home Monitoring, and will offer real-time home monitoring plus energy management and home automation to Canada’s connected homes. The addition of this service to its cable, Internet and wireless business has put Rogers among the top suppliers of connected home solutions.
Intel last month gave a clearer indication of their intention to play a bigger part in the connected home market, with the release of the Intel Home Energy Management Reference Design. Many companies are already using Intel’s Atom processor for the system, but Intel is going a bit further by offering a complete solution in the Intel Home Dashboard proof of concept device.
The home control market has lost one of its key players; after 30 years Philips said it will no longer manufacture its Philips Pronto remote control because the product line no longer fits with the Philips’ strategy. This comes as a shock to me because I thought they were going well especially with recent releases, like the TSW9500 in-wall Pronto touchscreen and DUAL. Apparently the company has been looking for a partner to take the Pronto business off its hands since last year but none was found.
Niko has launched a switch which allows users to turn lights on and off without touching it, something similar to what you find in toilets except this one you can install throughout the your home. The switch is called ‘Mysterious wave control’ which is activated by waving a hand close by. The home automation gadget has been the recipient of the Reddot Design Award.
uControl, a leader in the SMA space, will officially announce the creation of OpenSMA: an industry program committed to the growth and development of the SMA market, On Tuesday 26 October. OpenSMA is focused on open, technology-agnostic standards and a collaboration of the widest variety of players who power the Connected Home. The OpenSMA program will foster complete compatibility and integration across all members’ products and services.