Arduino-based Home Automation Controller needs your support

March 16, 2011 Ruslan Ulanov 0

CustomCTRL is a new and very promising Open-source Hardware (OSHW) controller, based on Arduino platform. It supports all major home automation interfaces which will allow it to integrate your home’s lighting, HVAC, and AV control into accessible, expandable and hopefully simple to operate system. But here’s the catch – for this project to take off and to go into production it needs support from the fellow DIY crowd. Literally, it needs to raise at least $33,000 by May 3rd to get funded. The whole idea of OSHW is very interesting and gained quite a lot of momentum in the past few years. […]

People Power brings Skynet one step closer

May 14, 2010 Ruslan Ulanov 0

People Power, a green-tech start-up based in the heart of the Silicon Valley, recently introduced a kit it calls SuRF, for Sensor Ultra-Radio Frequency. SuRF helps connect household appliances and gadgets to a wireless network in your house. “What that means is that you could monitor your microwave, Playstation and coffee machine in real time, check their levels of energy consumption, and make apps to control how they behave. Ultimately, that could lead to substantial savings of energy and money” writes Wired. Or it could lead to a self-aware network of gadgets that will try to take you (the owner) out […]

NetLinc becomes smarter?

August 14, 2008 Ruslan Ulanov 1

The Smarthome team has sent its customers the following email. Dear Loyal INSTEON® Customer, You are receiving this message because you have: Placed a NetLinc Pre-Order Added NetLinc to your Wish List or, Added NetLinc to email notification using “Notify Me” To avoid any confusion when you receive your shipment or notification, we would like to inform you that NetLinc has been renamed from: NetLinc – INSTEON Central Controller To SmartLinc – INSTEON Central Controller Please be aware that this is only a name change and that part number (2412N) and product functionality remain the same. Sincerely, The Smarthome Team What […]

SmartLabs NetLinc Enables iPhone Control of Insteon Devices

July 16, 2008 Ruslan Ulanov 1

As the iPhone grows in popularity, so too does the amount of home control manufacturers offering iPhone interfaces for home control systems. The latest application is a plug-in Web server from SmartLabs called the NetLinc Insteon Central Controller. NetLinc turns the iPhone, iPod touch, PC or any Web-enabled device into a wireless remote for Insteon-compatible lighting, HVAC, appliances and security systems.

Affordable, Web-Enabled Automation from HomeSeer

July 15, 2008 Ruslan Ulanov 1

Second generation of HomeSeer’s home controller HomeTroller 2 supports Z-Wave, Insteon and X10 out of the box, and offers about 20 optional drivers, plug-ins and applications. Retails now for $895. Key Features of HomeTroller 2 Built-in web server for remote access anywhere. Easy-to-use web interface allows easy access and control with any web browser. Supports the widest variety of user interfaces, including in-wall button controllers, touchscreens, wireless remotes, PDAs, PocketPCs, cellphones and voice (microphones). Compatible with a wide variety of technologies and companies including Lutron, Leviton, Z-Wave, UPB, Insteon and many others. Designed for voice control by microphone and telephone. Creates alerts, […]