Automated Home

Submission by Jerome O’Donohoe - A clever chap called Stewart Allen is developing a Java – based Pronto editor (for all versions of the “proper” pronto remotes (i.e. not Neo) including colour ones. There are versions for windows, Mac OS X, Linux and boggo Unix. He is developing rapidly, the current versions look great and he is [...]

An interesting piece on the BBC SciTech site provides hope for those of us in the rural UK of seeing Broadband in the future. Trials for the world’s first commercial high-speed internet service delivered over thin air have begun in the south Wales valleys. British Telecom is testing a new radio wave-based delivery system which [...]

Submission by Stuart Poulton Hi All, After the sucess of the Evening meeting in London, how do people feel about a meeting over 2 days ? A rough timetable of events being Friday PM Arrival and Registration Sat AM Late Arrivals Sat PM UKHA Meeting Sun AM Breakfast and Departure… The University here in Leicester is [...]

“Mark – The first systems are now being released for CompUSA and we will have some units soon for the European market. They will be available in several configurations.” The VIP Butler is an innovative 18″ LCD touch screen that is “control central” for many of the components of CompUSA’s Connected@Home demonstration house. The VIP [...]

The Xbox is looking even more attractive since it’s recent price cut, and now the mod chips are adding more features turning it into a true home entertainment system. “Add-on programs are now starting to appear that work with a modified console. One of the first makes it possible to play movies on the console [...]

Using the mains power circuit for networking homes is nothing new, but a £100 PCI card due out in September could create a new surge of interest. LANergy, the specialist in LANs over existing power wiring, demonstrated a so-called powerline networking card at Networks and Telecoms on Tuesday that will make the technology price-competitive against [...]

Submission by Simon Caslaw – At last a ntl/telewest compatible IrDa remote control extender! The new innovative way to relay remote control commands from any RC5 or IrDA based device. DigiEye will allow you to control any satellite or cable receiver that uses both RC5 and/or IrDA codes. This includes all Satellite Receivers including EchoStar, [...]

Universal Electronics (makers of the one-for-all series of universal remote controls) have announce a new product. Nevo turns a PocketPC PDA into a universal remote with its combination of hardware and software. Nevo is an embedded solution that transforms any electronic display into a sophisticated and easy-to-use wireless home control and automation device. To get [...]

Submission by Graham Howe - A new version of HomeAutomator is now available for download from the files area of the HomeAutomator group.  The following enhancements have been made: PIN number is disguised (as per a password) when being entered. Locations in the dropdown are indented to reflect hierarchy. Detail text boxes can be hidden or shown [...]

Submission by James Sampson I am now the proud owner of an ICENET-NGW Phantom Home Services Integration Server, and I am more than impressed!After paying a hefty £4000 for the server anything less than perfection just would not be good enough! The HSI server is basically a very good computer integrating your TV, HIFI, DVD/VCR, [...]