Aside from our forums you can also find Automated Home readers on IRC (Internet Relay Chat).  Like minded users discuss a range of topics in the chat room including such things as which is the best GU10 LED bulb, or where to find good deals on hardware.  We also talk about things related to general technology, food, cars , the weather etc - it's all exciting stuff! :)  So why not drop by for discussions and help on home automation and related topics as well as general banter and chat.... 

Our American readers will soon be able to enjoy AlertMe's wireless home automation technology after they just announced a strategic partnership with the huge American retailer - Lowe's.  The home improvement company's new 'Iris' service will be based on the AlertMe hub and give users to monitor and control their thermostats, smart plugs, lighting, door locks, motion and contact sensors from their smartphones...

The end of another year of digital home tech and a chance to pause and take stock.  This years top twenty most read home automation articles cover a wide range of topics and new comer LightaveRF appears twice in the list (make sure to check out the review at number 5).  More of our 'My Automated Home' articles were amongst your favs this year too and the news that Google are entering the home automation world made it in twice as well.  But the number one most read article this year?  Well it's all about a 20 quid piece of plastic - lots of you wall mounting in the kitchen it seems...

Here's a two-part video demo showing an OpenRemote setup controlling a Z-Wave home automation system - "In this video, Marcus Redeker shows OpenRemote controller with an iPhone user interface controlling Z-Wave enabled hardware -- door sensor, light and dimmer and a motion sensor.  The Z-Wave hardware is controlled via an IP-to-ZWave gateway from HomeScenario.  OpenRemote helps installers integrate various protocols and devices including popular home automation protocols such as KNX, Lutron, Insteon, X10, Z-Wave, GlobalCache and 1-Wire."  Check out the 2 videos below...

We've reached another 'End of an Era' this week as Crag Chadwick has announced that his HomeVision home automation controller business is winding up.  It's testament to Craig's design that the 8-bit hardware has survived well into a 64-bit world and indeed still powers many homes today.  It's legendary reliability, expandability, flexibility and elegant macro programmability made it a firm favourite with home automators on both sides of the Atlantic.  This is you're last opportunity to grab a discounted spare board or accessory.  Details after the jump...

Rarely in recent history has the official biography become available so soon after the death of such a famous business leader.  But that's just what happens today as Walter Isaacson's authorised biography of Steve Jobs is released. 

Official excerpts and leaked passages over the last few days point to the book being a fascinating insight into the extraordinary life of the Apple co-founder and CEO.  We've put together some affiliate links to the book on Amazon (Kindle, hardback and audiobook) and Apple iBooks too.  For those of you rolling your eyes about now there's even a link to another book we've recently read and can whole hearty recommend too...

This morning we woke to the sad news that Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs has died at the age of 56 after his long battle with cancer.

When someone famous dies, a pop star, a sports personality or other celebrity, there's often a public outpouring of grief in our culture.  Sometimes it seems a little over the top.  But whether you admired him or not, few would argue with the impact Steve Jobs has had on our daily lives.

I don't think we've ever covered an industry death before in Automated Home's 15 years on the web, but you only have to look at the way the iPad and iPhone have become the leading Home Automation controllers in the few short years since their creation, to see the brilliance of the man.

Apple put it like this on their website this morning - "Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius and the world has lost an amazing human being.  Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor.  Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple." 

Last month AlertMe sounded their intent to move their tech-niche company towards a higher volume business.  Just a few weeks on and the firm has just announced a raft of news including a potentially huge deal with Deutsche Telekom, the acquisition of Wattbox and a strategic partnership with SmartHeating application company, Invensys Controls...

It seems the rumours of the last few weeks are true and X10 is really heading into receivership.  We've heard on the grape vine that Marmitek may have done an exclusive deal with ShangHai Super Smart Electronics to continue to supply X10 products.  We also spoke to a couple of UK Home Automation retailers too who told us they have a 'good level of stock'...