The Apple rumour mill is reaching a tablet-tastic crescendo.  If even one tenth of the chatter is correct then we're on course for an announcement early in the new year and a possible shipping date in the second quarter of 2010.  So let's imagine for a moment that it's a reality. What use will it really be and what will it mean for the Smart Home....?

Back in May we reported on the launch of a new CBus home controller from Clipsal.  Then last week the UK C-Bus product manager announced on our forums that the 'Wiser' module would be launching in the UK in January.  Now we've received the official press release from Schneider Electric

This week Philips released the next major update of their ProntoEdit Professional software.  Amongst the array of new features and fixes is support for uPnP and DLNA.  This has allowed Philips to release a free ProntoScript module which gives users control of their Sonos zoned music system from their WiFi equiped Pronto remotes.  Check out our quick video tour of how to set it up all up and what it's like in use after the jump...

The MainLobby touchscreen system has been a home automators favourite since 2002.   Now Cinemar are discounting it along with their other software and hardware offerings by as much as 50% in the run up to Christmas. Pop over to the special URL below each day between now and the 25th to see a new offer each day.

There's been lots of interest in the e-Home Automation smart house we featured from from last weeks Gadget Show.  We asked e-Home to give us some details of the systems employed in the project and they've kindly submitted a case study of their install.  Read on for all the behind the scenes info and photos on this £25,000 system...

We're delighted to welcome famous memory brand, Crucial to Automated Home.  To celebrate we have a discount offer for 5% Off any item in the entire Crucial range.  So if you've been waiting to buy that mega fast SSD drive for your laptop, or you need a USB thumb drive for a prezzy, a bigger flash card for your camera or perhaps the time has come to add a few extra gig of RAM to your PC or Mac to make it fly - then here's the perfect opportunity.  Don't wait too long thought, our offer will expire shortly - http://bit.ly/57pwbU

Last night Boxee unveiled its new UI plus details on its hardware box.  They are partnering with D-Link to produce an NVidia ION platform with HDMI, SPDIF, and analogue audio, 2 USBs for expansion and networking using both Wi-Fi (802.11n) and wired ethernet.  The boxee Box will be available in the first half of 2010 wiith no news yet on price...

Last nights Gadget Show on Channel 5 featured a segment on a fabulous Automated Home in Dubai.  The system featured lighting, security, voice controlled curtains, moving beds, AV system, and control from across the world from an iPhone.  Watch the video after the jump to see the e-Home Automation system in action...

Based in Northern Ireland, DF Solutions Ltd are a manufacturer of high-end Media Servers for the Custom Install market.  Having recently updated its software front end, DF describe the new 3D UI as "a truly unique product and interface, blowing the competition out of the market", (watch the video after the jump and decide for yourself).  DF Solutions have also just appointed AWE as their exclusive distributor in the UK...

Brilliant Living is one of the UKs premier Integrators and we've featured them before on Automated Home (from the SmartHome Shows of 2007 and 2008).  Run by husband and wife team - Iain and Melanie Shaw - Brilliant Living has just been featured in Business Link Yorkshire and because of that we get a chance to see around the high end headquarters of their custom installation business, complete with AMX touchscreen setup...