We've been following the LG ST600 TV Upgrader since it was announced last year. We've just got some updated news as we've heard that it's only a couple of weeks away from these shores and that it's going to retail at around £99.  What's still not officially confirmed though is if this will potentially become our favourite streamer of the year by including 'Media Link' - LG speak for Plex. On the positive side visitors to the Plex website over the last few weeks may have noticed this interesting paragraph on their front page - "LG Electronics has integrated the Plex platform technology into its 2011 Netcast™ enabled HDTVs and LG Smart TV Upgrader".

Home automation has acquired a more legitimate mantel in recent years, helping lose its reputation as merely promoting a couch potato lifestyle. Tasked with helping us all monitor, measure and change our energy usage, manufacturers like Z-Wave have been quick to see the potential of the green market for their smart home products.  Here's the latest range from GreenWave Reality, giving users access to detailed electricity, gas and water consumption data as well as electric vehicle charging and time of day pricing...

This one definitely appeals to our gadget lust, even though we're not quite sure what it's for.  The motorised kitchen island is raised into place using a hydraulic scissor lift that's triggered from an iPhone app controlling an Insteon switch.  Here's the video of it in action...

The new Marmitek Connect420 connects up to 5 HDMI devices to your TV and supports full 1080p 3D as well as traditional 2D setups.  The unit can switch automatically based on source or with included remote control and the metal casing means the switcher is free from any interference.  It's available now for around £90...

We often hear complaints about the lack of Z-Wave modules available in the UK.  Now home automation specialist eTailer, Vesternet have just added a new Z-Wave USB stick to their catalogue.  The £49.99 plug and play transceiver comes with on board drivers and a Z-Wave application for managing devices.  For a limited time they are giving them away free when you purchase one of their Energy or Security Z-Wave whole home packages.  In addition they are also now stocking the long awaited Everspring UK Z-Wave sockets at around £30.  Read on for the details...

Let there be light - and sound.  Here's a neat way to easily retro-fit a concealed speaker for music or perhaps voice announcements in your home automation set-up.  The Audio Light Bulb fits into, and is powered by, a lamp socket.  The built in 10 watt wireless speaker provides the sound while LEDs produce replacement light equivalent to around a 60w incandescent.  The $299 unit is due to start shipping next month...

Here's a quick look at Crestrons latest GUI design elements for their range of touchpanels.  The new look uses Adobe Flash on the V-Panel displays for a more contemporary and rich experience complete with gesture control and animations. The Mac style dock at the bottom of the screen is used to select the subsystem whilst the main screen real estate then moves to that sections individual controls...

Automated Home readers have long followed (and installed) the Clipsal C-Bus system.  Here's an interesting video tour around the home of Kevin O'Connor (CIO at Paddy Power bookmakers), showing the £200K C-Bus based system he installed as part of a recent £1M renovation project...

Apple are on stage in California launching the second generation iPad.   Read on for our v2.0 cheat sheet with all the new feature details you need at a glance...

Square Connect, a member of the Z-Wave have broken the mouild with their new 'wooden puck' device for infrared controlled home entertainment. A new version of the Blaster, the “Blaster Pro” integrates Z-Wave, allowing expansion of the control sphere beyond the home theatre to include lighting, window shades and other appliances. The SQ Blaster range of products utilise the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch as control interfaces, with applications for other smart phones and tablet devices under development...