AlertMe has announced several new features for its home energy management service, including a Carbon Footprint measuring feature. This allows users to see the amount of carbon dioxide their home is generating in relation to their electricity use, so they can track energy output, reduce their CO2 emissions, while reducing the size of their energy bills. Also launching is an iGoogle gadget and a Yahoo Widget...

Abitana have launched a brand new audio amplifier that can be mounted on DIN-rail.  Its small size means it can be used in wall and ceiling cavities, making it idea for smart home installs.  The 2x20W RMS stereo Class D output can be used as part of a multi-room set-up or controlled individually with a potentiometer...

UK based firm - inrom - have develop an embedded flush-mounted 7" touchpanel that supports many of the common home automation standards like X10, Z-Wave, Rako Controls, Applied Digital and UPnP, (support is also in the works for KNX, EnOcean and ZigBee).  The fan-less solid state design uses an ARM CPU and consumes just 7 watts at idle.  inrom describe the UI as a "modern design with clear messages, animation and user feedback". With the optional internet access enabled the system can display weather feeds, remote control (via web server), send SMS messages and display RSS feeds too...

Automated Home reader, Klaus has sent us this interesting video on XBMC control from his iPhone.  Make sure to watch through the media bits to the end for the Home Automation and CCTV segment and read on for all the details...

Apple have just announced their Apple TV replacement.  The device is one quarter the size of the first generation unit.  It has built in power supply, HDMI connector, Ethernet and 802.11n Wi-Fi.

Described as 'silent, cool and tiny' gone is the ability to purchase videos but now renting a TV episode costs $0.99 (ABC and Fox in the US to start with).

I addition to renting Movies and TV from Apple, US users can stream from NetFlix too.  YouTube HD is supported and FLickr and MobileMe plus local music and video too...

You asked for more info - you got it.  Check out our 3 minute video walk through of the brand new Plex streaming media centre app on the iPad and and iPhone...

So you've just read our article on the release of Plex 9 (if not make sure to check it out here).  Around the time the devs were bringing Plex 9 to life, Apple announced the iPad.  The chat in the Plex inter-sanctum was feverish as people imagined how great it would be to have Plex 9 - with all its cover-art and meta data goodness, available on the new Apple tablet.  So a secret project within a secret project began and the beautiful Plex app was born...

A series of new products based on Z-Wave technology have just been announced by Aeon Labs.  The new devices are the Home Energy Meter - a clamp on wireless electrical energy measuring device, the Minimote - a remote to control your Z-Wave enabled devices,  and the Z-Stick - a USB Z-Wave controller.  Read on for the full PR and the links..

Here's some more eco friendly home automation designed to give you that warm fuzzy, 'saving the planet' feeling.  The Eco Sensor Lamp is a compact florescent bulb with the usual long life and low energy features married to a PIR sensor and timer.  While it may be a little dumb in the grand scheme of today's smart homes, its truly automated unlike many other systems.  Once movement is detected the bulb can be set to remain lit for anything from 10 seconds to 5 minutes.  Available in bayonet and screw fittings now at under £16...

Cytech have just release information on their new touchscreen keypad set for Launch in October.  The Comfort KT03 is said to fit between basic keypads and large expensive touch screens.  It offers control of Comforts security and home automation features and in addition will be able to control sub systems from C-Bus, KNX, Dynalite, Zwave, Velbus and Lutron.  The unit can be mounted in landscape or portrait and is programmed through its USB interface with Comfigurator software.