Here's a bit of weekend fun.  This clip from "The Big Bang" on the exciting world of X10 answers the question very honestly on why we do a lot of this stuff :)

Based in Saint Petersburg Russia, Intelvision Engineering have developed a new home automation system and they recon its features can be compared to systems from AMX, Crestron and C-Bus.  However, its advantage is that you are free to choose hardware from the multiple vendors and open protocols that it supports and their new iPhone control app has already been localised for English as they look to European markets next - see the video after the jump...

The Plex team have just published another milestone release. The new Media Server connects to the new Plex Apps store, a way to install plugins that allow you to connect to online video streaming services.  Launching with around 20 "apps" for services like Hulu, YouTube, MTV and Revision3, there are lots more in the pipeline plus a simple architecture for users to create their own too.  Watch the video after the jump...

We reported on the Schlage LiNK Z-Wave powered door locks back in May last year.  They're now available to buy in the USA and a new iPhone app is available to control your deadbolts across the Ether...

We've covered the second generation CurrentCost energy monitor before, but now it's avaiable to buy, and here's how we can help you save nearly £10 with some insider knowledge...

Marmitek have announced the successor to its Megavideo55. The brand new Megaview70 is a stereo modulator with infrared return channel. Connect the A/V source of your choice (for example a DVD player) to the MegaView70.  It creates an additional TV channel and distributes it around your home on the existing coax cable network. You can also control the source equiment via the built-in IR distribution system along the same cable...

Interest in Boxee has been growing steadily, especially since it became available on the Apple TV (we contacted Apple PR to ask them their views on installing Boxee on the Apple TV but they replied saying Apple declines to comment on this).  With a quarter of a million users, even before the Windows version has been released, Boxee are capturing people's imagination and with the possibility of new hardware boxes on the horizon with a "Powered By Boxee" logo on them, its time to sit up and take notice.  Read on for Automated Home's interview with Boxee Founder, Avner Ronen...

In 2007 we ran a story on the tiny linux PC The Linutop.  Now the diminutive system has hit version 2.4 and with it an official launch in the UK.  The pint-sized, open source Linux PC is designed to run silently and is highly energy efficient at just 8 watts...

Cytech, creators of the Smart Home security system Comfort, have just launched a new website with an interactive demonstration of the system in action allowing the visitor to operate all the features in an imaginary home.   The demo shows how the system can be controlled during the day, at night, when the house is empty and when the owners are on holiday or away for business...

The WindBox from MSI is an ultra-compact PC that features a VESA mount interface allowing it to be wall mounted or just placed on the back of your monitor.  Using the Intel Atom CPU the WindBox provides decent performance with low power consumption and a silent, fan-less system...