LG's UK Blog has announced 2 new TV Upgrader models (the SP520 and SP820), both coming this year. We're assuming this will herald the death of the ST600? Hopefully these new models will deliver a much better user experience than the first attempt and it looks like the Plex guys will be supporting it again.
This year also sees the launch of two Smart TV Upgraders (SP520 in March and SP820 in May), offering users the opportunity to access the LG Smart TV platform from any TV with a HDMI connection.
A complete redesign of the LG Smart TV platform is launching in March / April including a new motion activated Magic remote control with voice activation (these remotes will probably ship with TVs rather than the Upgrader boxes though). Other highlights include Dual core CPUs in top line Smart TVs and Wi-Fi will now be included in 70% of new LG TV models. Check out the video below..
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The guys over at Vesternet have just given us the skinny on the all new VeraLite Z-Wave home automation controller from Micasaverde.
We can exclusively reveal that they will have the first units into Europe with shipping due to start around the 23rd, they are accepting pre-orders now. Check out the stats on this interesting new system and the setup video after the jump...
"VeraLite is created for users that already have a WiFi router and want to add home control at the most affordable price. VeraLite runs the same home control engine with all the capabilities of Vera3, and it is perfect for users with small to medium sized networks. VeraLite’s sleek new design and built-in battery pack makes set-up convenient. Just like Vera3, VeraLite comes with our newest user interface, UI5. You have unlimited options for scenes, rooms, timers, events and notifications. Read more about using VeraLite for security, energy saving, home theater and remote home management.
Features :
micasaverde.com : Order Online from Vesternet
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One of the more joyous tasks in the digital home is setting up a monitoring system for your new arrival to the family. BabyPing is a new division of Y-cam Solutions and they aim to make that a much easier and more pleasant task with their new high-quality Wi-Fi IP CCTV setup. In conjunction with it's free iOS app the system allows parents to watch and listen to their baby on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.
The Next Generation of Baby Monitor is Here - BabyPing will unveil a new high security Wi-Fi baby monitor at the world's biggest technology trade show – CES - this week. The new BabyPing high security Wi-Fi baby monitor allows parents to hear, view and monitor their infant on iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch through cutting edge features.
BabyPing is the first device to offer a truly reassuring alternative to old-style monitors by using the latest in modern, safe technology to keep parents constantly and instantly informed. Combined with a free monitoring app, BabyPing offers a wealth of security and safety features which include double-layer security and alerts to inform the user if the baby cries, if the Wi-Fi connection has been broken or if the monitoring iOS device is out of range.
Along with all the specifications you would expect from a high tech baby monitor such as vivid full color video with 640x480 resolution, a high quality built-in microphone and superfast wireless Wi-Fi, British based BabyPing has also developed its own key features. Using specially developed technology, the Smart Filter cuts out the background noise and static normally associated with baby monitors, while Constant-Connect acts as a permanent tether between the app and monitor, instantly notifying the user when the baby is upset or if the connection is broken at any point, ensuring parents can put their trust in this new technology.
Built with safety in mind, BabyPing only uses your home Wi-Fi network to transmit information, avoiding unnecessary web streaming and bandwidth costs, as well as ensuring instant alerts and updates from the monitor, without the long delay associated with other baby cameras. BabyPing is the only Wi-Fi baby monitor on the market with invisible infared night vision, offering round the clock visibility without disturbing the baby.
BabyPing is a newly created division of award-winning network camera specialist, Y-cam Solutions Ltd, which already has a strong reputation in developing technology to monitor and protect both residential and commercial properties. The BabyPing Video Monitor will be available in the UK from February 2012 priced at £149.99 RRP.
www.babyping.com : Y-Cam IP CCTV Cameras
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A quick home automation video demo video of the JenNet-IP system controlling lighting via Wi-Fi. NXP and Belkin WeMo are collaborating to show this system where each light bulb gets its own IPv6 address. The system uses an enhanced 6LoWPAN network layer as defined by the IETF and targets ultra-low-power IEEE802.15.4-based wireless networking for residential and industrial applications.
"What if every device in your home had its own Internet IP address? At the 2012 International CES, NXP and Belkin International, Inc. are demonstrating a "smart home" network that allows you to control light bulbs -- each with its own IPv6 address -- using a smartphone or tablet. The network features a WeMo device from Belkin that enables mobile devices using Wi-Fi to interact securely with smart home appliances using JenNet-IP -- NXP's ultra-low-power wireless connectivity software based on 6LoWPAN and IEEE 802.15.4. The WeMo Home Automation demo will be featured in the NXP booth (CP8) and Belkin booth (South Hall #30651) at CES."
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"LONDON UK and SAN FRANCISCO CA – January 5, 2012 – AlertMe, the Smart Home technology company today announces a commercial partnership with Lowe’s, the second largest home improvement company in the world with 1,750 stores, nearly $50 billion in annual revenues and 15 million weekly shoppers.
Based on AlertMe’s Smart Home platform and home hub, the partnership will deliver a cloud based home management system for the retailer’s new Iris service in North America that will give customers the ability to monitor and control their home from anywhere using their Smartphone or computer. Iris will be introduced in the second quarter of 2012 in stores and online.
AlertMe forges into retail market - Starting with energy and home management applications such as thermostats, smart plugs, lighting, door locks, motion sensors and door/window/cabinet contact sensors, Lowe’s plans to extend Iris into areas such as smart appliances, vehicles, garden, and remote second-property management.
“The Smart home will be the next major consumer technology innovation space and it is just about to become an affordable, mass market proposition for everyone. Consumers are used to living their lives on the go, online and increasingly on their Smartphones. They have been connected to all aspects of their lives including their work, friends and even their bank through the cloud for some time – now they can be connected to their homes, in the same easy to use, friendly and innovative, always-on way.” said Mary Turner, CEO of AlertMe.
According to industry analysts, the market for home management systems to date has been restrained by prohibitively high costs and lack of standards-based ‘no new wires’ technologies like the AlertMe platform. “The entrance of a giant retail brand like Lowe’s means we are poised to bring the Smart Home into the mainstream and not just for the more affluent,” continues Turner.
Effortless & affordable Smart Home management - “The partnerships we have with manufacturers, utilities and service providers, allows us to bring a simple and innovative home management solution to market at price points that will appeal to mainstream consumers” says Kevin Meagher, Lowe’s Vice President and General Manager of Smart Home “The AlertMe platform enables us to support the broadest range of products and deliver the benefits of a smart home that were previously only available to the most affluent consumers.
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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...
1. Inexpensive iPad & iPad 2 Compatible Wall Mount Bracket
2. LG ST600 Smart TV Upgrader - Plex Confirmed, Landing in 2 Weeks at £99 ?
3. Freedom - the Open Source Home Automation Software Project
4. New USB RF Dongle Automates Your Home
5. LightwaveRF Home Automation System : In-Depth Review
6. Rii Mini Wireless Keyboard Review
7. Google Enters the Home Automation Market with Android @ Home
8. My Automated Home: Nigel Giddings - Installing Broadband in a Rural Location
9. My Automated Home: Tom Lawrence - Home Brew X10 Plus XMBC Control
10. Wireless LED 'Google' Bulb for Android at Home
11. ThinkFlood Launch RedEye Pro Linux Based Home Automation System
12. New HomeSeer HomeTroller-Mini Linux Based Home Automation Controller
13. Evo Technologies Introduces ECOPC N.1A - 14W Silent & Fanless PC
14. Video : Inexpensive Touchscreen Home Automation Setup
15. GreenWave Z-Wave Energy Display Shows Electricity, Water and Gas Consumption at a Glance
16. Kwikwai Bridges HDMI-CEC to Ethernet USB and Serial
17. AlertMe Launches New Hardware, Drops Subs, Aims to Become Open Gateway to Your Home
18. Control Your Home from your iPhone with LightwaveRF Easy Retro-Fit Modules
19. Hands On: Upgrading Our MacBook to SSD PLUS a 1TB Hard Drive
20. Sony Launch HomeShare Wi-Fi Universal Remote Control
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Did you know you can turn your iOS or Android device into remote control for your LG CINEMA 3D Smart TV? Just search for the free “LG Remote App”. You'll need to pair the app with your LG TV. As long as your smart phone and smart TV are connected to your home Wi-Fi network, this is a snap. After you launch the LG TV Remote App, it will automatically scan for your TV. Once it finds it, just tap “connect” and watch the TV for a code to appear. Plug that in, and you’re good to go.
LG Smart TVs : Via: lgblog.co.uk
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Sponsored Post The digital lifestyle reaches far and wide these days and 3D entertainment technologies are even playing their part in new car launches. Earlier this month, Peugeot revealed the new 208 Universe at the Peugeot Motion and Emotion Show in Rio, Brazil. The French car maker Peugeot chose Rio de Janeiro as the backdrop for their unique event, calling on an original combination of tech for an unparalleled worldwide launch of their new Peugeot 208 model.
The show was held in the city of Carioca on the evening of 8 December in front of thousands of excited spectators and it combined the use of cutting edge technologies including an amazing show in projected 3D mapping, combined for the first time ever with the Kinect technology and multi-sensory effects. A 4th dimension was added in the form of direct interaction with the public too as over the event spectators were given a chance to bring the "Let Your Body Drive" signature to life by collectively interacting with the rhythms and beat of the show. Check out the video of the event below and watch how the facade of the local buildings seems to animate using the special projections.
Peugeot has high hopes for the 208, the successful to their 200 series models which were produced in their millions. Built in Europe and Brazil the new 208 model will have a international staggered launches between March 2012 and March 2013.
Viral video by ebuzzing
For more information on the Peugeot 208 visit - www.letyourbodydrive.com
Crestron will be displaying its new generation MC3 at ISE 2012, the first 3-Series control system powered by Core 3 OS. Creston says this system has been developed and engineered like an IT platform, rather than an AV system, and it's designed to provide a foundation for powerful integrated building technology and advanced home control.
"The MC3 combines the agility and speed of a computer operating system with the reliability of a network appliance, enabling real-time multitasking to seamlessly run up to 10 independent programs simultaneously, all communicating with each other on the same platform. A fully-integrated 3-Series platform unleashes more processing power, faster speeds, more memory, enhanced security and powerful multitasking capabilities that simplify the design and implementation of integrated building management and home technology.
When performing upgrades to any single part of the control system, it is no longer required to take down and update the entire system. Because each module is partitioned, a restart or upload of one program does not affect the others, resulting in less programming and no downtime.
Upgrades can now be performed on any individual subsystem - AV, lighting, climate control, and security systems for example – while allowing the other programs to run seamlessly in the background, the same way IT performs upgrades. Until now, to make a change to one subsystem, the whole system had to be shut down.
This exclusive IT-based architecture enables integrators to perform system maintenance and expansion in ways never before possible, increasing run-time efficiency and stability. For corporate campuses and universities with dozens, hundreds or thousands of rooms, and organizations with facilities in cities around the world and in different time zones, maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrades and debugging can be executed quickly, securely and seamlessly.
“As an industry, we have to start thinking about AV as infrastructure, rather than as a standalone entity,” said Robin. “The decision makers are no longer the traditional AV manger, they’re IT managers, facilities managers, architects, real estate developers, and builders. They want all their systems - lighting, HVAC, AV, building management, and others - on a single platform, but until now, no one has been able to offer a solution.”On a single 3-Series platform, fully-integrated control of entertainment, AV and environmental systems in commercial buildings, homes, schools, hotels and casinos, command centres and multi-campus environments is faster, simpler, and more efficient than previously possible or imagined."
www.crestron.co.uk : Crestron iPad Docking Station
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Here's an interesting little video from the guys at Savant showing off their novel take on a universal remote. The 'Select' is a hardware device that you dock with an iPod Touch to create the worlds only multi-touch, retina display, home automation remote control. Check out the video after the jump.
"SAVANT SELECT Smart Apple control at your fingertips, A Remote Control Revolution - Never before has a hand-held smart remote been so innovative and versatile, so compact and easy-to-use.
From simple source control in any single room to complete two-way whole-home automation, the Savant Select seamlessly merges the familiar functionality of Apple's latest iPod touch (featuring the new Retina Display) with easy-to-use push buttons, creating a sleek yet powerful home control interface.
Supporting Savant's TrueControl iPod touch App and TrueCommand On-TV navigation, this powerful smart remote delivers the perfect balance of backlit pushbuttons and a 3.5-inch color touch screen.
Immediate and immersive home control system access, Smart Select allows you to control everything from intelligent lighting, home theater or media room, whole-house audio and media, security, and climate—any home appliance connected to a Savant Smart System.
Key features & benefits 3.5-inch Multi-Touch Retina display, 960 x 640 pixel resolution Wireless communication, 802.11b/g/n 31 backlit buttons with key transport keys Multi-tasking, switch from TrueControl to thousands of Apps Customizable graphics View wireless video from network cameras Front and rear-facing cameras Includes a Lithium-Ion battery and elegant charging base"
www.savantav.com : Savant Launch Desktop and In-wall iPad Docks
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