Smart Home Blog

Automated Home yesterday published a photo and brief description of new Sonos controller CR200. It has portrait orientation and sports color touchscreen display. To simplify charging of the device it comes with dock.

There is no word about price and availability of the CR200. But Sonos already created a new bundle – BU250, which is actually BU150 but with new controller. Zoneplayers hardware will be the same. They just will get a new color to meet with the CR200.

SmartUnity announced its new product – AudioMultiRoom application which will help you to create PC-based multiroom system with up to 12 independent zones. It offers following functionality:

• Supports up to 12 USB sound cards
• Auto detects sound card and creates an independent stereo-zone
• Supports Windows Media Player library (playlists, artists, covers etc.)
• API to work via TCP/IP interface (volume control, navigation, lists, status etc.)
• You can create your own Windows user interface using Microsoft Blend and AudioMultiRoom dll for Microsoft Blend
• Apple iPhone client (in development)

NetStreams presented its new multi-room solution which uses VUDU XL as a video server. Built-in 1Tb storage is quite enough for that purpose. NetStreams integrated VUDU XL with its IP-Based Distributed Audio, Video and Control system DigiLinX. So, media content (more than SD and HD 5000 movies) is streamed through the VUDU XL set top box, distributed throughout the home and controlled via DigiLinX. VUDU offers an efficient way to control its STB by IP. So, NetStreams just utilized it to build its new multi-room solution.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

ReQuest is going to introduce Freedom, new application software for the iQ Intelligent Music System. Freedom allows to use Nokia N800 as handheld controller with full command over a multiroom iQ system, using the familiar commands, graphics, and icons of the ReQuest TS35 in-wall touch panel controller. Since many Nokia770 applications work well on N800 I suppose that it might be possible to use it as well.

I already wrote a few posts about using Nokia770/N800 as control panel for music distribution or whole house automation systems. The iQ Intelligent Music System is another good example of success of Nokia’s Internet Tablet.

The Freedom will be available in September and carry a suggested retail price of $500.

[via CePro]