Smart Home Blog

If you have some ZigBee devices connected into one network you might be interested to extend their range by adding XBee Wall Router. It’s designed to patch areas within a ZigBee network where signal erosion or loss occurs due to distance limitations or air interference. So, your network will work more stable and its range will be extended.

Additionally, XBee includes integrated temperature and light sensors. So, just for $79 you will get not only extender but two additional devices in your network.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

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Taiwanese company Everspring Industry started to produce Z-Wave modules for UK and Europe. It’s going to offer “low-cost home automation” and the initial products include a plugin dimmer and on/off switch, a PIR plus magnetic door and window sensors.

This is a good news for all who would like to build home automation with power modern wireless technology. But IMHO the Everspring Industry products look ugly a bit. Especially if you compare them with INNOVUS units, for example. Since Z-Wave chip is too small it’d be nice to have more compact modules.

[via Automated Home]

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Home Automation, Inc (HAI) has added a new thermostat - Omnistat-Z. Its salt is a built-in Z-Wave transceivers. “When used with an HAI home automation controller the Omnistat-Z communicates wirelessly for the coordination of temperatures with other household functions, such as security settings, time of day, or room occupancy.”

Five models compatible with different types of HVAC systems are available. Each provide remote access, either through the web or via a phone call. All models are fully interactive with all HAI home control systems as well as most others (and this is a good news!).

[via Electric House]

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Nuvo has released its Wireless USB Syncing Device (NV-USBW), which enables homeowners and installers to sync music from PCs throughout the home to NuVo’s NV-M3 server without the need for a hard-wired connection. It provides a USB device connection over Wireless-G that is specially “tuned” for the NV-M3. As result PCs syncing to the NV-M3 music server no longer need to be close to the NV-M3.

The Wireless USB Syncing Device will be available in December for $399.

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That weather station can display its data directly on your big plasma instead of small monochrome LCD monitor. It includes a temperature sensor together with radio transmitter, wind sensor and rain sensor. The information can be transmitted up to 60 meters (196.85ft) to the indoor receiver for displaying. The receiver, connected to the TV using RCA cable, analyzes 11 weather conditions and generates easy-to-read weather report.

I’m also thinking about creation of personal weather station. But my choice won’t be TV one. Because for me much more important to connect the weather station to the PC. In that case using special software like Oww and home automation system like LinuxMCE you can show weather report on PC, TV, Internet Tablet or smartphone.

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