Smart Home Blog

After repeated promises INSTEON is coming to European market. According to AutomatedHome, the first modules for Europe standards will be available this Summer! Following type of INSTEON product will be offered:

• Hub (internet and computer gateway, works with free mobile apps as well as pc/mac software)
• Plug in on/off
• Plug in dimmer
• Micro on/off
• Micro dimmer
• Micro shutter controller
• Din on/off
• Din dimmer
• Mini remote 4 scene
• Mini remote switch
• Thermostat
• 0-10V Dimmer/relay (fluorescents)

Looks like it’s the end of X10. Not as technology yet but as a company for sure. However, there is no reason to worry about that. First of all, X10 many European home automation retailers have a good level of stock of X10 devices. Secondly, Chinese manufactures offer a good range of X10 devices with better design and price. And finally, there are good alternatives to X10 such Z-Wave, ZigBee, EnOcean, PLCBus. So, it’s good reason to upgrade your home automation system or start with new technology.

[via AutomatedHome]

Google recently announced its new platform Android @ Home which should join all devices in the home for easy configuration and management. The idea is to add Android to each device – TV, STB, washing machine, dimmers, switches, lamps etc. Then using ready-made software or built by yourself using Android @ Home SDK you’ll able to manage those devises from Android smartphone or tablets even over Internet. The current conception when the smarhome is built around a controller won’t be used. Each device will be accessible directly. Additionally Google offers integration with its services like Google Music and some video/TV maybe to stream media content over the house.
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The end of the year is a good time to summarize my favourite open source home automation system LinuxMCE. I’d like to start from the most important thing in my mind – building packages for version 1004 based on Kubuntu 10.04. Finally we have a chance to use modern OS with Long Term Support. That version is not stable yet but this is a very good present for New Year!

In addition to that the LinuxMCE has a lot of improvements. It becomes more and more user friendly. A big number of devices are plug-n-play now. For example, huge work was done to simplify DVB card installation. Now most of them are recognized and added by system automatically.
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As you may know one of the biggest disadvantage of X10 is different protocols for security and automation. So, you should have two separated devices – automation controller and security panel to cover both areas. Marmitek tries to make a life of DYI-ers easier by producing ProGuard800 security panel. With additional X-10 Home Automation module it’ll allow control dimmers, switches, sockets etc from the same panel.

The TheProGuard800 uses radio frequency to communicate with different types of sensors which makes an installation procedure easier and more conformable. Additionally the ProGuard800 can be integrated with telephony using PSTN or GSM modules. So, you’ll be able to control your home or receive notifications using mobile or landline phone.

The TheProGuard800 is already available for £400 including the security panel itself, two motion detectors, door/window sensor and keyfob remote control.

[via AutomatedHome]