Smart Home Blog

Heating and cooling company Lennox launched its new device – WiFi enabled thermostat icomfort. It allows home owners control cooling or heating in one click directly from device (thanks to color touchscreen) or remotely via web interface or smartphone application.

The icomfort not just control heating, air-conditioning, air purification systems or dehumidifiers but it can notify consumers or installers about repairs or maintenance needs. Also it displays a real-time weather information plus five days forecast for better adjustment of temperature. The Lennox thermostat automatically checks firmware updates and allows skin customization to fit in your style.

[via SlashGear]

Pioneer offers a really amazing product – X-SMC3-S Music Tap. It plays audio content from almost all kinds of sources except tape, of course. The device supports AirPlay and DLNA (thanks built-in WiFi and Ethernet) and sports 2.5″ color LCD screen, FM tuner, iPhone/iPod dock and USB port. It can communicate by Bluetooth as well with optional AS-BT200 adapter). Stylish design, wide range of media sources, good quality of sound and reasonable price ($399.00) make the X-SMC3-S Music Tap of a good choice for compact home audio system.

Californian start-up Nest Labs launched world’s first learning thermostat Nest. It looks very attractive and uses the same approach for user interaction as iPod (company’s founders – two ex-Apple employees from the iPod team). The thermostat is extremely simple in installation and easy in use. Moreover, it learns your temperature preferences during the fist week and then starts build the temperature schedule automatically based on previous data. Sure you have ability to adjust it manually.

Thanks to built-in WiFi adapter and special apps you may control the Nest from iOS or Android devices as well as from web-based interface. Also it can be integrated to the whole home automation system.

The thermostat Nest will be available in the middle of November at $249.00. Taking into account its price, design, learning feature and DIY segmentation we can say that it’s possible the best approach for your apartments or house to add climate-control and save money.

Check a few demo videos after break.
Read more »

Logitech just announced its new device – Harmony Link, which together with free Android/iOS Harmony Link app turns your smartphone/tablet into smart universal remote control. It uses WiFi to receive commands and transmits them via IR to AV equipment. The Harmony Link can control up to 8 devices and work with several smartphones/tablets simultaneously. The application offers all features ordinary universal controls and even more – custom buttons layout and personalize TV shows guide via Rovi (for iPad only).

The Logitech Harmony Link will be available in October at $99.99.

Netgear launched its new NeoTV streaming player. It’s a compact and stylish set-top-box with built-in WiFi b/g/n and 1080p playback support. The NeoTV offers access to the many online media services such Netflix, Vudu HD, YouTube, Pandora and Vimeo, as well as social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Most of them are for US citizen only. But I hope it works with UPnP/DLNA as well which gives possibility to playback media content from NAS or home media server. For sure it has a “Fling” feature to instantly send videos from PC/Laptop/Tablet to the box.

To control NeoTV it can be used simple remote control or free application for iOS/Android devices. In the second case user will get a gesture control for channel navigation and an on-screen QWERTY keyboard for easier text entry and search.

The Netgear NeoTV will be available later this month at $79.99. Taking into account its price and features we may say the NeoTV beats Roku 2 XD, AppleTV and WD WDTV Live as a set-top-box for online services.

[via SlashGear]