Smart Home Blog

XBMC is the most popular and the best option for DIY media center I think. But it doesn’t cover any smarthome areas except entertainment. Luckily XBMC provides plug-ins and scripts which allow en easy way to extend basic XBMC functionality. So, to add possibility to control X10 devices to your media center you may use either heyu + some scripts or plug-in X10 Commander Lights. Which one to use is up to you. The first way is more difficult but it’ll give you a full control and understanding the low-level logic while plug-in provides easy way way. Even for non-geeks. It’s always good when you have more then one way to do something.

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]

X10 well-known as producer devices for home automation over electric wirings, recently launched its own Android Tablet called AirPad. For $199.99 you get 7 inch Android 2.3 powered tablet with 1.2 Ghz Rockchip 2918 Cortex A8 processor, 4GB memory + up to 32GB with microSD card, a built in camera, microphone, speakers, WiFi adapter. Not bad for that price isn’t it?

The main application of the X10 AirPad in my mind is control console of smarthome system. It can be mounted to the wall or used as mobile remote control.

[via AutomatedHome]

Application iHomeTouch gives a convenient and easy way to control X10 devices from iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. To define the target device just open a photo taken from device camera and define it by touch. Application will store coordinates together with description. After that press it to turn on/off. It’s very simple and intuitive.

The iHomeTouch needs some special software installed on your Windows-based home server or controller – iHomeTouchServer and ActiveHome SDK as well as X10 Computer Interface e.g. CM11 or similar one. Mac fans can use Thinking Home instead iHomeTouchServer. See demo video, which shows how to control Christmas tree, after break.

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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]