So how well does all your home automation equipment work together?

If you have been playing with home automation for a while, it is probably starting to look a little like the Tower of Babel. No two systems seem compatible with each other and up to now there hasn’t been a way to have centralized management between it all.

The Logitech system appears to have support for a broad base of manufacturer systems. Control devices from Philips Hue, LIFX, August, Sonos, Harmony, Lutron, Insteon, and Belkin WeMo. This type of system is what I would use for that broad base of consumer products that you would pick up at your local Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, Costco or Sam’s Club. These systems were never meant to be interoperable but with the Logitech System you bring them all together.

The main BRAIN is a bridge unit that you plug into your power and connect into your Wi-Fi network. From here it goes out an identifies what you installed in your home. Using the App you can add more that the, system doesn’t find. Once you have gone through the discovery process, you now have the ability to begin creating your controlled environment.

The control buttons are used to created easy switches the have up to three sequences that can be programmed to them. TO operate them it is just a simple press of the button but how you press it determines which of the three programs you want it to run. The options are a single click, double click or a continuous hold down of the button to achieve these three options.

The buttons can either be mounted using a self-adhesive back or just placed on a table top. They have a replaceable battery in them that lasts up to five years before you need to change them out. System Specifications

The Starter Pack includes:  Home switch (x2, with battery), Plug-in bridge, Mounting tape (x2) and User documentation priced at $99.99. Each add-on switch costs $39.99. It can be controlled either by iOS or Android devices. I haven’t found out whether it can be controlled from a PC yet but if your techy enough you can probably figure a way around that.

While this isn’t the system I would necessarily use if I was starting out today when I compare it to one of Honeywell’s advanced systems but if you are a do-it-yourselfer, and are using different technologies to accomplish different tasks then this can be a great way of bringing it back together.

More info on Logitech’s Pop Home Management System

Home Automation

With so many vendors wanting to grab you as a customer for home automation functions if you want to add these kinds of features to your home you’ll want someone to give you all of the options. PAConnect has always been a systems solution provider and we offer the perfect options for you to take advantage of automating your home in so many interesting ways.

In a couple of weeks we should have completed the initial setup of our new showroom experience that will give you an opportunity to see all of the different controls that you will want. Talk to our system integrators to help you decide what will be best for your situation and needs.

The combination of home security and and home control all under one application control is what we are all looking for. You want to have this information available on your phone, as well as control different functions remotely from the same app on your phone. You want as many options as possible, including receiving your alerts via text, push notification, email or a phone call. And you want a complete history of events so that you can go back and research a problem after you have become aware of it. You want a system that is simple to use but sophisticated enough to provide all of the features that you want. Then you want PAConnect! Make an appointment now with our home security and automation specialists  to design a personalized system just for you!

Google jumps into the Home Automation Pool

Google with all that cash in their pocket is letting some of it go to acquire Nest for $3.2 billion. Nest makes smart thermostats and smoke alarms for the home and with all the focus at CES 2014 on Home Automation devices it isn’t surprising the Google grabbing someone like Nest.

Look at the ZDNet article by Larry Dignan for more detail on the acquisition and what it means for Google and the industry at large. He shows some interesting insight on how Google may use this acquisition and what it means for us consumers.

https://nest.com/

Nest Announcemant:   https://nest.com/blog/2014/01/13/welcome-home/

PR: Belkin WeMo Products

WeMo LED Lighting, WeMo Maker to launch this spring alongside the Crock-Pot® Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo

Playa Vista, Calif. – January 06, 2014 – Continuing to evolve the WeMo platform of simple, ingenious connected home products, Belkin today announced a slate of new WeMo devices including the WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set and WeMo Smart LED Bulbs, the WeMo Maker Kit, and Crock-Pot SmartSlow Cooker. Also on tap for the WeMo line at CES is a revised Android and iOS app offering improved functionality and enhanced lighting features. Belkin’s new WeMo line-up will be on display at PepCom's Digital Experience!, on January 6, 2014 at the Mirage Hotel and Casino and will be on display at the Belkin’s booth, South Hall 3 #30451, from January 7-10, 2014.

“Since first launching at the 2012 International CES, WeMo has become a major player in the connected home thanks to its simple, scalable, and affordable nature – words not typically associated with the connected home,” said Ohad Zeira, director of product management for WeMo. “As the most approachable entry point into the Smart Home, we are excited to introduce new products and app upgrades in 2014 that will continue that trend, as well as grow our business with Jarden Consumer Solutions and future partners to expand WeMo’s presence throughout the house.”

Belkin's new LED Lighting Starter Set and WeMo Smart LED Bulbs allow you to control, schedule and dim your smart LED bulbs from anywhere. As easy as replacing a standard light bulb, the WeMo Smart LED Bulbs work through the WeMo Link and are controlled via Wi-Fi and the WeMo app. The long-lasting bulbs are 60-watt equivalent with 800 Lumens and 3000 Kelvin for a bright, pleasing warm white light. Fully dimmable, WeMo Smart LED Bulbs can be controlled individually or in groups. The WeMo LED Starter Set includes two LED Smart Bulbs and a WeMo Link, which can support up to 50 individual Smart bulbs. Individual WeMo Smart LED bulbs also will be sold separately.

WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set (F5Z0489) - $129.99
WeMo Smart LED Bulbs (F7C033) - $39.99

• Turn lights on/off or schedule from anywhere
• Fully dimmable
• 60W equivalent bulbs last up to 23 years
• Vacation mode automatically turns lights on/off to simulate occupancy
• Dim to sleep – gradually dim lights to fall asleep more naturally
• Warm white light similar to incandescent bulbs
• Works with the WeMo app, available for Android or iOS

The WeMo Maker empowers DIYers to build their own WeMo solutions by adding Internet connectivity to any device controlled with a DC switch, such as research robotics, motors, sprinkler systems, antennas, and more. A small module that wires into low voltage devices, WeMo Maker also lets you monitor and manage a wide range of 5V DC sensors from anywhere using a smartphone or tablet. WeMo Maker is controlled via the same free WeMo app as existing WeMo products and integrates seamlessly within the WeMo ecosystem, allowing you to create schedules or automatically control the WeMo Maker with sensor inputs. Deactivate your sprinkler system if moisture is detected or open the blinds at sunrise from Monday to Friday. WeMo Maker also works with IFTTT, which lets you create specialized recipes bringing the Internet of Things to your fingertips.

Also debuting at the 2014 International CES, the WeMo-enabled Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker is the first WeMo equipped product stemming from Belkin’s collaboration with Jarden Consumer Solutions, a family of household appliance brands. The Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker is the first smartphone controllable slow cooker, which allows you to adjust the cooker’s settings from anywhere giving you greater flexibility and control over life’s unexpected moments. Receive reminders, change the cooking time, adjust the temperature or check the status of your dish while you are away through the WeMo app and come home to a perfectly cooked meal whenever you want it, even if you have to work late or practice runs over schedule. Additional Jarden Consumer Solutions co-branded products on display at the Belkin booth include the Mr. Coffee® Smart Coffee Maker enabled with WeMo, the HOLMES® Holmes Smart Console Space Heater enabled with WeMo, the HOLMES® Smart Console Humidifier enabled with WeMo, and the HOLMES® Holmes Smart Air Purifier enabled with WeMo.

Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker enabled with WeMo - $99.99

• Turn on/off, change temperature or time settings from anywhere
• Receive reminders
• Timer calculates cook times and process
• Works with the WeMo app for iOS or Android
• Manual control option

Aside from growing the WeMo product family in 2014, Belkin also will upgrade the award winning WeMo app to include a customizable long press gesture for the WeMo Light Switch, enhanced sunrise/sunset rules to select a time before or after sunset/sunrise, a simulated occupancy or vacation mode setting and a countdown timer.

Availability
The WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set, WeMo Smart LED Bulbs Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker enabled with WeMo and WeMo Maker Kit will be available in spring 2014. The latest version of the WeMo app with the upgraded features will launch in February for both Android and iOS.

Belkin at CES
Visit Belkin at the 2014 International CES in booth #30451 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center or on the Web. To schedule a booth tour or an appointment with a Belkin representative, please call Leah Polk at 202-213-4464.

About Belkin International, Inc.
To learn more about Belkin, visit http://www.belkin.com/aboutus/. Like us on Facebook atfacebook.com/belkin, and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/belkin.

Belkin’s WeMo iPhone-based home automation

So you have been thinking about home automation but you want to do it for reasonable prices. Where should you look? Belkin is releasing soon a couple of devices that can be controlled both wirelessly and through motion detection. It can also be programmed to respond to a free service call IFTTT (IF This Then That). These are fairly simple on/off power control devices but they have the ability to be accessed using WiFi and your iPhone.

These switches connect to your home WiFi network and communicates via a free WeMo iOS app, so you can control any appliance or fixture that can plug into a regular outlet right from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. For example, you can use it to remotely turn on and off a light or heater, or schedule your coffee maker to turn on at a certain time in the morning. WeMo even comes with seamless support for the automated web service IFTTT, where you can set up "recipes" such as receiving a text message when an appliance turns on or off.

The WeMo Switch will cost you $49, or you can go for the Switch + Motion bundle for $99 where you get a motion-activated Switch that can trigger devices with a simple walk-by. Both are available now on Belkin's website.

FastMac U-Socket now shipping

For those of you that have energy hungry devices that charge using a USB port, here is a great product that might make this more convenient. I saw this initially this summer and have been hardly holding my breath waiting for it to finally come to market. I originally saw this in an engadget post and now engadget is telling us that it has seen emails that the first orders for these wonderful devices are finally shipping.

The U-Socket is a duplex AC receptacle with built-in USB ports that can power any device that is capable of being charged via a 5V power adapter, but without the power adapter! It is compatible with the iPod, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Nintendo, PSP, Bluetooth Headsets, Digital Cameras, GPS & more!

When a U-Socket replaces a traditional 3-prong AC wall socket, you can eliminate the clutter of AC Adapters that stick out & take up space in your home or office. Everything stays neat & organized. In addition, U-Socket's energy efficient design only outputs power through the USB port if something is connected to it. This can save you up to $25 per year in reduced energy costs. Good for you, good for the environment and with our great prices, good for your wallet too!

Born in the USA

A quality product made right here in the USA ensures that your U-Socket is constructed with care and precision. Our workers test each and every U-Socket to the highest standards before they are shipped out.

Their site still states that you need to pre-order but says it is shipping in January. I would contact them direct to see if you can place your order now. I don’t have an exact price but the posts I am seeing says that it is under $20.

Trendnet’s new 500Mbps powerline Ethernet product.

Ethernet over power lines has always been a part of our arsenal to connect PC’s when we don’t want to run wire. The draw has been that it is relatively slow when compared to the speed you are achieving over CAT5e and CAT6 cabling. It is nice to be running at a full gig between your workstations, servers and other networked devices. What we have seen in the past from powerline Ethernet was always in the 11-14mbps range but Trendnet’s new product promises to get that speed up where we need it to be to handle your Data, VOIP and Video traffic.

Things like Blu-ray players, game consoles, TVs and all sorts of other stuff need a web connection to work a lot of times. The catch for many of us is that not all of the gadgets have WiFi built-in and sometimes WiFi just doesn't cut it when it comes to getting a reliable connection.

Trendnet has unveiled a new powerline networking system that is aimed at folks streaming lots of HD models and other large files across a network. The networking kit promises powerline networking at up to 500Mbps. Each of the adapters has a Gigabit Ethernet port built-in and has 128-bit AES encryption. The system has one button set up and an LED indicator on each adapter for network status.

You are limited to a maximum of 16 adapters (nodes) if you are streaming video. Additional adapters can impact performance. Networked Powerline devices need to be plugged into power outlets that are on the same electrical system. The network signal transmits up to 300 meters.

You will be able to get two kits with the powerline gear. The TPL-401E is a single adapter and will ship on November 29 for $99.99. The TPL-401E2K kit is a pair of the adapters to get you started and will ship on the same day for $179.99. You can add more adapters to your powerline network as needed, but you need a pair to get started.

Bacterial light-harvesting proteins make a regenerating solar cell

A recent article published by ARS Technica discussed replacing the traditional technology being used in photovoltaic cells with biological materials that provide a sustainable and renewable resource. If you are interested in energy technology this is a really interesting alternative to traditional methods of solar energy collection that may bring the price down on implementing the technology.

Bacterial light-harvesting proteins make a regenerating solar cell

Digital Home is Back in the News

Microsoft Hohm Joins Forces With Blue Line Innovations to Help Consumers Track Energy Use Down to the Minute and the Dollar REDMOND, Wash. — July 27, 2010 — Tracking your energy use and saving money just got easier today. Microsoft and Blue Line Innovations have joined forces to give consumers real-time information about their energy use down to the minute and the dollar. The companies have combined Blue Line’s popular energy tracking device with Microsoft Hohm to give consumers information about their household energy use — and its cost — at a glance, with easy-to-use graphs that show where you can save the most energy and money.

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