Systems are starting to link directly to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Home control manufacturers are not just present on social networks; they’ll incorporate aspects of how you use such sites into your systems.

You’ve just downloaded a great song from Rhapsody onto your music server. You’d like to recommend it to your circle of friends, so you jump on Facebook and post your opinion. Your kids just got home from school, and just as you’ve instructed them, they tweet you to let you know they’re okay. Social networking has forever changed the way we communicate, and manufacturers of home control systems are starting to bring bits and pieces of the technology into their products.

Control4, for example, plans to make available to consumers downloadable applications for Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Flickr.
“They’ll be able to access these sites directly from their home control touchscreens and other interfaces,” says Jeff Dugan, vice president for product management. “On an even higher level, the control system will be able to communicate certain things about your home automatically, like sending you a tweet when a security sensor notices that the kids have arrived home from school. Or there might be an app that would allow certain security cameras to take snapshots (like of a party at your pool) and post them on Facebook.”

Control4 expects a number of social networking apps to be available through its 4Store online app store this year, so keep your eyes peeled. Home control manufacturer Crestron reports that a number of custom electronics professionals have started to incorporate social networking features into its high-end home control system.

“We’ve seen them use it so that when, for example, you’ve just downloaded The Hurt Locker the system will automatically send out a tweet.”
One manufacturer that’s been offering social networking as part of its technology package for awhile is Sonos. The company’s S5 wireless whole-house music system integrates Twitter, which enables users to send the name and artist of the track they’re currently playing to friends on their network directly from the system’s handheld remote.

Source : www.electronichouse.com

This Kit offers a relatively easy and cost-effective way for homeowners and renters to get the security benefits of Internet-connected home monitoring, including mobile alerts. Designed for quick and easy installation by the user (D-Link claims that the system can be installed from scratch in about 30 minutes, using pre-set default settings) the system connects using the broadband router in the home. Once installation is complete, in-home activities and security options can be remotely monitored and controlled through a personalized Web portal account at mydlink.com. Alerts from wireless sensors around the home are instantly relayed by text, e-mail and voice-call to system owner. It’s also possible to set up alerts for designated contacts, or for activities at certain times of day.

Once the Starter Kit is installed, the system can be expanded with a number of high-end features that are available as optional accessories, including infrared motion detection, door/window contacts, keypad, personalized key fobs, fire, carbon monoxide, and water leak detectors. The system can be used for low security applications too, such as letting working parents when their kids get home safely from school, or even monitoring pets during the day. A home video option is available with D-Link IP cameras which can capture and record events with remote access to the images available through the Web site or via mobile phones.

A green companion to the Home Monitor is the D-Link Home Energy Monitoring Starter Kit. According to D-Link this Kit lets consumers measure the energy consumption of all electrical appliances in the home, turning the Home Monitor into the ultimate smart energy 'Green Machine'. Once the Energy Monitor is installed and linked to the Home Monitoring Starter kit, consumers can use the MyDLink portal to program devices to power-down when the home is empty, helping reduce carbon emissions and reduce utility bills by saving electricity.

The energy monitoring kit is equipped with two power-usage sensor adapters (additional sensors may be purchased separately) that plug into the home's wall sockets near where the electrical appliances are located. By plugging the appliances directly into the kit's sensor adapters, users can automatically download energy consumption data to their personal mydlink.com Web page where they have access to real-time power usage levels; daily, weekly and monthly breakdowns; cost conversions and graphical analysis.

These two kits make a smart package for homeowners interested in upgrading their security and energy consumption options with one integrated and expandable solution.

With the EasyTouch Panel10™, Marmitek has convincingly demonstrated that operational ease and a stylish design go hand in hand. The 10”/25cm touch screen, which can easily be attached to or fitted into the wall, is used to wirelessly operate all X-10 controlled lights and equipment within the house. Because of the fact that users can add their own favourite backgrounds, buttons and functions, they can amaze their friends, family and neighbours with a touch panel that is as chic as it is high-tech. And all for less than € 200.

Marmitek EasyTouch Panel10™
Marmitek's new EasyTouch Panel10™ is an affordable, wireless touch screen which can be programmed and used by everyone, without the need for a computer. Even grandma and grandpa can switch off all the lights in the house with one single touch on the panel.

Customised design
This touch screen is unique insofar as the content of the screen can easily be set up according to your own wishes and taste. Two different configurations each offer the option of adding a maximum of 30 buttons. The touch buttons are each given their own function and can be placed wherever you like on the screen. In combination with the possibility of placing a personal background photo under the glass touch panel, users can design a unique control panel. So it is possible to make a collage of photos of all of the X-10 devices in the house and then place the buttons above the relevant device on the screen. Users can even use photos of family members so that one touch on the photo immediately leads them to the favourite settings of the person concerned. Of course, you can always use your favourite holiday snap or any image that fits in with the style of your interior. You own creativity forms the only limitation in this regard.

To allow you to get straight to work and offer some inspiration, three 'style samples' are supplied with the screen, providing you with three different background styles. The operation of Home Automation has never been this attractive. Start today with Marmitek X-10 Home Automation or fit this panel into your existing X-10 domotics system.

Specifications
The screen is equipped with a built-in Marmitek X-10/RF transmitter and an integrated antenna. This wirelessly transmits the Marmitek X-10 commands to your X-10 transceiver. The screen, made of brushed aluminium, can easily be attached to the wall or fitted into the wall using an optional mounting frame. The screen uses 2 AAA batteries and all settings are automatically stored during any power failures.