Home Automation DIY

Raise your hand if you think that iPhone/iPod Touch is ideal platform for remote control of any kind. Yes, I thought so too. It’s portable, fits well in your hand, has crisp and bright display, has multitude of communication methods and last but not least — it’s always by your side.

And it seems that industry gets it too. Apple’s AppStore and CE trade shows are getting flooded with all kinds of software that might be used to simplify and unify control of all your home systems including lighting, media, temperature control, video surveillance, etc. Some applications use native iPhone SDK and some provide web-based approach. Here you will find the most comprehensive list of iPhone/iPod Touch software for home automation and related areas.

Note: This post is a work in progress, and it will be updated as new software titles are being released or discovered, so swing by often.

1. ILoveControl ($3 Lite/$30) - supports Crestron/AMX systems with up to 16 zones of A/V, lighting and more.
2. iMyHome (Free/$38) - controls OpenWebNet protocol-based BTicino systems.
3. CF iViewer (Free) - controls most systems that support TCP/IP communications (Crestron/AMX/Control4/Global Cache).
4. ROSIE Home Automation ($200) - controls Savant’s ROSIE systems.
5. H@me (Free) - controls HAI’s Omni and Lumina systems.
6. Insteon Tracker (Free) - doesn’t control anything, but allows you to catalog all X10/Insteon devices.
7. Luminair ($99) - Not really a home automation software, unless you have a disco room with Art-Net compatible DMX lighting.
8. iDoControl ($12) - controls iDo Automation-based residential and commercial building automation systems.
9. eKeypad ($10) - mobile keypad that (dis)arms Elk M1 Gold security and home automation system.
10. iRa ($900) - controls IP-based surveillance equipment, such as AXIS, Pelco D, etc.

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I have finally received my SmartLinc package yesterday. Yeay!

Here’s my first thoughts.

The installation process is pretty straight forward. Connect one end of Ethernet cable to SmartLinc, another to your router. Plug SmartLinc to available power outlet and you are ready to go. Or almost ready… Depends on your router’s configuration. In my case I have MAC filtering option enabled, so only devices whose MAC addresses are entered into router’s configuration are allowed to connect to my network. So, naturally, SmartLinc couldn’t get an IP from the router. It’s very easy to add a new MAC address to the router. That is if you know it. After thoroughly searching for MAC address on the SmartLinc box’s label, included Quick Start Guide and the SmartLinc device itself and not finding one, I turned to my router’s logs. They revealed that device with a certain MAC address was refused connection 100+ times. I entered that MAC address into router and… nothing. I had to unplug and re-connect SmartLinc to power outlet for it to get the IP. That was not so bad though.

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The Smarthome team has sent its customers the following email.

Dear Loyal INSTEON® Customer,

You are receiving this message because you have:

Placed a NetLinc Pre-Order
Added NetLinc to your Wish List or,
Added NetLinc to email notification using “Notify Me”

To avoid any confusion when you receive your shipment or notification, we would like to inform you that NetLinc has been renamed from:

NetLinc - INSTEON Central Controller
To
SmartLinc – INSTEON Central Controller

Please be aware that this is only a name change and that part number (2412N) and product functionality remain the same.

Sincerely,
The Smarthome Team

What should we make of it? Is NetLinc getting smarter before even being born? I don’t know, but I would personally prefer the original name. I think NetLinc reflects the purpose of the device better - it links your Home to the Network. Hey, Smarthome, how about HomeLinc? Wait, I think they already have desktop software called HouseLinc. Oh, never mind.

The NetLinc SmartLinc is a small home controller that plugs into the Ethernet port of your router. It allows mobile web-enabled devices such as iPhone or iPod Touch to remotely control INSTEON compatible devices. SmartLinc is scheduled to ship on August 28th.

SpeakerCraft, Crestron, Savant among companies with iPhone support.

Remember the iPod invasion? Now that it’s faster and runs applications, welcome to the iPhone invasion.

Apple’s iPhone, originally launched in 2007 with a second-gen model released in July, will increasingly be integrated into your clients’ home control and automation systems, thanks to its feature-set and wireless capabilities.

Many companies offered iPhone interfaces for applications (basically Web sites that the phone could log on to and interact with), but with the launch of the Application Store, the iPhone has turned into a wireless platform host to a number of control options.

While third-party developers are getting in on the act, a number of custom big-wigs have already announced iPhone support.

So when your clients begin asking you for integration with their new iPhones, will you be able to comply?

We sure hope so. We’ve rounded up some of the first iPhone applications and interfaces available.

Click here to view the 7 iPhone applications and interfaces for custom installation systems.

Source: CE Pro

As the iPhone grows in popularity, so too does the amount of home control manufacturers offering iPhone interfaces for home control systems.

The latest application is a plug-in Web server from SmartLabs called the NetLinc Insteon Central Controller.

NetLinc turns the iPhone, iPod touch, PC or any Web-enabled device into a wireless remote for Insteon-compatible lighting, HVAC, appliances and security systems. (more…)