Home Automation DIY

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.

This new application can control and set timers for up to 240 scenes to conserve energy.

NetLinc supports 1 On and 1 Off timer for each scene for up to 480 events per day.

Smarthome has a video showing off what NetLinc can do. The video shows the device turning on the TV, pool lights, spa and sprinklers and turning down a thermostat.

Click here to watch another video of NetLinc in action. (WMV link)

It includes a feature to apply names and labels to devices and scenes for added orgranization.

NetLinc also has IP camera support to watch and control IP-enabled surveillance cameras.

SmartLabs says an Insteon receiver has to be connected to each device in the home you want to remotely control.

NetLinc is currently being featured by Smarthome as part of four different whole-house Insteon kits: Best Sellers, Energy Savers, New Products, and Build Your Own Kit.

The pricing for each kit varies, of course, as do the included options.

Source: CE Pro

Second generation of HomeSeer’s home controller HomeTroller 2 supports Z-Wave, Insteon and X10 out of the box, and offers about 20 optional drivers, plug-ins and applications. Retails now for $895.

Key Features of HomeTroller 2

• Built-in web server for remote access anywhere.
• Easy-to-use web interface allows easy access and control with any web browser.
• Supports the widest variety of user interfaces, including in-wall button controllers, touchscreens, wireless remotes, PDAs, PocketPCs, cellphones and voice (microphones).
• Compatible with a wide variety of technologies and companies including Lutron, Leviton, Z-Wave, UPB, Insteon and many others.
• Designed for voice control by microphone and telephone.
• Creates alerts, announcements and reminders by email, telephone and text message.
• Supports complete telephone messaging with caller ID announcements (w/optional telephone interface).
• Includes calendar-based functions for easy scheduling.
• Automation events may be created ‘on-the-fly’ using voice commands.
• HSProtect guards the embedded operating system from virus, spyware and malware attacks.
• HSSentry continuously monitors the unit to ensure extremely reliable operation.
• Fanless, diskless design for ultimate mechanical reliability.
• Ultra low power consumption conserves energy and lowers utility bills.
• Includes true ‘trigger-based’ automation with advanced conditional options.
• Built-in power failure recovery feature runs events missed during outages when power is restored.
• Includes multiple serial and USB ports for integration with the most commonly used technology interfaces.

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