Smart Home for the Holidays
This Christmas is gonna be fun! I just received my Smarthome.com order with a bunch of switches, keypads, and other “smart” goodies. It’ll keep me busy for a while.
Do you have any innovative ideas on using home automation products for the holidays? Please let me know in the comments.
By the way, today is the last day to save up to $60 and get a free shipping (a rare treat) from Smarthome.com! Don’t miss this huge SALE!!!
Turn Your Nokia N800 or N810 Into an INSTEON Controller
If you already have (or planning to buy) ISY-99i Home Automation Controller with PLM ($339), then interfaceGO Software ($119.95) will convert your Nokia N800 or N810 touch panel remote control into a “thumb-friendly, wireless, customizable, versatile”, in other words, very sexy INSTEON Home Automation Controller.
“The interfaceGO interface allows you to create your own hierarchy of folders and controls. You create the layout and choose which buttons you want and where. Create a custom layout to match the touch panel’s location, or your own personal preference. The graphical user interface (GUI) is designed for easy control without a pen. On-screen buttons are large, easy to press, and easy to read.”
interfaceGO software currently only supports the Panasonic network cameras. The software will take a still image from the webcam, from a URL you specify, and refresh the image every 5 seconds. Other webcams that provide a still image URL may work as well.
interfaceGO software is also available for PC for a mere $49.95, so you can convert that Tablet/UMPC of yours to an even sexier INSTEON controller.
The world of changes
What’s going on with this world? Many companies these days are moving away from their decade-honed niche markets, or acquire other companies that have nothing to do with their direct line of business or (unfortunately) close their stores and/or businesses altogether.
I can understand Apple (a computer manufacturer) making its way into mobile phones business. These days cell phones are no longer just phones, they are micro computers with features that many computers of yesterday would envy.
But Nokia (a #1 cell phone/equipment manufacturer in the world) going into Home Automation business? Well, according to recently opened website Nokia is inviting 3-rd party developers to join its Home Control Center initiative. (continue reading this article and leave comments here…)