Home Automation DIY

SuRF boards

People Power, a green-tech start-up based in the heart of the Silicon Valley, recently introduced a kit it calls SuRF, for Sensor Ultra-Radio Frequency. SuRF helps connect household appliances and gadgets to a wireless network in your house.

“What that means is that you could monitor your microwave, Playstation and coffee machine in real time, check their levels of energy consumption, and make apps to control how they behave. Ultimately, that could lead to substantial savings of energy and money” writes Wired.

Or it could lead to a self-aware network of gadgets that will try to take you (the owner) out of equation, a la Skynet. Just kidding!

Seriously, this is a promising new technology that would need some serious backing from the device and appliance manufacturers to really take off. And when it does it might make our lives better, saving us some energy and money in the process. Sounds good to me!

On a technical note… (continue reading this article and leave comments here…)

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.

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. (continue reading this article and leave comments here…)

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.

(continue reading this article and leave comments here…)