HAI by Leviton takes on home control with the Omni LTe-- a system providing enhanced convenience by coordinating lighting, heating and air, security, audio/video, scenes and messaging.

The system controls homes and businesses by schedule, motion detection, door openings, sunrise/sunset and alarm activation/deactivation. It features an ethernet port and is controllable remotely (via PC, tablet or smartphone) as well as onsite from in-wall or table-top touchscreens.

Meanwhile Omni LTe controllers are CP-01 compliant and UL Listed security and fire systems, with wired or wireless sensors detecting intrusion and hazards such as smoke and fire, carbon monoxide and water.

The system controls up to 32 individual lighting loads, handles up to x4 access control readers and coordinates up to x4 thermostats.

It supports the following protocols and products-- X-10, UPB, Omni-Bus, ZigBee, Vizia RF Z-Wave, Clipsal C-Bus, Dynalite, Coolmaster, KNX, HAI Hi-Fi and HAI Hi-Fi 2.

Go HAI by Leviton Releases Omni LTe Home Control System

Ube (pronounced "yoo-bee"), a start-up led by former CEDIA CEO Utz Baldwin, has an interesting idea for a more affordable automation solution-- selling advertising on the platform.

The Ube proposal avoids central home processing units (and related programming) by providing a free iOS/Android app and IP-connected "appcessories." Using standard IP protocols, the app allows control of of IP-enabled smart devices such as smart TVs and thermostats. Very few vendors employ such an approach to automation (also known as "the internet of things"), other than Belkin and WeMo.

The company offers 3 flavours of smart device, all to ship from early 2013-- the Smart Dimmer (a light switch replacement running on Android OS), Smart Plug (allows remote device on/off and consumption measurement) and Smart Outlet (an outlet replacement with energy management and remote control).

While the Ube offerings above conform to US standards, the company promises it will also roll out in other form factor for worldwide markets.

The Ube system already impressed at DEMO 2012, winning the People's Choice Award and $1 million in advertising from event producers IDG.

Go Ube

The Nest, the thermostat designed by iPod creators Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, gets a sequel-- one with a slimmer (by 20%) design and increased compatability with low-voltage home HVAC systems.

The 2nd generation Nest design features a stainless steel ring serving as both control dial and outer housing, while an "invisible" front plate eliminates the open grille from the previous model.

The backplate also gets a revision, with 2 new connectors allowing the thermostat to control most heating and cooling systems available-- including 2nd stage cooling, 3rd stage heating, dual fuel, emergency heat and whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

The software (now at version 3.0) is Android tablet compatible and carries "System Match," a means to automatically set the thermostat for specific kinds of heating and cooling systems. Other features (such as auto-away and the auto scheduler) also receive further improvement.

It all sounds very promising, even if the thermostat has one problem-- Nest still has to confirm an actual European release.

Go The Next Generation Nest Thermostat

Shown at CEDIA in USA, here’s a Residential/Small Community 10 kW/12kWh Energy Storage System that enhances incoming utility and auxiliary power to the home.

Not for the faint of heart or weak-in-wallet, it provides uninterruptable power for selected critical circuits and integrates an optional solar photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy.

This Energy Hub also features Demand Response (DR) load management capability with utility systems.

Go Residental Energy Hub

IBM and Vodafone combine mobile communications and cloud computing for the remote management of smart home appliances-- using Machine-to-Machine (M2) technology to connect appliances to the internet.

First seen at IFA 2012, the system combines Vodafone's Global M2M platform with the IBM SmartCloud platform to enable connected "smart" appliances to feed useful data to either service provider or vendor.

It also allows customers to control appliances through smartphones, with remote activities including the viewing of utility consumptions, security control, heating and lighting systems and the activation of appliances.

The IBM SmartCloud provides vendors with a scaleable appliance management cloud-based platform, as well as the means to quickly introduce new consumer services.

Vodafone's Global M2M platform is a means of providing wireless connectivity to home gateways.

Go IBM and Vodafone Advance Smarter Home Initiative

Schlage expands on the Nexia Home Intelligence system with two sensor additions-- the Home Door/Window sensor and the Home Motion Sensor.

The Home Door/Window sensor monitors whether doors and windows are open or closed, sending customers text alerts when open. It needs no wiring and battery life is up to 3 years (with normal usage) according to Schlage.

Meanwhile the Home Motion Sensor sends text alerts whenever it detects motion, letting customers know of situations in need of attention. Installers can also sync it with other products on the Nexia network, allowing the system to turn on lights or trigger camera recording should the sensor detect motion.

Relaunched back in January 2012, the Nexia system (previously known as Link) is compatible with around 200 Z-Wave based wireless products, including Schlage devices (door locks, web cameras, appliance modules, light dimmers) and the Trane ComfortLink II thermostat, with the Nexia bridge unit connecting all devices to the network.

Go Nexia Home Intelligence System Expands